title: Gender differences in mortality following non-cardiovascular surgery: an observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although inequality between males and females in cardiovascular surgery is well recognized, few studies have examined the influence of sex on mortality following non-cardiovascular surgery. The objective of the study was to determine whether there are differences in mortality between males and females following non-cardiovascular surgery and to ascertain to what extent preoperative risk factors explain these differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational study of 39,433 consecutive non-cardiovascular inpatient surgical cases from non-sex-biased surgical services from 2003 to 2009. Data on the surgical procedure, patient risk factors, and outcomes was retrieved from the institutional Electronic Data Warehouse. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality within 30 days of surgery. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was conducted to determine the role of risk factors for mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 30-day mortality was 2.76% for males and 1.89% for females (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29 to 1.69). Logistic regression showed that age, number of Charlson comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, and emergent/urgent status were independent predictors of mortality (receiver operating characteristic area, 0.90). After adjustment for these factors, the odds ratio for male mortality was reduced to 1.31 (95% CI, 1.14 to 1.52).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Males present for non-cardiovascular surgery with a higher ASA classification, with more comorbidities, and more often emergently than females, providing a partial explanation of the observed difference in mortality.
authors: Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Keerat
authors: K
authors: Grewal
authors: Duminda N
authors: DN
authors: Wijeysundera
authors: Jo
authors: J
authors: Carroll
authors: Gordon
authors: G
authors: Tait
authors: W Scott
authors: WS
authors: Beattie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000401:mortality*