[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.

MATERIAL AND 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).

CONCLUSION

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.