Clinical Pharmacology & Biopharmaceutics
Open Access

Abstract

The aim of this research was to measure the impact of pharmacist-led education on the quality of life (QOL) of children with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). Two studies were carried out at the pediatric rheumatology out-patient clinic of Goztepe Teaching Hospital, Istanbul. The QOL of pediatric FMF patients was measured using the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scale (n=59), and in the second study the PedsQL Rheumatology Module (n=50) was employed. Oral and written education about the disease and its treatment was provided, and after a lag period QOL was re-evaluated. Significant improvements in QOL were recorded in the domains of physical, psychosocial, and school functioning (p<0.05); and in the emotional functioning of patients who suffered from more severe attacks. These improvements were only found to be significant after a lag period of more than four weeks. Findings suggest that the medium term benefits of education on QOL may be more important than shorter term gains. Results of the study performed using the PedsQL Rheumatology Module also indicated that there are significant differences between the answers of pediatric FMF patients and their parents, particularly in the areas of daily activities, worry and communication. Only in the area of pain and hurt did the statements of parents and children correspond. In conclusion, patient-led education is shown to have an important beneficial impact on the QOL of children with FMF. However the results suggest that differences between the responses of pediatric patients and their parents should be kept in mind when QOL is being assessed. Keywords: Familial Mediterenean Fever (FMF), Pharmacist-led education, Quality of Life, Pediatric patients.

Biography

S.Beril Kadıoğlu graduated from theYeditepe University Faculty of Pharmacy with a BS degree in 2012 and started working as a research and teaching asistant in the Faculty?s Clinical Pharmacy department, where she is currently employed. She is also presently working towards a Ph.D. in pharmacology at the Marmara University School of Pharmacy. She has given an oral presentation at a national conference and has several papers in reputed journals.