Polypharmacy (74% taking ≥6 pills/day), alternative medicine use (12%), and poor medication knowledge were highly prevalent among patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction.
Cross-Sectional (n=65)
What is the occurrence of polypharmacy, alternative medicine use, immunization, and medication knowledge in patients with heart failure due to systolic dysfunction?
Patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction exhibit poor knowledge about their medications, high rates of polypharmacy, and suboptimal influenza immunization rates.
AIMS: To evaluate in patients with heart failure (HF) due to systolic dysfunction the occurrence of polypharmacy, alternative medicine, immunization against influenza, and patients' knowledge about their medication. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-five patients, 49 men, mean age 60.5+/-12.0 years answered a confidential questionnaire during 2002. Polypharmacy was frequent, 48 (74%) were taking six or more pills per day and 18 (28%) 11 or more. Fifteen patients (23%) used over-the-counter analgesics. Eight patients (12%) used alternative medicine five women (31%) vs. three men (6%), P=0.02. Forty-four patients (68%) received immunization against influenza (18 patients or =65 years (79%), P=0.03). Half the patients knew that beta-blockers and vasodilators decreased blood pressure, 31 patients receiving diuretics (88%) knew that this drugs help to eliminate liquids, 12 patients (38%) recognized this effect with low dose spironolactone and 23% or less with other drugs. Only 12 patients (42%) treated with acenocoumarol and 13 of those treated with aspirin (32%) recognized the action of these drugs. CONCLUSION: Patients with HF and systolic dysfunction have a poor knowledge about the medication they receive. Polypharmacy, over-the-counter, homeopathic and alternative medicine use is frequent whereas the rate of immunization against influenza is low.
Martínez‐Sellés et al. (2003) conducted a cross-sectional in Heart failure due to systolic dysfunction (n=65). Heart failure treatment was evaluated on Occurrence of polypharmacy, alternative medicine, immunization against influenza, and patients' knowledge about their medication. Polypharmacy (74% taking ≥6 pills/day), alternative medicine use (12%), and poor medication knowledge were highly prevalent among patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction.