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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Donna R. Parker, ScD¹, Charles B. Eaton, MD¹, Mary B. Roberts, MA¹, and David Ahern, PhD². (1) Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, 111 Brewster St., Pawtucket, RI 02860, 401-729-2531, Donna_Parker@Brown.edu, (2) The Abacus Group, 1210 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920

Context: Despite recent public campaigns to increase awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in women, some studies suggest that women may receive less optimal CVD preventive care, including cholesterol screening and management. Objectives: We examined whether cholesterol screening and management varied by gender among patients treated by primary care providers in Southeastern New England. Methods: Baseline chart audits were performed on 4,287 patients (1,692 men and 2,595 women) from 30 primary care providers in 2003 to 2004. Demographics, diagnostic conditions, and treatment plans for patients were collected. Variables included age, gender, smoking history, BMI, CHD risk category, cholesterol values, use of lipid-lowering medications, premature family history of coronary heart disease,history of diabetes, history of hypertension and/or lipid disease, obesity and recommendations for diet and/or exercise. Results: Multivariate-adjusted results suggested that compared to men, women were less likely to have a cholesterol screening (odds ratio=0.82; 95% confidence intervals=0.69-0.98); were more likely not be diagnosed with a lipid disorder (odds ratio=1.32; 95% confidence intervals=1.01-1.71); and, if they had been diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia, were less likely to be managed with pharmacotherapy (odds ratio=0.80; 95% confidence intervals=0.66-0.97). There also appeared to be a gender x age interaction for diagnosis of lipid screening and an age x risk category interaction for lipid management. Conclusions: These data suggest that there appears to be a gender-based disparity in lipid screening, diagnosis and management. A better understanding of this gender disparity is needed to design and implement future quality improvement initiatives.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the partcipant will be able to

• Recognize gender disparities in cardiovascular disease preventive care, particularly cholesterol screening and management.
• Identify data used to assess gender differences in cholesterol treatment and management.
• To consider addressing gender disparities in future quality improvement studies.

Keywords: Cholesterol, Management

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered