Considering the Possible Role of Pharmacists According to the Presence or Absence of Lifestyle-Related Diseases at the Time of Coronary CT Examination and Trends of Medication Use for These Diseases by Medical Doctors

TL;DR

The study explores how pharmacists can help manage lifestyle-related diseases in patients with coronary artery disease by analyzing medication use and disease control.

Contribution

Highlights pharmacists' potential role in optimizing drug combinations for lifestyle-related diseases in coronary CT patients.

Findings

Patients with lifestyle-related diseases had a significantly higher rate of coronary artery disease.

Control of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes was poor despite medication use.

Pharmacists are suggested to advise on drug combinations to improve disease management.

Abstract

Background: Because patients often already have coronary artery disease (CAD) at the time of a coronary artery computed tomography angiography (CCTA) examination, we examined the medications prescribed by medical doctors for lifestyle-related diseases and investigated what possible role pharmacists can play in prescribing. Methods: Patients (n = 1357) who underwent CCTA examination were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of lifestyle-related diseases [hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia (DL) and diabetes mellitus (DM)], and the relationship between the presence or absence of CAD was examined. Results: The rate of CAD was significantly higher in patients with HTN, DL or DM than in patients without these diseases. The blood pressure in the HTN group was 140 ± 20/79 ± 13 mmHg, the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol value in the DL group was 119 ± 35 mg/dL, and the hemoglobin A1c value in the DM group was 7.0 ± 1.1%, all of which were poorly controlled. Anti-hypertensive drugs were used at low rates in the HTN group, statins were used in 47% and ezetimibe was used in 4% of the DL group, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors were used in 41% of the DM group. Conclusions: Since the rate of CAD (+) was high and control of the three major lifestyle-related diseases was poor, pharmacists should advise medical doctors to use combinations of drugs.

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