The absolute risk of recurrent myocardial infarction is similar amongst both sexes: MONICA Iceland Study 1981-1999.
BACKGROUND
To do a gender comparison of absolute risk of recurrent myocardial infarction (MI).


METHODS
Registration of all first and second MI amongst Icelandic males and females 1981-1999.


METHODS
The whole of Icelandic population, 40-74 years of age.


RESULTS
The mean recurrence rate (second attack) for men was 45.7/1000 MI survivors/year and for women 39.0/1000 per year. The male/female (M/F) ratio was 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.37, P = 0.05 and did not change significantly with age. The M/F ratio for first MI in comparison was two to seven, lowest in the oldest group. The recurrence rate decreased significantly and similarly in both sexes during the observation period.


CONCLUSIONS
The absolute risk of MI is closely similar amongst both sexes and has decreased similarly suggesting that the same kind of secondary intervention is effective amongst both sexes in a general population.
Sigurdsson
Gunnar
G
Icelandic Heart Association, and Department of Internal Medicine, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland. gunnars@lanspital.is
Sigfusson
Nikulas
N
Gudmundsdottir
Inga Ingibjörg
II
Agnarsson
Uggi
U
Sigvaldason
Helgi
H
Gudnason
Vilmundur
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors