Drug Therapy Problems and Associated Factors in Patients on Anticoagulant Therapy at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

Kamau M Gakome; George A Mugendi; Rosaline N Kinuthia

Kamau M Gakome Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
George A Mugendi Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
Rosaline N Kinuthia Division of Pharmacy, Kenyatta National Hospital, P.O. Box 20723-00202, Nairobi Kenya

Keywords: Drug therapy problems, anticoagulants

Abstract

Achieving the goals of therapy with anticoagulants can be complicated by
drug therapy problems (DTPs). The objective of the study was to identify and
characterize DTPs among adult patients on anticoagulant therapy at the
Kenyatta National Hospital medical wards in the between May and August
2023. For this purpose, subjects were interviewed and data extracted from
their medical records. The data was analysed to give the prevalence of the
DTPs in the study population and the associated factors. The enrolment phase
garnered 125 participants into the study, 37.6% of whom had DTPs. The
main DTPs encountered were drug-drug interactions and treatment safety
problems in 23 (18.4%) and 20 (16%) participants, respectively. Associations
between either the sociodemographic or clinical factors with the DTPs were
not identified. The study demonstrated that Drug therapy problems are
common in patients using anticoagulants. In conclusion, pharmacists should
be vigilant to identify and intervene in case these problems arise.