Evaluation of drug therapy problems, medication adherence and treatment satisfaction among heart failure patients on follow-up at a tertiary care hospital in Ethiopia

Treatment satisfaction and medication adherence and predictors among patients with heart failure in Ethiopia: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

Background

Globally, about 18 million people died from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in 2019, over three-quarters in developing countries. Non-adherence to medication in CVD patients causes hospitalization, worsened symptoms, higher healthcare costs, and more emergency visits. Hence, this study aimed to assess treatment satisfaction and medication adherence and predictors in heart failure (HF) patients attending Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (DBCSH), Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was undertaken at the medical referral clinic of DBCSH. A total of 344 ambulatory HF patients who visited the medical care of the DBCSH medical referral clinic during the study period were included. Treatment satisfaction was assessed using a self-administered Medicine Questionnaire (SATMED-Q). Relationships between predictor variables and treatment satisfaction were determined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and an independent t-test. Medication adherence was determined using the Morisky Green Levin Medication Adherence Scale (MGLS).

Results

Participants with drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were approximately 38% less likely to adhere to medication compared to their counterparts (AOR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.54-0.71). Additionally, participants who had taken five or more drugs were approximately 68% less likely to adhere to medication compared to those who had taken only one drug (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.2-0.51). The correlation between medication adherence and drug-drug interactions remains a possible pseudo-correlation via the number of medications taken. There was a noteworthy positive correlation (rs = 0.34, p = 0.027) between participants' treatment adherence and treatment satisfaction.

Conclusion

The rate of treatment satisfaction and treatment adherence among HF patients was 67.6% and 60.9%, respectively. The presence of DDI and the number of drugs were identified as predictors to medication adherence.

Medication Related-Problems and Associated Factors Among Patients with Hypertension at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ethiopia: A Prospective Interventional Study

Background

Hypertension affects more than 1.4 billion people worldwide currently, with that number anticipated to climb to 1.6 billion by 2025 with high mortality and morbidity effects. Medication related problems in cardiovascular disease patients, especially among hypertension patients were found to be high and a critical problem which is associated with high mortality, complication, prolonged hospital stay, compromised quality of life and increase health care cost.

Objective

To determine medication related problems and its predictors among hypertension patients on chronic follow-up at Jimma Medical Center.

Methods

A prospective interventional study was conducted among hypertension patients from November 28, 2021 to June 30, 2022 at Jimma Medical Center. Medication related problems were classified and identified based on Pharmaceutical care network Europe drug classification tool version 9.0. Interventions were done through discussion with individual prescriber and patients. Consecutive sampling technique was used. Binary Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of medication related problems. Variables having P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Among 384 hypertension patients included in the study, 219 (57.1%) were male. The mean (SD) age was 49.06+17.79. Two thirds of study participants had at least one medication related problem. A total of 483 MRPs were identified among 231 (60.15%) patients. Treatment effectiveness related problem (55.48%) was the most common observed medication related problems. Alcoholism (AOR; 3.15, 95% CI [1.46-7.23]), stage II hypertension (AOR=2.77, 95% CI= [3.53-4.66]); comorbidity (AOR=2.88, 95% CI= [1.47-5.66]) and polypharmacy (AOR=3.07, 95% CI= [1.57-5.99]) were the independent predictors of medication related problems.

Conclusion

The prevalence of medication related problems was high among hypertensive patients. Alcoholism, stage II hypertension, comorbidity and poly-pharmacy were the predictors of medication related problems. Therefore, to overcome the problems, clinical pharmacists, physicians and other health care professionals have to work in collaboration.

The Effect of Self-Care Education on Adherence to Treatment in Elderly Patients with Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Noncompliance with treatment in the elderly with Heart Failure (HF) may result in a lack of recovery, a decrease in longevity, rehospitalization, and additional costs. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of self-care education on adherence to treatment among elderly patients with HF.

Materials and Methods

This study was a parallel clinical trial on 90 elderly people over 60 years of age who were hospitalized in cardiac wards. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics form and the adherence to treatment questionnaire. Individuals who met the study inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group training was performed before and after discharge. The adherence to treatment questionnaire was completed again by both groups 2 months after discharge. Data were analyzed using Chi-squared test; ex. (?2 = 3.95, df = 1, p = 0.046), paired and independent t-tests, and analysis of covariance.

