Prevalence and Characteristics of Drug-Related Problems Among Hospitalized CVD Patients in Aden, Yemen. A-retrospective cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Drug-related problems (DRPs) have become a major public health concern globally, contributing to enlarged morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenses. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a foremost cause of death worldwide, and Yemen is no exception. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of DRPs in hospitalized patients with CVDs in Aden city. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study conducted a retrospective investigation of medical records from various hospitals in Aden city. Data collection occurred over a two-month period, from January 2024 to February 2024. Patients admitted exclusively for CVD treatment were included. The Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) DRP classification system. served as the standardized tool for identifying and documenting DRPs. A clinical pharmacist and students reviewed the collected data, with data analysis conducted using SPSS 26 software. Results: A total of 113 participants were enrolled in the study, with 84 (74.3%) males and 29 (25.7%) females. The mean age (SD) was 62.5 ± 13 years. Notably, 88.5% of the study population experienced at least one DRP during their hospitalization. A total of 167 DRPs were identified among 100 patients, with an average of 1.67 DRPs per patient. The most frequently reported DRPs were possible adverse drug events (45.5%), followed by unnecessary drug treatment (21.6%). Effect of drug treatment not optimum VII (20.3%) and untreated indications (12.6%). Polypharmacy appeared as the primary risk factor associated with DRPs. Conclusion: This study exposed a high prevalence of DRPs in hospitalized CVD patients in Aden, Yemen. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing strategies to identify and address DRPs in this population. Further research is needed to explore the specific types and causes of DRPs in Yemeni CVD patients and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing DRPs and improving patient outcomes