(Sex differences in selection of pacemakers: retrospective observational study)
In a study published in this week's BMJ, Dr Reinhart Schüppel et al from a number of universities in Germany find that the use of pacemakers varies between the sexes, despite guidelines suggested by professional bodies. The authors discovered that women received less sophisticated pacemakers and they beg the question is this because women are discriminated against, they describe their symptoms differently to men, or they prefer simpler treatments.
Schüppel et al conclude that further research should be conducted into this area to ascertain the reasons for the treatment differentiation they have found.
Contact:
Dr Reinhart Schüppel, Lecturer, Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, University of Ulm, Germany reinhart.schuppel@kolping/akademie.de reinhart.schuppel@kolping/akademie.de