May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Spain.

The aim of the May Measurement Month (MMM) is devoted to better understanding the awareness, treatment, and control rates of hypertension in Spain. Presented here are the data corresponding to 2019 campaign. In 2019, a total of 4433 patients (61.5% males) with a mean age of 54.8 years were included. Of all, 96.0% were Caucasian, and 3294 were recruited in pharmacies. The mean values of systolic blood pressure (BP) were 125.6 and of diastolic 76.7 mmHg in the whole population. The most recent previous BP measurement took place more than 1 year before in 27.6% of participants. A total of 1883 were hypertensive (systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or taking antihypertensive medication), of whom 77.2%/were aware and 71.1% were on medication. Of all, 64.9% of those on medication and 46.1% of all hypertensive participants had a BP controlled to <140/90 mmHg. These data from MMM 2019 continue to indicate the need for an improvement in the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Spain.

May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Spain.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is the single most important contributing risk factor to the global disease burden, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. In Spain, hypertension (HTN) affects around 20% of the adult population and remains the greatest attributable cause of cardiovascular mortality. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a worldwide initiative aimed at increasing awareness of HTN and to improve the lack of screening programmes worldwide. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged 18 and over was carried out in May 2018. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of HTN and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. Anthropometric data and responses to questionnaires on demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors were obtained as additional information. Screening sites mainly in community pharmacies, universities, primary care centres, HTN units, and cardiovascular departments in hospitals were set up across Spain as part of this initiative. In total, 7646 individuals (63.5% female) were screened during MMM18. After multiple imputation, 40.0% had HTN, of whom 74.4% were aware of their diagnosis and 69.6% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of individuals not receiving antihypertensive medication, 16.9% were hypertensive. Of individuals receiving antihypertensive medication, 36.4% had uncontrolled BP. MMM18 almost doubled the number of participants of MMM17 and was the largest BP screening campaign ever undertaken in Spain, showing that in the absence of systematic screening programmes for HTN, MMM can identify a great number of individuals at risk, increasing their awareness and attracting the interest of the healthcare system in Spain.

May Measurement Month 2017: an analysis of blood pressure screening in Spain-Europe.

May Measurement Month 2017 is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of high blood pressure (BP) and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programs worldwide, in which Spain participated actively. The primary objective was to raise awareness and increase control of BP in Spain. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 was set up in May 2017. Following the design of the International Society of Hypertension, data were collected from the 17 autonomous communities in which Spain is divided, mainly in community pharmacies, primary care centres and some hypertension (HT) units, and cardiovascular departments in hospitals. No additional training of volunteers was necessary. A total of 3849 individuals were screened. After multiple imputation, our data showed that 1923 (50.0%) had HT. In those not receiving antihypertensive medication, 17.5% were hypertensives, in individuals receiving antihypertensive medication, 33.9% had uncontrolled BP. May Measurement Month 2017 was the largest BP screening campaign undertaken in Spain. In total, 17.5% of people with HT did not receive medication. One-third of hypertensive participants receiving treatment did not have their BP controlled. These results confirm that an opportunistic screening can identify a significant number of subjects with and untreated and inadequately treated BP.

[Audit of Antibiotic Dispensing in Community Pharmacy (Happy Patient Project)]. / Auditoría de la dispensación de antibióticos en la farmacia comunitaria (proyecto 'Happy Patient').

Background: Dispensing and prescribing antibiotics is inappropriate in many of the countries in the European Union, including Spain, and a threat to the population's health. To tackle the growth of antimicrobial resistance, the Happy Patient project was set up under the sponsorship of the European Commission. Aim: O ascertain the characteristics of dispensing antibiotic therapy in Spanish community pharmacies.To compare the variability between different Spanish community pharmacies. Methods: The Audit Project Odense® methodology was used to find out how antibiotics were dispensed in community pharmacies. Pharmacists taking part were asked to record for five consecutive days between the months of February and April 2022 the actions performed during the dispensing of oral antibiotics for human use and for the treatment of acute infections. Results: A total population of 573 patients (59.9% female) of all age groups were interviewed. The patients were 83.6% aware of the purpose for which the antibiotic was prescribed and the most requested antibiotic was amoxicillin followed by amoxicillin with clavulanic acid.In 15% of dispensations, a triple safety check was completed: interactions, contraindications and allergies. The pharmacist rarely contacted the prescriber but when she did, the prescriber altered the prescription.In 62.3% of cases, information about the duration of treatment was provided and amoxicillin with and without clavulanic acid was the antibiotic dispensed for which most warnings about side effects were issued. In 24.6% of dispensations there was no advice given at all. In 81.7% the pharmacist agreed with the prescribed treatment. Conclusions: This audit can be a starting point to improve clinical practice and reduce antibiotic resistance. It highlights the need for safety checks in regard to the use of antimicrobials and suggests verifying dispensing to correct errors that may jeopardize the safety and effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy.

