Age-specific gender differences in long-term recurrence and mortality following incident myocardial infarction: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND

Higher mortality following myocardial infarction (MI) is reported in women compared with men with short-term follow-up. Our study aim was to compare long-term gender- and age-specific outcomes following incident MI.

METHODS

30-day survivors of incident MI from 2003-2009 were identified from linked administrative data in Western Australia. Outcomes identified were recurrent MI, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Follow-up data was available until 30(th) June 2011. Unadjusted risk out to eight-years was estimated from Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and multivariate Cox regression models were used to estimate relative risk in women compared with men by age group.

RESULTS

There were 12,420 30-day survivors of incident MI from 2003-2009 (males 71.2%). Women had higher levels of comorbidities across all age groups compared with men. Unadjusted event risks were higher in women than men overall, underpinned by higher risk of recurrent MI in 55-69 year-old women and of cardiovascular mortality across all age groups in women. Gender differences were generally attenuated after adjustment for demographic factors and comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the elevated risk of cardiovascular events in women compared with men with long-term follow-up, and demonstrates the need for improved long-term secondary prevention in this patient group.