Assessment of Drug Therapy Problems (DTPs) among hypertensive and diabetic patients attending Lagos Island general hospital, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Drug Therapy Problems (DTPs) are of major concern in health care because of increased cost of
treatment, delayed therapeutic goals, morbidity, and mortality.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, associated factors, and resolution of drug therapy
problems among hypertensive and diabetic patients attending General Hospital, Lagos.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 234 systematic randomly selected case notes of diabetic and
hypertensive patients older than 18 years, and who had been on medications for more than a month. The data
collected was analysed using descriptive analysis and Chi square test. Statistical significance was determined at
p-value <0.05.

Results: Of the 234 case notes assessed, 182 (77.78%) had DTPs. The number of DTPs identified were 277. The
most common DTP identified was effect of drugs not optimal (27.8%). Neither socio-demographic factors,
polypharmacy or presence of comorbidities were associated with having Drug Therapy Problems (DTPs). The DTPs were either partially resolved (17.01%), fully resolved (14.29%), unresolved (22.4%), or with unknown outcomes (46.3%).

Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of DTPs at 77.78% with the most common DTP being effect of
drug not optimal. None of the studied variables, however, had significant association with the prevalence of
DTPs.