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Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics ›› 2026, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (4): 474-485.doi: 10.12092/j.issn.1009-2501.2026.04.006

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Drug-related problems and its associated factors among outpatients with COPD: A cross sectional retrospective study

Jiaxian ZHANG1,2(), Jian XIAO2, Hangxing HUANG2,3, Mengyao LI1,2, Ting YU1,2, Huimin YU2, Jingyang LI2, Lei NING2, Ying WANG1,*()   

  1. 1. College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Dali 671000, Yunnan, China
    2. Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China
    3. Medical College of Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, Hubei, China
  • Received:2025-04-18 Revised:2025-05-12 Online:2026-04-26 Published:2026-04-30
  • Contact: Ying WANG E-mail:zhangjiaxian2023@163.com;wangying811128@163.com

Abstract:

AIM: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a globally prevalent condition, including a substantial patient population in China. However, data on drug-related problems (DRPs) among Chinese COPD outpatients remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the types, causes, associated factors, and potential triggers of DRPs in COPD outpatients at a large general hospital in southern China. METHODS: With ethics committee approval, 461 COPD patients prescribed at least one medication were enrolled in this retrospective study from September 2020 to November 2021. DRPs were identified and classified using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) DRP classification system (V9.10). Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and logistic regression were employed to explore potential risk factors for DRPs. RESULTS: A total of 239 DRPs with 567 underlying causes were identified. The most frequent DRP was "treatment effectiveness: insufficient effect" (91.2%, 218/239). The leading causes were "no or inappropriate outcome monitoring" (31.0%, 176/567) and "patient-related factors" (27.5%, 156/567). Risk factors for DRPs included older age, current smoking, comorbid bronchiectasis or silicosis, use of quinolone or lincosamide antibiotics, LABA+LAMA inhaler combinations, and a history of acute exacerbations. CONCLUSION: DRPs are common among Chinese COPD outpatients, primarily linked to suboptimal treatment effectiveness. Clinical pharmacists could play a crucial role in addressing these issues and implementing interventions in the future.

Key words: drug-related problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, outpatients, risk factors

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