Sex Differences in Mortality Risk after the First Hospitalisation due to Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease

Objective Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a severe condition that increases the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, major adverse limb events, and all cause mortality. This study aimed to investigate the mortality risk among females and males hospitalised for the first time due to lower extremity PAD. Methods Three cohorts of patients who were admitted for the first time due to lower extremity PAD in 2007 – 2010, 2011 – 2014, and 2015 – 2018 were constructed. For the 2007 – 2010 and 2011 – 2014 cohorts, the 28 day, one year, and five year mortality were calculated, assessing survival time from date of hospital admission until date of death, end of study period, or censoring. For the 2015 – 2018 cohort, only 28 day and one year mortality were investigated due to lack of follow up data. Mortality of these cohorts was compared with the general population using standardised mortality rates (SMRs), and the risk of mortality between sexes was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models. Cox models were adjusted for age, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus to account for potential confounding factors. Results In total, 7 950, 9 670, and 13 522 patients were included in the 2007 – 2010, 2011 – 2014, and 2015 – 2018 cohorts, respectively. Over 60% of individuals in each cohort were male. Mortality rates at 28 day and one year remained stable across all cohorts, while the five year mortality rate increased both for males and females in the 2011 – 2014 cohort. The SMRs both of females and males with PAD were significantly higher than in the general population. Multivariable regression analyses found no significant differences in mortality risk between sexes at 28 days and one year. However, the five year mortality risk was lower in females, with a hazard ratio of 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83 – 0.97) in the 2007 – 2010 cohort and 0.88 (95% CI 0.82 – 0.94) in the 2011 – 2014 cohort. Conclusion The five year mortality risk has increased, and females face a lower mortality risk than males. Lower extremity PAD still carries unfavourable long term consequences compared with the general population.