SEX DIFFERENCES IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: BIRJAND, EASTERN IRAN

The objective of this study was to compare baseline characteristics, risk factors, medical care and mortality of AMI in women and men. We used data from medical charts and administrative records of patients hospitalized with AMI from 1994 to 2003 in Birjand hospitals. Of 918 patients, 71.9% were male and 28.1% were female. The women and men had mean ages of 65.62±10.56 years and 58.98±12.11 years, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking was 50, 17 and 13.6 percent, respectively, in women and 24.6, 9.8 and 36.3 percent, respectively, in men (P<0.05). In-hospital mortality was higher in women but not significant (10.4% versus 8.6%, P=0.42). Fasting blood sugar, cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in women. Mean age and the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension were higher in women with AMI. We recommend that interventional programs be designed to reduce the risk factors of AMI through education, especially in women.