Impact of Pharmacist-Led Intervention on Medication Adherence and Asthma Control Among Asthmatic Outpatients Attending Respiratory Clinic at National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria

Title: Impact of Pharmacist-led Intervention on Medication Adherence and Asthma Control in Asthmatic Patients Attending Respiratory Clinic at National Hospital Abuja. Background: Asthma is a widespread disease affecting more than 300 million people globally. Adherence to management protocols, both pharmacotherapy and non-drug therapy is key to positive treatment outcomes. Pharmacists with their professional knowledge and skills play a vital role in educating the patients to improve treatment adherence and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to assess the impact of Pharmacist-led intervention on medication adherence and asthma control. Objectives: To assess symptoms and medication use among asthmatic patients, estimate the sample prevalence of medication non-adherence and its causes and evaluate the outcome of Pharmacist-led intervention on medication adherence and asthma control. Methods: It was a pre/post – interventional study carried out at the Medical Outpatient Clinic among 49 consented patients with primary diagnosis of asthma. Purposive sampling was used. Participants received targeted pharmacist-led intervention in form of asthma education, medication adherence counseling, how to use inhaler devices correctly and were monitored via mobile phone post-intervention. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise data. Chi square test was used to compare categorical variables while Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar tests were used to compare differences in medication adherence and asthma control. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Majority of the patients were females (32; (65.3%)) and had family history of asthma (30; (61.2%)). Cough was the major symptom experienced before diagnosis (31; (35.2%)). Asthma exacerbations were more frequent in cold weather (35; (76.1%)), dust was the most common trigger (27; (34.2%)). Salbutamol inhaler was the commonly used asthma medication (31; (39.3%)). Pre intervention, most of the patients showed poor (21; (42.9%)) to medium adherence (26; (53.1%)) while 2 (4.1%) showed good adherence. Forgetfulness (17; (73.9%)), daily/continuous use of medication (18; (81.8%)) and use of herbal remedies (15; (68.2%)) were reasons for non-adherence (p<0.05). 44 (95.7%) patients were uncontrolled pre intervention. Post-intervention, patients with good adherence increased to 32, (76.2%) (p <0.05), the number of patients with controlled asthma increased to 25, (59.5%) (p<0.001). Conclusions: Pharmacist-led intervention improved medication adherence and symptoms control in asthmatic patients.