Lithium dosing equations: are they accurate?

BACKGROUND: Several equations are used to predict lithium doses necessary to attain therapeutic serum concentrations. A number of studies have evaluated these equations; however, few equations were compared simultaneously. OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy and precision of published dosing equations in predicting daily lithium doses and to evaluate if pertinent laboratory tests were performed prior to initiation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients who received lithium at the Medical University of South Carolina Institute of Psychiatry between July 2010 and July 2012. Using dosing equations, expected lithium doses were calculated based on corresponding serum concentrations identified in patient charts. Expected doses were then compared with actual lithium doses. The primary end point was to assess the accuracy and precision of dosing equations using mean differences in daily lithium doses and standard deviations. Secondary end points included presence of pertinent laboratory tests and use of concomitant interacting drugs . RESULTS: Of 155 patients identified, 59 were eligible for analysis. Equations developed by Abou-Auda et al and Pepin et al did not predict doses that were significantly different from actual doses. Conversely, equations by Jermain et al, Terao et al, and Zetinet al did predict statistically different doses. CONCLUSIONS: Abou-Auda et al developed a predictive lithium dosing equation that was more accurate than equations developed by Jermain et al, Terao et al, and Zetin et al and more precise than the Pepin et al equation. Further study evaluating the influence of equations on clinical outcomes is warranted.

"Put me in Coach!" Engaging Faculty to Form a Winning Assessment Team.

This commentary uses the metaphor of an athletic team model to provide guidance when managing a successful assessment committee and assessment processes. To become a winning team, a joint effort must be exerted by players, coaches, and the athletic director. The topics of developing a team of productive members, creating, and implementing an assessment plan, forming a positive culture, and establishing leadership are discussed. Examples and advice are provided to assist with promoting an engaged faculty to form a well-rounded and productive assessment committee with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

Impact of a co-curricular, e-learning activity on pharmacy student knowledge of laboratory values.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pharmacists are increasingly taking on roles that require interpretation of laboratory values. We sought to assess the impact of a co-curricular, e-learning activity on pharmacy student knowledge of laboratory values. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: We implemented a co-curricular, e-learning activity during the 2015-2016 academic year at the South Carolina College of Pharmacy. While students in all professional years could participate, the activity was required for those in their third professional year (P3). The activity consisted of a two-hour recorded lesson and accompanying handout. We administered a pre-assessment consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions, followed by a post-assessment comprised of 20 questions, including the 10 questions from the pre-assessment. Mean scores on these 10 questions were compared before and after the activity. FINDINGS: Two hundred and thirty-five students completed the activity. Mean pre-assessment scores numerically increased as year of study increased; ranging from 65.0% to 93.4%. Compared to mean pre-assessment scores for all students, mean post-assessment scores were higher (82.2% vs. 94.3%, p < 0.001). When pre- and post-assessment scores were evaluated by year of study, significant improvements in post-assessment scores were observed for all groups (p ≤ 0.009). SUMMARY: Following the completion of a co-curricular, e-learning activity designed to provide instruction on laboratory values for pharmacy students, increases in mean post-assessment scores were observed. Applicability of our results is reduced for students outside of the P3 year.

Review of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation in patients with schizophrenia.

Smoking cessation is a chronic issue surrounding individuals with schizophrenia. It is estimated that up to 90% of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia smoke cigarettes. The purpose of this article is to provide a nonsystematic review of the efficacy of smoking cessation interventions as well as to explore the potential neuropsychiatric adverse effects of these agents in patients with schizophrenia. Eighteen studies were found and included in the review. Overall, nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and varenicline have all proven their effectiveness at either promoting smoking abstinence or a significant reduction in cigarette use.

Point/Counterpoint: Are Outstanding Leaders Born or Made?

The question of whether outstanding leaders are born or made has been debated for years. There are numerous examples of historical figures that came naturally to leadership, while others developed their leadership skills through tenacity and experience. To understand leadership, both nature (the genetic component) and nurture (the environmental influences) must be considered. This article represents the work of two Academic Leadership Fellows Program groups who debated each position at the 2016 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Interim Meeting in Tampa, Fla., in February 2016.

Bipolar depression: Managing patients with second generation antipsychotics.

