Drug-related problems and health-related quality of life among chronic disease patients in a rural region of North Cyprus

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the various types of drug-related problems (DRPs) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among chronic disease patients in a rural region of North Cyprus. Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients visiting a rural community pharmacy in North Cyprus was conducted. Patient demographic information, quality of life (QoL), laboratory data, adherence, and beliefs about medicine were assessed using standardized tools. Drug-related problems were evaluated using PCNE V.9.1. Results: Among the 200 screened participants, 97 fulfilled the enrollment criteria and were interviewed. The median age of the participants was 62 years (interquartile range = 15), with 58.8 % women. Only 54 % of hypertensive (HTN) patients reached their target blood pressure level. Over 40 % of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients failed to achieve their target HbA1c level. The majority (71 %) of patients with HTN, T2DM or coronary artery disease were not compliant with lifestyle recommendations and 86.6 % had ≥ 1 DRP. Insufficient dosing and inappropriate indication for a drug were the DRPs associated with failure to achieve target and inappropriate drugs was the DRP type mostly associated with lower quality of life scores. Other factors associated with lower QoL levels included female gender, unemployment status, and high agreement with the statement “medications do more harm than good”. Conclusion: Drug related problems and non-adherence are prevalent, while therapy targets are rarely met in rural Cyprus. Community pharmacists have the potential to improve outcomes in the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).