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Gender Differences in Medication Use: A Drug Utilization Study Based on Real World Data

Author

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  • Valentina Orlando

    (CIRFF, Center of Pharmacoeconomics and Drug utilization Research, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Sara Mucherino

    (CIRFF, Center of Pharmacoeconomics and Drug utilization Research, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Ilaria Guarino

    (CIRFF, Center of Pharmacoeconomics and Drug utilization Research, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Francesca Guerriero

    (CIRFF, Center of Pharmacoeconomics and Drug utilization Research, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Ugo Trama

    (Regional Pharmaceutical Unit, Campania Region, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Enrica Menditto

    (CIRFF, Center of Pharmacoeconomics and Drug utilization Research, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

A gender-specific drug utilization study was performed in the Campania region, Southern Italy. Data were based on outpatient drug prescriptions collected from administrative databases. The study population included all patients with at least one drug prescription in 2018. Prevalence was used as a measure to estimate the degree of exposure to drugs. A total of 3,899,360 patients were treated with at least one drug (54.2% females). The number of prescriptions was higher in females than males (55.6% vs. 44.4%). Females recorded higher prevalence for the majority of therapeutic groups (ATC II—anatomical therapeutic chemical), as well as for anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products drugs (M01) (25.6% vs. 18.7%, risk ratio (RR): 0.73), beta blocking agents (C07) (14.5% vs. 11.6%, RR: 0.80), psychoanaleptics (N06) (7.1% vs. 3.7%, RR: 0.52), and antianemic preparations (B03) (2.8% vs. 6.7%, RR: 0.4). Higher prevalence was identified for males only for drugs used in diabetes (A10) (6.8% vs. 6.2%, RR: 1.1), particularly for biguanides (A10BA). Conversely, treatment duration was longer among males, explaining the higher mean cost per treated patient. This real-world study showed substantial gender differences in terms of medication use and duration of treatment and costs. These results are relevant to promoting and supporting the emerging role of precision and personalized medicine.

Suggested Citation

  • Valentina Orlando & Sara Mucherino & Ilaria Guarino & Francesca Guerriero & Ugo Trama & Enrica Menditto, 2020. "Gender Differences in Medication Use: A Drug Utilization Study Based on Real World Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:3926-:d:365955
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Campbell, C.I. & Weisner, C. & LeResche, L. & Ray, G.T. & Saunders, K. & Sullivan, M.D. & Banta-Green, C.J. & Merrill, J.O. & Silverberg, M.J. & Boudreau, D. & Satre, D.D. & Von Korff, M., 2010. "Age and gender trends in long-term opioid analgesic use for noncancer pain," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(12), pages 2541-2547.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kevin Bliek-Bueno & Sara Mucherino & Beatriz Poblador-Plou & Francisca González-Rubio & Mercedes Aza-Pascual-Salcedo & Valentina Orlando & Mercedes Clerencia-Sierra & Ignatios Ioakeim-Skoufa & Enrico , 2021. "Baseline Drug Treatments as Indicators of Increased Risk of COVID-19 Mortality in Spain and Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-10, November.
    2. Francesca Gorini & Michele Santoro & Anna Pierini & Lorena Mezzasalma & Silvia Baldacci & Alessio Coi, 2023. "Profile of Drug Utilization in Patients with Rare Diseases in Tuscany, Italy: A Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.
    3. Ángel Denche-Zamorano & Miguel Ángel Garcia-Gordillo & Raquel Pastor-Cisneros & Nicolás Contreras-Barraza & Jorge Carlos-Vivas & Alexis Colmenarez-Mendoza & José Carmelo Adsuar-Sala, 2022. "Relationship between Physical Activity and Medicine Use in the Spanish Population," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-11, October.
    4. Cristina Gimenez-Lozano & Lucía Páramo-Rodríguez & Clara Cavero-Carbonell & Francisca Corpas-Burgos & Aurora López-Maside & Sandra Guardiola-Vilarroig & Oscar Zurriaga, 2022. "Rare Diseases: Needs and Impact for Patients and Families: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Valencian Region, Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-16, August.

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