Sex differences in the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment in preventing cardiovascular outcomes and reducing blood pressure: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Hypertension is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and its prevalence is expected to rise over the next decade. Sex differences exist in the epidemiology and pathophysiology of hypertension. It is well established that antihypertensive treatment can significantly reduce the risk for...

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Main Authors: Karina Gasbarrino, Christopher Labos, Victoria Mastropietro, Lindsay Hales, Doreen Rabi, Stella S Daskalopoulou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2020-03-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/3/e036128.full
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author Karina Gasbarrino
Christopher Labos
Victoria Mastropietro
Lindsay Hales
Doreen Rabi
Stella S Daskalopoulou
author_facet Karina Gasbarrino
Christopher Labos
Victoria Mastropietro
Lindsay Hales
Doreen Rabi
Stella S Daskalopoulou
author_sort Karina Gasbarrino
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Hypertension is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and its prevalence is expected to rise over the next decade. Sex differences exist in the epidemiology and pathophysiology of hypertension. It is well established that antihypertensive treatment can significantly reduce the risk for stroke and other cardiovascular disease events. However, it remains unclear whether this effect is dependent on sex. In this protocol, we outlined a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of antihypertensive therapy in (1) reducing blood pressure and (2) preventing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality outcomes for each sex separately.Methods and analysis The following electronic databases will be searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus, Web of Science, grey literature (Google Scholar) and several trial registries. Search strategies will be designed to identify human adult (≥18) randomised (and non-randomised) controlled trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and case–control studies concerning ‘sex-specific differences associated with the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment’. A preliminary search strategy was developed for Medline (1946—16 September 2019). Two investigators will independently review each article included in the final analysis. Primary outcomes investigated are cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Pooled analyses will be conducted using the random-effects model. Publication bias will be assessed by visual inspection of funnel plots and by Begg’s and Egger’s statistical tests. Between-studies heterogeneity will be measured using the I2 test (p<0.10). Sources of heterogeneity will be explored by sensitivity, subgroup and metaregression analyses.Ethics and dissemination This is the first meta-analysis that will comprehensively compare the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment regimens between men and women. Findings will be shared through scientific conferences and societies, social media and consumer advocacy groups. Results will be used to inform the current guidelines for management of hypertension in men and women by demonstrating the importance of implementing sex-specific recommendations. Ethical considerations are not applicable for this protocol.
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spelling doaj-art-6653b6e1f6514551bb8defd33d279d6c2024-12-07T02:00:10ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552020-03-0110310.1136/bmjopen-2019-036128Sex differences in the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment in preventing cardiovascular outcomes and reducing blood pressure: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysisKarina Gasbarrino0Christopher Labos1Victoria Mastropietro2Lindsay Hales3Doreen Rabi4Stella S Daskalopoulou5Medicine, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, CanadaCardiology, Queen Elizabeth Health Complex, Montreal, CanadaMedical Library, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, CanadaMedical Library, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, CanadaDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaMedicine, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, CanadaIntroduction Hypertension is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and its prevalence is expected to rise over the next decade. Sex differences exist in the epidemiology and pathophysiology of hypertension. It is well established that antihypertensive treatment can significantly reduce the risk for stroke and other cardiovascular disease events. However, it remains unclear whether this effect is dependent on sex. In this protocol, we outlined a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of antihypertensive therapy in (1) reducing blood pressure and (2) preventing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality outcomes for each sex separately.Methods and analysis The following electronic databases will be searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus, Web of Science, grey literature (Google Scholar) and several trial registries. Search strategies will be designed to identify human adult (≥18) randomised (and non-randomised) controlled trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and case–control studies concerning ‘sex-specific differences associated with the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment’. A preliminary search strategy was developed for Medline (1946—16 September 2019). Two investigators will independently review each article included in the final analysis. Primary outcomes investigated are cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Pooled analyses will be conducted using the random-effects model. Publication bias will be assessed by visual inspection of funnel plots and by Begg’s and Egger’s statistical tests. Between-studies heterogeneity will be measured using the I2 test (p<0.10). Sources of heterogeneity will be explored by sensitivity, subgroup and metaregression analyses.Ethics and dissemination This is the first meta-analysis that will comprehensively compare the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment regimens between men and women. Findings will be shared through scientific conferences and societies, social media and consumer advocacy groups. Results will be used to inform the current guidelines for management of hypertension in men and women by demonstrating the importance of implementing sex-specific recommendations. Ethical considerations are not applicable for this protocol.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/3/e036128.full
spellingShingle Karina Gasbarrino
Christopher Labos
Victoria Mastropietro
Lindsay Hales
Doreen Rabi
Stella S Daskalopoulou
Sex differences in the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment in preventing cardiovascular outcomes and reducing blood pressure: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
BMJ Open
title Sex differences in the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment in preventing cardiovascular outcomes and reducing blood pressure: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Sex differences in the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment in preventing cardiovascular outcomes and reducing blood pressure: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Sex differences in the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment in preventing cardiovascular outcomes and reducing blood pressure: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Sex differences in the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment in preventing cardiovascular outcomes and reducing blood pressure: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Sex differences in the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment in preventing cardiovascular outcomes and reducing blood pressure: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort sex differences in the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment in preventing cardiovascular outcomes and reducing blood pressure protocol for a systematic review and meta analysis
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/3/e036128.full
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