Analysis of gender-related differences in lower extremity peripheral arterial disease.

INTRODUCTION: Gender-related differences continue to challenge the management of lower extremity (LE) peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in women. We analyzed the time-trends in hospital care of such differences.

METHODS: Data for patients with PAD from New York, New Jersey, and Florida state hospital inpatient discharge databases (1998-2007) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.

RESULTS: The 2.4 million PAD-related inpatient discharge records analyzed showed a slight decrease of inpatient procedures for both genders. Compared with men, women had 18% to 27% fewer PAD and 33% to 49% fewer vascular procedural hospitalizations (P < .0001). They were persistently more likely than men to be admitted emergently (56% vs 51% in 1998 and 57% vs 53% in 2007) and discharged to a nursing home. During the study period, the amputation rate declined by 36% in women and 21% in men with PAD, and similarly, open procedures decreased by 36% and 30%. Endovascular procedures, however, increased by 150% in women and 144% in men. Procedural mortality was 4.95% vs 4.37% for men (P < .0001). Female mortality rates were persistently higher after amputations (9.89% vs 8.90%, P < .0001), open (5.49% vs 4.00%, P < .0001), and endovascular procedures (2.87% vs 2.10%, P < .0001). Time trends showed improved mortality for men and women, with a stable difference between the two.

CONCLUSION: The analysis of representative state administrative databases of inpatient care records demonstrated improvements in mortality and amputation rates over time. However, a gender-related disparity in PAD outcomes remains that merits further investigation.