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At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Are there gender differences in diabetes care among elderly Medicare enrolled veterans?

OBJECTIVE: To examine gender differences in diabetes care process measures and intermediate outcomes among veteran clinic users. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study using Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Medicare files of VHA clinic users with diabetes. Diabetes care process measures were tests for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) values, and eye exams. Intermediate outcomes were HbA1c and LDL-C values below recommended thresholds. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions were used to assess gender differences. PARTICIPANTS: Study population included 3,225 women and 231,922 men veterans with diabetes, enrolled in Medicare fee-for-service and alive at the end of fiscal year 2000. RESULTS: Overall, there were no significant gender differences in HbA1c or LDL-C testing. However, women had higher rates in these process measures than men among the non-African American minorities. Women were more likely to have completed eye exams (odds ratio [OR]=1.11; 99% confidence interval [CI]=1.10, 1.23) but were less likely to have LDL-C under 130 mg/dL (OR=0.77; 99% CI=0.69, 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Among VHA patients with diabetes, clinically significant gender inequality was not apparent in most of diabetes care measures. However, there was evidence of better care among nonwhite and non-African American women than their male counterparts. Further research on interaction of race and gender on diabetes care is needed. This includes evaluation of integrated VHA women's health programs as well as cultural issues. Lower LDL-C control among women suggests areas of unmet needs for women and opportunities for future targeted quality improvement interventions at system and provider levels.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Gender differences in adolescents in residential treatment.

Gender differences for adolescents in residential care were examined for a sample of 2,067 youths in a large residential facility. At admission, female youths were more troubled than male youths, as shown in significantly higher Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC) diagnoses and comorbidity rates, higher internalizing and externalizing Child Behavior Checklist scores, and significantly higher Suicide Prevention Scale hopelessness, negative self-evaluation, and suicide ideation scores. Girls had higher rates of depressive and anxiety diagnoses on the DISC at both admission and 1 year. Both genders demonstrated significant reductions in both externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors over the first year in the program. Girls had significantly higher rates of internalizing problem behavior but showed a significantly greater reduction in these behaviors than did boys. At departure, girls were rated as being more successful than boys by clinical staff. Youths did not differ by gender in their behavior on a 6-month follow-up success scale. Implications for prioritizing research addressing the needs of female adolescents in residential care are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Gender differences in cardiovascular and corticoadrenal response to stress and drug cues in cocaine dependent individuals.

RATIONALE: Extensive research suggests that gender may affect neuroendocrine and cardiovascular arousal mechanisms underlying biological responses to stress. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of gender on response to stress and to drug-cue exposure in treatment-seeking cocaine abusers. METHODS: Fifty recently abstinent cocaine dependent individuals (25F/25M), who were matched on cocaine use history, were exposed to a brief guided-imagery procedure that involved imagining a recent personal stressful situation, a personal drug-related situation and neutral-relaxing situation, one imagery per session, presented in random order. Subjective craving and anxiety, cardiovascular measures and plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cortisol and prolactin were assessed. RESULTS: Males showed significantly higher levels of ACTH, cortisol, and SBP, both at baseline and following all three imagery conditions. Females showed significantly higher basal heart rate and prolactin, although no gender differences were observed following imagery. No gender differences were seen in subjective anxiety or cocaine craving. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate significant gender differences in baseline sensitivity and subsequent variations in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and cardiovascular response to imagery challenge. Such gender-specific responses could have implications for the development of pharmacological treatments that address stress and drug-cue-related relapse in cocaine-abusing individuals.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed2003

Gender differences in pain characteristics of chronic stable angina and perceived physical limitation in patients with coronary artery disease.