[May Measurement Month 2019: Screening Analysis In Spanish Community Pharmacies and Detection of Masked Hypertension]. / Campaña de medida de la presión arterial ('May Measurement Month') 2019: análisis del cribado en farmacias comunitarias españolas y detección de hipertensión enmascarada.

Aim: To know within the scope of the May Measurement Month (MMM) project, the blood pressure (BP) situation in the Spanish population, disseminate the importance of its periodic measurement and estimate the prevalence of masked hypertension (MH). Methods: Transversal descriptive study in Spanish community pharmacies during May 2019. Variables: Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in millimetres of mercury (mmHg), heart rate (HR) in beats per minute (bpm).Subjects with BP ≥130/85 and <149/90 were offered the possibility of home blood pressure monitor- ing (HBPM) to confirm MH. Results: A total of 3402 valid records performed by 491 pharmacists. In all 61.9% women, mean age 56.6 years. A total of 143 (4.2%) had never measured BP and 918 (27.0%) had not measured BP in the last year; 1047 were taking anti-hypertensives, of whom 45.7% had high BP.A total of 780 (22.9%) subjects had high BP values; both, 252 (7.4%). mSBP and mDBP was 125.0 mmHg and 76.5 mmHg, respectively; higher in men (P<0.001). mHR was 72.6 bpm..A direct relationship was detected between SBP and DBP and BMI (P<0.0001). mSBP and mHR were higher in smokers (P<0.0001). In diabetic patients, SBP, DBP and HR were greater.A total of 61 subjects with suspected MH agreed to undergo HBPM. A total of 25 (40.1%) resulted in BP ≥135/85 mmHg. Conclusions: Almost a quarter of subjects had BP ≥140/90 mmHg. The risk factors most closely related to high BP were overweight, diabetes and age; 40% of suspected cases of MH were confirmed by means of HBPM.

Adherence to antidiabetic treatment and impaired hypoglycemia awareness in type 2 diabetes mellitus assessed in Spanish community pharmacies: the ADHIFAC study.

INTRODUCTION: Adherence to treatment and hypoglycemia awareness are strongly linked to glycemic control and hypoglycemia risk in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Community pharmacies are suitable facilities to detect these conditions, and should be involved in the strategies to minimize the associated risks and burden. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted at community pharmacies across Spain assessed the prevalence of low adherence to antidiabetic treatments, the frequency of impaired hypoglycemia awareness, and their predictive factors. Adherence was measured with the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and electronic records of dispensed treatments. The Clarke questionnaire was used to assess impaired hypoglycemia awareness. Healthcare counseling provided in the pharmacy was collected. RESULTS: Seventy-nine pharmacists and 618 subjects with T2DM participated in the study. Mean age in the overall T2DM population was 67 years, being the majority (69%) pensioners. Adherence was high in 41% of participants, medium in 35%, and low in 24% according to the MMAS-8. Impaired hypoglycemia awareness was observed in 25% of participants. Main determinants of low adherence were the level of education, the number of treatments per patient, hypoglycemia awareness, and the type of pharmacy. Predictive factors of impaired hypoglycemia awareness were the level of education, information on diabetes-related complications, adherence levels, and the type of pharmacy. The proportion of participants who had healthcare counseling was 71% in the overall population and 100% in subjects with impaired hypoglycemia awareness and low adherence. Healthcare counseling comprised diabetes education (69%), pharmacotherapeutic assessment (20%), and physician referrals (11%). CONCLUSION: Lack of adherence to antidiabetic treatments and impaired hypoglycemia awareness are frequent and correlate in T2DM. Community pharmacies can detect these conditions and should have an active role in the design of strategies to minimize them.

