Acute and Chronic Myocarditis in Men and Women

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Immunology
• Genetics

Background:

• Acute myocarditis (AM) exhibits notable sex-specific variations in its occurrence, clinical presentation, and patient outcomes.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize existing literature on sex-stratified data concerning AM epidemiology, clinical presentation, and prognosis.
• To identify gaps in current knowledge and guide future research for personalized AM management.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies published between 2000 and 2026.
• Analysis of sex-stratified data on AM prevalence, clinical features, and outcomes.
• Synthesis of findings to highlight sex-related disparities.

Main Results:

• Males have higher AM prevalence (54-84%) and younger onset than females.
• Sex-specific differences observed in symptoms (e.g., chest pain in men, dyspnea in women) and associated conditions (e.g., autoimmune diseases, genetic variants).
• Women show a worse early clinical course and higher in-hospital mortality, despite overall male predominance; men are more prone to recurrent AM.

Conclusions:

• Significant sex-based differences exist in AM, impacting prevalence, presentation, and prognosis.
• Women may face a more severe early disease course, necessitating tailored risk stratification and management approaches.
• Further large-scale, sex-specific studies are essential to refine personalized care for acute myocarditis.