Gender-specific associations between coronary heart disease and other chronic diseases: cross-sectional evaluation of national survey data from adult residents of Germany

BACKGROUND: Combinations of coronary heart disease (CHD) and other chronic conditions complicate clinical management and increase healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender-specific relationships between CHD and other comorbidities. METHODS: We analyzed data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey (DEGS1), a national survey of 8152 adults aged 18–79 years. Female and male participants with self-reported CHD were compared for 23 chronic medical conditions. Regression models were applied to determine potential associations between CHD and these 23 conditions. RESULTS: The prevalence of CHD was 9% (547 participants): 34% (185) were female CHD participants and 66% (362) male. In women, CHD was associated with hypertension (OR = 3.28 (1.81–5.9)), lipid disorders (OR = 2.40 (1.50–3.83)), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.08 (1.24–3.50)), kidney disease (OR = 2.66 (1.101–6.99)), thyroid disease (OR = 1.81 (1.18–2.79)), gout/high uric acid levels (OR = 2.08 (1.22–3.56)) and osteoporosis (OR = 1.69 (1.01–2.84)). In men, CHD patients were more likely to have hypertension (OR = 2.80 (1.94–4.04)), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.87 (1.29–2.71)), lipid disorder (OR = 1.82 (1.34–2.47)), and chronic kidney disease (OR = 3.28 (1.81–5.9)). CONCLUSION: Our analysis revealed two sets of chronic conditions associated with CHD. The first set occurred in both women and men, and comprised known risk factors: hypertension, lipid disorders, kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus. The second set appeared unique to women: thyroid disease, osteoporosis, and gout/high uric acid. Identification of shared and unique gender-related associations between CHD and other conditions provides potential to tailor screening, preventive, and therapeutic options.