Among males, having a higher level of characteristics traditionally ascribed to women was associated with a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease incidence compared to those with masculine characteristics (HR 1.50).
Cohort (n=9,188)
Is a higher gender score associated with increased cardiovascular disease incidence in male and female white-collar workers?
A gender score reflecting characteristics traditionally ascribed to women is associated with an increased risk of incident cardiovascular disease in men, but not in women, highlighting the independent role of socio-cultural gender factors in cardiovascular risk.
Effect estimate: HR 1.50 (95% CI 1.24-1.82)
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Examining gender (socio-cultural) in addition to sex (biological) is required to untangle socio-cultural characteristics contributing to inequities within or between sexes. This study aimed to develop a gender measure including four gender dimensions and examine the association between this gender measure and CVD incidence, across sexes. METHODS: A cohort of 9188 white-collar workers (49.9% females) in the Quebec region was recruited in 1991-1993 and follow-up was carried out 28 years later for CVD incidence. Data collection involved a self-administered questionnaire and extraction of medical-administrative CVD incident cases. Cox proportional models allowed calculations of hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), stratified by sex. RESULTS: Sex and gender were partly independent, as discordances were observed in the distribution of the gender score across sexes. Among males, being in the third tertile of the gender score (indicating a higher level of characteristics traditionally ascribed to women) was associated with a 50% CVD risk increase compared to those in the first tertile (HR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.24 to 1.82). This association persisted after adjustment for several CVD risk factors (HR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.73). Conversely, no statistically significant association between the third tertile of the gender score and CVD incidence was observed in females (HR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.60-1.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that males within the third tertile of the gender score were more likely to develop CVD, while females with those characteristics did not exhibit an increased risk. These findings underline the necessity for clinical and population health research to integrate both sex and gender measures, to further evaluate disparities in cardiovascular health and enhance the inclusivity of prevention strategies.
Gilbert‐Ouimet et al. (Tue,) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular diseases (n=9,188). Feminine gender characteristics (third tertile of gender score) vs. Masculine gender characteristics (first tertile of gender score) was evaluated on Cardiovascular disease incidence in males (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.24-1.82). Among males, having a higher level of characteristics traditionally ascribed to women was associated with a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease incidence compared to those with masculine characteristics (HR 1.50).
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