Sex-related differences in the risk factor profile and medications of patients with atrial fibrillation recruited in J-TRACE

Circ J. 2010 Apr;74(4):650-4. doi: 10.1253/circj.cj-09-0802. Epub 2010 Feb 20.

Abstract

Background: Clinical characteristics, including risk factors for thromboembolism, and medications differ between men and women with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Western countries. Whether such a difference exists for Japanese patients with AF is unclear, so data from J-TRACE were used to investigate this issue.

Methods and results: A total of 2,892 patients (2,028 men, 864 women; 70.3 years old) with AF were analyzed for the respective prevalences of risk factors and medications. CHADS2 score was calculated to determine thromboembolic risk level. Women were older (P<0.001), and more frequently had heart failure (P<0.001), and hypertension (P=0.051) than men. The proportion of subjects aged 75 years or older was higher among women than among men (P<0.001). CHADS2 score was therefore significantly higher in women than in men (2.05+/-1.29 vs 1.88+/-1.33, P<0.001). Sex-related differences were not observed for the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke, nor did warfarin usage differ between men and women.

Conclusions: Sex-related differences were observed in the risk factor profile and medications of Japanese patients with AF. CHADS2 score was higher in women than in men.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aspirin
  • Atrial Fibrillation / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Prescription Drugs*
  • Registries*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Thromboembolism / epidemiology*
  • Thromboembolism / prevention & control
  • Warfarin

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Warfarin
  • Aspirin