Exploring the Relationship Between Pharmaceutical Care Interventions and Clinical Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State

Heart failure is a complex cardiovascular syndrome associated with high morbidity, frequent hospitalization, and substantial medication burdens. Pharmacist-led pharmaceutical care interventions have been shown internationally to improve heart failure outcomes, but evidence specific to Nigerian tertiary hospital settings is limited. This study explored the relationship between structured pharmaceutical care interventions and clinical outcomes in heart failure patients at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. A quasi-experimental pre-post design with a concurrent control group was employed. Sixty heart failure patients were allocated to receive pharmacist-provided structured care including comprehensive medication review, drug-related problem resolution, patient education, and adherence support over a six-month period. A matched control group of 60 patients received standard care. Primary outcomes were rehospitalization rate, New York Heart Association functional class, and medication adherence. Secondary outcomes included number of drug-related problems identified and resolved. The intervention group demonstrated a 34 percent reduction in six-month rehospitalization compared to controls. New York Heart Association class improved by at least one grade in 58 percent of intervention patients versus 31 percent of controls. Pharmacists identified an average of 4.7 drug-related problems per patient, resolving 88 percent. These findings provide compelling evidence for integrating structured pharmacist-led care into heart failure management protocols at Nigerian teaching hospitals. Keywords: heart failure, pharmaceutical care, clinical outcomes, University of Ilorin, drug-related problems