title: A community-based cross-sectional survey of medication utilization among chronic disease patients in China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine medication use patterns and associated health outcomes in Chinese individuals with diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This community-based cross-sectional study was done in a north China city of 300 000 people. Participants were recruited by poster and phone call through Community Health Centres. Data were collected on 638 Chinese individuals. Interviews were done to screen for disease and health behaviours. Fasting blood was collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants' average age was 52 years. Self-reported prevalence of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia was 9.6, 29.9 and 20.5% respectively. Medication adherence was found among 88, 60 and 81.5% of individuals with diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia respectively. Treatment success, as defined by medication adherence and treatment to goal was achieved by 21, 23 and 10% of diabetic, hypertensive and hyperlipidaemic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A large proportion of individuals with chronic disease in this China-based study were not being successfully treated, putting them at high risk for poor health outcomes. In this urban China setting, healthcare services need to be strengthened in order to achieve better treatment outcomes among chronic disease patients. It is recommended that community pharmacists contribute to improving these outcomes through participation in patient education, medication reconciliation and disease state management.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Practice, Master of Public Health Program, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6040-1103
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Strand
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Practice, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA.
authors.forename: Kirstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gramith
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Practice, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA.
authors.forename: Macy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Royston
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Practice, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaoxi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Shanxi Evergreen Service, Taiyuan, China.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: Yangqu County Hospital, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: Curt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016903:Drug Monitoring
keywords: community pharmacy; medication adherence; pharmaceutical public health; pharmacoepidemiology