Trends In Sex Differences Research Articles

Differences between Men and Women in Mortality and the Health Dimensions of the Morbidity Process.

Do men have worse health than women? This question is addressed by examining sex differences in mortality and the health dimensions of the morbidity process that characterize health change with age. We also discuss health differences across historical time and between countries. Results from national-level surveys and data systems are used to identify male/female differences in mortality rates, prevalence of diseases, physical functioning, and indicators of physiological status. Male/female differences in health outcomes depend on epidemiological and social circumstances and behaviors, and many are not consistent across historical time and between countries. In all countries, male life expectancy is now lower than female life expectancy, but this was not true in the past. In most countries, women have more problems performing instrumental activities of daily living, and men do better in measured performance of functioning. Men tend to have more cardiovascular diseases; women, more inflammatory-related diseases. Sex differences in major cardiovascular risk factors vary between countries-men tend to have more hypertension; women, more raised lipids. Indicators of physiological dysregulation indicate greater inflammatory activity for women and generally higher cardiovascular risk for men, although women have higher or similar cardiovascular risk in some markers depending on the historical time and country. In some aspects of health, men do worse; in others, women do worse. The lack of consistency across historical times and between countries in sex differences in health points to the complexity and the substantial challenges in extrapolating future trends in sex differences.

Abstract WMP55: Temporal Trends of Sex Differences in Transient Ischemic Attack Incidence Within a Population

Introduction: Previously we reported that ischemic stroke incidence is declining over time for men but not women. We sought to describe temporal trends of sex differences in TIA incidence within a large, biracial population. Methods: Among the biracial population of 1.3 million in the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study (GCNKSS) region, all first-ever transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) among area residents (≥20 years old) were identified at all local hospitals. Out of hospital cases were ascertained using a sampling scheme. All cases were reviewed by study physicians. Sex-specific TIA incidence rates over time (during 7/93-6/94 and calendar years 1999, 2005, and 2010) were determined. Incidence rates were calculated using the age-, race-, and sex-specific number of TIAs divided by the population in that group; rates were standardized to the 2010 U.S. population. Statistical testing for differences over time was done using linear regression models adjusted for age and race. The delta method was used to estimate the ratio of female to male TIA incidence and the associated standard error (SE). Results: There were a total of 3203 patients with incident TIA; 54% were female, and 12% were black. Overall, mean age for men was 66 (SE 0.36) compared to 71 (SE 0.33) for women, p=0.01. Compared with men, women had lower rates of TIA in all 4 study periods, and TIA incidence rates were stable over time for women (p=0.19) and men (p=0.12). (See table). TIA patients were younger in 2010 than in 1993/4 and 1999 (P<0.05) with means of 68 (SE 0.53), 70 (SE 0.50) and 71 (SE 0.47) respectively. Conclusions: Within the GCNKSS population, women had lower TIA incidence rates than men. In contrast to what we have previously described in ischemic stroke incidence, neither the sex difference in incidence nor the sex-specific incidence rates are changing over time. Further research is needed to understand the drivers of higher TIA incidence in men and the lack of change in TIA incidence over time.

Women in Academic Science: Experimental Findings From Hiring Studies

Although women are underrepresented in the most mathematically intensive fields, the gender gap in these fields has narrowed over the past 2 decades. In my E. L. Thorndike address I summarized the temporal trends in sex differences for 8 fields and considered factors that drive both the underrepresentation of women and its recent narrowing. I reviewed evidence concerning sex differences in mathematical and spatial aptitude, biases in hiring, funding, publishing, remuneration, and promotion, and gendered preferences. I conclude that the most important causes of underrepresentation appear to occur before women matriculate in college and are concerned with ability-related beliefs, stereotypes, and preferences starting in early elementary school, which by the end of high school have reduced the size of the potential pool. By the time women reach graduate school, there is evidence that they are as successful as their male counterparts in being interviewed and hired for tenure-track positions, funded, and published.

Sex differences in survival after myocardial infarction in Sweden, 1987–2010

ObjectiveIn this nationwide study, we investigated age-specific and sex-specific trends in sex differences in survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), including deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD) that occurred outside...

Sex differences in lung cancer survival: long-term trends using population-based cancer registry data in Osaka, Japan.

