Effect of patient education and healthcare campaigns on medication adherence in co-morbid patients

Co-morbidities are characterized by the presence of multiple chronic diseases within a single individual. They pose an escalating healthcare challenge and managing this growing burden, particularly with non-communicable diseases, has become a major concern. However, a significant impediment to effective management lies in medication nonadherence. The importance of medication adherence has long been a focus of healthcare literature, yet many comorbid patients tend to underestimate its significance, leading to health deterioration. Research studies indicate alarmingly low adherence rates in comorbid patients. To address this issue, patient education and healthcare campaigns have become essential tools in enhancing adherence. The research, which commenced on October 19, 2023, was initiated after an exhaustive review of existing academic literature. Multiple databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane, were employed for this comprehensive literature review, utilizing a wide array of medical terminology combinations. The study aims to shed light on potential strategies and educational approaches to enhance medication adherence in comorbid patients. Findings from this research have the potential to influence healthcare policy, the design of tailored interventions, and overall healthcare delivery improvements for co-morbid patients, ultimately leading to enhanced health outcomes, reduced costs, and an improved quality of life.

Role of inotropes and vasopressors therapy in the intensive care unit

Vasopressors and inotropes are often administered to critically ill patients in intensive care unit for the management and treatment of haemodynamic impairment, heart failure, septic and cardiogenic shock, trauma among certain other diseases. In patients with shock, vasopressors and inotropes are used to induce vasoconstriction or enhance cardiac contractility. Vasopressors induces vasoconstriction, which causes systemic vascular resistance, leading to increase in mean arterial pressure and elevates organ perfusion. While inotropes raise cardiac output, which helps maintain mean arterial pressure and body perfusion. Due to a decreased risk of side effects compared to other catecholamine vasopressors, norepinephrine is considered a first-line vasopressor titrated to attain an optimal arterial pressure. An inotrope such as dobutamine may be given to raise cardiac output to a sufficient level to fulfil tissue demand if tissue and organ perfusion still is not enough. Due to their strengthening effect on cardiac contractility, inotropes have been utilized in the care of patients with heart failure for decades, particularly for patients with systolic dysfunction, or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Along with their beneficial inotropic impact, they also have chronotropic and peripheral vascular effects. For patients with severely reduced cardiac output and peripheral organ hypoperfusion, they are most frequently employed in intensive care unit. Along with their benefits they are also associated with certain considerate side-effects. The purpose of this research is to review the available information about role of inotropes and vasopressors therapy in the intensive care unit.