Prevalence and Management of Drug-Related Problems in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients by Severity Level: A Subanalysis of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in Community Pharmacies

BACKGROUND: Drug-related problems (DRPs) are prevalent among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, little is known about their severity and management by community pharmacists. OBJECTIVES: To (a) describe the prevalence of DRPs by severity level in CKD patients and (b) assess the effect of a training-and-communication network program in nephrology (ProFiL) on these DRPs. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of the ProFiL-program. In 6 CKD clinics, patients at CKD stage 3 or 4 and their community pharmacists were recruited and assigned to the ProFiL group or a usual care (UC) group. Using validated criteria, 2 pharmacists identified DRPs and assessed their severity at baseline and after 12 months. The mean annual change in the number of DRPs per patient by severity level was assessed using a 2-level multivariable linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 494 pharmacists and 442 patients participated. At baseline, the prevalence (mean number of DRPs per patient [SD]) of mild DRPs (e.g., requiring dosage adjustment) and moderate DRPs (e.g., drug adherence requiring a monitoring plan) were 0.55 (0.98) and 1.04 (1.51), respectively. After 12 months, an unadjusted incremental annual reduction of 0.34 moderate DRPs (95% CI = -0.66 to -0.01) was observed in the ProFiL group compared with the UC group. After adjustment, no between-group differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients followed in CKD clinics, most DRPs have a moderate severity requiring specific monitoring by pharmacists. The benefit of continuing education programs, such as ProFiL, to reduce moderate DRPs remains to be determined.