Several studies of sex differences in lung cancer survival have been reported. However, large-size population-based studies based on long-term observation are scarce. We investigated long-term trends in sex differences in lung cancer survival using population-based cancer registry data from Osaka, Japan. We analyzed 79 330 cases from the Osaka Cancer Registry (OCR) diagnosed between 1975 and 2007. We calculated 5-year relative survival in the six periods (1975-1980, 1981-1986, 1987-1992, 1993-1997, 1998-2002 and 2003-2007). To estimate the trends in sex differences in lung cancer survival throughout the study period, we applied a multivariate excess hazard model to control for confounders. The proportion of adenocarcinoma (ADC) and 5-year relative relative survival have increased for both sexes. Sex differences in lung cancer survival have widened over the period, especially in ADC and since the late 1990s. The excess hazard ratio of death within 5 years for males was 1.19 (95% CI: 1.16-1.21), adjusting for period at diagnosis, histologic type, stage, age group and treatment. We reported that females have better prognosis in lung cancer than males and the sex differences in lung cancer survival have become wider in Osaka, Japan. This can be partly explained by the sex differences in the proportions of histologic type and stage. Further studies considering other factors that influence sex differences in lung cancer survival are needed.

Trends in sex differences in the receipt of quality of care indicators among adults with diabetes: United States 2002-2011

BackgroundEvidence suggests disparities in quality of care (QoC) indicators based on sex exist in adults diagnosed with diabetes; however, this research is limited. Therefore, the objective of this research study was to assess differences in QOC indicators in a nationally representative sample of men and women with diabetes.MethodsCross-sectional study of 17,702 men and women (≥18 years of age) with diabetes from the 2002–2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component. Sex was the main predictor variable, and the dependent variables were five binary indicators to measure QOC, which included testing of hemoglobin A1c, examining feet annually, getting eyes dilated, checking blood pressure, and visiting the doctor annually. Sample demographics by sex were assessed. Unadjusted analyses were computed for descriptive statistics by sex and proportions of QOC indicators over time. Logistic regression evaluated associations between QOC indicators and sex, while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, time, and comorbid conditions.ResultsApproximately 44% and 56% of the sample was comprised of men and women, respectively. Unadjusted analyses showed significant differences in A1c testing (p < 0.001) and foot examinations (p = 0.002) for the entire sample, and significant differences in A1c testing (p = 0.027), foot examinations (p = 0.01), and dilated eye exams (p = 0.026) among men and A1c testing (p < 0.001) among women overtime. Adjusted analyses found women to be significantly more likely to have dilated eye examinations during a given year (OR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.04, 1.24), to get their blood pressure checked by a doctor in a given year (OR = 1.44; 95% CI 1.13, 1.84), and to visit a doctor annually (OR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.22, 1.58) compared to men.ConclusionsIn this sample of adults with diabetes, women had significantly higher odds of receiving quality of care compared to men. These findings suggest the importance of educating patients about appropriate metrics of diabetes management, especially men, and the need for continuous empowerment of women to receive proper and optimal care. Additional research is needed to identify causes and reduce sex and gender disparities associated with diabetes quality of care.

Sex differences in co-occurring conditions of children with autism spectrum disorders

This study investigated differences in co-occurring diagnoses made in females compared to males with autism spectrum disorders in 913 children (746 males and 167 females) living in the United States with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis identified via caregiver-reported data from the National Survey of Children's Health 2007. The results indicated that overall, females had significantly fewer reported autism spectrum disorder co-occurring conditions than males. Females, compared to males, with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis had lower rates of past learning disorder, current mild learning disorder, and past anxiety diagnoses. Females with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were more likely than males to have been diagnosed with a speech problem in the past, while males with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were more likely than females to have a current diagnosis of a mild learning disability and a past diagnosis of learning disability. In addition, males with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were more likely than females to have two or more co-occurring diagnoses. These findings provide insight into trends in sex differences in autism spectrum disorder co-occurring conditions.

