RESUMO
Objectives: To investigate the relation between serum Vitamin D (Vit-D) levels and the success rate of cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF). To examine the association between Vit-D level and successful cardioversion. This study also describes the general characteristics of patients with successful cardioversion. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with AF who were treated using electrical cardioversion at King Abdulaziz Cardiovascular Center (KACC) between 2010 and 2021 were included. The information on demographic and clinical characteristics as well as outcome variables was collected. Results: Of 100 patients who were admitted to KACC during the study period, 63% were females and 9% were diagnosed with Vit-D deficiency. Furthermore, 66% of patients had successful cardioversion. Moreover, no significant difference in Vit-D deficiency was observed between patients who had successful cardioversion and those with unsuccessful outcomes (P = 0.485). Conclusions: There is no association between serum Vit-D levels and the success rate of cardioversion in patients with AF. However, further studies are needed for more conclusive evidence.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) is an important issue in older patients who are at risk of adverse drug events. AIM: To determine the prevalence of PIM use, according to Beers criteria, among an older population (aged ≥65 years) in a large family medicine setting, and to identify the associated risks. DESIGN & SETTING: A prospective cross-sectional study of patients aged ≥65 years was conducted from June 2017 to June 2018 at the Family and Community Medicine (FCM) clinics of King Saud Medical City (KSMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHOD: This cross-sectional study included patients aged ≥65 years who were seen at new appointments or followed-up at the FCM clinics of KSMC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by extensive face-to-face interviews and from the patients' medical records. RESULTS: A total of 270 older patients aged 72.41 ±6.23 years (mean ±standard deviation [SD]) were included in the present study. The prevalence of PIMs was 60.7% (n = 164). Multivariate analyses identified three independent variables associated with PIMs: incremental age per 5 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.47, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.15 to 1.88; P = 0.002), female sex (OR 1.95, 95% CI = 1.10 to 3.42; P = 0.021), and polypharmacy (OR 8.21, 95% CI = 4.58 to 14.7; P<0.001). The most common PIMs used were 39.4% related to proton pump inhibitors (PPI), 25.2% to diuretics (other than spironolactone), 10.6% to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and 8.7% to aspirin use. CONCLUSION: This study showed high prevalence of PIMs. Increasing age, female sex, and polypharmacy were found to be significant risk factors for PIM use. The frequency of morbidities was not significantly different among patients with PIMs compared to those without PIMs, except for hypertension and osteoarthritis, which were more common in the PIMs group. The present study reinforces the importance of comprehensive medication management and reviews.