Impact of pharmacist's intervention on reducing cardiovascular risk in obese patients

Background Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death. Health education, nutritional follow-up, and life style habits modification are key for cardiovascular risk reduction in obese patients. Objective To measure the impact of pharmacist's intervention on cardiovascular risk in obese patients. Setting A Spanish community pharmacy. Method Obese patients (BMI ≥ 30) with (group A, n = 30) and without (group B, n = 14) comorbidities were selected. Variables determined in first visit on-site: anthropometric values (weight, height, waist circumference), blood pressure, glycemic (glucose, HbA1c) and lipid parameters (total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides). The PharmaFit Protocol consisted in a 24-month follow-up focusing (i) monthly on adherence to nutritional guidelines and modification of life style habits, and (ii) bi-monthly on anthropometric variables, blood pressure, and biochemical determinations. Feedback was provided to the primary care physician or specialist. Main ouitcome measure Cardiovascular risk estimated by REGICOR score. Results Anthropometric variables significantly decreased in all groups. Plasma glucose levels were significantly reduced in group A without changes in HbA1c. Lipid parameters significantly improved in group A, whereas HDL-c significantly raised in all groups. REGICOR score was significantly reduced in group A female (13.8 ± 1.6 vs. 5.8 ± 1, p < 0.0001) and male (12.7 ± 1.7 vs. 4.4. ± 0.6, p < 0.005) patients, and in group B female patients (3.5 ± 0.7 vs. 1.9 ± 0.4, p < 0.001). Conclusion Community pharmacist intervention, delivered as a 24-month follow-up and combining health and dietary education, has a highly positive impact on the reduction of cardiovascular risk in obese patients.