Comparative drug utilization research based on patient characteristics provides a significant contribution to the knowledge on use of drugs in the real world. Through observing differences in medication use based on different patient characteristics it is possible to identify possible underuse, overuse, or inappropriate use of drugs in specific patient populations. This chapter focuses on patient characteristics in the context of drug utilization research (DUR) and describes the possible reasons for differences in medicine use in different patients, including associated challenges and opportunities. Differences in health-seeking behaviours also contribute to the differences in drug use in different patients. Women seek health care more frequently and participate in preventive health care measures more readily than men. Age is a characteristic influencing drug utilization that is commonly included in DUR. In addition to age and sex, sociodemographic factors such as ethnicity, education, occupation, and socio-economic status are often reported in drug utilization studies as explanatory variables.
Second edition