Santacroce, A., Wastesson, J. W., Höhn, A. , Christensen, K. and Oksuzyan, A. (2018) Gender differences in the use of anti-infective medications before and after widowhood: a register-based study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 72, pp. 526-531. (doi: 10.1136/jech-2017-210114) (PMID:29459377) (PMCID:PMC5948149)
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Abstract
Background: Recent findings suggest that bereavement due to spousal loss is associated with a decline in general immune functions, and thus to increased susceptibility to infections among widowed individuals. The present study aims to investigate whether spousal loss weakens immune defences more among men than among women using a 5% random sample of the total Danish population, and anti-infective medication use as a proxy for immune response. Methods: We followed 6076 Danish individuals (67% women) aged ≥50 from 5 years before and up to 5 years after widowhood to examine changes in prescriptions of anti-infectives for systemic use. Results: Women used more anti-infective drugs both before and after spousal loss (women: OR= 1.31; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.42). The age-related changes in the use of anti-infective medications in the period before widowhood were similar to that in the period after widowhood among both men and women. Also, age-related changes in the use of anti-infective medications were similar in both genders. Conclusions: The present study shows that individuals are more likely to use anti-infective medication after being widowed than before being widowed, but this change is likely to be related to increasing age and it is similar in both genders.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Funding: KC received support from the US National Institutes of Health (P01AG031719, 2P01AG031719) and the VELUX Foundation. AO received support from the Max Planck Society within the framework of the project, ’On the edge of societies: New vulnerable populations, emerging challenges for social policies and future demands for social innovation. The experience of the Baltic Sea States (2016-2021)'. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Hoehn, Dr Andreas |
| Authors: | Santacroce, A., Wastesson, J. W., Höhn, A., Christensen, K., and Oksuzyan, A. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU |
| Journal Name: | Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health |
| Publisher: | BMJ Publishing Group |
| ISSN: | 0143-005X |
| ISSN (Online): | 1470-2738 |
| Published Online: | 19 February 2018 |
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