Abstract
BackgroundAtrial Fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia and has been identified as a major risk factor for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Gender differences in the disease process, causative mechanisms and outcomes of AF have been investigated. In the current study, we determined whether there is a gender-based disparity in AIS patients with baseline AF, and whether such a discrepancy is associated with specific risk factors and comorbidities.MethodsBaseline factors including comorbidities, risk and demographic factors associated with a gender difference were examined using retrospective data collected from a registry from January 2010 to June 2016 in a regional stroke center. Univariate analysis was used to differentiate between genders in terms of clinical risk factors and demographics. Variables in the univariate analysis were further analyzed using logistic regression. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each factor were used to predict the increasing odds of an association of a specific comorbidity and risk factor with the male or female AIS with AF.ResultsIn the population of AIS patients with AF, a history of drug and alcohol use (OR = 0.250, 95% CI, 0.497–1.006, P = 0.016), sleep apnea (OR = 0.321, 95% CI, 0.133–0.777, P = 0.012), and higher serum creatinine (OR = 0.693, 95% CI, 0.542–0.886 P = 0.003) levels were found to be significantly associated with the male gender. Higher levels of HDL-cholesterol (OR = 1.035, 95% CI, 1.020–1.050, P < 0.001), LDL-cholesterol (OR = 1.006, 95% CI, 1.001–1.011, P = 0.012), and the inability to ambulate on admission to hospital (OR = 2.258, 95% CI, 1.368–3.727, P = 0.001) were associated with females.ConclusionOur findings reveal that in the AIS patients with atrial fibrillation, migraines, HDL, LDL and poor ambulation were associated with females, while drugs and alcohol, sleep apnea, and serum creatinine level were associated with male AIS patients with AF. Further studies are necessary to determine whether gender differences in risk factor profiles and commodities require consideration in clinical practice when it comes to AF as a risk factor management in AIS patients.
Highlights
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a significant public health concern due to its growing prevalence and association with increased risk of cardiovascular events and death [1]
In acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients without AF, increasing age, Body mass index (BMI), depression, Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), migraine, increasing HDL-cholesterol, increasing heart rate, and antihypertensive were associated with females without AF, while coronary artery disease (CAD), drugs and alcohol, higher serum creatinine level, International Normalized Ratio (INR), and increasing diastolic blood pressure were associated with males
We observed that in AIS patients with atrial fibrillation, migraines, elevated HDL-cholesterol and LDLcholesterol with the inability to ambulate on admission were associated with females, while history of drug and alcohol abuse, sleep apnea, and higher serum creatinine level were associated with male AIS patients with AF
Summary
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a significant public health concern due to its growing prevalence and association with increased risk of cardiovascular events and death [1]. A recent study [8] found that within the AF population, male stroke patients presented with an average NIHSS score of 6 while female stroke patients had an average score of 9, indicating greater stroke severity and poorer functional outcomes among female stroke survivors. We analyzed risk factors, comorbidities and demographic variables to determine gender disparities in a stroke population with a baseline AF in a stroke center with an active patient protocol for the treatment of AIS population. Knowledge of these factors in males and females with AIS and baseline AF may necessitate different approaches to secondary prevention of stroke in patients with AF. We determined whether there is a gender-based disparity in AIS patients with baseline AF, and whether such a discrepancy is associated with specific risk factors and comorbidities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
