Development of an evidence-based checklist for the detection of drug related problems in type 2 diabetes

Objective To develop an evidence-based checklist to identify potential drug related problems (PDRP) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Setting The evidence based checklist was applied to records of ambulatory type 2 diabetes patients in New South Wales, Australia. Method After comprehensive review of the literature, relevant medication groups and potential drug related problems in type 2 diabetes were identified. All the relevant information was then structured in the form of a checklist. To test the utility of the evidence-based checklist a cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted. The PDRP checklist was applied to the data of 148 patients with established type 2 diabetes and poor glycaemic control. The range and extent of DRPs in this population were identified, which were categorized using the PCNE classification. In addition, the relationship between the total as well as each category of DRPs and several of the patients’ clinical parameters was investigated. Main outcome measure: Number and category of DRPs per patient. Results The PDRP checklist was successfully developed and consisted of six main sections. 682 potential DRPs were identified using the checklist, an average of 4.6 (SD = 1.7) per patient. Metabolic and blood pressure control in the study subjects was generally poor: with a mean HbA1c of 8.7% (SD = 1.5) and mean blood pressure of 139.8 mmHg (SD = 18.1)/81.7 mmHg (SD = 11.1). The majority of DRPs was recorded in the categories ‘therapy failure’ (n = 264) and ‘drug choice problem’ (n = 206). Potentially non-adherent patients had a significantly higher HbA1c than patients who adhered to therapy (HbA1c of 9.4% vs. 8.5%; P = 0.01). Conclusion This is the first tool developed specifically to detect potential DRPs in patients with type 2 diabetes. It was used to identify DRPs in a sample of type 2 diabetes patients and demonstrated the high prevalence of DRPs per patient. The checklist may assist pharmacists and other health care professionals to systematically identify issues in therapy and management of their type 2 diabetes patients and enable earlier intervention to improve metabolic control

Economic evaluation of pharmacotherapeutic follow-up in type 2 diabetic mellitus patients in community pharmacies

Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados econômicos do seguimento farmacoterapêutico (SFT) em pacientes com diabetes melito tipo 2 em farmácias comunitárias privadas do sistema suplementar de Saúde. Métodos: Foi realizado estudo clínico prospectivo com 161 pacientes separados em dois grupos, dos quais somente um recebeu SFT durante 12 meses. A partir dos resultados, foram calculados os dados de efetividade e os custos. O desfecho primário foi a avaliação econômica do SFT por meio da utilização de um indicador de efetividade (variação de hemoglobina glicada), relacionada aos custos do atendimento farmacêutico. Os desfechos secundários foram os valores de pressão arterial, circunferência abdominal e índice de massa corporal dos pacientes, que foram utilizados e relacionados a custos do atendimento do farmacêutico. Resultados: Foi observada uma redução adicional de 1,3% da HbA1 no grupo que recebeu SFT em comparação ao grupo controle. Os custos anuais por paciente do grupo SFT relacionados à redução de 1% nos valores da HbA1 foram de R$78,83. Para melhoria no controle dos pacientes diabéticos tipo 2, esse recurso pode ser implementado com o investimento anual médio de R$ 456,05 por paciente, utilizando SFT e monitorização com testes de glicemia. Conclusões: É possível obter redução da HbA1 para níveis desejados por meio da utilização do SFT. Este pode ser considerado um recurso adicional para o alcance do controle metabólico, resultando, nesse estudo, em um custo de R$ 76,00 paciente/ano, para redução de 1% nos valores da HbA1

Frail elderly patients’ experiences of information on medication. A qualitative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Older patients generally have only poor knowledge about their medicines. Knowledge is important for good adherence and for participating in decisions about treatment. Patients are entitled to be informed on an individual and adequate level. The aim of the study was to explore frail elderly patients’ experiences of receiving information about their medications and their views on how the information should best be given.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was qualitative in design and was carried out in 2011. Twelve frail elderly (aged 68–88) participants taking cardiovascular medications participated in semi-structured interviews covering issues related to receiving information about prescribed medicines. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and subjected to content analysis, in which the text was analysed in five steps, inspired by Graneheim and Lundman.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results revealed that the experiences which the elderly participants had regarding the receiving of medical information fell into two main categories: “Comfortable with information” or “Insecure with information”. The elderly felt comfortable when they trusted their physician or their medication, when they received enough information from the prescriber or when they knew how to find out sufficient information by themselves. They felt insecure if they were anxious, if the availability of medical care was poor or if they did not receive enough information.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Factors that frequently caused insecurity about information and anxiety were too short consultations, lack of availability of someone to answer questions or of the opportunity to contact the physician if adverse effects are suspected. These factors could easily be dealt with and there must be improvements in the clinics if the patients´ feelings of security are to be increased.</p