Sex differences in patterns of chronic kidney disease care in Australian primary care: A retrospective cohort study of a national general practice dataset
Authors' conclusion
Females with CKD were less likely to receive CKD monitoring and cardiovascular risk management compared to males. Findings were not explained by differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, with findings persisting in both high-risk subgroups and adjusted models. Further research is required to understand reasons for disparities in care.
Study context
- Population
- Adults attending general practices in Australia (1 January 2011–30 June 2020) meeting diagnostic criteria for chronic kidney disease (CKD); 51.4% female
- Participants
- 140,774 adults
- Exposure
- Females vs males
- Outcome
- Core monitoring (≥1 measurement of BP, eGFR, urine albumin creatine ratio, lipids and, in diabetes, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)) and cardiovascular risk management (ACEi/ARB and statin prescriptions, BP target achievement, lipid control)
- Follow-up
- Within 18 months of meeting CKD diagnostic criteria
Methodological detailsnational general practice dataset, adjusted modified Poisson regression
- National general practice dataset
- Adjusted modified Poisson regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
within 18 months
Females vs MalesRelative risk (95% CI)
Core monitoring; adjusted for clinical and sociodemographic characteristics
0.96(0.95–0.98)
ACEi/ARB prescription
0.96(0.95–0.97)
BP target <140/90 mmHg
0.96(0.95–0.97)
LDL <2 mmol/L
0.82(0.80–0.84)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Baseline age
Baseline age
- Females had less prevalent CVD and diabetes
Subgroups
- Differences persisted with advancing age, higher CKD risk and co-morbidity subgroups
- Sex-specific analyses: similar associations between patient characteristics and CKD care in females and males
Original publication
Sex differences in patterns of chronic kidney disease care in Australian primary care: A retrospective cohort study of a national general practice dataset. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 21 January 2026. doi:10.
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