SEX-BASED DIFFERENCES IN STATIN USE AMONG HIGH-RISK CARDIOVASCULAR PATIENTS IN NIGERIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS
Authors & Affiliations
Tolulope Taiwo Shogade1, Akinyele Taofiq Akinlade2, Adenike Christianah Enikuomehin3, Yakubu Lawal4, Oladimeji Adedeji Junaid5, Sebastine Oseghae Oiwoh6, Oluwatosin Ruth Ilori 7, Franchesca Olufunmilayo Inofomoh8, Yekeen Ayodele Ayoola9, Tajudin Adesegun Adetunji10, Yusuf Idris Abiola11, Olumide Akinniyi Akinyele12, Opeyemi Olalekan Oni13, Umar Faruk Abdullahi14, Stella Chinyelu Alagbe15, Dapo Sunday Oyedepo16, Tijani Idris Ahmad Oseni17, Oladimeji Adebayo18, Ahidiyu Anaryu Mamza19, Oluseyi Ademola Adejumo20, Adebimpe Olukemi Yusuf21, Emmanuel Ovundah Nyeche22, Joel Olufunminiyi Akande23, Atinuke Oluwabukola Kalada Richard24, Bolade Folasade Dele-Ojo25, Osahon Otaigbe26, Damilola Adeyinka Akinfaderin27, Adeseye Abiodun Akintunde28. Nigeria Clinical Lipid Research (NiCliR) Network.
📖 Abstract Content
Sex-related differences in the prescription of evidence-based cardiovascular therapies have been reported worldwide, with women often receiving less intensive lipid-lowering therapy than men. Whether similar disparities exist in statin prescribing among high-risk cardiovascular patients in Nigeria remains uncertain. We evaluated sex differences in statin use among high-risk cardiovascular patients in Nigeria and determined whether sex independently predicts statin utilization after adjustment for clinical covariates.
We analyzed cross-sectional data from 1,470 Nigerian patients with cardiovascular risk; 1,465 had complete sex and statin-use data. Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for statin use by sex, adjusting for age, hypertension status, smoking, LDL-cholesterol, and educational attainment. High- risk was defined as established ASCVD, diabetes aged ≥40 years, or 10-year CVD risk ≥7.5%.
The cohort comprised 677 men and 788 women, mean age 58.2±12.4years. 536 (36.6%) were on statins. Statin use was similar in men and women (36.3% vs 36.7%, crude OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.80–1.22; p=0.91). In 534 participants with complete covariates, sex was not independently associated with statin use (aOR 0.97, 95% CI 0.68–1.40; p=0.89). Older age predicted statin prescription (aOR 1.01 per year, 95% CI 1.00–1.03; p=0.044). Hypertension, smoking, LDL-cholesterol, and tertiary education were not significant.
Statin use was low among high-risk cardiovascular patients in Nigeria, with no significant sex-based disparity. The gap appears systemic rather than sex-specific, warranting broad, non-sex-targeted interventions to improve uptake.
