Real-World Outcomes From a Pharmacy-Based Awareness and Screening Campaign for HF and CKD: Insights From the Chronic Diseases From A to Z Program
Author(s)
António Teixeira-Rodrigues, phD1, Maria Cary, MSc1, Catarina Nunes, MSc1, Joana Pinto, MSc1, JOSÉ GUERREIRO, BSc1, Rudolfo Mendes-Francisco, MSc2, Joao Couceiro, MSc2.
1Centre for Health Evaluation & Research, National Association of Pharmacies (CEFAR-IS/ANF), LISBOA, Portugal, 2Medical Department, Biopharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Barcarena, Portugal.
1Centre for Health Evaluation & Research, National Association of Pharmacies (CEFAR-IS/ANF), LISBOA, Portugal, 2Medical Department, Biopharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Barcarena, Portugal.
OBJECTIVES: To describe demographic, clinical and behavioural characteristics of individuals at risk for heart failure (HF) and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD) who participated in a pharmacy-led awareness and screening campaign, and to identify key gaps in disease monitoring and management.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 26 community pharmacies acrossPortugal as part of the “Chronic Diseases from A to Z” program. Adults aged ≥40 years with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes but no known HF and/or CKD diagnosis were eligible. Pharmacists conducted structured interviews and recorded data using electronic forms. Descriptive statistics characterized demographics, comorbidities, lifestyle behaviours, symptoms, family history and blood pressure control. Bivariate analyses explored associations between comorbidity burden and symptom presentation. Sample representativeness and non-participant comparisons were assessed.
RESULTS: A total of 150 participants (mean age: 68.6 SD9.6 years; 57.3% female) were included.Multimorbidity was highly prevalent (82%), with frequent clusters involvinghypertension, dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes. Among participants with a prior hypertension diagnosis, 81.4% had uncontrolled blood pressure. Nearly half reported symptoms potentially indicative of HF or CKD, with a moderate correlation between symptoms burden and number of comorbidities. Overweight/obesity affected 77.3% of participants; 59% did not engage in regular physical activity. Regular NSAID use (≥2x/week) was reported by 19%; overall, only 35% had undergone recent kidney-function assessment.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that Pharmacy-based screening is an effective approach to identify individuals with high cardiorenal-and metabolic risk, particularly due to the poor control of risk factors such as hypertension and obesity. The findings underscore the critical role that pharmacists can play in bridging gaps in chronic disease monitoring and risk factors management. This real-world initiative reinforces the value of integrating community pharmacists in chronic disease prevention strategies and in screening campaigns, particularly amongst the elderly and individuals with suboptimal disease control, who may benefit from closer follow-up and earlier intervention.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 26 community pharmacies acrossPortugal as part of the “Chronic Diseases from A to Z” program. Adults aged ≥40 years with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes but no known HF and/or CKD diagnosis were eligible. Pharmacists conducted structured interviews and recorded data using electronic forms. Descriptive statistics characterized demographics, comorbidities, lifestyle behaviours, symptoms, family history and blood pressure control. Bivariate analyses explored associations between comorbidity burden and symptom presentation. Sample representativeness and non-participant comparisons were assessed.
RESULTS: A total of 150 participants (mean age: 68.6 SD9.6 years; 57.3% female) were included.Multimorbidity was highly prevalent (82%), with frequent clusters involvinghypertension, dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes. Among participants with a prior hypertension diagnosis, 81.4% had uncontrolled blood pressure. Nearly half reported symptoms potentially indicative of HF or CKD, with a moderate correlation between symptoms burden and number of comorbidities. Overweight/obesity affected 77.3% of participants; 59% did not engage in regular physical activity. Regular NSAID use (≥2x/week) was reported by 19%; overall, only 35% had undergone recent kidney-function assessment.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that Pharmacy-based screening is an effective approach to identify individuals with high cardiorenal-and metabolic risk, particularly due to the poor control of risk factors such as hypertension and obesity. The findings underscore the critical role that pharmacists can play in bridging gaps in chronic disease monitoring and risk factors management. This real-world initiative reinforces the value of integrating community pharmacists in chronic disease prevention strategies and in screening campaigns, particularly amongst the elderly and individuals with suboptimal disease control, who may benefit from closer follow-up and earlier intervention.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
CO208
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Epidemiology & Public Health, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Clinical Outcomes Assessment
Disease
Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory), Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity), Urinary/Kidney Disorders