QTc-prolonging drugs: Every day clinical practice in Saudi Arabia
Mohamed A A Moustafa
King Abdulaziz University, KSA
: J Pharm Drug Deliv
Abstract
Different classes of widely used drugs tend to induce QTc-prolongation and associated arrhythmias with high risk of sudden death. The aim of the present study is to describe the routine every-day clinical practice of QTc-prolonging drugs in Saudi Arabia. Quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was developed. A valid questionnaire was distributed to healthcare professionals recruited from healthcare institutions. The questionnaire included baseline demographics section, most frequently used drugs section and a third section covering five outcomes (i) ECG monitoring before prescription of QTc-prolonging drugs, (ii) effect of QTcprolongation on drug choice decisions, (iii) role of the institution, (iv) counseling provided to patients, and (v) estimation of QTcprolongation as an increasing public health problem. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with better clinical practice. In total, 298 healthcare professionals completed the questionnaire. Drug choice decisions as avoiding co-administration of two drugs affecting QTc-interval and disregarding drug of choice if it causes QTc-prolongation were the most addressed outcomes by healthcare professionals with (mean±SD) 3.28±1.33 and 2.96±1.38, respectively, while, counseling patients by providing a list of symptoms that are associated with QTc-prolongation was the least addressed outcome (2.39±1.36). Older healthcare professionals and those who were working in private institutions were more likely to provide better clinical practice (odds ratios [95%CIs] 1.64[1.40, 1.92] for age 31-40 years, 31.97 [1.64, 2.37] for age >40 years, and 2.65[2.26, 3.12] for private institutions). Special recommendations should be raised to healthcare professionals dealing with these drugs.
Biography
Email: maastafa0828@gmail.com
