Pharmacotherapeutic empowerment and its effectiveness in glycemic control in patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Aims: To develop an intervention and evaluate its effectiveness in pharmacotherapeutic empowerment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Method: This is an intervention study with before and after evaluation. The intervention was conducted between 2015 and 2016 with users of the Unified Health System (SUS) in Brazil. The study was divided into six stages: initial evaluation, three individual patient-pharmacist meetings every 15 days over 6 weeks, clinical discussion between pharmacists, and final evaluation. At each meeting with the patient, specific themes for empowerment were addressed using educational booklets and pharmaceutical care. Clinical and laboratory evaluations and questionnaires on self-efficacy (IMDSES), self-care (QAD) and distress (PAID-5) were conducted before and three months after the intervention.

Results: 47 patients completed the intervention. Glycated hemoglobin of patients had a median reduced from 7.0% to 6.6% after the intervention (p = 0.02). There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) in the reduction in total cholesterol, fasting glycemia, creatinine and blood pressure. Participants showed significant improvements (p < 0.01) in scores related to self-efficacy and self-care and less distress related to T2DM.

Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that the strategy developed is effective in promoting the empowerment of T2DM patients, improved glycemic control and self-care.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus; Pharmaceutical care; Pharmacotherapeutic empowerment; Self-care.