OBJECTIVES: to investigate the existence of gender differences between HF patients, in particular related to drug prescriptions, hospitalizations and associated costs.

METHODS: An observational retrospective cohort analysis was performed from ARNO Observatory, based on administrative databases of 32 LHU (Local Healtcare Units) in Italy, covering 2.5Mil patients. Patients (≥18) with a hospitalization discharge diagnosis of HF (ICD-9-CM 428.xx; 402.xx) and at least one prescription for specific HF drugs (ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers ARBs, diuretics, digitalics, beta-blockers) from January 1st, 2008 to December 31st, 2012 (inclusion period)were included. The index-date (ID) was the first hospitalization for HF during inclusion period. All patients were followed up after the ID for 12 months.

RESULTS: A total of 54,059 patients with HF were enrolled in the study, about 51,4% females. Mean age was almost 5 years higher for females. Intra-hospital mortality rates were 10.1% for females and 9.5% for males. Males have a consistently higher risk for all concomitant conditions as compared with females, with the exception of depression (15.5% vs 26.1% for females). Males were more often discharged from Cardiology Units than females, while females were more often discharged from General Medicine Units. A higher percentage of males received beta-blockers and/or ACE inhibitors or (ARBs) as compared with female patients. Total number of hospital re-admissions was 48,549 (2.10 per patient-global; 2.01 per female; 2.14 per male). Mean yearly expenditure was 13,273€ for males and 10,451€ for females.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings highlight that, in the real-world, HF has a strong impact on National Healthcare Service for both genders. Gender seems to influence patient admission unit, pharmacological treatment, comorbidities and costs so it needs to be considered.