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A 51-year old Seattle man had no idea he was at risk for developing serious health problems until he participated in a health screening by his pharmacist.
The screening was part of the Men's Health Outcomes Study conducted by the National Community Pharmacists Association
(NCPA) and the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy.
During the screening, the pharmacist discovered the patient was at risk for developing high cholesterol, a condition that can increase one's chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
At the pharmacist's urging, the patient went to his doctor for a physical examination. During the exam, the doctor discovered the patient had a serious heart murmur in addition to high cholesterol.
"The results of the Men's Health Outcomes Study show that pharmacists can help their patients stay healthy by detecting previously undiagnosed problems and getting patients to see their doctor for treatment," said Bruce Roberts, National Community Pharmacists Association executive vice president.
NCPA's NIPCO division (National Institute for Pharmacist Care Outcomes) spearheaded the study.
Pfizer Inc. supported it with an unrestricted educational grant. The Institute for the Advancement of Community Pharmacy provided additional financial support.
Pharmacists working in 29 pharmacies around the country participated in the study. They discovered an average of three previously undiagnosed health risks in each of the 382 men assessed. The pharmacists used the Men's Health Risk Assessment Tool to interview the men and collect their medical history. Each interview took approximately 30 minutes to conduct. The assessment determines risks factors for various health problems, which are confirmed by testing.
Patients ranged in age between 25 and 74 years. Sixty-nine percent of the men had not received a physical examination ranging in time from one year up to twenty-three years. Fifty-six men could not remember their last physical exam.
Nearly two-thirds of the men sought follow-up medical attention based on the pharmacist's recommendation. Nearly one new prescription resulted for nearly every physician visit.
The following health risks were detected in decreasing order of frequency:
* high cholesterol (50 percent)
* hypertension (44 percent)
* diabetes (43 percent)
* prostate cancer (40 percent)
* low testosterone levels (34 percent)
* influenza (25 percent)
* colon cancer (24 percent)
* erectile dysfunction (17 percent)
* pneumonia (14 percent)
* enlarged prostate (13 percent)
* depression (9 percent)
Studies have found that one-third of American men have not had a checkup in the past year and nine million men haven't been to the doctor's office in five years.
Source: National Community Pharmacists Association
Aug. 14, 2003
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