Systematic Assessment of Medication-Related Readmissions in Patients with Heart Failure and Hypertension at Federal Medical Centre, Yola, North East Nigeria

Background: Medication-related readmissions in patients with cardiovascular conditions represent a preventable and costly dimension of hospital care. In the resource-constrained environment of North East Nigeria, where outpatient follow-up infrastructure is weak, the burden of such readmissions is expected to be high but poorly quantified. This study systematically assessed medication-related readmissions in heart failure and hypertension patients at Federal Medical Centre, Yola, Adamawa State. Methods: A retrospective cohort study reviewed 260 readmission records over 18 months at FMC Yola. Each readmission was assessed for medication-related causation using the Hallas algorithm. Contributing factors including non-adherence, ADRs, drug interactions, and inadequate follow-up were categorised. Multivariate analysis identified predictors of medication-related readmission. Results: Medication-related causation was identified in 42 percent of reviewed readmissions. Non-adherence was the most frequent contributing factor (49%), followed by ADRs (28%) and drug interactions (18%). Patients without a documented pharmacist contact during the index admission were 2.8 times more likely to experience a medication-related readmission. Conclusion: Medication-related readmissions in Yola cardiovascular patients are substantial and largely driven by non-adherence. Structured discharge pharmacy services and systematic post-discharge follow-up protocols are essential. Keywords: medication-related readmissions, heart failure, hypertension, Yola, discharge pharmacy