Effect of Previous Anticoagulant Treatment on Risk of COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the role played by anticoagulants in COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of previous anticoagulant treatment on risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19, progression to severe COVID-19 and susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. METHODS: We conducted a multiple population-based case-control study in northwest Spain, in 2020, to assess (1) risk of hospitalization: cases were all patients admitted due to COVID-19 with PCR confirmation, and controls were a random matched sample of subjects without a positive PCR; (2) progression: cases were hospitalized COVID-19 subjects, and controls were all non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients; and (3) susceptibility: cases were patients with a positive PCR (hospitalized and non-hospitalized), and the controls were the same as for the hospitalization model. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using a generalized linear mixed model. RESULTS: The consumption of antivitamin K and direct-acting anticoagulants apparently was not associated with the risk of progression to severe COVID-19 (OR 0.93 [95% CI 0.74-1.17] and OR 1.04 [95% CI 0.79-1.36], respectively). Antivitamin K anticoagulants were associated with a significantly lower risk of hospitalization (OR 0.77 [95% CI 0.64-0.93]), which, in part, can be explained by a decreased risk of susceptibility to infection (OR 0.83 [95% CI 0.74-0.92]). The use of direct-acting anticoagulants was not associated with the risk of hospitalization, although it also seems to decrease susceptibility (OR 0.85 [95% CI 0.74-0.98]). It has also been observed that low-molecular-weight heparins were associated with an increased risk of progression to severe COVID-19 (OR 1.25 [95% CI 1.01-1.55]). CONCLUSION: The results of this study have shown that antivitamin K anticoagulants and direct-acting anticoagulants do not increase the risk of progression to more severe stages. Antivitamin K consumption was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization and susceptibility to infection.

TELEA-Farmacia: Pharmaceutical care by Telepharmacy to oncology patients from a hospital pharmacy service.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation of a pilot Telepharmacy project (TELEA-Farmacia) in adult patients with cancer, analyze the results obtained, and identify opportunities for improvement, from a hospital  pharmacy service. METHOD: Between October and December 2021, oncology patients, collecting  their oral antineoplastic drugs at the Unit of Oncology Pharmacy of the hospital pharmacy service were stratified using the MAPEX model. Oncology patients  candidates for inclusion in the TELEA-Farmacia project included "medium-high  priority" hospital pharmacy patients, along with oncology patients who,  according to pharmacist's opinion, could benefit from Telepharmacy. On a  weekly basis, oncology patients recorded on the TELEA platform their biological  measurements and completed the questionnaires on medication  adherence and pain. Questionnaires on quality of life were completed on a  monthly basis. To score health indicators, oncology patients accessed TELEA  through the SERGAS-MOBIL app or a web browser. Follow-up of health  indicators was performed by the Unit of Oncology Pharmacy of the hospital  pharmacy service. RESULTS: The study sample included 29 oncology patients (48% were male)  with a mean age of 59 years (44-75). According to the stratification model,  31% were low-priority patients, 62% had medium-priority, and 7%  had high  priority. The digital gap in patients with advanced ages was the main obstacle  to inclusion. Reports were monitored daily, and a total of 364 responses were  received. In the presence of alarming reports and/or out-of-range values,  active monitoring and/or telephonic follow-up were initiated. Pharmaceutical  care was adapted to the health problem detected according to individual  patient needs. CONCLUSIONS: The Telemedicine pilot project TELEA-Farmacia made it possible  to test TELEA in patients with cancer in a real-life context. TELEA facilitated  continuous follow-up, early detection of drug-related problems, and the  identification of new needs and improvement points. To such purpose, clinical  oncology pharmacists combined face-to-face consults with patient stratification  and remote follow-up. This study demonstrated that new  stratification models are necessary in hospital pharmacy services to identify  patients with technology skills who can benefit from using Telemedicine tools  as TELEA.

OBJETIVO: Describir la implantación de un proyecto piloto de Telefarmacia (TELEA-Farmacia) en el paciente oncológico adulto y analizar los resultados recabados, así como identificar las oportunidades de mejora, desde un servicio de farmacia hospitalario.Método: Entre octubre y diciembre de 2021, los pacientes oncológicos a  tratamiento con antineoplásicos orales citados en la consulta de farmacia oncológica del servicio de farmacia de hospital fueron estratificados a  través del modelo MAPEX. Se consideraron susceptibles de inclusión en TELEA- Farmacia a quienes requerían atención farmacéutica con "prioridad media-alta" y a aquellos que, según criterio farmacéutico, pudieran beneficiarse de la herramienta. A través del aplicativo TELEA se programaron semanalmente biomedidas y cuestionarios de adherencia y evaluación del  dolor, y mensualmente un cuestionario de calidad de vida. Accediendo a TELEA  mediante la aplicación móvil SERGAS-MÓBIL o un navegador web, los  pacientes oncológicos respondieron a los indicadores de salud programados, de cuyo seguimiento fue responsable la Unidad de Farmacia Oncológica del  servicio de farmacia de hospital. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 29 pacientes oncológicos (48% hombres), con una  media de 59 años (44-75). Un 31% fueron de prioridad baja, 62% media y 7%  alta según el modelo de estratificación, siendo la brecha digital existente  en edades avanzadas el principal impedimento para la inclusión. Se realizó un  seguimiento diario de las notificaciones, recibiéndose un total de 364  respuestas. A partir de las consideradas alarmantes y de los valores fuera de  rango, se procedió al seguimiento activo y/o contacto telefónico,  proporcionando atención farmacéutica adaptada al problema de salud  detectado en función de las necesidades. CONCLUSIONES: El proyecto piloto de Telemedicina TELEA-Farmacia permitió testar la herramienta en pacientes oncológicos en vida real, facilitando el seguimiento continuado, la detección temprana de problemas  relacionados con medicamentos y la identificación de nuevas necesidades y  puntos de mejora para su implantación definitiva en la actividad asistencial.  Para ello, fue necesario compaginar la actividad presencial en consulta con el tiempo requerido para la estratificación y seguimiento telemático. Además, ha evidenciado la necesidad de disponer de nuevos modelos de  estratificación en un servicio de farmacia de hospital para la atención  farmacéutica que contemplen el manejo de las tecnologías por parte de los  pacientes, para identificar así a quienes más se puedan beneficiar de la  herramienta de Telemedicina TELEA.