Abstract

DETERMINATION OF PATIENTS ADHERANCE TO BETABLOCKERS AFTER MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION DISCHARGE

Mohammad Arief*, Syed Aziz Ghori, Shaik Irfan Pasha, Sheik Mudassar

Abstract

Beta-blockers, which are considered as one of the most important drugs in the secondary prevention of AMI, were underutilized by many patients over the world, though there is no absolute contraindication. Though the outcome of various studies showed that the use of betablockers in post –MI patients with mild COPD, Asthma, Diabetes may also get benefited but still the usage is less. In view of this our study mainly aims to determine whether the patients are in compliance with their prescriptions or not. It also targets how to improve the adherence of patients to the prescription drugs. The present study is an observational, prospective, non-interventional in which data on 320 patients surviving acute- MI over 8 months was collected, at KIMS hospital. Among 320, 205 discharged with prescription on beta-blocker and 115 without a prescription on beta-blockers. Out of 205 patients, only 160 prescriptions were received during the first 30 days after discharge. This number had declined to 92, 84 after 120 and 240 days respectively. The decreased number of prescriptions was also seen in patients who were not discharged on beta-blockers; initially 115 prescriptions were received during the first 30 days, followed by 103, 96 after 120 and 240 days respectively. Our study mainly concludes that along with appropriate dosing and monitoring, patient education is essential to maximize efficacy of therapy, moreover the decreased usage of beta-blockers in post-MI patients indicates the need of pharmacist intervention for the regular use of beta-blockers by patients for secondary prevention of AMI.

Keywords: Acute Myocardial Infarction, beta-blocker therapy, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Asthma, Non-interventional study.