title: The age/gender interface in geriatric pharmacotherapy.
abstract: Women substantially outnumber men among older Americans. Among the noninstitutionalized U.S. population age 65-74, for every 100 men there are 120 women. Among those age 75-84, for every 100 men there are nearly 150 women, and among those age >/=85, for every 100 men there are nearly 220 women. Among the population of nursing home residents, the sex ratios are even more dramatic. For those age 65-74 who reside in U.S. nursing homes, for every 100 men there are 132 women. Among residents of nursing homes age 75-84, for every 100 men there are 246 women, and among those age >/=85, for every 100 men there are 425 women. Unless gender-based differences in mortality narrow, the age-related demographic shifts that are occurring in the United States will remain overwhelmingly female. In considering any health-related issue in the geriatric patient population, a special focus on women is absolutely required. This is especially true with regard to pharmacotherapy in the geriatric population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. jguwitz@meyersprimary.org
authors.forename: Jerry H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Gurwitz
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations