Sex Differences in Healthcare Utilization in Persons Living with Dementia Between 2000 and 2017: A Population-Based Study in Quebec, Canada

• Published in: Journal of aging and health p. 8982643241242512
• Main Authors: Arsenault-Lapierre, Genevieve, Bui, Tammy, Godard-Sebillotte, Claire, Kang, Nia, Sourial, Nadia, Rochette, Louis, Massamba, Victoria, Quesnel-Vallée, Amélie, Vedel, Isabelle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 30.03.2024
• Subjects: health policy; healthcare utilization; persons with dementia; equity; sex
• ISSN: 0898-2643; 1552-6887
• DOI: 10.1177/08982643241242512

Describe sex differences in healthcare utilization and mortality in persons with new dementia in Quebec, Canada. We conducted a repeated cohort study from 2000 to 2017 using health administrative databases. Community-dwelling persons aged 65+ with a new diagnosis of dementia were included. We measured 23 indicators of healthcare use across five care settings: ambulatory care, pharmacological care, acute hospital care, long-term care, and mortality. Clinically meaningful sex differences in age-standardized rates were determined graphically through expert consultations. Women with dementia had higher rates of ambulatory care and pharmacological care, while men with dementia had higher acute hospital care, admission to long-term care, and mortality. There was no meaningful difference in visits to cognition specialists, antipsychotic prescriptions, and hospital death. Men and women with dementia demonstrate differences in healthcare utilization and mortality. Addressing these differences will inform decision-makers, care providers and researchers and guide more equitable policy and interventions in dementia care.