Keywords
gender
health care disparity
myocardial infarction
secondary prevention
population surveillance.
health care disparity
myocardial infarction
secondary prevention
population surveillance.
How to Cite
Zevallos, J. C., Yarzebski, J., Banchs, H., González-Sánchez, J. A., Mattei, H., Goldberg, R. J., … García-Palmieri, M. R. (2012). Gender Disparities in Puerto Ricans Hospitalized with an Initial Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Populationbased Perspective. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, 31(4). Retrieved from https://prhsj.rcm.upr.edu/index.php/prhsj/article/view/791
Abstract
Objective: The published literature suggests differences in presenting symptoms for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), management, and outcomes according to gender and age. However, limited information exists on this topic among Hispanics. Methods: In Puerto Rican patients hospitalized with an initial AMI, we examined differences in presenting symptoms, effective cardiac therapies, and in-hospital mortality as a function of gender and age groups. We reviewed the medical records of patients hospitalized with a validated AMI in 12 greater San Juan, Puerto Rico hospitals during 2007. Results: The average age of 1,415 patients hospitalized with a first AMI was 66 years and 45 % were women. Chest pain (81%) was the most prevalent acute presenting symptom with significant differences in its frequency between women (77%) and men (85%)(p<0.001). Right arm pain, shortness- of-breath/dyspnea, and sweating/ diaphoresis were most prevalent in patients 55-64 years old (45%), compared with patients 75 years and older (29%)(p < 0.005). Relative to men and patients < 55 years old, coronary angiography/thrombolytic therapy and percutaneous coronary interventions were used less frequently in women and older patients (> 75 years old). During hospitalization for AMI the in-hospital death rate was higher in women (8.6%) than men (6.0%), and increased with advancing age (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest significant gender and age differences in presenting symptoms, management, and early mortality in Puerto Ricans hospitalized with an initial AMI. It remains of considerable importance that health care personnel become aware of these gender and age differences to improve the management and outcomes of these patients.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
a. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
b. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
c. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).