Table 3

Healthcare resource consumption in cases and controls

VariableCases
(n=3515)		Controls
(n=3515)		P values
Age (years)<31954 (55.6)*1954 (55.6)*n.a.
≥31561 (44.4)1561 (44.4)n.a.
GenderMale1585 (45.1)1585 (45.1)n.a.
NationalityItalian3460 (98.4)3460 (98.4)n.a.
No. of drug prescriptionsOverall4 (2–6)†1 (0–3)†<0.001
>7 days  after ED access‡2 (1–4)1 (0–3)<0.001
No. of drug boxesOverall6 (3–10)2 (0–5)<0.001
>7 days after ED access‡3 (1–6)2 (0–4)<0.001
No. of specialist visit prescriptionsOverall5 (4–6)1 (0–2)<0.001
No. diagnostic test prescriptionsOverall2 (1–3)0 (0–1)<0.001

  • *N (%).

  • †Median (IQR).

  • ‡Difference between date of drug prescription and date of ED access >7 days.

  • ED, emergency department; n.a., not applicable.