Chronic stable angina pectoris, the chest pain associated with reversible myocardial ischemia has detrimental effects on health-related quality of life, particularly in women. The limited research on gender differences in chronic stable angina suggests that angina may be experienced differently in women and that women report greater functional disability related to angina symptoms. No studies have examined gender differences in chronic stable angina from a multidimensional pain perspective or have included reliable and valid measures of pain that would facilitate comparing chronic angina patients with other chronic pain populations. The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine gender differences in characteristics of chronic stable angina using the short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and to explore relationships among these pain characteristics and perceived limitation in performing physical activities in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) (physical limitation subscale of the Seattle angina questionnaire). One hundred and twenty-eight subjects (30.5% women) with stable CAD and angina pectoris documented by a cardiologist completed study questionnaires in an outpatient cardiology clinic. Results of the study suggest that men and women with chronic stable angina had more similarities than differences in chest pain characteristics. No significant gender differences were demonstrated in total sensory or affective intensity scores, the present pain intensity index, or the number of pain words chosen. However, women did report significantly greater pain intensity on the SF-MPQ visual analogue scale. Women were also significantly more likely to describe their chronic angina as 'hot-burning' and 'tender' and to have greater intensity of pain for these two descriptors. Despite the similarities in pain characteristics, women reported greater physical limitation related to anginal pain. The variables of social status and years diagnosed with CAD significantly interacted with gender in predicting physical limitation suggesting that gender-specific models of physical limitation in angina patients need to be explored. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies that has assessed chronic anginal pain using a reliable and valid generic pain instrument. More research is needed to better understand the nature of gender differences in functional limitation secondary to anginal pain and the physiologic, cognitive-perceptual and psychosocial mechanisms that lead to angina-related functional disability.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

A meta-analytic review of gender differences in perceptions of sexual harassment.

Research on gender differences in perceptions of sexual harassment informs an ongoing legal debate regarding the use of a reasonable person standard instead of a reasonable woman standard to evaluate sexual harassment claims. The authors report a meta-analysis of 62 studies of gender differences in harassment perceptions. An earlier quantitative review combined all types of social-sexual behaviors for a single meta-analysis; the purpose of this study was to investigate whether the magnitude of the female-male difference varies by type of behavior. An overall standardized mean difference of 0.30 was found, suggesting that women perceive a broader range of social-sexual behaviors as harassing. However, the meta-analysis also found that the female-male difference was larger for behaviors that involve hostile work environment harassment, derogatory attitudes toward women, dating pressure, or physical sexual contact than sexual propositions or sexual coercion.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Gender differences in ADHD: a meta-analysis and critical review.

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively review and critically evaluate literature examining gender differences in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: A meta-analysis of relevant research based on 18 studies meeting inclusion criteria was performed. Domains evaluated included primary symptomatology, intellectual and academic functioning, comorbid behavior problems, social behavior, and family variables. RESULTS: Gender differences were not found in impulsivity, academic performance, social functioning fine motor skills, parental education, or parental depression. However, compared with ADHD boys, ADHD girls displayed greater intellectual impairment, lower levels of hyperactivity, and lower rates of other externalizing behaviors; it was not possible to evaluate the extent to which referral bias affected these findings. Some gender differences were clearly mediated by the effects of referral source; among children with ADHD identified from nonreferred populations, girls with ADHD displayed lower levels of inattention, internalizing behavior, and peer aggression than boys with ADHD, while girls and boys with ADHD identified from clinic-referred samples displayed similar levels of impairment on these variables. CONCLUSIONS: The need for future research examining gender differences in ADHD is strongly indicated, with attention to methodological limitations of the current literature, including the potential confounding effects of referral bias, comorbidity, developmental patterns, diagnostic procedures, and rater source.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Are there gender differences in colorectal cancer test use prevalence and correlates?

Despite evidence that screening tests reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, screening prevalence is low. Gender differences in test uptake have been reported, but few studies examine correlates of test use by gender. Differences, if present, may inform strategies to increase test use. We examined gender differences in the prevalence and correlates of colorectal cancer test use [fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and endoscopy] using data from the 2002 to 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey. Male (n = 999) and female (n = 1687) respondents ages > or =50 years, without a personal history of colorectal cancer, were interviewed by telephone. Age-adjusted prevalence rates were reported for lifetime, recent, and repeat use by gender and test type. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify correlates of test use stratified by gender and colorectal cancer test type. More females reported only using FOBT in lifetime and in the past year, whereas more males reported repeat endoscopy use. The use of other tests or combinations of tests did not differ by gender. Consistent positive correlates of colorectal cancer test use for both genders included age, recent physician visits, recent breast or prostate cancer screening, and knowledge of test-specific screening intervals. Correlates that differed by gender included comparative perceived risk, belief that colorectal cancer testing was too expensive, fear of finding colorectal cancer if tested, and attention to and trust in media sources of health information. Such differences, if confirmed in future studies, may inform the use of gender-specific intervention strategies or messages to increase colorectal cancer test use.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Gender differences in eating behavior and body weight regulation.

