Gender differences in electrocardiographic findings in the elderly; A Nigerian aging and health study.

Background It is postulated that age-related physiologic changes in the elderly would affect the gender variation in electrocardiogram. Objectives This study was aimed at comparing electrocardiographic indices and findings apparently healthy male and female elderly individuals. Methods A total of 66 healthy elderly subjects were recruited for the study. These were drawn from the attendees to the quarterly medical lecture series of the Ebreime Foundation for the Elderly, a Non Governmental Organization. The study was conducted in the medical outpatient clinics of Federal Medical Center, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. All subjects had resting 12-lead electrocardiography, background medical history assessment and clinical examination to evaluate their cardiovascular status at rest. Results The participants were composed of 46 males and 20 females with mean ages ±(standard deviation) of 69.82(8.1) and 66.05(6.83) respectively. The female participants had significantly higher body mass index and waist and hip circumferences. The overall prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormality was greater in males than females, (89.23% vs 70.0%). Significant gender variations were noted in QRS duration and QTc measurements which were all significantly increased in men and women respectively, Among the female participants, significant correlations were noted between QRS duration, PR interval and waist hip ratio and hip circumference respectively, (r= -.446;P=.044 and r=-.427;P=.046). There were significant gender differences in the occurrence of ST-segment elevation and long QTc > 0.440ms, which were higher in men and women respectively. Conclusion. High obesity indices correlate with electrocardiographic markers of increased cardiovascular risk in elderly women.