Disparities in the prevalence of medication therapy for hyperlipidemia in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To explore differences in the prevalence of therapy with antihyperlipidemic drugs in patients older than 75 years of age, as compared with patients between the ages of 55 to 74, and other variables.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Two Oklahoma state-paid pharmacy drug-claims databases.


METHODS
The first database contained 69,119 eligible patients 55 years of age and older. The second database contained 82,360 eligible patients 55 years of age and older.


METHODS
Comparison of the prevalence of therapy with antihyperlipidemic drugs in those 55 to 74 years of age with those older than 75 years of age in the data sets, and evaluation of the effect of gender, race, place of residence, and socioeconomic status.


RESULTS
In the combined data sets, the group 55 to 74 years of age had a higher prevalence of therapy with antihyperlipidemics than those 75 years of age or older. Men had a higher prevalence of therapy than women, and those in higher socioeconomic status had a higher prevalence, but only in the group 75 years of age or older. Caucasians had a prevalence of therapy greater than African-Americans, but only in the group 55 to 74 years of age or older.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that older people were prescribed therapy less frequently than younger people, that women were prescribed therapy less frequently than men, that Caucasians were prescribed therapy more frequently than African-Americans, and that those living in a nursing facility were prescribed therapy less frequently than those living in other settings. Regarding socioeconomic status, only in the younger age group was lower status associated with lower prevalence of prescribed therapy.
Stratton
Mark A
MA
Department of Pharmcay, Clinical and Administrative Sciences, Institute for Geriatric Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73190, USA. mark-stratton@ouhsc.edu
Jordan
Andrea H
AH
Harrison
Donald L
DL
Jacobs
Elgene W
EW
Skaggs
Valerie J
VJ
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005006:Ethnicity; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents