Gender, age and risk of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Exact associations of gender and age with occurrence of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction are inadequately known. DESIGN: Gender and age differences in frequency and incidence of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI were studied using a nationwide, population-based (26 723 956 person-years) registry of hospital admissions in patients aged ≥ 30 during 2001-2008 in Finland. Data were collected from all 22 hospitals with a coronary angiolaboratory nationwide. RESULTS: The study period included 27 993 STEMI admissions. Of these patients, 65·9% were men and 34·1% women, RR 2·37 (95% CI 2·05-2·74, P < 0·0001). Women were significantly older than men (74·3 ± 11·7 vs. 64·7 ± 12·4 years, P < 0·0001). Standardized incidence rate of STEMI was 113·0/100 000 person-years overall, 170·9/100 000 in men and 66·6/100 000 in women. Men had a 3·03 (95% CI 2·86-3·21; P < 0·0001)-fold age-adjusted relative risk of STEMI compared with women with highest risk difference in population under the age of 55 years (RR 5·94; 95% CI 5·36-6·58, P < 0·0001). Incidence increased with age up to 90 years old, with estimated gender-adjusted increase rate of 41% (95% CI 40-42%; P < 0·0001) per 5-year increase in age. Incidence rate had a slowly declining trend (-2·2%; 95% CI -3·4 to -1·0% per year, P < 0·001) during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Men have a tripled overall risk of STEMI compared with women with highest relative risk in younger adults. Incidence rate of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction increases by estimated 41% per 5-year increase in age.