Socio-economic inequalities in the use of drugs for the treatment of chronic diseases in Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Since the use of medicines is strongly correlated to population health needs, higher drug consumption is expected in socio-economical deprived areas. However, no systematic study investigated the relationship between medications use in the treatment of chronic diseases and the socioeconomic position of patients. The purpose of the study is to provide a description, both at national level and with geographical detail, of the use of medicines, in terms of consumption, adherence and persistence, for the treatment of major chronic diseases in groups of population with different level of socioeconomic position.  METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used to define the "prevalent" users during 2018. A longitudinal cohort study design was performed for each chronic diseas

SUBMITTER: Di Filippo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9644599 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature