Women admitted with heart failure received fewer diagnostic procedures and evidence-based medications than men, despite having similar in-hospital mortality and 6-month event rates.
Cross-Sectional (n=2,127)
Yes
Are there sex differences in the clinical profile, management, and outcomes of patients hospitalized with heart failure?
Women hospitalized with heart failure receive fewer diagnostic procedures and evidence-based pharmacological therapies compared to men, highlighting a potential sex disparity in heart failure management.
AIM: To identify differences between sexes in the clinical profile, use of resources, management and outcome in a large population of 'real world' patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted on 2127 consecutive patients (47% women) admitted with HF to 167 cardiology and 250 internal medicine departments between February 14 and 25, 2000. RESULTS: Women were older, had a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation, and more frequently a hypertensive or valvular aetiology. Females were admitted more frequently in Medical than in Cardiology Departments. The rate of invasive and non-invasive procedures was lower in women than in men, slightly higher if managed by cardiologists. Women were less frequently prescribed ACE-inhibitors, amiodarone, and spironolactone, and more frequently prescribed digoxin. In-hospital mortality was similar, without difference between health-care providers. A 6-month follow-up was performed in 56.4% of the cases in both setting, but less frequently in women. Event rates were similar with nearly half of patients re-hospitalised at least once. CONCLUSION: The 'real' HF woman has generally a more severe disease; she is an old lady who is more frequently hospitalised in a medical unit, receives few diagnostic, and cardiovascular procedures and pharmacological therapy, has a relatively low probability of dying in hospital, but a high likelihood of requiring readmission.
Opasich et al. (Sat,) conducted a cross-sectional in Heart failure (n=2,127). Female sex vs. Male sex was evaluated on In-hospital mortality and 6-month event rates. Women admitted with heart failure received fewer diagnostic procedures and evidence-based medications than men, despite having similar in-hospital mortality and 6-month event rates.