Key result
Female sex linked to ~63% higher odds of over-the-counter product use in heart failure.
Why the study?
Although over-the-counter product use is common in patients with HF, its prevalence and associated factors remain understudied despite being crucial for optimizing management and preventing potential drug interactions.
Cross-Sectional (n=602)
Yes
Over three-quarters of patients hospitalized for heart failure use over-the-counter products—particularly older adults and women—highlighting the critical need for routine nonprescription medication reconciliation to prevent drug interactions and heart failure exacerbations.
Objective: Over-the-counter (OTC) product use is common among patients with heart failure (HF), yet its prevalence and associated factors remain understudied. Understanding these patterns is crucial to optimizing HF management and preventing potential drug interactions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of OTC product use among patients admitted for HF and identify factors associated with their use. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 602 patients admitted to hospitals within the Huntsville Hospital System in Alabama, USA, for HF. Data collected included demographics, comorbidities, home prescription medications, and OTC product use. Results: Of the 602 patients, 455 (75.6%) used at least one OTC product, with a mean of 2.4 ± 2.3 products per patient. The most commonly used products were vitamins (72.1%), minerals (30.1%), stomach acid reducers (28.2%), and analgesics (26.7%). OTC use was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001), female gender (p = 0.0308), and a higher number of prescription medications (p < 0.001). Patients with dyslipidemia (p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.018) were also more likely to use OTC products. Conclusion: OTC product use is highly prevalent among patients admitted for HF, particularly among older adults, females, and those with multiple comorbidities. These findings underscore the importance of routinely assessing OTC product use in HF management to improve medication reconciliation and ensure safe and informed HF management.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Marwan Sheikh Taha (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Heart failure (n=602). Over-the-counter (OTC) product use vs. No OTC product use was evaluated on Prevalence of over-the-counter (OTC) product use (and independent association with female sex) (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.07-2.48, p=0.022). Over-the-counter product use was prevalent in 75.6% of patients hospitalized for heart failure, and was independently associated with increasing age (OR 1.04) and female sex (OR 1.63).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: