NDLI: Who gets dipyrone (metamizole) in Germany? Prescribing by age, sex and region.

Content Provider	World Health Organization (WHO)-Global Index Medicus
Author	Hoffmann, F. Meinecke, P. Freitag, M. H. Glaeske, G. Schulze, J. Schmiemann, G.
Spatial Coverage	Germany
Description	Country affiliation: Germany Author Affiliation: Hoffmann F ( Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.)
Abstract	WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Metamizole (dipyrone) is an analgesic that has been the focus of considerable controversy regarding its safety. Because of potentially life-threatening blood disorders such as agranulocytosis, it has been withdrawn in many countries but not in Germany, where prescribing even increased over recent years. We aimed to evaluate prescribing of metamizole in Germany with respect to age, sex and regional variations. METHODS: Using data of a statutory health insurance, we analysed a cohort of 1·7 million persons who were insured at least 1 day in each quarter of 2009. Outcome of interest was the outpatient prescription prevalence, for example the proportion of persons receiving at least one prescription of metamizole. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 6·8% received metamizole with a higher prescribing prevalence in females (7·8% vs. 6·0%). The prevalence increased with age up to 26·7% in persons ≥85 years (men: 21·1%; and women: 30·4%). We found large regional variations with higher prevalences in the northern part of Germany. Most of the prescriptions were issued by general practitioners (78·9%). 58·3% were liquid oral formulations with considerable regional variations ranging between 32·3% in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and 67·3% in North Rhine-Westphalia. Overall, liquid oral forms are much more often prescribed in the western than in the eastern part of Germany. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Metamizole - a drug with a relatively narrow indication - is often prescribed in Germany with relevant differences by age, sex and region. Qualitative studies should clarify reasons for this. Further quantitative research should investigate small-area variations, indications and treatment durations.
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	02694727
Issue Number	3
Volume Number	40
e-ISSN	13652710
Journal	Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
Language	English
Publisher	Wiley-Blackwell
Publisher Date	2015-06-01
Publisher Place	Great Britain (UK)
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Subject Keyword	Discipline Therapeutics Discipline Pharmacology Anti-inflammatory Agents, Non-steroidal Administration & Dosage Dipyrone Physician's Practice Patterns Statistics & Numerical Data Adolescent Adult Age Factors Aged Aged, 80 And Over Adverse Effects Child Child, Preschool Female Germany Humans Infant Male Middle Aged Outpatients Sex Factors Young Adult Journal Article Research Support, Non-u.s. Gov't
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Pharmacology Pharmacology (medical)

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