This study aimed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and identify associated factors among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attending selected hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

A hospital-based multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted among 205 patients with COPD attending the chest clinics of selected hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from June 2023 to December 2023.

A total of 205 patients with COPD who had follow-up at outpatient departments of the chest clinic of the selected hospitals were included in the study.

The main outcome of this study was HRQoL, which was assessed using the validated COPD Assessment Test-Amharic version (CAT-Am). Data analysis was performed using Stata version.17, and multivariable linear regression was employed to examine the relationship between HRQoL and independent variables. Variables with p-values

The mean score of the overall CAT-Am was 20.24±8.13. Older age (β=0.11, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.17), poor social support (β=2.49, 95% CI: 0.74 to 4.24), biomass fuel exposure (β=4.57, 95% CI:3.17 to 5.97), Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages 2, 3 and 4 (β=2.12, 95% CI: 0.23 to 4.01; β=3.38, 95% CI: 1.11 to 5.66; β=5.20, 95% CI: 2.37 to 8.05, respectively), presence of comorbidity (β=4.03, 95% CI: 2.48 to 5.59), increased number of hospitalisations in the past year (β=2.78, 95% CI: 1.68 to 3.88), increased number of prescribed medications (β=0.40, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.70), low medication adherence (β=2.79, 95% CI: 1.13 to 4.46), and moderate medication adherence (β=3.38, 95% CI: 1.65 to 5.11) were negatively associated with HRQoL.

In this study, patients with COPD had poor HRQoL, which indicates that patients need multidisciplinary interventions. Older age, poor social support, an increased number of prescribed medications, an increased number of hospitalisations in the past year, biomass fuel exposure, low and moderate medication adherence, GOLD severity stages 2, 3 and 4, and the presence of comorbidities require close follow-up to improve HRQoL. Further research should evaluate targeted strategies to address these determinants.

Geriatric patients often face issues related to polypharmacy and adverse drug events. Re-evaluating prescribed medications and considering deprescribing is critical. Medication discrepancies (MDs) during care transitions can compromise patient safety, as over 60% of medication errors occur at these points. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of MDs and their contributing factors through the medication reconciliation (MedRec) process among geriatric patients in emergency departments of comprehensive specialised hospitals in northwest Ethiopia, as well as to determine the acceptance of pharmaceutical interventions.

In this multicentre prospective observational study, the best possible medication history (BPMH) was obtained within 24 hours of emergency department admission from at least two sources. A comparison of the BPMH list with medication orders from treating physicians revealed discrepancies. Data were analysed using STATA V.17.0, using multivariable logistic regression to assess variable associations.

Adult emergency departments of comprehensive specialised hospitals in northwest Ethiopia.

Overall, 384 geriatric patients with chronic conditions and current medication use who visited the adult emergency department of the hospital from 10 January 2025 to 30 March 2025 were involved in this study.

Magnitude and types of MDs, acceptance of pharmacist interventions, and factors associated with MDs.

In total, 384 patients with chronic diseases visiting the hospital emergency department were recruited in the present study. Out of 384 patients involved in the study, 218 (56.77%) had encountered at least one MD. Omission error 190 (45.24%) was the most common type of MD, followed by wrong dose 82 (19.50%). Among 420 interventions, 80.48% of the total cases were accepted. Number of previous/home medications (≥5 medicines; adjusted OR (AOR)=3.12; 95% CI 1.190 to 8.151), older age (≥75 years; AOR=1.62; 95% CI 1.054 to 2.495), and number of comorbidities (≥3; AOR=1.65; 95% CI 1.066 to 2.546) were associated factors with MDs.

This study revealed a high prevalence of MDs in the emergency department. Polypharmacy, comorbidities and older age were factors associated with MDs. The study findings show the need for a clinical pharmacist-led MedRec implementation to enhance patient safety.

To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL), treatment satisfaction and associated factors among older adults with acute heart failure in Northwest Ethiopia.

Prospective, multicentre observational study.

Three tertiary hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia provide secondary and tertiary care services.

A total of 422 patients aged ≥60 years with a confirmed diagnosis of acute heart failure were consecutively enrolled between December 2024 and April 2025. Patients with unstable psychiatric conditions or advanced kidney disease were excluded.

HRQoL was assessed using the WHO Quality of Life – Brief Version questionnaire, and treatment satisfaction was measured using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM). Multiple linear regression identified factors associated with HRQoL and treatment satisfaction.

95% of participants reported moderate HRQoL, and 3% reported poor HRQoL. Weight loss was positively associated with HRQoL (β=1.52; 95% CI 0.04 to 3.07; p=0.021), whereas asthma was negatively associated with HRQoL (β = –3.28; 95% CI 6.94 to 0.37; p=0.001). Regarding treatment satisfaction, 65% of patients were moderately satisfied, with notable concerns regarding medication safety and overall experience. Rural residents reported lower satisfaction than urban residents (β = –0.20; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.05; p=0.007). Patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III had higher satisfaction (β=0.25; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.45; p=0.016). Effective hypertension management was linked to increased satisfaction (β=0.20; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.37; p=0.026), whereas coronary heart disease was associated with lower satisfaction (β = –0.40; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.88; p=0.012).

Among older adults with heart failure in Northwest Ethiopia, 98% reported moderate to low HRQoL. Asthma and polypharmacy negatively affected HRQoL, whereas weight loss was positively associated with HRQoL. An NYHA class III status and well-managed hypertension improved treatment satisfaction, whereas rural residency and coronary heart disease were associated with lower satisfaction. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance outcomes and QoL in this vulnerable population.