Gender differences in food intake and selection first appear in adolescence. Men consume more calories than women, and the sexes have different eating styles, which indicate that women have been socialized to eat in a more feminine manner. Women experience more food-related conflict than men do, in that they like fattening foods but perceive that they should not eat them. Pressures to be thin are present in early adolescence, as noted by dieting behavior starting in very young girls. Women experience more dissatisfaction with their body weight and shape than men do. Sociocultural and psychological factors may be important in the etiology of eating disorders, which are much more prevalent in females than in males. Thus, further studies of gender differences in eating behavior will be important for understanding the etiology of eating and body-weight disorders and for designing gender-appropriate treatments.

Body Image↗
PubMed2000

Percent body fat and lean mass explain the gender difference in leptin: analysis and interpretation of leptin in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults.

OBJECTIVE: To reassess the relationship between body fat and fasting leptin concentrations comparing plasma vs. serum assessments of leptin; ratios vs. regression adjustment for body composition; fat and lean mass vs. percent body fat; and gender-, ethnic-, and age-related variations. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Subjects included 766 adults from the nondiabetic cohort of the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study examined at follow up (1997 to 1998). Body composition was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Leptin concentrations were determined after an overnight fast. RESULTS: Fasting serum and plasma assessments of leptin were correlated with percent body fat to the same degree. Women had significantly higher serum leptin concentrations than men when leptin concentrations were divided by body mass index, fat mass in kilograms or percent body fat. The methodological problem inherent in interpreting these ratio measures is pictorially demonstrated. In regression analysis, fat mass alone did not explain the gender difference. However, lean body mass was inversely related to leptin concentrations (p < 0.0001) and explained 71% of the gender difference at a given fat mass. Percent body fat explained all of the gender difference in leptin concentrations in both Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. Similar to findings about gender differences, ethnic- and age-related variations in the leptin-body fat association were minimized when percent body fat was employed as the body fat measure. DISCUSSION: Regression analysis and percent body fat measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry are recommended when assessing the relationship between leptin and body fat. Gender differences in leptin concentrations were accounted for by percent body fat in free living (no diet control), Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2002

Gender differences in upper airway compliance during NREM sleep: role of neck circumference.

It has been proposed that the gender difference in sleep apnea prevalence is related to gender differences in upper airway structure and function. We hypothesized that men would have smaller retropalatal cross-sectional area and higher compliance during sleep compared with women. Using upper airway imaging, we measured upper airway cross-sectional area and retropalatal compliance in wakefulness and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in 15 men and 15 women without sleep-disordered breathing. Cross-sectional area at the beginning of inspiration tended to be larger in men compared with women in both wakefulness [194.5 +/- 21.3 vs. 138.8 +/- 12.0 (SE) mm(2)] and NREM sleep (111.1 +/- 17.6 vs. 83.3 +/- 11.9 mm(2); P = 0.058). There was no significant difference, however, after correction for body surface area. Retropalatal compliance also tended to be higher in men during both wakefulness (5.9 +/- 1.4 vs. 3.1 +/- 1.4 mm(2)/cmH(2)O; P = 0.006) and NREM sleep (12.6 +/- 2.7 vs. 4.7 +/- 2.6 mm(2)/cmH(2)O; P = 0.055). However, compliance was similar in men relative to women after correction for neck circumference. We conclude that the gender difference in retropalatal compliance is more accurately attributed to differences in neck circumference between the genders.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Gender differences in rhGH-induced changes in body composition in GH-deficient adults.

