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Sex differences in Cardiorenal Syndrome: Insights from CARDIOREN Registry

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Abstract

Purpose of the Work

Although sex-specific differences in heart failure (HF) or kidney disease (KD) have been analyzed separately, the predominant cardiorenal phenotype by sex has not been described. This study aims to explore the sex-related differences in cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) in a contemporary cohort of outpatients with HF.

Findings

An analysis of the Cardiorenal Spanish registry (CARDIOREN) was performed. CARDIOREN Registry is a prospective multicenter observational registry including 1107 chronic ambulatory HF patients (37% females) from 13 Spanish HF clinics. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 was present in 59.1% of the overall HF population, being this prevalence higher in the female population (63.2% vs. 56.6%, p = 0.032, median age: 81 years old, IQR:74–86). Among those with kidney dysfunction, women displayed higher odds of showing HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (odds ratio [OR] = 4.07; confidence interval [CI] 95%: 2.65–6.25, p < 0.001), prior valvular heart disease (OR = 1.76; CI 95%:1.13–2.75, p = 0.014), anemia (OR: 2.02; CI 95%:1.30–3.14, p = 0.002), more advanced kidney disease (OR for CKD stage 3: 1.81; CI 95%:1.04–3.13, p = 0.034; OR for CKD stage 4: 2.49, CI 95%:1.31–4.70, p = 0.004) and clinical features of congestion (OR:1.51; CI 95%: 1.02–2.25, p = 0.039). On the contrary, males with cardiorenal disease showed higher odds of presenting HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (OR:3.13; CI 95%: 1.90–5.16, p < 0.005), ischemic cardiomyopathy (OR:2.17; CI 95%: 1.31–3.61, p = 0.003), hypertension (OR = 2.11; CI 95%:1.18–3.78, p = 0.009), atrial fibrillation (OR:1.71; CI 95%: 1.06–2.75, p = 0.025), and hyperkalemia (OR:2.43, CI 95%: 1.31–4.50, p = 0.005).

Summary

In this contemporary registry of chronic ambulatory HF patients, we observed sex-related differences in patients with combined heart and kidney disease. The emerging cardiorenal phenotype characterized by advanced CKD, congestion, and HFpEF was predominantly observed in women, whereas HFrEF, ischemic etiology, hypertension, hyperkalemia, and atrial fibrillation were more frequently observed in men.

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Data Availability

The raw data supporting the conclusion of this article will be made available by the authors, under request.

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Acknowledgements

The editors would like to thank Dr. Eduardo Zatarain for taking the time to handle the review of this manuscript.

Funding

Supported by AstraZeneca Farmacéutica Spain, S.A.

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Correspondence to Julio Núñez.

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Conflict of Interest

All the authors report grants from Astra Zeneca during the conduct of the study. Dr. Cobo Marcos reports personal fees from ASTRA ZENECA, VIFOR PHARMA, NOVARTIS, ROVI, BOEHRINGHER INGELHEIM, NOVONORDISK, ESTEVE and BAYER; Dr Pomares reports personal fees from PFIZER, and support for attending meetings from NOVARTIS AND BAYER, Dr Méndez reports personal fees from ASTRA ZENECA, support for attending meetings from NOVARTIS, and participation on a Data Safety Monitoring Board or Advisory Board from BAYER; Dr Rubio reports personal fees from ASTRA ZENECA, NOVARTIS, BOEHRINGHER INGELHEIM, ESTEVE, and BAYER; Dr Recio reports personal fees from ASTRA ZENECA, NOVARTIS, BOEHRINGHER INGELHEIM, JANSSEN, BAYER, MSD and support for attending meetings from BAYER, MSD and NOVARTIS;. Dr Garía Pinilla reports personal fees from ASTRA ZENECA, VIFOR PHARMA, NOVARTIS, BOEHRINGHER INGELHEIM, PFIZER and BAYER, Dr Soler Romeo reports personal fees from NovoNordisk, Jansen, Boehringer, Mundipharma, Esteve, Fresenius, Ingelheim Lilly, Vifor, ICU Medical, Travere Therapeutics, GE Healthcare, grants and personal fees from AstraZeneca, Editor in Chief of CKJ; In addition, Dr. Soler Romeo has a patent 202131356 issued; Dr Núñez reports, grants from VIFOR PHARMA, personal fees from NOVARTIS, ROVI, BOEHRINGHER INGELHEIM, NOVONORDISK and BAYER. All other authors declare no competing interests.

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11897_2023_598_MOESM1_ESM.docx

Supplementary file 1 Sex stratified basal characteristics across kidney disease categories. eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; HF: heart failure; BMI: body mass index; NYHA, New York Heart Association; SBP: systolic blood pressure; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; LVEF: left ventricular ejection fraction; LVH: left ventricular hypertrophy; TAPSE: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion; sPAP: systolic pulmonary artery pressure; NTproBNP: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide; CA125: cancer antigen 125; ACEi, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; ARB, angiotensin II receptor blockers; MRA: mineralocorticoids receptor antagonists; SLGT2i: Sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors; IV: intravenous; ESA: erythropoiesis-stimulating agent; VKa: Vitamin K antagonists; DOACs: Direct oral anticoagulants. * Values expressed as median (interquartile range). Ç Defined as serum ferritin <100 ng/mL or, serum ferritin 100-299 ng/mL + transferrin saturation <20%. Data available in 1020 patients. † Last 3 months (DOCX 41 KB)

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Cobo Marcos, M., de la Espriella, R., Gayán Ordás, J. et al. Sex differences in Cardiorenal Syndrome: Insights from CARDIOREN Registry. Curr Heart Fail Rep 20, 157–167 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11897-023-00598-x

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