Evaluation of potential drug-drug interactions among medications prescribed in primary health-care centers for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. A cross-sectional study from Palestine

Background and Aim: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) pose a serious threat to patient safety, especially among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who frequently experience comorbidities and polypharmacy. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and types of potential DDIs in T2DM patients attending primary healthcare centers and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 400 T2DM patients from primary health-care centers in Hebron and Bethlehem (July–September 2018). Patient demographics, comorbidities, and medications were recorded. Lexi-Comp® was used to detect DDIs and classify them by severity: A (no known interaction), B (minor), C (moderate), D (major), and X (contraindicated). Results: Among 114 drugs prescribed, 96% of patients had at least one potential DDI (n = 2,627 total; average: 6.6 per prescription). The majority were category C (76.7%), followed by B (11.7%), D (10%), A (1.3%), and X (0.3%). DDIs were significantly associated with older age, comorbidities, polypharmacy, complications, and higher education level (p < 0.05), but not gender, marital status, or smoking. Conclusions: Potential DDIs are common among T2DM patients, particularly those with complex medication regimens. Targeted interventions for high-risk groups and use of interaction screening tools are essential to improve medication safety.