In GH-deficient adults, rhGH has pronounced effects on total body water, fat free mass, and fat mass. Recently, we observed a gender difference in IGF-I responsivity to rhGH that was sex steroid dependent. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of rhGH therapy on body composition parameters with due attention to the gender differences in biological responsiveness to rhGH. Forty-four women [36.9 +/- 11.9 yr (mean +/- SD)] and 33 men (37.2 +/- 13.8 yr) with GH deficiency were studied every 6 months during 2 yr. The treatment goal was to achieve IGF-I levels within the age-adjusted normal range. Total body water, fat free mass, and fat mass were measured by bioimpedantiometry. To reach the treatment goal, the daily rhGH dose (IU/kg/d) had to be significantly higher in women than in men at all time intervals. During rhGH therapy, total body water and fat free mass increased significantly in both men and women (P < or = 0.01 by ANOVA), but changes were more pronounced in men. Fat mass decreased during rhGH treatment and reached its nadir at 6 months, which was more pronounced in men than in women (P = 0.02 by ANOVA). After the initial decrease, fat mass increased again and reached baseline values after 2 yr of treatment. In both men and women, the total body water and fat free mass increases were closely related to the IGF-I increments (P < 0.001 by Pearson's correlation test). The decrease in fat mass correlated significantly with the increase in IGF-I in men (r = -0.89, P < 0.001), not in women. Confirming our earlier data, IGF-I responsivity to rhGH was significantly higher in men than in women at all time intervals (P < 0.01 by ANOVA). Total body water and fat free mass responsivities were also higher in men than in women (P < 0.01 by ANOVA). In conclusion, gender differences in IGF-I responsivities to rhGH are accompanied by gender differences in the extent of body composition changes to rhGH. Probably because of these gender differences in IGF-I responsivity, the increases of total body water and fat free mass to rhGH replacement were greater in men than in women. Remarkably, however, in men, only total body water and fat free mass responses relative to changes in IGF-I increased during the 2 yr of rhGH therapy (P = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively, by ANOVA). In our opinion, this phenomenon might be explained by the increasing target organ sensitivity to IGF-I over time.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Rat renal cortical OAT1 and OAT3 exhibit gender differences determined by both androgen stimulation and estrogen inhibition.

In rats, the secretion of p-aminohippurate (PAH) by the kidney is higher in males (M) than in females (F). The role of the major renal PAH transporters, OAT1 and OAT3, in the generation of these gender differences, as well as the responsible hormones and mechanisms, has not been clarified. Here we used various immunocytochemical methods to study effects of gender, gonadectomy, and treatment with sex hormones on localization and abundance of OAT1 and OAT3 along the rat nephron. Both transporters were localized to the basolateral membrane: OAT1 was strong in proximal tubule S2 and weak in the S3 segments, whereas OAT3 was stained in proximal tubule S1 and S2 segments, thick ascending limb, distal tubule, and in principal cells along the collecting duct. Gender differences in the expression of both transporters in adult rats (M > F) were observed only in the cortical tubules. OAT1 in the cortex was strongly reduced by castration in adult M, whereas the treatment of castrated M with testosterone, estradiol, or progesterone resulted in its complete restitution, further depression, or partial restitution, respectively. In adult F, ovariectomy weakly increased, whereas estradiol treatment of ovariectomized F strongly decreased, the expression of OAT1. The expression of OAT3 in the M and F cortex largely followed a similar pattern, except that ovariectomy and progesterone treatment showed no effect, whereas in other tissue zones gender differences were not observed. In prepubertal rats, the expression of OAT1 and OAT3 in the kidney cortex was low and showed no gender differences. Our data indicate that gender differences in the rat renal cortical OAT1 and OAT3 (M > F) appear after puberty and are determined by both a stimulatory effect of androgens (and progesterone in the case of OAT1) and an inhibitory effect of estrogens.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Gender differences in adolescents' behavior during conflict resolution tasks with best friends.

This study examined gender differences in adolescents' behavior during conflict resolution tasks with their best friends. It also examined gender differences in adolescents' descriptions of those friendships. Thirty-nine adolescents were videotaped while discussing unresolved problems with their best friends. In addition, adolescents completed the Friendship Questionnaire (Furman & Adler, 1982). The results indicated that there were significant gender differences. On the conflict resolution tasks, females were rated lower in withdrawal and higher in communication skills and support-validation than were males. On the Friendship Questionnaire, males rated their relationships with best friends higher in conflict than did females. Methodological considerations are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Gender differences in depression: findings from the STAR*D study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic research consistently reports gender differences in the rates and course of major depressive disorder (MDD). The STAR*D (Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression) multicenter trial provides a unique opportunity to explore gender differences in outpatients with nonpsychotic MDD. METHODS: This sample included the first 1500 outpatients with MDD who enrolled in STAR*D. Nearly two-thirds of the sample (62.8%) were women. Baseline sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and illness characteristics were analyzed by gender. RESULTS: Women (62.8% of the sample) had a younger age at onset of the first major depressive episode. They commonly reported concurrent symptoms consistent with anxiety disorders, somatoform disorder, and bulimia as well as atypical symptoms. Alcohol and drug abuses were more common in men. LIMITATIONS: This report is a subpopulation of the entire STAR*D sample. These exploratory analyses aimed to identify potential gender differences for further hypothesis testing. CONCLUSIONS: The gender-specific rate of MDD in this study population is proportional to rates found in community samples with a 1.7:1 prevalence of MDD in women vs. men which argues against increased treatment seeking in women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Gender differences and hormonal modulation of G proteins Galpha(q/11) expression in lymphoid organs.

