Drug Interaction In Osteoarthritis Patients At The Outpatient Installation Of Medan Hajj General Hospital For September 2015 - November 2015

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Drug Interaction in Osteoarthritis Patients at the Medan Hajj General Hospital Outpatient Installation for September 2015 - November 2015

Introduction

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly in adults and the elderly. As the population ages, the prevalence of osteoarthritis is expected to increase, making it a significant public health concern. In the case of elderly patients, disease complications often require the use of combination drugs to manage symptoms. However, the use of multiple medications can lead to drug interactions, which can have a negative impact on the patient's health. This study aims to identify drug interactions, understand the pattern of drug use, the frequency of interactions, types of drugs involved in interactions, as well as mechanisms and severity of drug interactions in osteoarthritis patients treated at the Medan Hajj General Hospital during the period September to November 2015.

Background

Osteoarthritis is a complex disease that affects not only the joints but also the surrounding tissues. The disease is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. In the case of elderly patients, osteoarthritis can be exacerbated by other health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. As a result, patients may require the use of multiple medications to manage their symptoms. However, the use of multiple medications can lead to drug interactions, which can have a negative impact on the patient's health.

Methodology

This study used a descriptive survey with a retrospective approach to analyze the medical records of osteoarthritis patients treated at the Medan Hajj General Hospital during the period September to November 2015. The study included patients who met the inclusion criteria, which were:

  • Diagnosed with osteoarthritis
  • Treated at the Medan Hajj General Hospital during the period September to November 2015
  • Had a medical record that included information on the medications used

The study excluded patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria. The data was analyzed using the Chi Square test through the SPSS Advanced Statistics 18.0 program. The study also used trusted sources such as Drug Interaction Fact, Stockley's Drug Interaction, Drugs.com, and Medscape.com to analyze the data.

Results

The results of the study showed that of the 120 medical records analyzed, as many as 87 medical records experienced drug interactions, with the frequency of interactions reaching 72.5%. The most interacting types of drugs were:

  • Meloxicam (39.43%)
  • Sodium diclofenac (33.80%)
  • Paracetamol (17.60%)

The mechanism of drug interaction was divided into three categories:

  • Pharmacodynamic mechanisms (52.11%)
  • Pharmacokinetic mechanisms (45.77%)
  • Unknown mechanisms (2.11%)

In terms of severity, 65 cases were considered mild (45.77%), 73 moderate cases (51.40%), and 4 severe cases (2.81%).

Discussion

The results of the study showed that the interaction of drugs in osteoarthritis patients at the Outpatient Installation of the Medan Hajj General Hospital is classified as high. This is consistent with previous studies that have shown that the use of multiple medications can lead to drug interactions. The study also found that there is no significant relationship between the patient's age and the incidence of drug interaction (P> 0.05), but there is a significant relationship between the amount of drug used and the incidence of drug interaction (p <0.05). This indicates that the more drugs consumed by patients, the higher the risk of drug interaction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the interaction of drugs in osteoarthritis patients at the Outpatient Installation of the Medan Hajj General Hospital is a significant concern. The study found that the frequency of interactions was high, with 72.5% of patients experiencing drug interactions. The study also found that the most interacting types of drugs were meloxicam, sodium diclofenac, and paracetamol. The mechanism of drug interaction was divided into three categories, with pharmacodynamic mechanisms being the most common. In terms of severity, 45.77% of cases were considered mild, 51.40% were moderate, and 2.81% were severe.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made:

  • Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for drug interactions in osteoarthritis patients.
  • Patients should be educated on the potential risks of drug interactions and the importance of taking medications as directed.
  • Healthcare providers should monitor patients for signs of drug interactions and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
  • Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of drug interactions in osteoarthritis patients and to develop strategies for minimizing the risks associated with treatment.

Limitations

The study had several limitations, including:

  • The study was conducted at a single hospital and may not be generalizable to other populations.
  • The study only included patients who met the inclusion criteria and may not be representative of all osteoarthritis patients.
  • The study relied on medical records and may not have captured all relevant information.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to:

  • Investigate the mechanisms of drug interactions in osteoarthritis patients.
  • Develop strategies for minimizing the risks associated with treatment.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs for patients and healthcare providers.
  • Conduct studies in other populations to determine the generalizability of the findings.

References

Q: What is osteoarthritis?

A: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly in adults and the elderly. It is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.

Q: What are the common medications used to treat osteoarthritis?

A: The common medications used to treat osteoarthritis include:

  • Meloxicam
  • Sodium diclofenac
  • Paracetamol
  • Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Corticosteroids
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

Q: What are the risks of drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients?

A: The risks of drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients include:

  • Increased risk of adverse effects
  • Reduced effectiveness of medications
  • Increased risk of bleeding or other complications
  • Increased risk of hospitalization or other serious outcomes

Q: How can healthcare providers minimize the risks of drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients?

A: Healthcare providers can minimize the risks of drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients by:

  • Conducting thorough medical histories and physical examinations
  • Monitoring patients for signs of drug interactions
  • Adjusting treatment plans accordingly
  • Educating patients on the potential risks of drug interactions and the importance of taking medications as directed

Q: What are the signs of drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients?

A: The signs of drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients may include:

  • Increased risk of bleeding or other complications
  • Reduced effectiveness of medications
  • Increased risk of hospitalization or other serious outcomes
  • Changes in blood pressure or heart rate
  • Changes in liver or kidney function

Q: How can patients minimize the risks of drug interaction in osteoarthritis?

A: Patients can minimize the risks of drug interaction in osteoarthritis by:

  • Taking medications as directed
  • Informing healthcare providers of all medications being taken
  • Monitoring for signs of drug interactions
  • Reporting any changes in symptoms or side effects to healthcare providers

Q: What are the long-term consequences of drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients?

A: The long-term consequences of drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients may include:

  • Increased risk of chronic kidney disease
  • Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Increased risk of osteoporosis
  • Increased risk of other serious outcomes

Q: How can healthcare providers and patients work together to minimize the risks of drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients?

A: Healthcare providers and patients can work together to minimize the risks of drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients by:

  • Conducting thorough medical histories and physical examinations
  • Monitoring patients for signs of drug interactions
  • Adjusting treatment plans accordingly
  • Educating patients on the potential risks of drug interactions and the importance of taking medications as directed
  • Encouraging patients to report any changes in symptoms or side effects to healthcare providers

Q: What are the future directions for research on drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients?

A: Future directions for research on drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients may include:

  • Investigating the mechanisms of drug interaction in osteoarthritis patients
  • Developing strategies for minimizing the risks associated with treatment
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs for patients and healthcare providers
  • Conducting studies in other populations to determine the generalizability of the findings

Q: What are the implications of this study for healthcare providers and patients?

A: The implications of this study for healthcare providers and patients are:

  • Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for drug interactions in osteoarthritis patients and take steps to minimize the risks.
  • Patients should be educated on the potential risks of drug interactions and the importance of taking medications as directed.
  • Healthcare providers and patients should work together to monitor for signs of drug interactions and adjust treatment plans accordingly.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include:

  • The study was conducted at a single hospital and may not be generalizable to other populations.
  • The study only included patients who met the inclusion criteria and may not be representative of all osteoarthritis patients.
  • The study relied on medical records and may not have captured all relevant information.

Q: What are the future directions for research on osteoarthritis?

A: Future directions for research on osteoarthritis may include:

  • Investigating the mechanisms of osteoarthritis
  • Developing new treatments for osteoarthritis
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of existing treatments for osteoarthritis
  • Conducting studies in other populations to determine the generalizability of the findings.