Understanding sex-related differences in healthcare utilisation among patients with inflammatory arthritis: a population-based study
Authors' conclusion
Female patients with IA have higher healthcare utilisation than male patients which may indicate biological differences in disease course or sociocultural differences in healthcare-seeking behaviour.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) diagnosed between April 2010 and March 2017, OntarioRA 41,277
- Exposure
- Female vs male patients with inflammatory arthritis
- Outcome
- Musculoskeletal-related healthcare utilisation (physician visits, musculoskeletal imaging, laboratory tests) in each year for 3 years before and after diagnosis
Methodological detailspopulation-based, inception cohorts, Ontario administrative health data, regression models adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities
- Population-based
- Inception cohorts
- Ontario administrative health data
- Regression models adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Musculoskeletal-related healthcare utilisation before diagnosis
OR (range), rheumatologist visits for musculoskeletal reasons
1.32-2.28
Musculoskeletal-related healthcare utilisation before diagnosis
OR (range), family physician visits for musculoskeletal reasons
1.03-1.15
Musculoskeletal-related healthcare utilisation before diagnosis
OR (range), emergency visits for musculoskeletal reasons
0.76-0.87
male patients more likely
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | OR (range) |
|---|---|
| Remaining in rheumatology care after diagnosis | 1.12-1.24 |
Original publication
Understanding sex-related differences in healthcare utilisation among patients with inflammatory arthritis: a population-based study. Ann Rheum Dis. Published 16 September 2022. doi:10.
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