Reduced quality of life in veterans at risk for drug-related problems

Pharmacotherapy. 2001 Sep;21(9):1123-9. doi: 10.1592/phco.21.13.1123.34620.

Abstract

The relationships between drug therapy and health-related quality of life in 1054 patients who received care from Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs) were assessed. Patients at high risk for drug-related problems were enrolled into a pharmaceutical care study at nine VAMCs. On enrollment, the short form (SF)-36 was completed and medical records were examined for evidence of coexisting illness. Drug therapy in the year before enrollment was analyzed in relation to SF-36 scores. Mean +/- SD SF-36 scores ranged from 37.99+/-41.70 for role physical to 70.78+/-18.97 for mental health domains, with all domain scores significantly below age-adjusted national norms (p<0.05). Patients taking a drug that required therapeutic monitoring had significantly lower SF-36 scores (p=0.0001 to p=0.0033) across all domains except for bodily pain and mental health, compared with patients not taking these agents.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chronic Disease
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
  • Female
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Risk Factors
  • United States
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs