RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Effects of Pharmacist Intervention on Community Control of Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Zunyi, China JF Global Health: Science and Practice JO GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT FD Johns Hopkins University- Global Health. Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs SP 890 OP 904 DO 10.9745/GHSP-D-20-00505 VO 9 IS 4 A1 Ying Li A1 Guoqin Liu A1 Chaojie Liu A1 Xianhong Wang A1 Yalin Chu A1 Xiaoqin Li A1 Wenhao Yang A1 Yewei Shen A1 Fang Wu A1 Wenzhi Zhang YR 2021 UL http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/9/4/890.abstract AB Key FindingThe results from this randomized controlled trial of a pharmacist intervention, which included patient education and medication, are encouraging, showing significant short-term (at 3–6 months) improvement in blood pressure control, patient knowledge on hypertension, and medication adherence.Key ImplicationsCommunity pharmacists can contribute to better management of chronic conditions, such as hypertension, as part of an interdisciplinary team in an integrated care network to improve the continuity and coordination of patient care.The findings shed some new insight into the unique role that pharmacists can play by working in partnership with the health care providers, patients, and other community health workers.Objective:We aimed to test the effects of pharmacist intervention on the community control of hypertension through a comparative randomized controlled trial.Methods:We recruited adult hypertensive patients with comorbidity or confusion with medication (n=636) from 2 community health centers in Zunyi, China. They were randomly and equally divided into 2 groups. Both groups received the usual care and participated in the community systematic management program of hypertension. Participants in the intervention group were given interventions from pharmacists, including a monthly review of medications, patient education, and medication adjustment advice to medical doctors over 6 months. Participants' blood pressure was assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Participants' knowledge and medication adherence were measured using a questionnaire before and after the trial.Results:Compared to the control group (n=298), a significantly higher percentage of participants in the intervention group (n=290) had their blood pressure under control 3 months (46.9% vs. 38.3%, P=.034) and 6 months (60.7% vs. 40.9%, P<.001) after the interventions. Difference-in-differences analyses showed that the pharmacist intervention resulted in an increase in knowledge scores by 12.55 points (P<.001), a decrease in systolic blood pressure by 6.65 mmHg (P=.001), and a decrease in diastolic blood pressure by 7.26 mmHg (P<.001) compared to the controls after adjustment for variations in potential confounding factors. The odds of participants passing the hypertension knowledge tests in the intervention group was 4.45 times those in the control group (P<.001). Similarly, it was found that the intervention group had higher odds of not needing any medication adjustments (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.75, P<.001) and having their blood pressure under control (AOR=2.18, P=.002) compared to the control group.Conclusion:It is evident that pharmacist intervention has significant short-term effects on improving the knowledge and medication adherence of hypertensive patients, as well as timely medication adjustments from medical doctors, resulting in lowered blood pressure and an increased control rate. Further studies should explore the long-term sustainability of the effects of community pharmacist intervention.