Androgens and estrogens exert potent divergent feedback effects on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) production at the level of the hypothalamus and GnRH action at the level of the pituitary. Androgens exert generally suppressive effects on GnRH production and action, whereas rising levels of estradiol increase both GnRH release and action. In addition to its known endocrine actions, GnRH possesses immunomodulatory effects. We have previously demonstrated gender differences in immune responsiveness to GnRH that parallel gender differences in endocrine responsiveness: females appear to be more immunologically responsive to GnRH than males. GnRH exerts its actions via the stimulatory G protein Galpha(q) and Galpha(11) (referred to collectively as Galpha(q/11)) as well as via Galpha(s). We have recently demonstrated that the heightened immune responsiveness to GnRH in lupus-prone female mice correlated with increased expression of Galpha(q/11) in lymphoid cells from females compared to males. We hypothesize that the hormonal milieu of females may contribute to increased expression of stimulatory G proteins and to the heightened immune and endocrine responsiveness to GnRH. In this report, we document gender differences in expression of Galpha(q/11) protein in lymphoid organs in non-autoimmune DBA/2 mice. In an effort to address the mechanisms for the gender differences in G-protein expression, we used competitive reverse transcription PCR to quantitate mRNA for stimulatory G proteins in immune cells under various hormonal conditions. We quantitated the expression of Galpha(q/11) mRNA and protein under physiologic hormonal alterations, i.e. throughout the estrous cycle in female mice. We demonstrate that expression of Galpha(q/11) mRNA and protein in lymphoid organs is significantly increased on the afternoon of proestrus compared to metestrus. Additional studies demonstrate that exposure to GnRH or to estrogens significantly increases the expression of Galpha(q/11) mRNA in immune cells. These findings support an active role for hormonal modulation of G proteins in the gender differences in endocrinologic and immunologic responsiveness to GnRH.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Are there "his" and "hers" types of interdependence? The implications of gender differences in collective versus relational interdependence for affect, behavior, and cognition.

In a recent review, S. E. Cross and L. Madson (1997) forwarded that many gender differences in social experience and behavior may be better understood through consideration of gender differences in independence and interdependence. In the current studies an expansion of the model to include both relational and collective aspects of interdependence was investigated (see R. F. Baumeister & K. L. Sommer, 1997). On the basis of the literature regarding gender differences in affect, behavior, and cognition, it was hypothesized that women would focus more on the relational aspects of interdependence, whereas men would focus more on the collective aspects of interdependence. Five studies in which gender differences in self-construals, emotional experience, selective memory, and behavioral intentions were examined supported the expansion of the model to include both relational and collective aspects of interdependence.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Missed targets: gender differences in the identification and management of dyslipidemia.

Gender differences in the treatment of heart disease have a significant impact on the outcomes and mortality for women. From screening and detection, through treatment and intervention, women are less likely than men to receive guideline-based care. Risk factor modification, including lipid management, is critical to all levels of prevention. This article discusses gender differences in the detection and management of dyslipidemia. By identifying the suboptimal recognition and treatment of lipid abnormalities in women, healthcare professionals can revise their practice patterns in an effort to improve the outcomes for women with cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1981

The stress of children's births: gender differences in the impact on alcoholics.

Previously reported gender differences regarding the role of discrete life change events in the onset of alcoholism are examined through a systematic evaluation of the histories of 586 alcoholics. Several methodological features of this research distinguish it from investigations reported in the past. The use of a structured, topically organized interview protocol eliminated possible biases introduced by gender differences in the tendency to attribute the onset of alcoholism to life change. The application of an actuarial analytic procedure allowed an examination of the temporal relationship between life change (births of children) and the onset of alcoholism and a restriction of the period of risk for the onset of alcoholism following discrete life change to two years. The focus on a single type of life change event, births of children, reflects an established concern with the role of gynecological events in the onset of alcoholism among women and allows of the general comparisons. Results indicate that, among those ever at risk of first experiencing alcohol-related problems during the two year period following the birth of a child, males show a statistically significantly higher percentage with the onset of alcoholism during this time period than do females. The birth of a first child was found to be most strongly related to the development of problem drinking. Among males, but not among females, the birth of a first child was also found to follow the onset of alcoholism by two years in a significant number of cases.

Alcoholism↗