Sex differences in acute coronary syndrome: insights from an observation study in low socio-economic cohort from India

Abstract

Aim: To study sex-related differences in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presentation, management and in-hospital outcomes. Materials & methods: We studied 621 ACS patients (150 women, 471 men) of low socio-economic status from South India from February 2015 to January 2016. Multivariable logistic regression methods were used to assess sex differences in the in-hospital outcomes. Adjudicated major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) included in-hospital cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, heart failure, re-infarction, stroke, major bleeding and mortality. Results & conclusion: Mean age in women was 60.97 ± 11.23 years versus 54.5 ± 10.87 years in men (p < 0.001). Women had higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes and presented with more non-ST elevation ACS. There were no differences in the use of antiplatelets, statins and other pharmacotherapy except for the higher use of nitrates in women. There were no differences in MACE rates between women and men (15.3 vs 9.6%; adjusted odds ratio: 1.43; CI: 0.76–2.69).