Bipolar affective disorder is a debilitating illness that manifests as cyclical episodes of mood elevation and depression, but the treatment of the depressive episodes (i.e., bipolar depression) differs considerably from the treatment of major depressive disorder. In bipolar affective disorder, it is well known that patients spend a significantly greater amount of time in depressive episodes than manic or hypomanic episodes, yet there are currently just three Food and Drug Administration-approved agents for the treatment of bipolar depression: (1) olanzapine/fluoxetine combination (2) quetiapine, both immediate- and extended-release, and (3) lurasidone. The literature review presented here focuses on the clinical trials that led to the Food and Drug Administration-approval of these second generation antipsychotics in the treatment of bipolar depression. The discussion highlights key considerations regarding overall treatment strategies to aid clinicians in the selection of pharmacologic agents. Recommended monitoring parameters, potential adverse effects, and pertinent counseling points for second generation antipsychotics used in bipolar depression are included.

Recognizing depression in late life.

Depression presents differently in older adults than in younger adults and frequently occurs with many chronic illnesses in later life, though it is not a normal part of aging. The astute practitioner will screen for depression in this population and appropriately treat to improve chronic illness management and quality of life in older adults.

Adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines for bipolar depression in an inpatient setting.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients with a discharge diagnosis of bipolar depression were prescribed medications that are in accordance with evidence-based treatment guidelines and are FDA-approved for bipolar depression. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to assess prescribing of evidence-based therapies for patients discharged between November 2007 and August 2010 with a diagnosis code of BPD at the time of discharge. The primary objective of the study was to determine if evidence-based medications were prescribed at the time of discharge. Secondary objectives included analysis of other medications used, concomitant disease states and drug therapy, rate of readmission, and rate of therapeutic drug monitoring. RESULTS: Of 294 patients, 170 (58%) were prescribed evidence-based medications upon discharge. The most commonly used medication was quetiapine. The most commonly prescribed off-label medications were atypical antipsychotics. For patients on antipsychotics, rates of appropriate monitoring were variable. Seventy percent of patients receiving lithium had a therapeutic concentration prior to discharge. Differences in rates of readmission between groups were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of prescribing evidence-based medications at discharge for patients with BPD were low. Additionally, evidence-based monitoring for specific medications was variable. Future studies reviewing treatment course and illness severity may provide more information about appropriate medication use in patients with BPD.

Evaluation of urinalyses ordered for diagnosis of urinary tract infections at an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective study was conducted to assess the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) using urinalyses (UA)s at a psychiatric hospital. METHOD: Patients admitted between July 2010 and June 2011 receiving at least one UA during inpatient psychiatric hospitalization were included. Pregnant patients and those with a UA receiving antibiotic treatment in the emergency department were excluded. The primary objective of the study was to characterize and assess the appropriateness of UAs ordered for the diagnosis of UTIs. Secondary objectives included analyzing frequency of cultures obtained, appropriateness of empiric antibiotics, and de-escalation of therapy if warranted. RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent (n = 891/2292) of patients admitted received a UA at least once during their hospitalization. Of 203 patients further evaluated, 78% were asymptomatic, 11% were older than 65 years of age with altered mental status (AMS) or dementia, and 11% had typical UTI symptoms. Thirty-one patients were given antibiotics for a UTI during their stay, with a majority of those being asymptomatic (n = 19/31). CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of UAs ordered at a psychiatric hospital were inappropriate. When patients were treated, empiric antibiotic selection and length of treatment were appropriate in most instances.

Amantadine for executive dysfunction syndrome in patients with dementia.

This article reports the results of an open uncontrolled chart review study of amantadine treatment for executive dysfunction syndrome in patients with dementia. All patients admitted to the neuropsychiatry or geriatric psychiatry inpatient units of Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2000 and 2001 who were treated empirically with amantadine for executive dysfunction syndrome were included in the review. Of the 30 patients whose cases were reviewed, 17 (57%) were at least "much improved," and most patients were discharged taking amantadine, suggesting that their physicians believed that they may have benefited from it. The medication was well tolerated in this frail group of patients. Most patients were taking one or more concurrent psychotropic medications, which may have contributed to the positive outcomes. Despite its limitations, this study offers preliminary data to support a controlled trial of amantadine in patients with executive dysfunction syndrome.