Is there a role for the pharmacist in screening for metabolic syndrome?

Moustafa, Rana; Prabhu, Kirti S.; Stewart, Derek; Rayan, Cristin; Abdel Aziz, Hani; El Edrisi, Mohsen; Izham, Mohamed; Jochebeth, Anh; Kuttikrishnan, Shilpa; O'Connor, Ann; Young, Monica; Steinhoff, Martin; Uddin, Shahab; Tonna, Antonella

Abstract

Evidence for a pharmacist role in the screening of MetS has been shown to be effective in at risk populations. Despite migrants being an at risk group for the development of MetS, no literature has described screening of migrants by pharmacists. The aim of this research was therefore to identify the impact of the pharmacist role in screening migrants on arrival in a Middle Eastern country and following 24 months of residency in the Middle East. This was a prospective longitudinal observational study. Migrants aged 18–65 years were informed about the research by pharmacists and consented to participate. Baseline screening for MetS risk factors was conducted. Parameters included glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), blood pressure (BP) and waist circumference (WC). All migrants with identified metabolic abnormalities at this screening stage were referred to physicians by the pharmacist for further management. Migrants with normal metabolic parameters at baseline were invited to be re-screened by pharmacists. This will allow identification of an increase in any incidence of MetS, and will allow for earlier intervention and management. Of the 1379 identified migrants, 460 consented to participate; 70% were men and 82.2% (378) were Asians. Pharmacist-led screening revealed 13.9% (64) with abnormal BP, 6.7% (31) with pre-diabetes, 21.4% (91) with elevated TG, 25% (115) with low HDL–C and 47% (219) with high WC. 16% (75) were found to have MetS and were referred to the physician for follow-up. These participants were consequently identified as at risk for development of MetS at a much earlier stage. A total of 199 migrants with normal metabolic parameters will be followed-up following 24 months of residency in the Middle East. Throughout the study, migrants with metabolic abnormalities were referred by pharmacists to physicians for further management. The study indicates that pharmacist screening is effective for early identification and potential early management of MetS in this migrant population.

Citation

MOUSTAFA, R., PRABHU, K.S., STEWART, D., RAYAN, C., ABDEL AZIZ, H., EL EDRISI, M., IZHAM, M., JOCHEBETH, A., KUTTIKRISHNAN, S., O'CONNOR, A., YOUNG, M., STEINHOFF, M., UDDIN, S. and TONNA, A. 2020. Is there a role for the pharmacist in screening for metabolic syndrome? Presented at the 25th European Association of Hospital Pharmacists congress (EAHP 2020): hospital pharmacy 5.0: the future of patient care, 25-27 March 2020, Gothenburg, Sweden.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: 25th European Association of Hospital Pharmacists congress (EAHP 2020): hospital pharmacy 5.0: the future of patient care
• Conference Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
• Start Date: Mar 25, 2020
• End Date: Mar 27, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 1, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 14, 2020
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/ejhpharm-2020-eahpconf.204
• Keywords: Metabolic syndrome; Screening; Pharmacists; Middle East
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/940817
• Additional Information: Abstract published as:; MOUSTAFA, R., PRABHU, K.S., STEWART, D., RAYAN, C., ABDEL AZIZ, H., EL EDRISI, M., IZHAM, M., JOCHEBETH, A., KUTTIKRISHNAN, S., O'CONNOR, A., YOUNG, M., STEINHOFF, M., UDDIN, S. and TONNA, A. 2020. Is there a role for the pharmacist in screening for metabolic syndrome? European journal of hospital pharmacy [online], 27(Suppl 1): 25th European Association of Hospital Pharmacists congress (EAHP 2020): hospital pharmacy 5.0: the future of patient care, 25-27 March 2020, Gothenburg, Sweden, article number 4CPS-103, pages A95-A96. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/ejhpharm-2020-eahpconf.204