Sex differences in clinical outcomes for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the USA: a retrospective observational study of administrative claims data.

objectivesTo evaluate sex differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes for patients with diagnosed obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) in the USA.

settingRetrospective observational study of administrative claims data from MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database from IBM Watson Health.

participantsOf the 28 million covered employees and family members in MarketScan, 9306 patients with oHCM were included in this analysis.

main outcome measuresoHCM-related outcomes included heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia/ fibrillation, sudden cardiac death, septal myectomy, alcohol septal ablation (ASA) and heart transplant.

resultsAmong 9306 patients with oHCM, the majority were male (60.5%, p<0.001) and women were of comparable age to men (50±15 vs 49±15 years, p<0.001). Women were less likely to be prescribed beta blockers (42.7% vs 45.2%, p=0.017) and undergo an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (1.7% vs 2.6%, p=0.005). Septal reduction therapy was performed slightly more frequently in women (ASA: 0.08% vs 0.05%, p=0.600; SM: 0.35% vs 0.18%, p=0.096), although not statistically significant. Women were less likely to have atrial fibrillation (6.7% vs 9.9%, p<0.001).

conclusionWomen were less likely to be prescribed beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, anticoagulants, undergo implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and have ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation. Men were more likely to have atrial fibrillation. Future research using large, clinical real-world data are warranted to understand the root cause of these potential treatment disparities in women with oHCM.