scholarly journals The management of upper gastrointestinal symptoms: A study on community pharmacies in Italy

Pharmacia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-409
Author(s):  
Enrico Keber ◽  
Paolo Rocco ◽  
Umberto M. Musazzi ◽  
Antonio M. Morselli-Labate ◽  
Nicolina P. Floris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Medication History ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Therapeutic Class ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
History Of ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are usual complaints among patients presenting to Italian community pharmacies. However, information on treatment history of those patients is often lacking. This descriptive, cross-sectional study aims at exploring the medication history of individuals with upper GI tract symptoms visiting one of the 20 enrolled community pharmacies, over a period of 7 months, based on the administration of a questionnaire. Of 1,020 interviewees, 62.1% had asked for a medical consultation. The most frequent symptom was epigastric burning (31.8%), followed by acid regurgitation (14.6%) and post-prandial fullness (12.0%). Of the 1,609 therapies, proton pump inhibitors constituted the most represented therapeutic class (35.6%) followed by antacids (17.5%) and alginate-based products (17.2%). In treating symptoms, 38.1% of the patients do not seek medical advice, while 42.0% rely on non-prescription therapies. As findings suggest, support to patients with GI disorders in community pharmacies can be enhanced for a safer self-medication.

scholarly journals Association of Diverticulitis with Prolonged Spondyloarthritis: An Analysis of the ASAS-COMOSPA International Cohort

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Derakhshan ◽  
Nicola Goodson ◽  
Jonathan Packham ◽  
Raj Sengupta ◽  
Anna Molto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Medication History ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gastrointestinal Conditions ◽  
Axial Disease ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

This study examined the relationship between spondyloarthritis (SpA) duration and gastrointestinal comorbidities other than inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We evaluated the association between SpA duration and upper gastrointestinal ulcers, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and diverticulitis using data from a large international cross-sectional study. Binary regression models were created, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, steroids, IBD history and country. Subgroup analysis was performed by disease phenotype. The data of 3923 participants were analysed. The prevalence of gastrointestinal conditions were 10.7% upper gastrointestinal ulcers; 4.7% viral hepatitis and 1.5% diverticulitis. While SpA duration was not associated with upper gastrointestinal ulcers, HBV or HCV, longer SpA duration was significantly associated with diverticulitis (odds ratios (OR) = 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.34), reflecting an 18% increase for every five years of SpA duration. Other significant associations with diverticulitis were age and high alcohol intake but not medication history. In subgroup analyses, the association was strongest with those with axial SpA. The reasons for this association of increased diverticulitis with disease duration in SpA, especially those with axial disease, are unclear but may reflect shared underlying gut inflammation. Diverticulitis should be considered, in addition to IBD, when SpA patients present with lower gastrointestinal symptoms.

Women’s attitude toward gynecological pain in fertile age: Results from a cross-sectional study among Italian community pharmacies

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-94
Author(s):  
Corrado Giua Marassi ◽  
Assunta Pistone ◽  
Fabio Parazzini ◽  
Silvia Vannuccini ◽  
Felice Petraglia
Keyword(s):  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Pelvic Pain ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Delay ◽  
Italian Community

Introduction: Several epidemiological data on women afferent to clinics for medical treatment of pelvic pain are available, while few studies explored the general population. Thus, this study aimed to investigate women presenting with gynecological pain at the community pharmacy and to evaluate the relevance of pharmacist advice regarding medical treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 10 Italian community pharmacies, by administering a structured questionnaire to fertile age women reporting pelvic pain during the last 3 months. Questions were concerning demographic information, pain characteristics, women’s behavior toward gynecological pain, and diagnosis possibly received from a physician. Results: A group of 290 women were interviewed. Severe pain was reported in 58.3%, with a mean ± SD of 4.4 ± 6.8 days of suffering, causing absenteeism from work in 45.3% of cases. Almost half of women reported that the onset of gynecological pain was before 15 years and 72.2% had consulted a physician in the past, with a mean delay of 2.5 ± 4.3 years between the onset of pain and medical consultation. However, only 28% of the overall population received a diagnosis. 51.0% received one treatment, while 39% received two or more. The first therapy was prescribed in 40.2% cases by the physician, while in the remaining it was recommended either by the pharmacist or it was a self-medication. Conclusion: Gynecological pelvic pain is a disabling problem, regardless of the underlying cause, with significant impact on social and working life and requiring a better medical management.

