Women with the same medical conditions as men are less likely to be offered active treatments such as surgery, stents, or strong painkillers, according to a new global research review. The analysis found this disparity across several health problems, including cardiovascular conditions, kidney disease, and Parkinson's, suggesting significantly unequal care for women.
Researchers at the University of St Andrews examined 38 studies, with 33 indicating women were less likely to be offered active treatment. For instance, women with myocardial infarction, heart failure, or an irregular heartbeat were more often given medication, while men were more likely to receive surgical interventions like coronary bypasses or stents. Women were also less likely to be prescribed statins.
The review also highlighted that men with Parkinson's were more likely to be referred for deep brain stimulation, and men with liver failure were more likely to receive a transplant. Female kidney patients needing dialysis were less likely to be given permanent access and spent more time using a catheter. Additionally, women were less likely to be prescribed opioids for pain management.
The analysis concluded that the observed discrepancy was not due to a need for different clinical approaches, as none of the studies identified guidelines recommending sex-specific treatments. Dr Andrew O’Malley, who co-led the study, suggested the findings should prompt clinicians to ensure treatment is offered based on clinical grounds rather than assumptions.