Gender-based differences in drug prescription: Relation to adverse drug reactions

Zopf Y, Rabe C, Neubert A, Janson C, Brune K, Hahn E, Dormann H (2009)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2009

Journal

Pharmacology Karger

Book Volume: 84

Pages Range: 333-339

Journal Issue: 6

DOI: 10.1159/000248311

Abstract

Background/Aim: The female gender appears to suffer from more adverse drug reactions (ADRs) than the male gender. So far, there has been no epidemiologic study analyzing gender-based differences in drug prescribing and its ADR risks. The aim of the present study was to establish a drug risk stratification adjusted to age, number of prescriptions and drug classes with respect to gender differences based on intensive data acquisition methods. Method: A prospective multicenter study was conducted in several departments in Germany and Israel (pediatrics, medicine and geriatrics) enclosing 2,371 inpatients. Results: A total of 25,532 drug prescriptions during hospitalization were evaluated. At least 1 ADR was found in 774 patients (32.6%). Drugs for the cardiovascular system, nervous system, alimentary tract and musculoskeletal system were prescribed most often in females. The following drug classes led significantly more often to ADRs in women as compared to men: alimentary tract (OR 0.5; p = 0.0002), cardiovascular system (OR 0.72; p = 0.0140), musculoskeletal system (OR 0.31; p = 0.0004) and nervous system (OR 0.62; p = 0.0023). After adjustment to age, total number of prescriptions and drug class, only anti-infectives (antibacterials) and musculoskeletal system (anti-inflammatory) drugs stand out as causing more ADRs in women. Conclusion: Antibacterials and anti-inflammatory agents cause more ADRs in females as compared to males.

Authors with CRIS profile

Yurdagül Zopf Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Kay Brune Doerenkamp-Stiftungslehrstuhl für Innovationen im Tier- und Verbraucherschutz Eckhart Georg Hahn Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Harald Dormann Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology

Involved external institutions

University College London (UCL) GB United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Zopf, Y., Rabe, C., Neubert, A., Janson, C., Brune, K., Hahn, E., & Dormann, H. (2009). Gender-based differences in drug prescription: Relation to adverse drug reactions. Pharmacology, 84(6), 333-339. https://doi.org/10.1159/000248311

MLA:

Zopf, Yurdagül, et al. "Gender-based differences in drug prescription: Relation to adverse drug reactions." Pharmacology 84.6 (2009): 333-339.

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