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. 2022 Oct 17:10:20503121221131691.
doi: 10.1177/20503121221131691. eCollection 2022.

Clinical pattern and drug-related problems among colorectal cancer patients at oncology center in Ethiopia: A hospital-based study

Belayneh Kefale  1 , Melaku Tadege Engidaw  2 , Desalegn Tesfa  2 , Taklo Simeneh Yazie  3 , Mulugeta Molla  3 , Malede Berihun Yismaw  1
Affiliations

Clinical pattern and drug-related problems among colorectal cancer patients at oncology center in Ethiopia: A hospital-based study

Belayneh Kefale et al. SAGE Open Med. .

Abstract

Objective: Despite the fact that cancer patients are highly susceptible to drug-related problems due to the effects of cytotoxic agents, data are limited due to a lack of studies on those patients. Hence, we aimed to investigate drug-related problems among patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Method: A registry-based cross-sectional study was conducted on colorectal cancer patients at the Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Socio-demographic and disease-related characteristics, treatment regimens, and drug-related problems were recorded by reviewing medical records. Standard guidelines, protocols, and databases were used to evaluate the occurrence of drug-related problems and the severity of adverse drug reactions. For the analysis, Stata version 16/MP for Windows was used. Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the potential-associated factors of drug-related problems. A p-value ⩽ 0.05 was used to declare the statistical significance of each independent variable.

Results: A total of 150 colorectal cancer patients were included, with a mean age of 51.4 ± 13.8 years. About 30% and 41.3% had stage II and stage III cancers, respectively. About three-quarters (73.8%) of the patients were given 5-fluorouracil-based combination regimens. The prevalence of drug-related problems was found to be 48.7%, with a mean of 2.12 ± 0.93 drug-related problems. In the Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, drug-drug interactions and adverse drug reactions were the most prevalent drug-related problems, which accounted for 50 (32.7%) and 49 (32%) cases, respectively. Being elderly (>50 years old) (p = 0.013), having co-morbidity (p = 0.001), and being on five or more medications (p = 0.002) were independent predictors of drug-related problems.

Conclusion: Fluorouracil-based chemotherapy was the most frequently used treatment regimen. Almost, half of the colorectal cancer patients had one or more drug-related problems. About one-third of patients had adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions. Furthermore, age, co-morbidity status, and the number of medications used were significantly associated with drug-related problems. Clinical pharmacy services should be implemented to optimize drug therapy because the majority of colorectal cancer patients have one or more drug-related problems.

Keywords: Drug-related problems; Ethiopia; Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital; colorectal cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Types of regimens used in the management of colorectal cancer at FHCSH between January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Severity of drug interactions among patients with CRC at FHCSH between January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020 (n = 50).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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