Impact of Pharmacist-Led Educational Intervention on Hypertension Control in Diabetic Patients: a Multi-Center Randomized Control Study

SUMMARY. Diabetes mellitus is a lifestyle modification disease that requires corporation from patients, which can be achieved by increasing patients’ education level regarding the condition. In Malaysia, pharmacists are providing these services in DMTAC clinics in hospitals. The objective was to evaluate the influ-ence of pharmacist intervention on hypertension and its control in diabetic patients at different hospitals in Malaysia. The patients were randomly selected and divided into two groups. The control group contained 200 patients who were receiving traditional treatment from hospitals. In contrast, the intervention group included those 200 patients receiving standard treatment from hospitals and a separate counselling session with pharmacists from DMTAC clinics. The study continued for one year, and four follow up visits for both groups. Paired t-test and two-way ANOVA were used for parametric data, and Chi-square was used for non-parametric data analysis by SPSS v24. At the end of the study, a more significant reduction in HbA1c level was observed in the intervention group than the control group patients (3.59% vs. 2.17%; p < 0.001). Statistically, a significant reduction was also observed in Systolic (9.29 mmHg) and Diastolic (7.58 mm Hg) blood pressure of the patients (p < 0.005). With the intervention of pharmacist, not only the HbA1c was improved but hypertension in comorbidity also improved in patients. In the end, the intervention group of patients belongs to a pharmacist from the DMTAC department shows significant improvement in outcomes of diabetes mellitus.