title: Drug-related problems in diabetes and transplant patients: an observational study with home visits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To get insight into the medication management of diabetes type 2 (DM) as well as solid organ transplant (Tx) patients and to analyse drug-related problems (DRPs) in order to explore opportunities for the provision of pharmaceutical care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-nine Swiss community pharmacies offering internships for pharmacy students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diabetes and transplant patients were recruited in community pharmacies and were interviewed at home by fifth-year pharmacy students who were supervised by a trained investigator, using a specific interview guide developed for this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pattern and frequency of DRPs and pattern of medication management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 22 (Tx patients) and 54 (DM patients) home visits were carried out. Mean age of visited patients was 71.4 ± 8.1 years (DM) and 52.6 ± 13.8 years (Tx). Overall, 37.0% (DM) and 50.0% (Tx) of participants were female. We identified 7.4 ± 2.4 (mean ± SD) DRPs per visited patient, with considerable differences between Tx and DM patients (6.3 ± 1.7 vs. 7.8 ± 2.5). The most frequent DRPs were risk for non-adherence (DM: 61.1%; Tx: 77.3%), confusion of generic and trade names (DM: 74.1%; Tx: 27.3%), hoarding of over-the-counter medicines (DM: 48.1%; Tx: 4.5%) and prescription-only medicines (DM: 37.0%; Tx: 36.4%), gaps in knowledge about potential interactions (DM: 61.1%; Tx: 18.2%) and purpose of drugs (DM: 48.1%; Tx: 36.4%). Mean (SD) duration of the visits was 51.7 ± 21.4 min.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visiting Tx and DM patients in their homes allowed the identification of a wide range of opportunities for pharmaceutical care as well as specific DRPs which most probably would have escaped a medication review in the pharmacy.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, University of Basel, Pharmazentrum, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Eichenberger
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haschke
authors.forename: Markus L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lampert
authors.forename: Kurt E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Hersberger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006792:House Calls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054539:Medication Therapy Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014180:Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*