Comprehensive approach to medication-related problems leading to emergency department visits from a gender perspective.

Abstract

Objective: To describe and compare the diagnosis associated with medication-related problems (MRP) that lead to emergency departments visits based on sex and type of culprit drug.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study included 1,611 adult patients who visited the emergency department of a tertiary referral center in Catalonia (Spain) from 2021 through 2022 for MRP. We collected sociodemographic and clinical baseline variables in addition to the diagnosis and drug associated with the MRP that caused the visit to the emergency department based on the medical history at discharge. Data analysis was performed using binomial distribution tests and binary logistic regression models.

Results: More than 50% of patients who visit the emergency department for MRP are women (95%CI, 55%-60%). Additionally, as age increases, the percentage of women visiting the emergency department rises significantly vs men (P .001). Significant differences by sex were found in the MRP-related diagnosis and the type of culprit drug. The frequency of women with MRP associated with diarrhea and decreased intestinal motility was higher (P .001), as well as unintentional drug poisonings (P = .001), hypertension (P = .010), hyponatremia (P .001), and hypokalemia (P = .001). Women visit the emergency department more than men do regarding MRP associated with drugs acting on the nervous, cardiovascular, and anti-infective systems (P .001).

Conclusions: Results highlight sex differences and justify the need to continue researching to minimize such differences.