Assessment of Adherence to Cardiovascular Medicines in Saudi Population: An Observational Study in Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Drug adherence has been extensively evaluated in many developed countries in the West using different methods of medication adherence measurement; however, there are relatively few reports studying the adherence levels among Saudi patients. Thus, this study will evaluate the adherence to cardiovascular medicines in Saudi patients visiting (PSCC) in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study relied on self-administered questionnaires. This study used the Morisky, Green, and Levine (MGL) Adherence Scale, also known as the MAQ (Medication Adherence Questionnaire), in PSCC's pharmacy waiting room in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: This study included 993 PSCC pharmacy waiting room patients. The patients were between 11 and 50 years old, and 52.7 percent were male. Most participants (71.2%) were above 50, while 16.3% were 41-50. Non-adherent patients cited traveling or being busy (28.6%), forgetting (18.7%), daily multi-medications (7.1%), being sleepy or sleeping (6.6%), and not repeating the prescription (6.6%). The Medicine Adherence Questionnaire indicated that 62.6 percent of patients fully adhered to their medications, and 21.6 percent usually adhered. Only drug adverse effects affected adherence (p =0.0001). CONCLUSION: The current study showed that there is a good level of adherence among patients with cardiovascular diseases toward their diseases. The most common reasons for neglecting medications include traveling or being busy, forgetting multiple medications, and being tired or sleeping. Having experience with side effects was the only significant factor affecting adherence to medications.

Comparison between the ECG Outcomes of Metoprolol and Bisoprolol.

BACKGROUND: Beta-blockers are essential agents in the management of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure, acute myocardial infarction (MI), and cardiac arrhythmias. However, there are diurnal variations in the cardioprotective effects of the subgroups as a result of their different pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacogenetic profiles. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare metoprolol and bisoprolol in terms of electrocardiogram (ECG) outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Prince Sultan Cardiac Center. The trial included 404 patients who met the inclusion criteria (204 in the metoprolol arm and 200 in the bisoprolol arm). Using case record forms that had already been created, information, such as patient demographics, medical histories, and treatment histories, was taken from their medical files. The most recent ECG records were also gathered. The ethical approval for this study was obtained from Qassim ethical committee (approval number: 45-44-902). RESULTS: There was no significant difference found between the patients in both arms in terms of baseline characteristics, age, or sex. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we have compared the effects of metoprolol and bisoprolol beta blockers on ECG changes. The findings have indicated no difference between metoprolol and bisoprolol groups in terms of all ECG readings, particularly PR/ms, QTC-ms, and ventricular rate. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

Comparison of the Effects of Metoprolol and Bisoprolol on Lipid and Glucose Profiles in Cardiovascular Patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardioselective beta-blockers may affect glucose or lipid profiles. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the effects of two beta-blockers, metoprolol and bisoprolol, as the most commonly used drugs in cardiology, on glucose and lipid profiles in patients with cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional matched study at Prince Sultan Cardiac Center in Burydah in August 2017. Patient records were screened, and adult patients with cardiovascular disorders who were treated with a stable dose of metoprolol or bisoprolol were included. Parameters related to glucose and lipid metabolism were compared using the Student's t-test between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The metoprolol and bisoprolol arms included 204 and 200 patients, respectively.

CYP2B6 and OPRM1 Receptor Polymorphisms at Methadone Clinics And Novel OPRM1 Haplotypes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Methadone is accepted as an alternative therapy in opioid use disorders worldwide. Methadone responsiveness, however, is affected by a range of CYP450 enzymes and OPRM1 polymorphisms. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to detect CYP2B6 and OPRM1 variants and their genotypes, as major contributors to inter-variability in methadone responsiveness and methadone dose requirements. METHODS: We carried out a prospective experimental one-phase pharmacogenetic study in four addiction clinics in Malaysia. Patients on stable methadone maintenance therapy were recruited. The prevalence of the CYP2B6 and OPRM1 polymorphisms was determined using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by genotyping. A two-step multiplex PCR method was developed to simultaneously detect the 26 SNPs in these two genes. RESULTS: 120 males were recruited for this study. The patients were between 21and 59 years old, although the majority of the patients were in their 30s. C64T and G15631T in CYP2B6and G31A, G691C, and A118G in OPRM1 were found to be polymorphic, and the allelic frequencies of each were calculated. We further detected eight new haplotypes. CONCLUSION: C64T and G15631T in CYP2B6and G31A, G691C, and A118G in OPRM1were found to be polymorphic. The new haplotypes may give a new insight on methadone clinics.