Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Pharmacist-led educational and digital health interventions are increasingly recognised as important strategies for improving outcomes and reducing risks among patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, evidence from low- and middle-income countries remains limited.
METHODS: A pragmatic, randomized controlled trial was conducted among patients with IHD (n = 664) attending Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan. Participants aged ≥18 years were randomly allocated (1:1) to the control group (n = 336), which received standard routine care, or the intervention group (n = 332), which received pharmacist-led digital and educational interventions for six months. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests for categorical data, paired t-tests for within-group comparisons, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to assess group differences, with significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 54.8 ± 15.1 years. After six months, a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk score was observed in the intervention group compared with controls (mean difference = -0.33 ± 0.005; t = -6.42; p < 0.001). MANOVA results (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.001) confirmed significant differences between groups across outcome measures. Quality of life domains, including mobility, self-care, anxiety/depression, and pain/discomfort, improved significantly in the intervention group [F(332) = 11,706.241, p < 0.001; partial η² = 0.016].
CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist-led digital and educational interventions were effective in controlling modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and improving quality of life among patients with IHD. Future studies are warranted to confirm long-term clinical and humanistic benefits.