Treatment-seeking delays in patients with acute myocardial infarction and use of the emergency medical service

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate treatment-seeking delays in Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to compare sex differences in this behaviour. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken in patients with AMI, admitted to one of three hospitals in Shanghai, China. A treatment-seeking behaviour questionnaire was administered to each patient within 48 h of hospital admission. Results: In total, 250 patients were included: 159 men and 91 women. The median time for patients with AMI to make a treatment-seeking decision was 130 min. Women took significantly longer to seek treatment than men (240 min versus 120 min). The majority of patients (70.8%) took >1 h to decide to seek treatment. The emergency medical service (EMS) was used by 77 (30.8%) of patients, and these patients had a significantly shorter prehospital delay time than those who transported themselves to hospital. Predictive factors for using the EMS were pain level and rating AMI symptoms as severe. Conclusions: Chinese patients with AMI had a significant prehospital delay time and women took longer than men to seek treatment. Public awareness of the importance of seeking immediate medical assistance for AMI via the EMS needs to be increased in China.

Sex Differences in Clinical Characteristics, Hospital Management Practices, and In-Hospital Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized in a Vietnamese Hospital with a First Acute Myocardial Infarction

“…In addition, we found that women were more likely to delay to seeking medical care after the onset of symptoms suggestive of AMI compared with men. This finding is consistent with worldwide data [23], [24], [25] as well as in a recent survey among patients hospitalized with AMI in China [26]. Public educational interventions for general population are needed to encourage patients to seek medical care promptly to maximize the benefits of currently available treatments.…”

Preventing and Experiencing Ischemic Heart Disease as a Woman: State of the Science

“…While much success has been achieved in reducing the components of delay once a patient enters the health care system, little has changed in treatment-seeking delay times for women. This behavior is universal across cultures including women in Saudi Arabia, 233 China 234 , Brazil 235 , and Norway 236 and across racial groups, including African American women. 237 Recent studies continue to demonstrate that treatment seeking delay is associated with worse outcomes.…”

Skubios medicinos pagalbos paieškos delsimas susirgus ūminiu miokardo infarktu

“…Kinijoje atliktame tyrime nustatyta, jog ilgiau nei 1 valandą delsė 70,8 proc. [14], Graikijoje -82 proc. [13] tiriamųjų, Amerikoje mažiau nei 10 proc.…”

“…[13], Kinijoje 130 (50 -480) min. [14], Airijoje, vertinant visus ūminius koronarinius sindromus, 244 min [16]. ASSENT-3 PLUS tyrimas parodė, jog kai kuriose šalyse šio laiko mediana trumpesnė: 60 min.…”