Sex-related differences in Japanese patients with peripheral arterial disease

The goal of the study was to examine possible sex-related differences in the clinical characteristics and risk factors in Japanese patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Sex-related differences in clinical profiles, risk factors and treatments were examined in 730 consecutive patients with PAD (148 women (20.3%) and 582 men (79.7%)).

The mean age of the women was higher than that of the men (73.6 ± 11.2 vs. 70.9 ± 9.1 years old, p = 0.002) and the proportion of subjects aged ≥ 75 years old was also higher in women (P=0.005). Women more frequently had critical limb ischemia (P < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.026), but less frequent smoking and alcohol intake, compared to men (P< 0.001). Total cholesterol (P < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol (P = 0.014) were higher in women. Fontaine stages were correlated with age, diabetes, cerebral infarction and women (p < 0.001). The prevalence of iliac artery lesions was higher in men (p< 0.001), whereas that for below the knee lesions was higher in women (p < 0.001). The number of affected below the knee arteries was also higher in women than in men (p < 0.001). The prevalence of medical treatment was higher in women (P = 0.009) and major amputation tended to be higher in women (p = 0.056).

Women had more severe symptomatic states and uncontrolled risk factors. The prevalence of iliac artery lesions was lower, but below the knee lesions were more severe in women.