Women are more likely than men to develop PAH, with registries reporting a 65%-80% female predominance of the disease. Although prior studies suggested a mean age of diagnosis in the thirties, more recent registries suggest a mean age of diagnosis in the fifties.
The overall prevalence of PAH is difficult to determine, given the disease's heterogeneity and likely underdiagnosis. Worldwide, schistosomiasis is likely the most prevalent cause of PAH, with studies suggesting that more than 7% of patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis have pulmonary hypertension.
Aminorex, fenfluramine derivatives, and toxic rapeseed oil have been identified as definite risk factors for PAH. Other drugs implicated as possible risk factors for PAH include amphetamine and amphetamine derivatives, cocaine, L-tryptophan, phenylpropanolamine, St. John's wort, leflunomide, phentermine, mazindol, dasatinib, and interferon. The use of metformin has been associated with the reversal of pulmonary hypertension.
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Cite this: Zab Mosenifar. Fast Five Quiz: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Medscape - Jun 14, 2019.
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