Praktické lekárnictvo 1/2023

The role of pharmacist in the management of the patient with symptoms of hemorrhoidal disease

Background: Haemorrhoidal disease (HD) decreased quality of life (QoL). Since patients also seek pharmacies for questions about HD, pharmacists are therefore one of the first healthcare professionals to address HD issues. Objectives: The aim of the study on patients with HD symptoms was to evaluate symptoms and QoL associated with HD after local application of a sucralfate-containing ointment, through pharmacists in pharmacies, as well as using telepharmacy. Methods: The study was conducted using a validated HEMO-FISS-QoL questionnaire through personal visits to patients in pharmacies or via telephone consultation with a pharmacist. Data collection took place from November 2020 to March 2021. Results: Overall, 44.4% of men and 55.6% of women (n=241) with HO symptoms participated in the study, who were fill out the questionnaire at the beginning of the study and the Day14 follow-up. Of the 241 participants enrolled in the study, 144 reported HD symptoms within the preceding 7 days before visiting the pharmacy, i.e., before being included in the study (mean age 51 years; 59.0% women). Analysis of the results for these 144 participants showed the fastest relief was achieved within 30 minutes after application of a sucralfat-containing ointment, 42.9% of patients had relief from itching, and 31.5% reporting relief from pain; within 60 minutes, 54.3% of patients had relief from pain and 56.4% from itching. Within 12 hours after using the ointment, 65.1% of patients had relief from itching and 64.5% from pain; within 24 hours, 68.3% of patients reported relief from swelling. Statistical significance was found in all monitored HD symptom; the anal symptoms (p<0.05) and QoL (p<0.05). Telepharmacy was used by 93.1% of patients at the Day 2 and by 85.2% of patients at the end of the study. Conclusion: The study evaluating HD symptoms and QoL in patients after a sucralfate-containing ointment application, conducted by pharmacists in Slovakia with the use of telepharmacy, significantly improvement in the monitored parameters of patients.

Keywords: hemorrhoidal disease, sucralfate ointment, quality of life, telepharmacy