Study of the Implementation of a Pharmacotherapeutic Monitoring System in Polymedicated Patients in the Internal Medicine Service at the Hipolito Unanue Hospital in Tacna

Abstract

Objective: To describe the results of implementing pharmacotherapeutic follow-up in polymedicated patients at the Internal Medicine Service of the Hospital Hipólito Unanue in Tacna, detailing the frequency and severity of the drug interactions detected. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational, and prospective study based on the pharmacotherapeutic follow-up of hospitalized patients in the Internal Medicine Service (men's section), using the SOAP method. The study was conducted over a 7- month period. Descriptive statistics were used to obtain percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Results: A total of 182 patients were included, with ages ranging from 18 to 92 years (55.17 ± 21.29 years). 453 potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were identified (3.04 ± 1.32 interactions per patient); the majority were classified as moderate (83.3%; 2.52 ± 1.21), followed by severe (16.7%; 0.52 ± 0.64). A total of 268 pharmaceutical interventions were performed (1.80 ± 1.10). The acceptance rate of these interventions was 81.7%, while 18.3% were not accepted. The age group of 78–93 years presented the highest number of interactions, both severe (31; 40.26%) and moderate (112; 29.79%). Conclusions: Disease-specific conditions and
polypharmacy contribute to the severity of drug interactions by altering pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. This study defined the fundamental role of the pharmacist in the evaluation and control of such interactions; likewise, it is recommended to increase the number of pharmacists in critical areas (ICU, Surgery, Pediatrics, and Neonatology).