scholarly journals Pattern of upper gastrointestinal diseases: an audit of 1000 cases based on endoscopic findings from a tertiary care hospital in Mysore

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 2412
Author(s):  
Shashikumar H. B. ◽  
Madhu B. S. ◽  
Motati Harshini
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Endoscopic Findings ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

Background: Fibreoptic endoscopy is a highly efficient diagnostic tool, which is now increasingly being used in the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal diseases. This study has been carried out to evaluate the distribution of various upper gastrointestinal diseases based on endoscopic findings in a tertiary care hospital in Mysore.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from endoscopic register of 1000 subjects who underwent endoscopy for various upper gastrointestinal symptoms from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2017(one year).Results: Mean age of the study population was 50.23 years (SD-15.46). Minimum age was 12 years and maximum was 88 years. About 44.7% of the study subjects belonged to 40-60 age group.61.6% of the study subjects were males. Most common indication was pain abdomen (32.1%) followed by dysphagia (22.2%). Of the 1000 study subjects 18.6% had normal findings. Most common finding was Gastritis / Duodenitis /Gastric erosions (28%). Malignant lesions were noted among 11.1%, of which esophagus and stomach are 5.4% and 4.9% respectively.Conclusions: Endoscopic diagnosis is useful for early detection of UGI diseases and helpful for their management.

Self-Medication Practices with Antibiotics and Antimalarials Among Sudanese Undergraduate University Students

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1249-1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelmoneim I Awad ◽  
Idris B Eltayeb
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Private University ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Undergraduate University Students ◽  
Study Population

Background: In many developing countries, up to 60–80% of health problems are self-medicated. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics and/or antimalarials and identify factors promoting such use among university students in Sudan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed, using a pretested questionnaire on a sample of 1300 students selected from 5 universities in Khartoum State, Sudan. Results: Eight hundred ninety-one (79.5%; 95% CI 77.0 to 81.8) students from the study population had used antibiotics or antimalarials without a prescription within 1–2 months prior to the study. Four hundred ninety (55%; 95% CI 51.7 to 58.3) of the respondents stated that they had used antibiotics, 39 (4.4%; 95% CI 3.2 to 6.0) had used antimalarials, and 362 (40.6%; 95% CI 37.4 to 43.9) had used both. Overall, self-medication with antibiotics or antimalarials was significantly more common among students 21 years of age or older compared with those 20 years of age or younger (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.09; p = 0.004) and among students attending private universities compared with those attending public universities (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.95; p = 0.028). Self-medication with antibiotics followed a simitar pattern, which was significantly more common among students 21 years of age or older (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.81; p = 0.03) and private university respondents (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.02; p = 0.003). Self-medication with antimalarials was found to be significantly less common among females (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.97; p = 0.028) and higher among the 21 years or older age group (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.42 to 2.40; p < 0.001), The most common reason indicated for self-medication was the respondents’ previous experiences with similar ailments. The main source of drugs was community pharmacies. Conclusions: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics/antimalarials among undergraduate university students in Khartoum State is high. Our findings highlight the need for planning interventions to promote the judicious use of antibiotics/antimicrobials.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Associated Factors of Self-Medication among Pregnant Women on Antenatal Care Follow-Up at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Faisel Dula Sema ◽  
Deres Gezahegn Addis ◽  
Eshetie Azezew Melese ◽  
Demeke Dana Nassa ◽  
Zemene Demelash Kifle
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Monthly Income ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Specialized Hospital ◽  
History Of

Background. Self-medication is being prevalent throughout the globe. Although pregnant women are among the most vulnerable group of the population for drug-induced adverse effects on their fetus and themselves, many pregnant women use self-medication without adequate safety precautions. Objective. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated factors of self-medication among pregnant women on antenatal care follow-up at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Methods. A cross-sectional study was employed among 400 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital between February 01 and May 30, 2019. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS® (IBM Corporation) version 22. Descriptive statistics were presented using frequency and proportion. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with self-medication with a 95% confidence level and p value of 0.05. Results. Among 400 respondents, the prevalence of self-medication during the current pregnancy was 44.8% (95% CI=40.5-50). Among all respondents (400), 38.0% (95% CI=33.3-42.8) and 12.5% (95% CI=9.5-15) used herbal and conventional medicine, respectively. Self-medication showed a significant association with a previous history of self-medication and monthly income. Conclusions. The prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women is considerably high. The previous history of self-medication and monthly income showed a significant association with self-medication. Awareness creation should be done for reproductive-age women on the potential risks of self-medication.

