Extent of Polypharmacy and Drug Burden among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Katsina State, North West Nigeria

Background: Polypharmacy, typically defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications, is common in type 2 diabetes management due to the need to treat glycaemia, cardiovascular risk, and comorbidities simultaneously. High drug burden increases the risk of adverse events and non-adherence. This study assessed the extent of polypharmacy and drug burden among type 2 diabetic patients in Katsina State. Methods: A cross-sectional study reviewed the medication lists of 240 type 2 diabetic patients attending the diabetic clinic at Federal Medical Centre, Katsina. Drug burden was quantified using the Drug Burden Index (DBI), and medication-related problems were identified using the PCNE classification. Results: Polypharmacy was present in 61 percent of patients, with an average of 5.8 drugs per patient. Antihypertensives (72%), lipid-lowering agents (53%), and antidiabetics (100%) were most common. High DBI scores were positively correlated with older age (p less than 0.01) and number of comorbidities (p less than 0.05). Drug-related problems were identified in 68 percent of polypharmacy cases. Conclusion: Polypharmacy is highly prevalent in type 2 diabetic patients in Katsina and contributes to significant drug burden. Pharmacist-led medication reviews should be routinely incorporated into diabetic care. Keywords: polypharmacy, type 2 diabetes, drug burden, Katsina, medication review