Introduction And Objectives: To analyze differences between sexes in the clinical management of patients presenting with symptoms of chest pain and/or palpitations within a population-based study.
Methods: The OFRECE study included a random sample of 8400 individuals from the Spanish population aged 40 years and older; 1132 (13.5%) had previously consulted for chest pain and 1267 (15.1%) had consulted for palpitations and were included in the present study. We calculated both the crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) of undergoing certain tests and the results of consultations by sex. Adjustment was performed by classic cardiovascular risk factors, a personal history of cardiovascular disease, and a diagnosis of stable angina or atrial fibrillation confirmed in the OFRECE study in each case.
Results: No differences were observed in history of consultation for chest pain between women and men (13% vs 14.1%; P=.159) but differences were found in palpitations (19% vs 10.4%, respectively; P <.001). Women who had previously consulted for chest pain underwent fewer echocardiograms (32.5% vs 45.3%, respectively; P <.001), were less frequently referred to a cardiologist (49.1% vs 60.1%; P <.001), were less often admitted to hospital (20.1% vs 39.4%; P <.001), and less frequently received a confirmed diagnosis (60.9 vs 71, 9; P <.001). After full adjustment, all differences decreased and become nonsignificant echocardiograms: adjusted OR, 0.81; 95%CI, 0.60-1.09; referral to a cardiologist: adjusted OR, 0.86; 95%CI, 0.63-1.16; hospital admission: adjusted OR, 0.76; 95%CI, 0.54-1.09). For palpitations, crude differences were smaller and all became nonsignificant after adjustment.
Conclusions: This study does not confirm the existence of sex-related bias in the management of chest pain and palpitations. However, such bias cannot be completely ruled out in diagnoses confirmed within the OFRECE study, which might limit its ability to detect sex-related differences in health care.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rec.2018.11.021 | DOI Listing |
Medicine (Baltimore)
January 2025
Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Rationale: Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva (PSV) is a rare but life-threatening condition, often resulting from blunt chest trauma. Rapid progress and a high risk of rupture highlight the importance of prompt diagnosis and intervention. We present a case of a rare pseudoaneurysm linked to the right coronary sinus after blunt chest trauma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Background: Spinal pain is prevalent and burdensome worldwide. A large proportion of patients with neck and thoracic pain experience chronic symptoms, which can significantly impact their physical functioning. Therefore, it is important to understand factors predicting outcome to inform effective examination and treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMed Educ
January 2025
Heisenberg Chair for Medical Risk Literacy and Evidence-Based Decisions, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Background: In 1962, the idea emerged that medical students' tolerance of uncertainty could determine their specialty choice. While some studies supported this claim, others refuted it, often using independently developed instruments. We explored whether the reported link between specialty choice and uncertainty tolerance is more myth than evidence by employing established instruments to investigate whether specialty choice could be explained by variance in uncertainty tolerance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cardiovasc Dev Dis
January 2025
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Refractory angina pectoris (RAP) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia that is unresponsive to optimal pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for managing RAP, offering significant symptom relief and improved quality of life. A systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate the clinical effectiveness, mechanisms of action, and safety profile of SCS in treating RAP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWorld J Gastrointest Endosc
January 2025
Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China.
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Case Summary: We present a case involving early-stage esophageal cancer discovered in a resting room, notable for the rare manifestation of esophageal mucosal bridging. Following a comprehensive multidisciplinary discussion and the development of a treatment strategy, we proceeded with endoscopic submucosal dissection for the patient.
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