Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a non-fatal irregular heart beat that is often chronic. Approximately 250000 Canadians have AF and these numbers are increasing over time. Patients with AF are at increased risk of stroke. Women with AF are at higher risk of stroke compared with men, however the reason for this is uncertain. It has been suggested that women with AF receive less preventive treatment for stroke than men. The objectives of this study were to compare risk factors for stroke, patterns of prevention treatment for stroke, and stroke rates between sexes, in population of patients with AF older than 65 years. to answer the study objectives, we used information from prescription drug, physicians claims and hospital discharge databases between 1999 and 2007. Patients consisted of 39,398 men (47.2%) and 44,115 women (52.8%). we found that women were older had fewer background diseases, but had higher risk for stroke. Women received the same extend of prevention treatment for stroke as men, however they still had higher rates of stroke (5.8% vs. 4.3%). Adherence to treatment was similar between sexes. We concluded that women are not treated less than men to prevent stroke, however they fare worst. Stroke rates are higher in women compared with men, independent of risk factors and prevention treatment. Novel strategies are needed to reduce stroke risk in women with AF.