Regional and income disparities in treatment and drug adherence of patients with dyslipidemia: a retrospective cohort study in South Korea, 2003–2015

BACKGROUNDS: Health disparities represent a major public health problem that needs to be addressed, and a variety of factors, including geographical location and income, can contribute to these disparities. Although previous studies have suggested that health differs by region and income, evidence on the difference in treatment rate is relatively insufficient. To identify differences in prescription rates by region and income in patients with dyslipidemia. METHODS: Using data from the National Health Insurance Service senior cohort, we included older adults who were diagnosed with dyslipidemia in Korea from 2003 to 2015. Overall prescription rate was determined for patients with dyslipidemia. In addition, medication possession ratio and a defined daily dose were analyzed in patients who were prescribed statins. A generalized estimating equation Poisson model was used to assess differences in prescription rates. RESULTS: Patients living in rural areas (Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, and Gyeongsang-do) had a significantly higher prescription rate than those in metropolitan cities. Unlike the prescription rate, the drug adherence was significantly higher in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and Gangwon-do but lower in Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do than in metropolitan cities. Patients with low income had lower prescription rates than those with high income, but this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate differences in the treatment rates of patients with dyslipidemia by region and income. Appropriate interventions are needed in vulnerable regions and groups to increase the treatment rate for patients with dyslipidemia. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-021-02510-5.