Diabetic patient’s drug treatment characteristics in a Basic Health Unit

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to describe the characteristics and complexity of associations in the medical treatment of diabetic patients being followed by the multidisciplinary team in the Basic Health Unit, Federal University of Amapá (UBS/UNIFAP). Materials and Methods: The study design was descriptive, cross-sectional. Its population was composed of 40 type 2 diabetic patients who met the inclusion criteria. The study period was from May 2007 to April 2008. The variables investigated were the treatment characteristics (prescribed medication and medication mentioned by the patient) and the treatment complexity (association of medication, the amount of pills the patient takes a day, the number of times these pills are used by day and the time of medication). The SPSS program was used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that 85.0% of patients reported to do the drug treatment, 82.5% to follow a diet plan and 42.5% to perform a physical activity plan. About the treatment characteristics, in relation to the drugs, we have shown that the most prevalent are those who make use of Sulfonylureas 67.7%, Biguanides 41.2% and insulin 20.6%. Conclusion: The treatment characteristics investigated showed differences between the prescribed drugs and the ones reported by the patients. In the complexity, it was found that 54.5% use combined medications. Some patients using Biguanide and Sulfonylurea reported incorrect number of tablets taken by day, as well as erroneous values in relation to the number of times per day they should take the medication.