Gender Differences in Coronary Artery Disease, Clinical Characteristics, and Angiographic Features in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death worldwide. In Saudi Arabia and the gulf area, coronary artery disease (CAD) is considered a serious problem with high mortality. Previous studies identified multiple risk factors, that include hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking, and low physical activity, which might be related to lifestyle changes over the last few decades. Limited data about gender differences in clinical and angiographic characteristics among CAD patients in the Jazan region are available. The aim of this study is to assess potential gender differences in CAD and its clinical characteristics and angiographic features in the Jazan region. Methods: This retrospective chart review collected data between January 2020 and March 2021 from the follow-ups of 498 patients (100 females and 398 males) aged over 18 years at the Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Hospital in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected after all patients admitted to the hospital were reviewed, and cardiac catheterization was performed. Results: Of the 498 patients with CAD, 100 (20.1%) were female and 398 (79.9%) were male. The mean age of female patients (59.44 years) was significantly higher than that of male patients (55.1 years; P=0.0002). In addition, risk factors differed significantly between genders (P=0.0210). Moreover, vessels differed significantly between genders (P=0.0002). Coronary angiogram findings showed significant correlations between gender and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; P=0.0001) and MEDICAL (P=0.0010). Diagnosis findings showed significant gender differences in STEMI (P<0.0010) and unstable angina (P<0.0010). Conclusions: CAD severity did not differ by gender, but coronary angiogram findings showed significant relationships between gender, PCI, and MEDICAL treatment with CAD.