Health and Gender Medicine Clinic: 2 years of multidisclipinary team experience

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in western countries and the first cause of mortality in women.

Purpose

Women generally do not concern about CVD and that represents the main risk for them.

Methods

Misericordia Hospital, Grosseto, started a Clinic of Health and Gender Medicine on 2017. On the first and third Monday of every month, we evaluate < 60 years patients who are at risk for traditional CVD, depression, early menopause, polycystic ovary, autoimmune and rheumatic disease. On the first visit, medical history, arterial pressure, electrocardiogram, body mass index, waist circumference and lipid profile, were collected. We also supply questionnaires to evaluate diabetes and depression risk by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and food diary. Two weeks later, a multidisciplinary team (cardiologist-diabetologist-nutritionist-gynecologist-psychiatrist and a nurse) evaluates the patients defining the personal risk profile.

Results

From 2017 to December 2019, 74 females and 7 males belonging to the target population were examined. Age group: <45(61%), 46-50(26%), 51-60(48%), >60(19%). Clinical characteristics: Hypertension: 64%; Obesity 5%; Unknown dyslipidemia 44%; Risk of diabetes: 39%; Gestational diabetes: 5%; Gestational hypertension: 5% CVD risk: 42%; Depression: 33% Autoimmune disease: 30%. From them 60.5% have needed further investigation. Follow-up is going on.

Conclusions

according with the literature, more than 50% of the cohort was unconsciously at high risk of CVD. So a multidisciplinary approach is needed in order to frame a complex health status. Thus we established collaboration with patients to improve lifestyles as CVD-prevention's tool.

Key messages

Cardiovascular disease represent often an hidden health problem, especially in women. Multidisciplinary approach is needed to face CVD.

Erythrocyte membrane proteins of premature and full-term newborn infants

Erythrocyte membrane proteins of premature and full-term infants were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. There were no qualitative or gross quantitative differences in the pattern of membrane proteins from premature infants, full-term infants, and adults.