title: Sex-specific differences in risk factors for in-hospital mortality and complications in patients with acute coronary syndromes : An observational cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of this observational cohort study was to examine gender-specific differences in the incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), in-hospital complications and mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 1550 patients with the primary diagnosis of ACS were enrolled in the study over a period of 4 years. The in-hospital mortality and complications were analyzed as the main outcome measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women were significantly older compared to men (71 ± 11 years vs. 64 ± 12 years, p < 0.001) and had higher in-hospital mortality and complications due to this age difference. The prevalence of smoking was lower while hypertension and history of angina pectoris was more frequent in women, independent of age. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with or without stenting as well as coronary catheterization significantly reduced in-hospital mortality and complications while thrombolytic therapy was associated with a 3.3 times increased mortality odds ratio (OR, p = 0.01). Other significant predictors of in-hospital mortality were in-hospital complications (OR 25, p < 0.001) and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, OR 4.5, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women differed from men in terms of ACS clinical characteristics, treatment, invasive procedures and survival outcome and some of these effects were age-related. The future emphasis should be based on the prevention of modifiable risk factors and identification of subgroups of female patients that could benefit from more aggressive therapeutic strategies.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Split Clinical Hospital Center, Spinčićeva 1, 21000, Split, Croatia.
authors: Katarina
authors: K
authors: Novak
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Split School of Medicine (USSM), Šoltanska 2, 21000, Split, Croatia.
authors: Davorka
authors: D
authors: Vrdoljak
authors: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Teslina 6, 21000, Split, Croatia.
authors: Igor
authors: I
authors: Jelaska
authors: Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine (USSM), Soltanska 2, 21000, Split, Croatia. jborovac@mefst.hr.
authors: Josip Anđelo
authors: JA
authors: Borovac
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000401:mortality*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000401:mortality*; D015984:Causality; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000401:mortality*; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D000072657:ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016019:Survival Analysis
keywords: Angina Pectoris; Coronary disease; Myocardial Infarction; Prognosis; Sex Factors