Gender Differences in Adherence to Nonpharmacological Health-Related Behaviors after Heart Transplant: A Secondary Analysis from the International BRIGHT Study.

Gender differences have been observed in health behavior, but have been understudied in transplantation. The aim of this study is to describe and compare gender differences in nonpharmacological health-related behaviors after heart transplantation (HTx) globally. This is a sub-analysis of the cross-sectional BRIGHT study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01608477), including self-reported data of 1321 adult HTx recipients from 36-HTx-centers, 11-countries, and 4-continents. Design-adjusted, weighted Wald tests, weighted Chi-square, multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression were used when appropriate to compare gender differences in nonpharmacological health-related behaviors post-HTx (i.e. sun protection, diet keeping, physical activity, appointment keeping, alcohol use and smoking) globally and by continent. Overall, compared to males, females were more adherent to sun protection (p=0.00), to alcohol use and smoking cessation (OR 2.51 (95% CI [1.40-4.51])), females were less adherent to physical exercise (OR 2.18 (95% CI [1.28-3.73])). In Europe, compared to males, females were more adherent to sun protection alcohol use and smoking cessation (OR 3.78 (95% CI [1.73-8.27])). In Australia, compared to males, females were more adherent to sun protection A gender gap in post-HTx non pharmacological health behaviors was observed in sun protection, alcohol use and smoking cessation , with females being more adherent than males, yet less adherent regarding sufficient exercise. Gender specific approaches in adherence enhancing interventions should be developed and implemented [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]