Persistent gender gaps in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Spain from 2013 through 2018

Emergencias. 2022 Aug;34(4):259-267.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Objectives: To examine gender-related differences in the management and survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Spain during 2 time series.

Material and methods: Analysis of data recorded in the prospective Spanish OHCA registry (OHSCAR in its Spanish acronym) for 2 time series (2013-2014 and 2017-2018). We included all 11 036 consecutive cases in which an emergency team intervened. The dependent variables were arrival at the hospital after return of spontaneous circulation, overall survival to discharge, and overall survival with good neurological outcomes. Sex was the independent variable. We report descriptive statistics, patient group comparisons, and changes over time.

Results: Women were significantly older and less likely to experience an OHCA in a public place, receive automatic external defibrillation, have a shockable heart rhythm, and be attended by an ambulance team within 15 minutes. In addition, fewer women underwent percutaneous coronary interventions or received treatment for hypothermia on admission to the hospital. In 2013-2014 and 2017-2018, respectively, the likelihood of survival was lower for women than men on admission (odds ratio [OR], 0.52 vs OR, 0.61; P .001 and P = .009 in the 2 time series) and at discharge (OR, 0.69 vs 0.72 for men; P = .001 in both time series). Survival with good neurological outcomes was also less likely in women (OR, 0.50 vs 0.63; P .001 in both series).

Conclusion: The odds for survival and survival with good neurological outcomes were lower for women in nearly all patient groups in both time series. These findings suggest the need to adopt new approaches to address gender differences in OHCA.

Objetivo: Examinar las diferencias de género en las características de la parada cardiaca extrahospitalaria (PCRE), los tratamientos, la supervivencia, y los cambios evolutivos en España.

Metodo: Datos de dos series temporales (2013/2014 y 2017/2018) del registro prospectivo de PCRE (OHSCAR). Se incluyeron todos los casos consecutivos en los que intervino un equipo de emergencias. Las variables dependientes fueron las variables de atención de la PCRE, la llegada al hospital con pulso espontáneo, la supervivencia global al alta, y con buenos resultados neurológicos. El sexo fue la variable independiente.

Resultados: Las mujeres fueron significativamente mayores, menos propensas a presentar una PCRE en lugar público, recibir desfibrilación externa automática, tener un ritmo inicial desfibrilable y ser atendidas por una ambulancia en menos de 15 minutos. Además, menos mujeres recibieron intervención coronaria percutánea o hipotermia al ingreso hospitalario. Tanto en 2013/2014 como en 2017/2018 las mujeres tuvieron menos probabilidades de supervivencia al ingreso hospitalario (OR = 0,52; p 0,001; OR = 0,61; p = 0,009 respectivamente), y al alta hospitalaria (OR = 0,69; p = 0,001; OR = 0,72; p = 0,001, respectivamente) y con buenos resultados neurológicos (OR = 0,50; p 0,001; OR = 0,63; p 0,001, respectivamente).

Conclusiones: En ambos periodos las mujeres tuvieron menos probabilidades de sobrevivir y de hacerlo en buenas condiciones neurológicas. Estos resultados indican la necesidad de adoptar nuevos enfoques para abordar las diferencias de género en la PCRE.

Keywords: Calidad de vida.; Emergencias médicas.; Emergency medicine.; Gender.; Género.; Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.; Parada cardiaca extrahospitalaria.; Quality of life.; Supervivencia.; Survival..

MeSH terms

  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation*
  • Emergency Medical Services*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest* / therapy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Spain / epidemiology