Results

The mean (standard deviation) total score of adherence to treatment in the intervention group was 39.71 (4.51) and 78.72 (10.47) before and after the self-care education, respectively. Paired t-test showed a significant difference in both groups after the intervention compared to before the intervention, and independent t-test showed a significant difference between the groups after the intervention (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Self-care education before discharge and home-based education were effective in promoting adherence to treatment among patients with HF. Therefore, self-care education before discharge may improve adherence to treatment among elderly patients with HF.

Frequencies of Combined Dysfunction of Cytochromes P450 2C9, 2C19, and 2D6 in an Italian Cohort: Suggestions for a More Appropriate Medication Prescribing Process

Improper drug prescription is a main cause of both drug-related harms (inefficacy and toxicity) and ineffective spending and waste of the healthcare system's resources. Nowadays, strategies to support an improved, informed prescription process may benefit from the adequate use of pharmacogenomic testing. Using next-generation sequencing, we analyzed the genomic profile for three major cytochromes P450 (CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6) and studied the frequencies of dysfunctional isozymes (e.g., poor, intermediate, or rapid/ultra-rapid metabolizers) in a cohort of 298 Italian subjects. We found just 14.8% of subjects with a fully normal set of cytochromes, whereas 26.5% of subjects had combined cytochrome dysfunction (more than one isozyme involved). As improper drug prescription is more frequent, and more burdening, in polytreated patients, since drug-drug interactions also cause patient harm, we discuss the potential benefits of a more comprehensive PGX testing approach to support informed drug selection in such patients.

Medication Nonadherence and Associated Factors among Heart Failure Patients at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Background

Medication nonadherence, being one of the best predictors of hospitalization, increases the mortality rate and hospital readmission and reduces the quality of life of heart failure (HF) patients. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing medication nonadherence and associated factors among HF patients at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 adult patients with HF from June to August 2017. The data were collected by using the medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) and then entered and analyzed using SPSS® (IBM Corporation) version 24. Summary statistics were presented using frequency, proportion, and mean. Binary logistic regression analysis was done for identifying factors associated with medication nonadherence with a 95% confidence level and p value of less than 0.05.

Results

Among 245 patients with HF, about a quarter (23.7%) of them were medication nonadherent. More than one-third (37%) of HF patients had a history of at least one HF medication discontinuation. Refilling problems (48%) and getting better from the illness (27%) were the most commonly reported reasons for nonadherence. Presence of comorbidity (AOR = 2.761; 95%CI = 1.364, 5.589), taking three or more types of medication (AOR = 2.805; 95%CI = 1.404, 5.60), and being unmarried (AOR = 2.638, 95%CI = 1.279, 5.443) was significantly associated with medication nonadherence.

Conclusion

The self-reported medication nonadherence among HF patients was considerably high. Refilling problems and getting better from the illness were the most commonly reported reasons for nonadherence. The presence of comorbid illness, taking three or more types of medication, and being unmarried was significantly associated factors of medication nonadherence. Awareness creation among patients on the importance of medication adherence and targeted efforts to assess and mitigate reasons for medication nonadherence may be helpful.

Prevalence and factors associated with adverse drug reactions among heart failure patients hospitalized at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda

BACKGROUND

Adverse drug reaction (ADR) of medications remains an obstacle to achieving optimal disease outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of ADR among Heart failure (HF) patients hospitalized at Mbarara Regional and Referral Hospital.

METHOD

A prospective observational study was conducted among hospitalized HF patients from November 2021 to January 2022. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was employed to determine factors associated with the ADR.

RESULT

Overall, 118 HF patients were included in the study with a median age of 43 years. A total of 164 ADRs were identified during the follow-up period of 1011 days. The incidence of new ADRs was 106 ADRs/1000 person-days. The prevalence of ADR was 59.3%. Of the 164 ADRs, 118(71.9%) were probable. The gastrointestinal system was the most frequently (27.5%) affected system. Over half (86, 52.4%) of the ADRs were mild and 96(58.5%) were preventable. Age group 19-59(AOR 0.15[0.03-0.35] at 95%CI, p = 0.013), herbal use (AOR 3.07[1.01-9.32] at 95%CI, p = 0.048), poly-pharmacy (AOR 8.7[2.4-15.77] at 95%CI, p &lt; 0.001) and drug-drug interaction (AOR 6.06[2.79-12.5] at 95%CI, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with ADRs among HF patients.

CONCLUSION

More than half of the hospitalized HF patients experienced at least one ADR during their hospital stay. The use of herbal medicines, poly-pharmacy, and drug-drug interaction were associated with a high risk of ARDs whereas the age group 19-59 years was less likely to experience ADRs.

Dynamic Trajectory of a Patient-Reported Outcome and Its Associated Factors for Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: A Growth Mixture Model Approach

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify subgroups of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with distinct trajectories of quality of life (QOL) and to identify baseline characteristics associated with the trajectories.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two-year, prospective, cohort study including 315 patients with CHF was conducted from July 2017. Information on QOL assessed by CHF-patient-reported outcomes measure (CHF-PROM) was collected at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Demographic and clinical variables were recorded at baseline. Growth mixture model was used to identify distinct trajectories of CHF-PROM and its physical, psychological, social, and therapeutic domains. Single factor analysis was employed to assess the factors associated with development of CHF-PROM over time.

RESULTS

Two classes of overall score of CHF-PROM were identified: poorer (14.0%) and better (86.0%). Poorer class tended to be aged, have low diastolic blood pressure, have concomitant atrial fibrillation, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancers, and central nervous system diseases, and used nitrates. Three classes of physical scores were identified: unstable-poorer (5.2%), stable-poorer (29.4%) and better (65.4%). Age, NYHA grade, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, combined with cancers and central nervous system diseases were related to the grouping. Poorer (8.6%) and better (91.4%) classes of psychological scores were identified. Poorer class tended to be female and had concomitant atrial fibrillation. Degenerate class (34.6%) and meliorate class (65.4%) of therapeutic scores were identified. Degenerate class tended to have concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and use less angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

CONCLUSION

We identified different classes with distinct trajectories of QOL that may help proper evaluate QOL and further improve its status for patients CHF.

Drug-related problems and its predictors among hospitalized heart failure patients at Jimma Medical Center, South West Ethiopia: prospective interventional study

Background

Drug-related problems are associated with high mortality, complications, prolonged hospital stay, compromised quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. This problem is high in patients hospitalized with chronic conditions such as heart failure. However, there are limited studies conducted on this area, particularly in Ethiopia.

Objective

To evaluate drug-related problems, their predictors, and clinical pharmacist intervention among hospitalized heart failure patients at Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia.

Methods and participants

A prospective interventional study was conducted among hospitalized heart failure patients from September 30, 2020, to May 28, 2021, at Jimma Medical Center. Drug-related problems were sorted based on the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe drug classification tool version 9.0. Patient's specific data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using statistical software package version 23.0. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of drug-related problems occurrence and statistical significance was considered at a p value < 0.05.

Results

A total of 237 heart failure patients were included in this study. The mean (SD) age was 49.06 + 17.79. About two-thirds (66.2%) of study patients had at least one drug-related problem during their hospital stay. A total of 283 drug-related problems were identified among 157 patients. Treatment effectiveness-related problem (55.48%) was the most common observed drug-related problem. The independent predictors of drug-related problems were khat chewing [AOR = 3.25, 95% CI = (1.46–7.23)], hospital stay > 18 days [AOR = 3.77, 95% CI = (1.93–7.37)]; presence of comorbid condition [AOR = 2.59, 95% CI = (1.35–4.96)] and polypharmacy [AOR = 2.94, 95% CI = (1.54–5.61)].

Conclusion

The prevalence of drug-related problems was high among hospitalized heart failure patients in the study area. Chewing khat, prolonged hospital stay, comorbidity, and polypharmacy were the predictors of drug-related problems. Hence, to overcome these problems, clinical pharmacists, physicians, and other health professionals have to work in collaboration.

Potential drug-drug interactions in drug therapy for older adults with chronic coronary syndrome at hospital discharge: A real-world study

Introduction: Polypharmacy are commonly observed among older adults with cardiovascular disease. However, multiple medications lead to increased risk of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Therefore, identification and prevention actions related to harmful DDIs are expected in older adults. The study aimed to describe the prevalence of potential DDIs (pDDIs) in discharge prescriptions among older adults with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).