Relationship between Stress Perceived and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Intensive Care Nurses During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 217-230
Author(s):  
Tuğba Menekli ◽  
Runida Doğan ◽  
Erman Yıldız
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Level ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intensive Care Nurses ◽  
Gi Symptoms

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between perceived stress and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak in the intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 170 nurses working in the ICUs of a hospital in eastern Turkey. Descriptive, chi-square and multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze data. In the last three months, 48.2% of the nurses had complaints such as heartburn, 44.1% abdominal distension, 41.7% diarrhea/ constipation. The mean perceived stress level experienced by the nurses was found to be 29.30±5.73. Results from regression analysis included perceived stress score, gender, perceived health status, diet, having been infected with COVID-19 before and risk degree of the ICU in question in terms of COVID-19 revealed a statistically significant associated with scores obtained from GI symptoms. Perceived stress level, health perception status, having been infected with COVID-19 before and the high-risk status of the intensive care unit in question for COVID-19 were predictive factors for the occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms. These findings may provide a basis for creating a healthy work environment where factors contributing to work-related stress are reduced and coping strategies are developed. Keywords: gastrointestinal symptoms, intensive care, nurses, stress

Self-Medication of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Community Pharmacy Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 890-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Mehuys ◽  
Luc Van Bortel ◽  
Leen De Bolle ◽  
Inge Van Tongelen ◽  
Jean-Paul Remon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Postprandial Fullness ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Alarm Symptom ◽  
Pharmacist Counseling ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

Background Upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a common reason for self-treatment with over-the-counter (OTC) medication. However, data are scarce on the typology of GI complaints for which individuals seek self-medication and, more importantly, on the prevalence of alarm symptoms in this population. Objective To investigate: (1) the nature of GI symptoms that people intend to self-medicate, (2) prevalence of alarm symptoms, (3) adherence to referral advice given by the pharmacist, and (4) self-reported efficacy and frequency of use of OTC medication for minor complaints. Methods This descriptive study was performed in 63 community pharmacies. Participants (N = 592, aged 18–82 y) completed a questionnaire to assess symptom characteristics and previous medical consulting. Based on this information, the pharmacist referred subjects to a physician or advised self-treatment. Four weeks later, participants were presented a follow-up questionnaire evaluating their adherence to referral advice or efficacy of self-treatment. Results The most frequently reported GI symptoms were burning retrosternal discomfort (49.2%), acid regurgitation (53.2%), and bothersome postprandial fullness (51.2%). At least one alarm symptom was present in 22.4% of the individuals, with difficulty in swallowing being the most prevalent (15.4%). Although 21% of the customers were referred, only 51.7% of these contacted a physician. Almost all (95.1%) of the remaining customers who were advised self-treatment reported symptom relief with the OTC drug obtained. Conclusions Mild GI symptoms will mostly resolve with self-treatment. Yet, the value of pharmacist counseling on OTC treatment should be recognized, as community pharmacists can play an important role in distinguishing symptoms that warrant further medical examination.

scholarly journals Analysis of Benzodiazepines Utilization Other than Mental Disorder at District Sukkur Pakistan

2021 ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Nisar Khan ◽  
Sajid Ali ◽  
Zuheeb Ahmed ◽  
Marvi Metlo ◽  
Asif Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Very High ◽  
Benzodiazepine Drugs

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the prescribing ratio of benzodiazepines in the patients suffering from a disease other than a mental disorder. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at 24 different community pharmacies and medical stores of District Sukkur. Participants with age more than 18 years and using Benzodiazepines were included in this study. Average age of the Participants, who were participated, was 38 ± 20 years. From the 177 study subjects who visited the community pharmacies or medical stores for the purchase of benzodiazepines 104 were male and remaining 73 were female. From 177 patients 132 were married and remaining 45 were unmarried or widow. It was concluded that the consumption of benzodiazepine drugs is terrifyingly very high, especially as a self-medication without any prescription.

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