Female sex is associated with a better long-term survival in patients hospitalized with congestive heart failure

Aims Results of previous studies on the influence of gender on prognosis in heart failure have been conflicting and most studies have been conducted in selected populations. The aim of this study was determine whether mortality risk in women and men hospitalized with congestive heart failure is diff...

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Published in:European heart journal 2004-01, Vol.25 (2), p.129-135
Main Authors: Gustafsson, Finn, Torp-Pedersen, Christian, Burchardt, Hans, Buch, Pernille, Seibaek, Marie, Kjøller, Erik, Gustafsson, Ida, Køber, Lars
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
Biological and medical sciences
Cardiology. Vascular system
Denmark - epidemiology
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gender
Heart
Heart Failure - mortality
Heart failure, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, cardiac enlargement
Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Ischaemic heart disease
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Prognosis
Sex Factors
Survival Analysis
Systolic function
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Summary:Aims Results of previous studies on the influence of gender on prognosis in heart failure have been conflicting and most studies have been conducted in selected populations. The aim of this study was determine whether mortality risk in women and men hospitalized with congestive heart failure is different. Methods and results Survival analysis of 5491 consecutive patients admitted with congestive heart failure to 34 Danish hospitals between 1993–1996. Follow-up time was 5–8 years. Forty percent of the patients were female. Females were older, had less evidence of ischaemic heart disease and their left ventricular systolic function was preserved to a greater extent than in males. Men were more often treated with ACE inhibitors. During the follow-up period 1569 women (72%) and 2386 (72%) of the men died. When the age difference between men and women was adjusted for, male gender was associated with an increased risk of death (RR 1.25 (1.17–1.34)) and the increased risk was confirmed in a multivariate model containing several covariates. Conclusion In patients hospitalized with congestive heart failure male gender is an independent predictor of mortality. Female heart failure patients may be under-treated with ACE inhibitors.
ISSN:0195-668X
1522-9645
DOI:10.1016/j.ehj.2003.10.003