THE IBADAN CHRONIC HEART FAILURE REGISTRY: RATIONALE, DESIGN AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE INITIAL 1290 PARTICIPANTS.

Abstract

Introduction/background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) has important gender-specific aspects, which are worthy of note, as they influence the haemodynamic state of patients the choice of therapy, aetiology, and clinical outcomes. Women are less frequently represented in CHF studies and clinical trials than males. While some published data are conflictive, more studies tailored to this critical discourse are necessary to inform patient care and improve outcomes in patients with CHF.

Objectives: The study aims to describe the rationale, design and clinical presentations, profile, and 1-year outcomes of the first 1290 CHF in the Ibadan CHF project.

Materials/methods: We analyzed the differences between the genders regarding the aetiology of heart disease, comorbidities, triggers, left ventricle functional state, treatment, and all cause-mortality at 1 year.

Results: A total of 1290 patients (55.8% men) were included. The men were older than the women (p<.001) and had a higher prevalence of alcohol and cigarette use, comorbidities, and worse cardiac structural abnormalities (p<.001). The are also gender differences in the pattern of aetiology of HF. HHF, DCM, and pericardial diseases are more common in men. Women have higher rates of rheumatic heart disease. Mortality rates at 6- and 12 months were higher in men.

Conclusions: There is a gender difference in clinical profile and outcomes of CHF in this cohort. Males appear to have a worse clinical profile, structural cardiac abnormalities as well as worse one-year outcomes.