Sex-based difference in influence of A blood group on increased risk of coronary artery disease among Chinese adults: a propensity score matching analysis

Background ABO blood group is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), but whether it is more strongly associated with CAD in Chinese individuals is less clear. The aim of this current study was therefore to investigate the association among patients hospitalized for primary coronary angiography and to explore the potential mediator of plasma lipids. Methods A total of 1079 patients, including 698 with- and 381 without newly diagnosed CAD, were retrospectively enrolled from November 2012 to December 2018. Clinical characteristics, plasma lipid levels and ABO blood groups were recorded and analyzed. Characteristics of the patients with and without CAD were compared after propensity score matching analysis (346 vs. 346). Correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between ABO types and clinical variables. Logistic regression analysis was constructed to determine the association of ABO blood group with CAD. Results There was not significant difference in the distribution of ABO types between CAD and non-CAD group in overall population. However, propensity-matched analysis showed that CAD in the women subgroup presented more frequently with blood group A, but not non-CAD (60.2% versus 44.1%, P =0.014). The statistically significant difference was not observed among men (37.5% versus 30.3%, P =0.157). When compared with non-A blood group, the A blood group had not a greater difference in lipid profiles among women ( P all>0.05). Correlation analysis performed in women revealed that CAD was significantly correlated with A type (r= 0.171, P = 0.003). After adjustment for age, hypertension, cigarette smoking, drinking and lipid profiles, logistic regression analysis showed that blood group A was an significant predictor for CAD in women (OR=2.152, 95% CI 1.285~3.605, P =0.004) . Conclusion Cumulatively, the present study indicated that blood group A was a significantly risk factor for coronary artery disease in Chinese women.