TCT-245 Ten-Year Trends in Sex-differences of Treatments and Mortality in ST-elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction in Northern Italy, 2000-2010

Women are at high risk for mortality after ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). Whether sex-disparities still exist in the treatment and mortality of patients after STEMI remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess recent trends in hospital mortality and in treatment

Responsiveness of the One-Leg Hop Test and the Square Hop Test to Fatiguing Intermittent Aerobic Work and Subsequent Recovery

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the responsiveness of the 1-leg hop test and the square hop (SH) test to fatiguing intermittent aerobic work and during recovery. A further aim was to study sex differences in trends. Members of 4 sub-elite-level soccer teams were invited to participate. Ten men (mean ± SD) aged 20.7 ± 3.4 years and 10 women aged 21.8 ± 4.8 years accepted to participate in the test. The Yo-Yo intermittent Endurance test Level 2, was used as a standardized sport-specific fatiguing protocol. The 1-leg hop test and the SH test were performed before, immediately after, 15, and 30 minutes after the fatiguing exercise. To quantify the level and progression of fatigue and recovery, blood lactate and heart rate were measured, and general fatigue was estimated on Borg's rating of perceived exertion scale. No significant difference in performance in either of the hop tests was found immediately after intermittent aerobic fatiguing work. Performance in the 1-leg hop test significantly decreased (p = 0.002), whereas that in the SH test increased (p = 0.001) between baseline and 15-30 minutes after fatiguing work. No significant difference in trends between sexes was found. The performance in the 1-leg hop test significantly decreased during 30 minutes of recovery compared with that in the nonfatigued conditions and might therefore be used on the field as a complement to other physical parameters to detect remaining fatigue. Note that the 1-leg hop test did not immediately respond to intermittent aerobic work. It is not recommended to use the SH test for measuring fatigue and subsequent recovery because the performance constantly increased despite the present objective and subjective fatigue.

Getting back the missing men of Aotearoa: declining gender inequality in NZ life expectancy

Men's health is of increasing concern to policy makers worldwide. Although women generally live significantly longer than men, the difference in life expectancy in many countries is now narrowing. To document the trend in sex differences in New Zealand (NZ) life expectancy at birth (LEB) over the last decades and to determine disease patterns which account for it. Decomposition of sex differences in LEB by age and cause for the periods 1980-82, 1985-87, 1990-92,1995-97, 2000-02, and 2005-06, using registered deaths and model life tables. Sex differences in LEB increased from 1951 to peak in 1976 before narrowing again. In 2006 they reached almost exactly the level they were at 55 years earlier. Changes in relative mortality from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and to a lesser extent accidents, respiratory disease and other circulatory causes, brought about the recent decline in gender survival disparities. IHD continues to be a significant cause of gender inequality, but cancers have now become a major component of the sex difference in LEB. NZ's experience mirrors closely that of other developed countries in pattern, timingand the age-cause composition of the trend in gender survival disparities. Thus differences in the timing of taking up smoking, found to explain a substantial portion of the trend elsewhere, were probably also important in NZ, but improvements in medical outcomes for smokers also must have played a significant role. Primary care practitioners will continue to reduce gender survival disparities by workingto ensure a high uptake of services such as screening for colorectal cancer, one of many diseases responsible for lower male life expectancy.

Cause-specific contributions to sex differences in adult mortality among whites and African Americans between 1960 and 1995

The purpose of this paper is to describe trends in sex differences in mortality in young adulthood and in middle age among African Americans and whites in the United States between 1960 and 1995. We examine trends in all-cause mortality and estimate the contribution of leading causes of death to the change in the sex difference in mortality over time. Between 1960 and 1995 the sex difference in mortality increased for African Americans and whites at ages 15-39 and declined for whites but increased for African Americans at ages 40-64. Our results reveal considerable variation in the sex difference in mortality by cause of death as well as in the contribution various causes of death make to the change in the sex mortality difference over time.

Sex matters: secular and geographical trends in sex differences in coronary heart disease mortality

Objective: To examine secular trends and geographical variations in sex differences in mortality from coronary heart disease and investigate how these relate to distributions in risk factors.Design: National and international...

Adolescent growth events in eight decades of Japanese cohort data: Sex differences

The presence of secular trends in sex differences for the onset or takeoff of the adolescent growth spurt and subsequent (adolescent) growth of Japanese boys and girls were investigated using data published in “The Statistical Report of the School Health Survey” of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Japan. An optimum kernel regression method was used to derive the biological parameters of the adolescent growth curve. The six parameters derived from the regression analysis were age at takeoff (ATO), height at takeoff (HTO), velocity at takeoff (VTO), peak height velocity (PHV), age at PHV (APHV), and height at PHV (HPHV). The sex difference in age at PHV is about 2.1 years. The sex difference in age at takeoff was about 2.1 years starting with the birth year of 1943, but has become almost insignificant with the birth year of 1980. After 1960, the sex difference in mean HPHV varied within 12–13 cm, but the difference in HTO showed a decreasing trend. After the birth year of 1911, the rate of growth at HTO for girls has become markedly greater than for boys. In contrast, the rate of growth at HPHV for girls has become significantly smaller than for boys (P < 0.05). Sex differences in ATO, HTO and VTO were significantly and negatively correlated with differences in APHV and HPHV, but positively correlated with the difference in PHV. The sex difference in PHV had no relationship with the differences in APHV and HPHV. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 13:390–397, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Assessing Time Trends in Sex Differences in Swimming & Running

(2000). Assessing Time Trends in Sex Differences in Swimming & Running. CHANCE: Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 10-15.

Sex differences in the interaction of drinking, positive expectancies and symptoms of dependence in young adults

Current levels of self-reported drinking amongst young adults predicted scores on measures of both positive expectancies for alcohol use and negative alcohol effects (symptoms of dependence). No overall sex difference was shown in the main effects, but there was a significant interaction effect between sex and alcohol consumption on the dependency and expectancy scales. The form of this interaction was different for expectancy and dependency scores. There was a cross-over effect in the case of expectancy: light drinking females revealed lower levels of expectancy than did light drinking males whereas heavier drinking females reported higher levels of expectancy than did males at a comparable level of consumption. There was a higher proportion of heavy female drinkers in this sample than is usually reported. With regard to dependence, the trend in sex differences was divergent: whereas males acknowledged increases in symptoms concomitant with increases in consumption, comparable female drinkers reported relatively little increase in such symptoms. Results were discussed in terms of quantity-related concepts of ‘utility’ of alcohol use and a ‘diminished personal harm’ rationalization associated with the negative effects of alcohol.

Sex differences in neuroticism: a quantitative synthesis of published research.

The personality trait of neuroticism is thought to be an important risk factor for depression. To ascertain the possible role of neuroticism in producing sex differences in depression, a meta-analysis was carried out on published studies reporting sex- and age-specific norms for neuroticism inventories. A general sex difference was found, with females having higher scores. However, the sex difference was greater in young and middle-aged adults than in children or the very elderly. This age trend in sex differences for neuroticism is similar in form to that previously reported for depression, except that the sex difference for depression completely disappeared in the very young and very old, but the sex difference in neuroticism did not.

School science achievement: Conditions for equality

Data are presented on the trend in sex differences in science achievement of the total population of 15 year old students in Western Australia over the period 1972‐85 inclusive. Since 1979 the science achievement of boys and girls has been approximately equal. This finding is attributed to the fact that, in Western Australia, at lower secondary school level, boys and girls are exposed to a common science curriculum for a common amount of instructional time. A discussion of the differential course taking hypothesis as an explanation for sex differences in science achievement found in other large‐scale studies is presented. Some evidence of the possible success of intervention strategies aimed at increasing the involvement of girls in science is given.

A Note on the Trend in Sex Differences in Psychological Distress

Recent studies have showm that sex differences in psychological distress have declined over the past several decades. Most commonly, the decline is attributed to increases in women's participation in the laborforce, which is thought to have improved the mental health of women while reducing the mental health of men (i.e., husbands). Our paper examines the effect of changes in men's employment patterns during the past two decades. The findings show that declines in men's employment are as important as increases in women's employment in accounting for the sex trend in psychological distress.

Regional Trends and Sex Differences of Drug Use and Attitudes of High School Students in Northeast OHIO 1977–1983

This study presents trend analyses of data collected from three large scale surveys using the same instrument during the years 1977, 1980, and 1983. The sampled cohort groups consisted of eleventh grade students from various high schools in Northeast Ohio. Frequency of usage, reason for taking drugs, and perceived harmfulness of thirteen categories of drugs are presented and compared with national trend data. Trend data are also presented for age of first experimentation with drugs and for several questions about drug use in the elementary grades. Sex differences in trends for all questionnaire items are analyzed.

American and German Trends in Sex Differences in Political Participation

This study examines the impact of economic development and generational turnover on trends in sex differences in political participation. Election studies of the United States and West Germany are the sources of the trend data, which cover the period between 1952-1953 and 1980. Controls are imposed for increased education levels, the decreased preponderance of rural residents and farming families, and the replacement of older generations by younger ones. The results show that these socioeconomic processes have had a negligible impact on the sex difference trends. Furthermore, these socioeconomic processes cannot explain the variations in the rate of change by nation and by indicator of political participation. The article identifies different configurations of factors affecting the trends in voter turnout, in media attention and discussion, and in organizationally related types of campaign activity.