Izrafilova Venera Anvarovna
About 30% of the population of the planet Earth suffers from allergic diseases (AD). Allergic conditions involve multiple body organs and systems and their presentation may vary. This variable presentation makes it difficult for a pharmacist to choose and offer a patient the most effective and safe medication while also explaining the patient why the offered over the counter medication (OTC medication) is the most appropriate for them. A pharmacist may greatly benefit from knowing what OTC medicines are preferred by physicians - allergists when treating certain types of allergic diseases (AD). The goal of the study: analysis of physician’s preferences when treating certain types of AD using different pharmacologic groups of OTC allergy medications and comparison of the obtained data with clinical recommendations (CR) with a goal of using the results for clinical consultations of the patients at the pharmacy. METHODS: a group expert opinion method using a questionnaire was used to collect expert opinions of 16 physicians-allergists. This questionnaire contained comparison OTC allergy medications that are used for treatment of certain AD. A Method of Main Components (MMC) model was used for creating of matrix «Effectiveness of OTC allergy medications». RESULTS: the study found that the main sources of knowledge about allergy medications for physicians-allergists are clinical recommendations and standards of treatment (56,25%), and the effectiveness serves as the most important factor when choosing between allergy medications (4.96 points out of 6). Graphically represented MMC model revealed 2 main trends concerning symptoms of AD: 1) symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic conjunctivitis (AC) and 2) skin symptoms of allergic dermatitis (Al D). MMC model allowed for interpretation of data allowing comparison of OTC allergy medications effectiveness in relieving of AD symptoms. This made possible grouping of OTC allergy medications into clusters: 1) the most effective in relieving systemic and local symptoms of AR and AC, 2) the most effective in relieving systemic and local symptoms of Al D, and 3) oral OTC allergy medications equally effective in relieving of both symptoms of AR/AC and Al D. CONCLUSION: study results allowed to reveal OTC allergy medications preferences of physicians-allergists for relieving symptoms of certain allergic conditions. A database of OTC allergy medications was created to facilitate pharmacy consulting for a responsive self-treatment of allergy with consideration of an individual patient’s symptoms. Theoretical knowledge about different groups of OTC allergy medications, their properties and characteristics, combined with new insights about their effectiveness and safety based on practical knowledge of physicians-allergists, will allow a pharmacist to provide consulting better suited to individual patient’s needs.
About 30% of the population of the planet Earth suffers from allergic diseases (AD). Allergic conditions involve multiple body organs and systems and their presentation may vary. This variable presentation makes it difficult for a pharmacist to choose and offer a patient the most effective and safe medication while also explaining the patient why the offered over the counter medication (OTC medication) is the most appropriate for them. A pharmacist may greatly benefit from knowing what OTC medicines are preferred by physicians - allergists when treating certain types of allergic diseases (AD). The goal of the study: analysis of physician’s preferences when treating certain types of AD using different pharmacologic groups of OTC allergy medications and comparison of the obtained data with clinical recommendations (CR) with a goal of using the results for clinical consultations of the patients at the pharmacy. METHODS: a group expert opinion method using a questionnaire was used to collect expert opinions of 16 physicians-allergists. This questionnaire contained comparison OTC allergy medications that are used for treatment of certain AD. A Method of Main Components (MMC) model was used for creating of matrix «Effectiveness of OTC allergy medications». RESULTS: the study found that the main sources of knowledge about allergy medications for physicians-allergists are clinical recommendations and standards of treatment (56,25%), and the effectiveness serves as the most important factor when choosing between allergy medications (4.96 points out of 6). Graphically represented MMC model revealed 2 main trends concerning symptoms of AD: 1) symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic conjunctivitis (AC) and 2) skin symptoms of allergic dermatitis (Al D). MMC model allowed for interpretation of data allowing comparison of OTC allergy medications effectiveness in relieving of AD symptoms. This made possible grouping of OTC allergy medications into clusters: 1) the most effective in relieving systemic and local symptoms of AR and AC, 2) the most effective in relieving systemic and local symptoms of Al D, and 3) oral OTC allergy medications equally effective in relieving of both symptoms of AR/AC and Al D. CONCLUSION: study results allowed to reveal OTC allergy medications preferences of physicians-allergists for relieving symptoms of certain allergic conditions. A database of OTC allergy medications was created to facilitate pharmacy consulting for a responsive self-treatment of allergy with consideration of an individual patient’s symptoms. Theoretical knowledge about different groups of OTC allergy medications, their properties and characteristics, combined with new insights about their effectiveness and safety based on practical knowledge of physicians-allergists, will allow a pharmacist to provide consulting better suited to individual patient’s needs.
