[Sex-specific antihypertensive drug therapy].
BACKGROUND
Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. To evaluate sex-specific differences in the prescription pattern of antihypertensive therapy, registry data from the regional health insurance fund "Burgenländische Gebietskrankenkasse" (BGKK) were analyzed.


METHODS
In a retrospective cross sectional cohort study data from 41499 individuals covered by the BGKK in 2003, and who had been treated with cardiovascular drugs were analyzed. Data were evaluated according to drug classifications.


RESULTS
Among subjects treated with cardiovascular medication 38.3 % were males and 61.7 % females. The drug classes acting on the renin-angiotensin-system were prescribed more frequently than beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics and antihypertensives. Women were treated more often with diuretics and beta-blockers, whereas men received more antihypertensives and drugs acting on the renin angiotensin system (p < 0.01 between groups of sexes).


CONCLUSIONS
Sex-specific differences exist regarding the prevalence of antihypertensive drug prescriptions between men and women. Further, the prescription pattern of equivalently effective medications differs between sexes.
Pühringer
Petra
P
Universitätsklinik für Klinische Pharmakologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Austria.
Gouya
Ghazaleh
G
Reichardt
Berthold
B
Wolzt
Michael
M
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001317:Austria; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics