Gender Differences in the Medical Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Peripheral arterial disease is a frequent and severe disease with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, female patients appear to be undertreated. Objectives: The primary goal was to compare the prescription of optimal medical treatment (OMT) of peripheral arterial disease between women and men in primary health care. Material and methods: An observational retrospective study was based on the data collected from general practitioners (GP) office in Brittany. Results: The study included 100 patients, aged 71 ± 10 years old, with 24% of women. Compared to men, women received the OMT less frequently (29.2% vs. 53.9%, p = 0.038), especially after 75 years old. Antiplatelet therapy was largely prescribed (100%), statins less frequently (70.8% women vs. 85.5% men), and prescription of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors was still not optimal in the two genders (41.7% women vs. 61.9% men). Active smoking is important for both women and men (33% and 30% respectively). Conclusion: Optimal medical treatment of peripheral artery disease is insufficiently prescribed, especially in women in this region of France.