Patterns of drug consumption among ischemic heart disease patients in Israel: subcultural differences

Sociological studies have shown that the process of translating discomfort to physical symptoms and deciding what symptoms require medical treatment is often the result of cultural definitions. Based on Israeli studies in this area, we hypothesized that Eastern-origin Israelis would consume more self-regulated prescription drugs than Western-origin patients. One hundred ischemic heart disease patients were interviewed while waiting for the doctor in hospital out-patient clinics.

Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in patterns of consumption of sublingual nitrates. These findings raise the question whether such differences pertain also to the use of other kinds of drugs. In view of the important practical implications of this issue for clinical practice and for calculations of cost, further research on culture-based differences in drug consumption is suggested.