Pharmacotherapy follow-up in elderly in a public outpatient clinic in Brasilia, Brazil

The aging process is followed by an increase in the number of chronic diseases and, thus, the use of multiple medicines and prevalence of drug-related problems (DRP). This paper aims to identify the impacts of Pharmacotherapy follow-up (PF) in elderly with chronic non-communicable diseases while in polypharmacy using, in the public health service of Brazil. A prospective cohort study with 45 elderly of both sexes was done. Socioeconomic and pharmacotherapy data was collected at the first pharmaceutical appointment. According to the pharmacotherapeutic needs of each case were applied interventions for four appointments as blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring, schedule control medicine use and prescription changes by the letter to prescriber. Some variables as blood pressure, blood glucose, body weight, adverse drug reactions, negative outcomes associated with medication, drug-drug interactions and adherence were compared after 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up during baseline in order to evaluate the impact of the study. Sample included elderly with a mean age of 71 years old, mainly low income and low education women. After 12 months of PF, pharmacotherapy adherence has shown an improvement (21.3 vs 52.4%), as well as a decrease in the number of adverse drug reactions (-1.61), drug-drug interactions (-1.17) and negative outcomes associated with medication (-2.49). Besides, there was better control of systolic blood pressure (-5.89 mmHg), body mass index (2.01) and blood glucose (-12.51 mg/dl) besides plasmatic levels of lipoproteins, vitamin D and thyroid hormones. Results show evidence of PF importance as a strategy to improve adherence to pharmacological treatment, reduce drug-drug related problems and promote better quality of pharmacotherapy. Hence, better health for medication users.