ABSTRACT
Background: Attaining therapeutic goals in diabetes mellitus (DM) is often suboptimal due to disease complexity, poor adherence and inadequate patient counseling. Aim: This study evaluated the effectiveness of the collaboration between the physicians and pharmacists in DM management. Design and setting: A pilot study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2015 in diabetic patients from four districts of Lebanon. Methods: A total of 200 patients with type 2 DM were recruited with 12 months of follow-up. A range of clinical measures, including medication adherence and self-care activities, were assessed over a period of 12 months. The protocol consisted of primary care physicians referring patients to community pharmacies. The participants were attended for 30 min in the pharmacy. They were asked to complete a questionnaire and then received counseling on their illness and their medication in an organized manner by the pharmacist once every month for 12 consecutive months. The primary outcome was the change in fasting blood glucose (FBG) after 12 months of follow-up. Results: A total of 200 patients completed the study. The primary endpoint decreased significantly from the baseline after 12 months of follow-up (mean difference: 30 mg/dl; 95% CI, 28-32; p < .001). The secondary endpoints, such as glycated hemoglobin, also showed an improvement after 12 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Collaborative care between the physician and the pharmacist was successful in reducing FBG and improving patient satisfaction and quality of care over 12 months of follow-up.
ABSTRACT
Background: The prevention and control of hypertension is an essential component for reducing cardiovascular disease burden. Hypertension is an important public health issue, yet few studies have examined its current status among the Lebanese population. Objective: To examine the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and its associated risk factors among Lebanese adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2014, and May 2015, on adults from the five districts of Lebanon. Multistage sampling was used to enroll participants. Hypertension was defined as an average of two blood pressure (BP) measurements with systolic/diastolic blood pressure of at least 140/90 mm Hg, using an automated digital device, or the use of antihypertensive medication. A questionnaire was used to assess hypertension risk factors, awareness, treatment and control. Results: Of the 1362 Lebanese adults interviewed, 399 (29.3%) had hypertension. Of these, 106 (26.5%) were aware of their condition. Sixty-nine patients (65%) of those aware, were receiving treatment, and 38 (55%) participants from those treated were controlled. The significant risk factors were sex, gender, age, family history of hypertension, obesity, and a low level of education. Conclusions: Hypertension is prevalent among the Lebanese adult population and is multifactorial, but remains incompletely recognized, leading to insufficient control. Hypertension was highly prevalent in males in the age category 18-29 years. These findings show that improvements in detection, treatment, and control of hypertension among Lebanese adults, is much needed.
