Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dhillon School of Business
Intersectional impacts of sex and gender on employment outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
dc:description.abstractAbstract Background More than 33 million people worldwide suffer from Atrial Fibrillation (AF) (Chugh et al., 2014; Goren et al., 2013). The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the research question: How does sex and gender impact employment outcomes in adult patients with atrial fibrillation? Methods A systematic search was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines using keywords and MeSH terms related to atrial fibrillation, employment, sex and gender. Studies were included if they presented sex or gender-specific outcomes or employment outcomes for adults with AF. Data was presented in forest plots and using I² statistics. Data Synthesis and Analysis A fixed-effects meta-analysis was conducted using R software. Results were expressed as Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The I² statistic was used to assess statistical heterogeneity. Forest plots were generated to represent effect sizes and heterogeneity visually Results A total of twenty studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis, and eight were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. Pooled data indicated that males with atrial fibrillation (AF) had 24% lower odds of unemployment compared to females (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.65–0.86). Unemployment was associated with a 44% increased risk of AF (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.29–1.59). Shift work was linked to an 11% higher risk of incident AF (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05–2.17), although heterogeneity was substantial (I² = 90.59%). Many studies conflated sex and gender. Conclusions The findings from this study suggest that structural inequities tied to sex and gender exacerbate employment challenges and health risks for AF patients. Policies that provide flexible scheduling, caregiving support, and equitable labour conditions may reduce the socioeconomic and cardiovascular burdens associated with AF.
Degree
thesis:*- Grantor dc:publisher
- Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dhillon School of Business
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2025
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Authors dc:creator
-
- Okeowo-Grant, Maryam A.
- University of Lethbridge. Dhillon School of Business
- Advisor dc:contributor.supervisor
-
- Runté, Mary
Subjects
dc:subject × 4Rights
- Language dc:language.iso
- en
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Identifier
- hdl:10133/7103