X Congreso Nacional de Farmacéuticos Comunitarios: profesionales sanitarios conectados al paciente en permanente adaptación / X National Congress of Community Pharmacists: health professionals connected to the patient in permanent adaptation

Han pasado cuatro años desde el último congreso presencial de SEFAC, celebrado en Alicante, y más de dos años desde el comienzo del estado de alarma provocado por la COVID-19. Pese a todas las dificultades, y adaptándose a las circunstancias adversas, en 2020 SEFAC organizó el IX Congreso Nacional de Farmacéuticos Comunitarios por primera vez en formato virtual, algo totalmente innovador. Fue un congreso especial en el que los congresistas solo pudieron verse a través de las pantallas. Se aprendieron cosas nuevas como siempre, pero se echó de menos la presencialidad de ediciones anteriores, en las que se pudo abrazar a compañeros y compartir y aprender de las experiencias de farmacéuticos comunitarios de toda España y de otras partes del mundo. Ahora, tras un año y medio desde el congreso virtual, SEFAC y los farmacéuticos comunitarios han seguido adaptándose a las circunstancias, para dar un mejor servicio al paciente, y, aunque ha aumentado la carga asistencial por diferentes motivos, los farmacéuticos comunitarios, tal y como reza el lema del X Congreso Nacional de Farmacéuticos Comunitarios de Madrid 2022, estamos Conectados al paciente. Mostramos día a día cuál es nuestra razón de ser y somos capaces de modificar nuestra forma de trabajar (ya sea presencial o telemática) para proveer los servicios profesionales farmacéuticos asistenciales (SPFA) que necesitan nuestros pacientes para que sus tratamientos sean efectivos y seguros. (AU)

[The Community Pharmacy in the Early Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment. Warning Signs]. / La farmacia comunitaria en la detección del deterioro cognitivo leve. Signos de alerta.

Cognitive dysfunction and dementia in the elderly population constitute a significant health problem due to their magnitude and seriousness. Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at increased risk of developing some form of dementia, including Alzheimer disease. Epidemiological studies support the existence of preventable risks for cognitive impairment: vascular factors and lifestyle-related factors. The aim is to detect possible cases of cognitive impairment in people aged over 55 years in the community pharmacy area. Community pharmacists work in close contact with the population, especially chronic patients who periodically collect their medication in community pharmacies. Consequently, these health professionals can be trained to detect the most frequent warning signs and symptoms and to refer these individuals to the doctor for an early diagnosis of MCI.

Posicionamiento de la Sociedad Española de Farmacia Clínica, Familiar y Comunitaria sobre telefarmacia: teleatención farmacéutica (TAF) / Position of the Spanish Society of Clinical, Family and Community Pharmacy on telepharmacy: telepharmaceutical telecare (TAF)

Las nuevas tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC) están desarrollándose desde hace bastantes años, pero la pandemia de COVID-19 ha acelerado la transformación digital de la sociedad. En el campo de la salud han surgido nuevas actividades y de esta forma términos como telemedicina, teleasistencia o teleconsulta empiezan a ser habituales. Indudablemente suponen un avance, pero tienen el riesgo de deshumanizar el contacto de sanitarios y pacientes.En el campo de la farmacia ha surgido la telefarma cia con unas innegables connotaciones logísticas y comerciales. Desde la Sociedad Española de Farmacia Clínica, Familiar y Comunitaria se prefiere utilizar el término teleatención farmacéutica (TAF), definiéndolo como la práctica farmacéutica asistencial a distancia que utiliza las TIC para complementar la atención farmacéutica presencial que precise el paciente. La TAF incluye la prestación a distancia de algunos servicios profesionales farmacéuticos asistenciales (SPFA). La TAF debe ayudar al farmacéutico comunitario a prestar algunos SPFA, mejorando así la practica farmacéutica clínica sin caer en la deshumanización que la aplicación indiscriminada de las TIC puede producir. (AU)

Soluciones tecnológicas de las farmacias comunitarias al desabastecimiento de medicamentos: aplicación del modelo colaborativo en red y 'big data' / Technological solutions of community pharmacies to medicines shortage: Application of the collaborative network model and big data

