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Sex differences in the prevalence of peripheral artery disease in patients undergoing coronary catheterization

Amir H Sadrzadeh Rafie1, Marcia L Stefanick, Stacy T Sims

  • 1Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305-5406, USA.

Vascular Medicine (London, England)
|December 25, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Women experience higher rates of peripheral artery disease (PAD) than men, even when accounting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. This study highlights a significant sex difference in PAD prevalence.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects a significant portion of the population, with potential sex-based disparities in prevalence.
  • Understanding these differences is crucial for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sex differences in the prevalence and severity of peripheral artery disease (PAD) among individuals undergoing coronary angiography.
  • To identify independent predictors of PAD and assess whether sex differences are explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors or coronary artery disease (CAD) severity.

Main Methods:

  • An observational study involving 1014 men and 547 women aged 40 years or older, referred for elective coronary angiography.
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD) was assessed using the ankle-brachial index (ABI).
  • Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze risk-adjusted odds ratios for PAD.

Main Results:

  • Women had less prevalent and less severe coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to men.
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD) was more prevalent in women (23.6%) than in men (17.2%).
  • Independent predictors of lower ABI included female sex, black race, older age, tobacco use, CAD, diabetes, and triglyceride levels. Women had a risk-adjusted odds ratio of 1.78 for PAD.

Conclusions:

  • Women exhibit a higher prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) compared to men, independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors and CAD severity.
  • The findings suggest an unaddressed sex-specific aspect contributing to PAD risk in women.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving this observed sex difference in PAD prevalence.

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