Does gender bias exist in the medical management of heart failure?

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the presence of gender bias in the medical management of heart failure, and to assess its association with the specialty of the caregiver physician.

METHODS

In 309 patients with documented left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <45%) and at least one hospitalization for heart failure, we assessed the frequency of use of effective medical therapy for heart failure among male (n=187) and female (n=122) patients at the time of hospital discharge. We constructed multivariate models relating patient gender and caregiver specialty to utilization of each class of medications (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, effective vasodilator therapy (i.e., angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or hydralazine-nitrate therapy), diuretics, digoxin), and combination therapy (i.e., vasodilator plus diuretic plus digoxin).

RESULTS

In crude analyses, we did not find any difference in utilization of medications between male and female patients. Multivariate analyses involving adjustment for age, race, coronary artery disease, ejection fraction, and other relevant variables, revealed higher utilization of combination therapy by cardiologists in male versus female patients (adjusted odds ratios=2.07; 95%CI=1.09-3.95), and higher utilization of digoxin therapy by non-cardiologists in female versus male patients (adjusted odds ratio=5.5; 95%CI=1.4-22.2). No gender or caregiver specialty differences were seen in models relating to the other classes of medications.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest the presence of gender bias in the medical management of heart failure, and identify an interesting interaction between caregiver specialty and gender bias.