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Gender inequalities in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Authors :: Bor A
Matuz M
Gyimesi N
Biczók Z
Soós G
Doró P
Source :: Maturitas [Maturitas] 2015 Feb; Vol. 80 (2), pp. 162-9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Nov 11.
Publication Year :: 2015
Abstract: Introduction: Our aim was to perform both gender- and age-specific analysis regarding the utilisation of anti-osteoporotic drugs in Hungary, between 2007 and 2011, and to compare our results with other European countries.<br />Methods: The database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund was screened for anti-osteoporotic medications, covering 100% of the Hungarian population (10 million people). ICD coding system (International Classification of Diseases) and WHO ATC/DDD methodology were used for medication screening and analysis.<br />Results: In Hungary, the total bisphosphonate use was 6.66 DDD/TID (Defined Daily Dose/1000 inhabitants/day) in 2007, and 6.22 DDD/TID in 2011; the rate of bisphosphonate combinations slightly increased from 1.60 to 2.81 DDD/TID. The total vitamin D use almost doubled (13.73 DDD/TID in 2011), while the calcium supplementation tripled (4.47 DDD/TID in 2011), and so did the strontium ranelate utilisation (0.70 DDD/TID in 2011) within the investigated time period. Denosumab consumption was marginal. Male patients were disproportionately, 10-20 times undertreated in all age groups, and treatment choice was restricted among men. Several differences were seen in our results compared to those in Baltic countries, Finland and in Norway.<br />Conclusions: Men were significantly undertreated in all age groups, compared to women. The 10 to 20-fold difference calls attention to this unrecognised problem.<br /> (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)