BackgroundChina is experiencing a marked increase in STâsegment elevation myocardial infarction hospitalizations, with 30% occurring among women and higher risk of inâhospital death in relatively younger age groups (<70). Yet, little is known about sex differences in STâsegment elevation myocardial infarction presentation and management.Methods and ResultsIn a nationally representative sample of patients with STâsegment elevation myocardial infarction admitted to 162 Chinese hospitals in 2001, 2006, and 2011, we examined sex differences in hospitalization rates, clinical profiles, and quality of care. Among 11Â 986 patients, the proportion of women was unchanged between 2001 and 2011. The estimated national rates of hospital admission per 100Â 000 people increased from 4.6 in 2001 to 18.0 in 2011 among men (3.9âfold increase) and from 1.9 to 8.0 among women (4.2âfold increase) (P
trend<0.0001). The median age of women increased from 68Â years in 2001 to 72Â years in 2011 (P
trend<0.001); however, there was no age change in men (63Â years in 2011) (P
trend=0.48). After accounting for age, women had a higher frequency of comorbidities. Although there were significant sex differences in the time interval of >12Â hours between symptom onset and admission time in 2001, since 2006 delays in presentation were comparable between women and men. Fewer women without contraindications received evidenceâbased therapies than men, including reperfusion (57.5% versus 44.2%), early aspirin (88.8% versus 85.9%), and clopidogrel (56.9% versus 52.5%, P<0.001 for all) and the differences were largely unchanged over time.ConclusionsWomen experienced a higher increase in hospitalization rates for STâsegment elevation myocardial infarction in China between 2001 and 2011 and were less likely to receive evidenceâbased therapies, especially reperfusion. In addition to efforts to improve quality of care generally, understanding the reasons for this sex disparity and addressing these differences in care should be a priority.Clinical Trial Registration
URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01624883.