Drug-Related Problems in Prescribing for Pediatric Outpatients in Vietnam

Background: Our study was conducted to determine the prevalence of drug-related problems (DRPs) in outpatient prescriptions, the impact of DRPs on treatment efficacy, safety, and cost, and the determinants of DRPs in prescribing for pediatric outpatients in Vietnam. Methods: A retrospective cross-se...

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Main Authors: Thao H. Nguyen, Vy T. T. Le, Dung N. Quach, Han G. Diep, Nguyet K. Nguyen, Anh N. Lam, Suol T. Pham, Katja Taxis, Thang Nguyen, Phuong M. Nguyen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
Series:Healthcare
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/3/327
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author Thao H. Nguyen
Vy T. T. Le
Dung N. Quach
Han G. Diep
Nguyet K. Nguyen
Anh N. Lam
Suol T. Pham
Katja Taxis
Thang Nguyen
Phuong M. Nguyen
author_facet Thao H. Nguyen
Vy T. T. Le
Dung N. Quach
Han G. Diep
Nguyet K. Nguyen
Anh N. Lam
Suol T. Pham
Katja Taxis
Thang Nguyen
Phuong M. Nguyen
author_sort Thao H. Nguyen
collection DOAJ
description Background: Our study was conducted to determine the prevalence of drug-related problems (DRPs) in outpatient prescriptions, the impact of DRPs on treatment efficacy, safety, and cost, and the determinants of DRPs in prescribing for pediatric outpatients in Vietnam. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on pediatric outpatients at a pediatric hospital in Can Tho, Vietnam. DRPs were classified according to the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification (PCNE) of 2020. The study determined prevalence of DRPs and their impacts on efficacy, safety, and cost. Multivariate regression was used to identify the determinants of DRPs. Results: The study included 4339 patients (mean age 4.3, 55.8% male), with a total of 3994 DRPs, averaging 0.92 DRP/prescription. The proportion of prescriptions with at least one DRP was 65.7%. DRPs included inappropriate drug selection (35.6%), wrong time of dosing relative to meals (35.6%), inappropriate dosage form (9.3%), inappropriate indication (7.1%), and drug-drug interactions (0.3%). The consensus of experts was average when evaluating each aspect of efficiency reduction, safety reduction, and treatment cost increase, with Fleiss’ coefficients of 0.558, 0.511, and 0.541, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Regarding prescriptions, 50.1% were assessed as reducing safety. The figures for increased costs and decreased treatment effectiveness were 29.0% and 23.9%, respectively. Patients who were ≤2 years old were more likely to have DRPs than patients aged 2 to 6 years old (OR = 0.696; 95% CI = 0.599–0.809) and patients aged over 6 years old (OR = 0.801; 95% CI = 0.672–0.955). Patients who had respiratory system disease were more likely to have DRPs than patients suffering from other diseases (OR = 0.715; 95% CI = 0.607–0.843). Patients with comorbidities were less likely to have DRPs than patients with no comorbidities (OR = 1.421; 95% CI = 1.219–1.655). Patients prescribed ≥5 drugs were more likely to have DRPs than patients who took fewer drugs (OR = 3.677; 95% CI = 2.907–4.650). Conclusion: The proportion of prescriptions in at least one DRP was quite high. Further studies should evaluate clinical significance and appropriate interventions, such as providing drug information and consulting doctors about DRPs.
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spelling doaj.art-02c64563bde74e94a14476f1e28552ba2023-11-21T10:27:57ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322021-03-019332710.3390/healthcare9030327Drug-Related Problems in Prescribing for Pediatric Outpatients in VietnamThao H. Nguyen0Vy T. T. Le1Dung N. Quach2Han G. Diep3Nguyet K. Nguyen4Anh N. Lam5Suol T. Pham6Katja Taxis7Thang Nguyen8Phuong M. Nguyen9Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, VietnamDepatment of Pharmacy, Can Tho Children’s Hospital, Can Tho City 900000, VietnamDepartment of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City 900000, VietnamDepartment of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City 900000, VietnamDepartment of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City 900000, VietnamDepartment of Epidemiology, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City 900000, VietnamDepartment of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City 900000, VietnamGroningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The NetherlandsDepartment of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City 900000, VietnamDepartment of Pediatrics, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City 900000, VietnamBackground: Our study was conducted to determine the prevalence of drug-related problems (DRPs) in outpatient prescriptions, the impact of DRPs on treatment efficacy, safety, and cost, and the determinants of DRPs in prescribing for pediatric outpatients in Vietnam. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on pediatric outpatients at a pediatric hospital in Can Tho, Vietnam. DRPs were classified according to the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification (PCNE) of 2020. The study determined prevalence of DRPs and their impacts on efficacy, safety, and cost. Multivariate regression was used to identify the determinants of DRPs. Results: The study included 4339 patients (mean age 4.3, 55.8% male), with a total of 3994 DRPs, averaging 0.92 DRP/prescription. The proportion of prescriptions with at least one DRP was 65.7%. DRPs included inappropriate drug selection (35.6%), wrong time of dosing relative to meals (35.6%), inappropriate dosage form (9.3%), inappropriate indication (7.1%), and drug-drug interactions (0.3%). The consensus of experts was average when evaluating each aspect of efficiency reduction, safety reduction, and treatment cost increase, with Fleiss’ coefficients of 0.558, 0.511, and 0.541, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Regarding prescriptions, 50.1% were assessed as reducing safety. The figures for increased costs and decreased treatment effectiveness were 29.0% and 23.9%, respectively. Patients who were ≤2 years old were more likely to have DRPs than patients aged 2 to 6 years old (OR = 0.696; 95% CI = 0.599–0.809) and patients aged over 6 years old (OR = 0.801; 95% CI = 0.672–0.955). Patients who had respiratory system disease were more likely to have DRPs than patients suffering from other diseases (OR = 0.715; 95% CI = 0.607–0.843). Patients with comorbidities were less likely to have DRPs than patients with no comorbidities (OR = 1.421; 95% CI = 1.219–1.655). Patients prescribed ≥5 drugs were more likely to have DRPs than patients who took fewer drugs (OR = 3.677; 95% CI = 2.907–4.650). Conclusion: The proportion of prescriptions in at least one DRP was quite high. Further studies should evaluate clinical significance and appropriate interventions, such as providing drug information and consulting doctors about DRPs.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/3/327drug-related problemsoutpatientspediatricprescribingVietnam
spellingShingle Thao H. Nguyen
Vy T. T. Le
Dung N. Quach
Han G. Diep
Nguyet K. Nguyen
Anh N. Lam
Suol T. Pham
Katja Taxis
Thang Nguyen
Phuong M. Nguyen
Drug-Related Problems in Prescribing for Pediatric Outpatients in Vietnam
Healthcare
drug-related problems
outpatients
pediatric
prescribing
Vietnam
title Drug-Related Problems in Prescribing for Pediatric Outpatients in Vietnam
title_full Drug-Related Problems in Prescribing for Pediatric Outpatients in Vietnam
title_fullStr Drug-Related Problems in Prescribing for Pediatric Outpatients in Vietnam
title_full_unstemmed Drug-Related Problems in Prescribing for Pediatric Outpatients in Vietnam
title_short Drug-Related Problems in Prescribing for Pediatric Outpatients in Vietnam
title_sort drug related problems in prescribing for pediatric outpatients in vietnam
topic drug-related problems
outpatients
pediatric
prescribing
Vietnam
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/3/327
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