Methods: A single-center cross-sectional study was performed in a tertiary public hospital in Beijing, China. CCS patients aged 65 years and above who were admitted to cardiology wards over a 3-month period and alive at discharge were included. Electronic medical records and discharge prescriptions were reviewed. pDDIs were evaluated through the Lexi-Interact online.

Results: pDDIs were identified in 72.9% of the 402 individuals (n = 293). A total of 864 pDDIs were obtained. 72.1% of patients were found with C DDIs (n = 290) and 20.3% were categorized in D and X DDIs (n = 82). The only X DDI was between cyclosporine and atorvastatin. Under category D, glycemia alterations within antidiabetics and increased chances of bleeding with antithrombotic were the most common. Concomitant use of clopidogrel and calcium channel blockers was a frequent situation within category C, followed by synergic blood pressure lowering agents and increased rosuvastatin concentration induced by clopidogrel.

Conclusion: DDIs exposure was common in older CCS. DDIs screening tools should be introduced to alert potential adverse effects. Prescribers need to rigorously review or modulate therapies to prevent DDI-related adverse outcomes. Clinical pharmacists should be more involved in complex drug regimen management.

Drug-Related Problems Among Ambulatory Heart Failure Patients on Follow-Up at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess drug-related problems (DRPs) among ambulatory heart failure (HF) patients attending at medical referral clinic of Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Materials and Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 344 HF patients. Drug-related problems were classified using modified Cipolle’s DRP classification schemes and drug–drug interactions were assessed using Micromedex, up-to-date, and drug.com drug–drug interaction checkers. The data was entered into Epidata version 4.2.0 and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 statistical software. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patients’ characteristics. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated factors with dependent variables. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The mean age of the study participants was 53.38 ± 18.84 years and nearly half (45%) were in the age group of 31–60 years. Drug-related problems were found in 80.8% of HF patients. A total of 416 DRPs were identified. Adverse drug reaction (35.58%) was the top DRPs identified followed by the need for additional drug therapy (30.53%) and ineffective drug therapy (26.9%), respectively. Diuretics (45%), beta-blockers (BBs) (12.42%), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) (10%) were the commonly used drug classes by study participants. The presence of comorbidity (p ˂ 0.001) and level of education of study participants (p = 0.03) had a significant association with the occurrence of DRPs.

Conclusion

The prevalence of DRPs among ambulatory HF patients was high. The presence of comorbidity and the educational level of study participants had a significant association with the occurrence of DRPs. Checking potential drug–drug interactions before starting a new therapy, monitoring adverse drug reactions, ensuring sustainable availability of medications, and regular education programs are recommended to minimize DRPs.

Predictors of Medication-Related Emergency Department Admissions Among Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, South-Western Uganda

BACKGROUND

Medication-related emergency department admissions impose a huge and unnecessary burden on the healthcare system. We sought to determine the prevalence and predictors of medication-related emergency department admissions, among patients with cardiovascular diseases at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda.

METHODS

Institutional research ethics approval was secured to conduct a cross-sectional study at the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital emergency department, between February and September, 2020. All eligible and consenting patients were enrolled in a consecutive manner after a preliminary diagnosis was made by the attending physician. Structured questionnaire interview and comprehensive medication history reviews were used to identify medication therapy problems, in collaboration with a resident physician present on duty. We used sequential categorization for medication therapy problem(s). Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to determine prevalence and predictors of medication-related emergency department admissions.

RESULTS

Out of the 128 patients interviewed, 105 (82%) patient admissions were associated with a medication therapy problem: ineffectiveness of drug therapy (53.3%, 56), medication non-adherence (42.9%, 45), and adverse drug reactions (3.8%, 4). Out of a total of 90 incidences of medication non-adherence, 34.4% (31/90) were due to lack of understanding of patient medication regimen, and 27.8% (25/90) due to unaffordable cost of medicines. Female gender (AOR = 4.31 [1.43, 13.03 at 95% CI]; P-value = 0.010]) and a history of tobacco use (AOR = 9.58 [1.14, 80.28 at 95% CI]; P-value = 0.037) were statistically significant predictors of medication-related emergency department admissions in adjusted analysis.

CONCLUSION

Four in five emergency department admissions were associated with medication-related causes, majorly due to ineffectiveness of drug therapy. Knowledge gap on patient medication regimens was the most prevalent cause for medication non-adherence. Female gender and previous or current tobacco use was an independent risk factor for medication-related admissions.