Sex and gender aspects on intensive care

There are numerous reports concerning gender disparities in health care. There is no obvious rationale for critical illness to be treated differently in men and women. Nevertheless, several studies show a male dominance in ICU populations. Studies have also indicated that men are more often admitted to ICU and that they receive more advanced treatment.

This might be adequate disparities, but since gender bias has been reported as a part of inequality in other fields of health care it becomes important to investigate what this difference in ICU populations depends upon.

In this epidemiological project we are investigating differences in ICU care that are attributed to gender and sex including admittance patterns, the level of ICU care, discharge from the ICU and mortality. Furthermore, we are also investigating if gender and sex influence care in the perioperative period for patients undergoing major surgery.

This project will generate new knowledge about differences in the care of critically ill patients and can provide a basis for increased awareness of gender equality in intensive care.

Group members

• Emma Larsson – MD, PhD, Associate Professor
• Gabriella Jäderling – MD, PhD
• Max Bell – MD, PhD, Associate Professor
• Erik Zettersten – MD, PhD student
• Elsa Hägglöf- MD, PhD-student