Sex Differences in Patients with Stroke: A Hospital-Based Multicenter Prospective Study in Brazil

Global burden of stroke mortality tended to be higher among men. A disproportionate stroke burden has been placed upon women, primarily because of life expectancy, putting a more significant burden in this population. The purpose of this study was to address sex differences in stroke epidemiology and treatment in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Between April 2009 and 2012, data were prospectively gathered from 19 hospitals, following the WHO's Stroke Steps program, stratified by sex assigned at birth.

We included 4,679 patients, 2,403 females. Women mean age was 69.1 (±15.2) years and 66.2 (±13.5) years in males (p < 0.01). Females were more often white, while time to hospital admission and CT scan from symptom onset were similar across sexes. Men more commonly presented with motor, speech, and sensory symptoms, whereas women were more likely to present with reduced consciousness and headaches. Additionally, women had higher rates of diabetes and obesity. Men were more frequently smokers and had higher rates of alcohol misuse, as well as a history of heart attacks or strokes. We utilized univariable logistic regression to assess mRS scores at discharge, in scores 0-2 (lesser disability) and scores 3-6 (more significant disability). The dependent variable regards scores that are above 3. Fewer women than men achieved a modified Rankin Score of ≤2 (77.6% versus 81.7%; p < 0.01). Multivariable analysis identified the female gender as an independent predictor of having a higher mRS score at discharge (OR 1.23; 95% CI [1.01-1.51]; p = 0.04).

Our study, one of the largest South American epidemiological studies on patients admitted with stroke, highlights the sex-specific nuances in stroke outcomes. Our findings underscore that risk factors for stroke vary significantly between men and women, thereby necessitating tailored preventive strategies.