Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder that often coexists with hypertension, both of which can significantly impact the health outcomes of patients. Drug-related issues (DRIs) in this patient population are increasingly recognized as contributors to poor management of the diseases and adverse health events. However, systematic analyses of DRIs in T2DM patients with concurrent hypertension are limited.

Aim of the study: To explore the prevalence, types, and consequences of drug-related issues in patients with T2DM and coexisting hypertension, identifying key patterns and outcomes associated with pharmacotherapy in this cohort.

Methods: This study was a prospective observational investigation conducted over a six-month period at a multi-specialty hospital in Bengaluru. Data were collected from 100 adult patients diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Hypertension (HTN). The collected data included demographic information, clinical history, and medication records. Drug-related problems (DRPs) were identified and classified using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) and Hepler-Strand classifications.

Result: The mean age of the participants was 61.85±15.62 years, with a nearly equal gender distribution (51% males, 49% females). Monotherapy (39%) and dual therapy (34%) were the most common treatment regimens for T2DM, with insulin-only (39%) and insulin plus oral hypoglycemics (31%) being the predominant agents. Among antihypertensives, beta blockers (37%) and calcium channel blockers (31%) were most frequently prescribed. Drug-related problems (DRPs) were identified in 36% of patients, with "other" issues (39%), untreated indications (18%), and drug-drug interactions (15%) being the most prevalent. Factors such as smoking (63.33%) and alcohol consumption (67.89%) were significantly associated with a higher occurrence of DRPs, with a higher prevalence observed among females (58%) compared to males (38.64%).

Conclusion: Drug-related problems pose a significant challenge in the clinical management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, emphasizing the importance of routine medication assessments and individualized interventions to enhance treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes.