Centro integral de enfermedades neurológicas y neuroquirúrgicas, Santiago del Estero, Argentina

Author Of 1 Presentation

Gender Differences, Hormones and Sex Chromosomes Poster Presentation

P1120 - Disparities in access to health care for women with multiple sclerosis in Argentina (ID 1509)

Abstract

Background

Disparities about health care access in females were previously reported. In Argentina, previous studies have shown the unequal access to health care in MS patients stratified by health coverage, but no information were obtained regarding disparities in the access by gender

Objectives

The objective of the study was to evaluate whether disparities in the access to healthcare was identified in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Argentina.

Methods

A cross-sectional study based on a self-administered survey was carried in 13 provinces from Argentina. We asked about demographic and clinical aspects of the disease as well as the access and barriers to MS care through self-report measures on waiting time for both neurological visits and MRI test, disease modifying treatment (DMTs) access and waiting time for delivery of DMTs. We applied multivariate analysis via both logistic and lineal regression to evaluate the impact of different factors on health care resources utilization

Results

We included 219 patients, mean age 39 (± 16) years and a female predominance 149 (68%). There were no differences between females and males in RRMS phenotype (92% vs. 89%), mean EDSS (2.5 ± 1 vs. 2.2 ± 1.3), mean age at disease onset (38±4 vs. 36 ±5 years) and working status (currently full time employed 63% vs. 68%) respectively. 97% of males vs. 89% of females received DMDs (p=0.02). No differences in neurological visits between females and males (at least 2 visits during the last year) (98% vs. 95%) neither MRI test (93% vs. 97%) was identified, respectively. Females reported longer waiting time for delivery of first DMDs (7.1 ±2 vs. 5.1 ±1.1 weeks, p=0.02) and longer waiting time for delivery of DMDs at follow-up DMDs (4.1 ±0.6 vs. 3.1 ±1 weeks, p=0.03). No differences in legal actions were identified between gender (22 % females vs. 19 % males).

Conclusions

despite no differences between demographic and clinical aspects, we identified an increased time for delivery of DMTs in female MS patients compared to males in our region.

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