GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE CLINICAL PROFILE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

BACKGROUND: Cardiomyopathies contribute about 18.2-40.2% (average- 21.4%) to the global burden of heart failure of which dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause. DCM is the second commonest cause of heart failure in Ibadan. The gender differences in the clinical profile has not been described in our setting. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we set out to describe the gender differences in the pattern and presentation of DCM at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: This was an analysis of a prospectively collected data over a period of 5 years (August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2021). RESULTS: A total of 117 subjects, 88 males (75.3%) and 29 females (24.8%) aged 50.30 ± 14.7 years (range, 17 to 86 years). Males had significantly achieved a higher educational level than females (p = 0.004). Males were more likely to be employed and had more monthly income compared to females. Males were significantly more likely to use alcohol and smoke cigarette (p = 0.0001 and 0.001 respectively). Females were more likely to be in NYHA class III/IV. There was no statistically significant difference in the relationship between any medication and gender of participants (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: DCM is a disease of young and middle-aged adults in our population. The commonest age group was 20-39 years and there was male preponderance. There were some gender differences in the clinical profile of the disease in our environment.