title: Gender differences in cardiac rehabilitation programs from the Italian survey on cardiac rehabilitation (ISYDE-2008).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In recent years epidemiological and clinical evidence has shown gender disparities in several aspects of cardiovascular disease. Aim of this study was to identify gender differences in the clinical profile and management of patients admitted to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients enrolled in the ISYDE-2008 survey were considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ISYDE-2008 survey enrolled 2281 patients; 604 (26.5%) were women. Compared to men, women were older (mean age 70.8 ± 11.5 versus men's 65.6 ± 11.5 years), had less traditional risk factors (low cardiovascular risk profile in 45.3% of women and 38.0% of men, p=0.003), were more frequently admitted after valvular surgery and heart failure, but less for post-acute myocardial infarction and post-by-pass procedure. Women were more frequently admitted to an in-hospital rehabilitation program. Women showed a more complicated acute and rehabilitative course, with 63.2% of them having at least one complication during acute-phase, compared to 52.5% of men, and 48.3% during rehabilitation, compared to 35.0% of men (p<0.0001). During rehabilitation, women underwent exercise tests less frequently, except for the 6-minute walking test. At discharge, women received ACE-inhibitors/ARBs, β-blockers, statins, omega-3 fatty acids, antiplatelet agents less frequently, but more frequently digoxin, amiodarone, diuretics, oral anticoagulants, insulin and anti-depressive drugs. The duration of the rehabilitation program was longer for women. Mortality was very low in the entire population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women are less frequently admitted to CR than men. They are older and show a greater cardiovascular burden. Women are more likely to be enrolled in CR after valvular surgery and heart failure than men.
authors.affiliation: Casa di Cura Polispecialistica Dr Pederzoli, Peschiera del Garda, Verona, Italy. stefania.defeo@tiscali.it
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Feo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tramarin
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ambrosetti
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riccio
authors.forename: Pier Luigi
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Temporelli
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Favretto
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Furgi
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Griffo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult