Abstract
Introduction
Hispanic patients are more likely to have pronounced diabetes-related complications compared to patients from other ethnicities. Studies have shown that pharmacist interventions demonstrate statistically significant improvements in diabetes outcomes. However, limited data are available describing clinical pharmacist interventions in Hispanic patients with Type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacist care on diabetes management and patient outcomes in a primarily Hispanic patient population compared to primary care providers in a federally qualified health center.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study focused on underserved Hispanic patients treated from October 2019 to April 2021 who were 18 years or older and diagnosed with type two diabetes.
Results
Among the 495 patients enrolled in the study, the average drop in HbA1c was reported as 2.107%. Within the first month of comprehensive medication management services received by a clinical pharmacist, 5% reached the HbA1c of less than 8% and were discharged. By month six, 40% of patients reached HbA1c of less than 8%. A total of 45% of patients were seen by pharmacists and prescribed a GLP-1 receptor agonist compared to 12% of patients who received primary care provider only management. Similarly, 23% of patients were prescribed a SGLT-2 inhibitor by pharmacists compared to 9% of patients who received primary care provider only management.
Conclusion
Pharmacist interventions can significantly improve diabetes control with greater utilization of GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors in medically underserved primarily Hispanic patients with uncontrolled diabetes.