Can medication packaging improve glycemic control and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes? Results from a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of calendar blister pack (CBP) use on glycemic and blood pressure control.


METHODS
We conducted an 8-month randomized controlled double-blind study among diabetic patients with poor glucose control (HbA1c >9.0%) in an urban area of South Auckland, New Zealand, with a high proportion of Maori and Pacific Islands people. Subjects included 68 consecutive patients, of whom 50% were prescribed three or more medications per day


RESULTS
HbA1c was reduced by 0.95+/-0.22% in the CBP group and 0.15+/-0.25% in the control group (P = 0.026). Diastolic blood pressure decreased 5.8+/-1.5 mm Hg in the CBP group and increased 0.1+/-1.9 mm Hg in the control group (P = 0.0041). Systolic blood pressure did not change significantly


CONCLUSIONS
CBPs should be considered among diabetic patients with poor glycemic control receiving multiple medications.
Simmons
D
D
Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia. d.simmons@medicine.unimelb.edu.au
Upjohn
M
M
Gamble
G D
GD
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003971:Diastole; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004349:Drug Packaging; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000208:ethnology; D013599:Systole; D044465:White People
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents