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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Care | Research

Sex differences in survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a meta-analysis

Authors: Hao Lei, Jiahui Hu, Leiling Liu, Danyan Xu

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death worldwide. Researchers have found significant pathophysiological differences between females and males and clinically significant sex differences related to medical services. However, conflicting results exist and there is no uniform agreement regarding sex differences in survival and prognosis after OHCA. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the prognosis of OHCA and sex factors.

Methods

We comprehensively searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases and obtained a total of 1042 articles, from which 33 studies were selected for inclusion. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a random-effects model.

Results

The meta-analysis included 1,268,664 patients. Compared with males, females were older (69.7 years vs. 65.4 years, p < 0.05) and more frequently suffered OHCA without witnesses (58.39% vs 62.70%, p < 0.05). Females were less likely to receive in-hospital interventions than males. There was no significant difference between females and males in the survival from OHCA to hospital admission (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.89–1.1). However, females had lower chances for survival from hospital admission to discharge (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.48–0.73), overall survival to hospital discharge (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.62–0.86), and favorable neurological outcomes (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.47–0.83) compared with males.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the overall discharge survival rate of females is lower than that of males, and females face a poor prognosis of the nervous system. This is likely related to the pathophysiological characteristics of females, more conservative treatment measures compared with males, and different post-resuscitation care. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the presence of several confounding factors.

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Title: Sex differences in survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a meta-analysis
Authors: Hao Lei
Jiahui Hu
Leiling Liu
Danyan Xu
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Care
Temperature Management
Published in: Critical Care / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-020-03331-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Sex differences in survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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