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VIRGO: Outcomes worse for younger women after MI

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Women aged 55 years and younger appear more likely to have poor outcomes after acute MI than men of the same age, according to new data from the VIRGO study.

Researchers assessed sex differences in 1-year health status outcomes after acute MI of patients from the VIRGO observational cohort study of patients aged 55 years and younger with acute MI in the United States and Spain (n=3,501; median age, 48 years; 67% women). Rachel P. Dreyer, PhD, from Yale University School of Medicine, presented the findings at the American Heart Association’s Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions.

The researchers obtained clinical data from medical records and determined health status through interviews during hospitalization and at 1 year. A poor score was defined as below-average scores on the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire, a score <100 on the physical limitations section or the angina frequency section of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, or a score <75 on the quality-of-life section of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire. A poor outcome for a measure was defined as a bad score at 1 year or at both baseline and 1 year.

Compared with men, women were more likely to present with diabetes (39% vs. 27%), obesity (51% vs. 45%), stroke (5% vs. 2%), HF (5% vs. 2%), lung disease (13% vs. 5%) and depression (48% vs. 24%; P<.0001 for all), Dreyer and colleagues found.

Women were more likely to have poor outcomes than men on the following questionnaire components (P<.0001 for all):

• SF-12 Physical Health Composite: 46% vs. 30%; OR=2.05; 95% CI, 1.69-2.48.
• SF-12 Mental Health Composite: 47% vs. 30%; OR=1.98; 95% CI, 1.65-2.39.
• Seattle Angina Questionnaire angina frequency section: 32% vs. 25%; OR=1.39; 95% CI, 1.15-1.67.
• Seattle Angina Questionnaire physical limitations section: 29% vs. 20%; OR=1.62; 95% CI, 1.32-1.99.
• Seattle Angina Questionnaire quality-of-life section: 42% vs. 28%; OR=1.84; 95% CI, 1.53-2.22.

Independent predictors of a poor outcome for a health status measure included female sex, prior acute MI/PCI/CABG and smoking within 30 days, according to the researchers.

“Our results can be important in developing treatments specifically designed to improve young women’s recovery after a heart attack,” Dreyer said in a press release. “We need to identify women at higher risk as well as think about care after they are discharged.”

For more information:

Dreyer RP. Abstract 110. Presented at: American Heart Association Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions; June 2-4, 2014; Baltimore.

Disclosure: Dreyer reports no relevant financial disclosures.