Gender differences in risk factor management and pharmacological treatment among CHD patients: Belgian results of the EUROASPIRE IV and EUROASPIRE V surveys.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to provide an up-to-date overview of gender differences or similarities in risk factor control and medical management in the Belgian CHD population. METHODS: All analyses are based on the ESC EORP EUROASPIRE IV and EUROASPIRE V (European Survey Of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention And Diabetes) surveys. Patients between 18 and 80 years old, hospitalised for a first or recurrent coronary event, were included in the survey. RESULTS: Data were available for 10,519 patients, of which 23.9% were women. Women had a worse risk factor profile compared to men. Women were more physical inactive (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.19-1.44), had a higher prevalence of obesity (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.25-1.50) and had a worse LDL-C control (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.36-1.70). Moreover, women were less likely to use ACE-I/ARBs (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76-0.94) and statins (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.70-0.90). In addition, little gender differences were found in patients' risk factor awareness, except on cholesterol awareness. Women were more aware about their total cholesterol levels (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.21-1.56). CONCLUSION: Despite little to no gender differences in the management of CHD patients, women still have a worse risk factor profile, both in Belgian and in other European high-income countries.

Lifestyle behaviour and risk factor control in coronary patients: Belgian results from the cross-sectional EUROASPIRE surveys.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess lifestyle behaviour as well as risk factor management across Belgian coronary patients who participated in the cross-sectional European Action on Secondary Prevention through Intervention to Reduce Events (EUROASPIRE) surveys. METHODS: Analyses are based on a series of coronary patients by combining data from the Belgian participants in the EUROASPIRE III (328 patients; in 2006-2007) and EUROASPIRE IV (343 patients; in 2012-2013) surveys. Four hospitals located in the Ghent area participated in the surveys. Patients included in the analyses were ≥18 years old and had been hospitalised for a coronary event. Information on cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle behaviour and medical treatment were obtained. RESULTS: Overall, the proportion of smokers was 11% with 40% persistent smokers. Adequate physical activity levels were reported by 17%, 28% of patients were obese, 47% was central obese and known diabetes was prevalent in 21% of patients. Hypertension was observed in 46% of patients and 20% had a total cholesterol ≥5 mmol/L. About 80% had participated in a cardiac rehabilitation programme and the majority of patients were treated with blood pressure (92%) or lipid-lowering drugs (92%). Anxiety and depressive symptoms were reported by 30% and 24%, respectively. Differences between EUROASPIRE III and IV were limited. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the overall EUROASPIRE results in Europe, Belgian CHD patients seem to do slightly better. However, tackling obesity, physical inactivity, hypertension and psychosocial distress remains an important challenge in the management of coronary patients.