Differences in Medication Use and Costs Between Immigrants and Spanish-Born Populations
Author Information
Author(s): Montse Rue, Maria-Catalina Serna, Jorge Soler-Gonzalez, Anna Bosch, Maria-Cristina Ruiz-Magaz, Leonardo Galvan
Primary Institution: Biomedical Research Institute, Lleida (IRBLLEIDA), Spain
Hypothesis
Are there differences in pharmaceutical consumption and expenses between immigrant and Spanish-born populations?
Conclusion
Immigrants have significantly lower pharmaceutical expenses and consumption compared to Spanish-born patients.
Supporting Evidence
- 53.7% of immigrants purchased medications compared to 79.2% of Spanish-born individuals.
- Pharmaceutical expenses were lower in immigrants across all age groups and genders.
- Relative risks of being in the highest quartile of expenditure were 6.9 for men and 5.3 for women when comparing Spanish-born to immigrants.
Takeaway
This study found that immigrants in Spain buy and spend less on medications than people born in Spain.
Methodology
A prospective observational study involving 1,630 immigrants and 4,154 Spanish-born individuals, analyzing pharmaceutical consumption and expenses through a computerized data-collection system.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in prescribing practices and compliance among immigrant populations.
Limitations
Lack of information on health status and socioeconomic level of patients, which complicates understanding the reasons for differences in pharmaceutical consumption.
Participant Demographics
1,630 immigrants (primarily from Latin America, Maghreb, sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe) and 4,154 Spanish-born individuals, with a mean age of 30.7 years for immigrants and 48.3 years for Spanish-born.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Confidence Interval
(4.2, 11.5)
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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