INTRODUCCIÓN: la falta de suministro de medicamentos provoca resultados económicos, clínicos y humanísticos negativos en los pacientes, generando también carga de trabajo adicional a los agentes sanitarios. Para ayudar a los farmacéuticos comunitarios se ha diseñado Luda Farma® (LF), una plataforma electrónica de gestión y colaboración entre farmacias destinada a la mejora de la eficiencia en el control del stock, que proporciona un entorno colaborativo compartiendo información puntual sobre stock de medicamentos concretos entre ellas. OBJETIVOS: analizar el número de medicamentos en desabastecimiento, según la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS) y el Centro de Información sobre el Suministro de Medicamentos (CISMED) que se localizan para los pacientes a través de la plataforma LF. Identificar qué medicamentos, que se encuentran en desabastecimiento, se localizan a través de la plataforma. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio retrospectivo, observacional, utilizando los datos generados a través de LF durante el año 2019 (del 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre). Se utilizó LF para buscar aquellos medicamentos en desabastecimiento según CISMED y AEMPS. Se cruzaron los datos de la red con los listados de CISMED y AEMPS. El análisis estadístico se realizó con el lenguaje de programación R. RESULTADOS: participaron 389 farmacias comunitarias adheridas libre y gratuitamente a la red LF. Realizaron 7.628 encargos de medicamentos: 1.993 con problemas de suministro en AEMPS y 1.794 en CISMED. El resto de los encargos son medicamentos no declarados en falta, en ninguna base de datos y productos que no son medicamentos. Son encargos que realizan las farmacias, ya sea porque no tienen el producto demandado, no pueden ponerlo a disposición del paciente tan rápido como necesita el paciente, aunque lo encarguen, porque se les ha acabado y recurrieron a LF para buscar el producto concreto en otra farmacia para que el paciente pueda recogerlo cuando lo desee el paciente. Los medicamentos que mayor número de veces se reservaron fueron: Apocard® 100 mg 60 comp, Trankimazin Retard® 0,5 mg 30 comp y Elontril® 150 mg 30 comp. CONCLUSIONES: LF ayuda a los farmacéuticos comunitarios al dar una solución in situ a los pacientes que no encuentran los medicamentos que buscan, disminuyendo el impacto del desabastecimiento de los medicamentos

BACKGROUND: Medicine shortages cause negative economic, clinical and humanistic results for patients, also generating additional workload for healthcare stakeholders.Luda Farma (LF) is a pharmacy electronic management and collaborative platform aimed at improving efficiency in stock control, and to help pharmacists by providing them a collaborative tool that allows sharing specific information on the stock of partic­ular medications among pharmacies. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the number of medicines in short supply (according to the AEMPS and CISMED listings) that patients locate through the LF platform. To identify which medicines in short supply are located through the platform. METHOD: This retrospective, observational study, used the data generated through LF during the year 2019 (from January 1st to December 31st).LF was used to search for those medicines in short supply according to CISMED and AEMPS. Data from the network was searched at the CISMED and the AEMPS listings. Data were processed with programming language R. RESULTS: 389 pharmacies that freely and voluntarily affiliated to the LF network par­ticipated. They carried out 7,628 orders between pharmacies: 1993 of those medicines had supply problems according to the AEMPS, and 1,794 medicines had supply problems according to the CISMED listings. The drugs with the most significant number of reservations were: Apocard® 100mg 60 tablets, Trankimazin Retard® 0.5mg 30 tablets, and Elontril® 150 mg 30 tablets. CONCLUSIONS: LF helps pharmacists by providing an on­site solution to patients who cannot find the drugs they are looking for, lessening the impact of drug shortages

Protocolo del estudio 'ADHIFAC': valoración de la adherencia al tratamiento hipoglucemiante y detección de hipoglucemias en farmacias comunitarias españolas / The 'ADHIFAC' study protocol: assessment of adherence to glucose-lowering treatment and detection of hypoglycemia in Spanish community pharmacies

INTRODUCCIÓN: la falta de adherencia implica peor control de la diabetes y aumento del número de complicaciones, lo que a menudo se traduce en un mayor gasto sanitario. Las hipoglucemias, en ocasiones inadvertidas, son una de las principales consecuencias de la no adherencia y su prevención pasa por intervenciones multidisciplinares que ayuden a la mejora de la adherencia. OBJETIVOS: medir la adherencia a hipoglucemiantes, detectar y cuantificar hipoglucemias inadvertidas y recurrentes, conocer la percepción de los pacientes sobre su tratamiento y derivar al médico en casos de no adherencia e hipoglucemias no solucionadas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio observacional, transversal y multicéntrico, en farmacias comunitarias, realizado a partir de abril de 2019 con diabéticos tipo 2 en tratamiento con hipoglucemiantes que lleven ≥12 meses con la misma pauta. Para la detección de hipoglucemias, los que estén en tratamiento con sulfonilureas, glinidas y/o insulinas. Diseño de un cuestionario con datos sociodemográficos, enfermedades y tratamientos. Utilización del test MMAS-8 para detectar no adherencia y del test de Clarke para hipoglucemias. Si se detecta incumplimiento y/o hipoglucemia y no se puede solucionar por el farmacéutico se derivará al médico de familia. ANÁLISIS ESTADÍSTICO: se utilizará el programa STATA13 para Windows®. Se realizarán análisis bivariados y multivariados. La significación se fijará en p < 0,05. Aplicabilidad de los resultados: se espera conocer la falta de adherencia y los factores que la causan y la prevalencia de las hipoglucemias inadvertidas para, en otro proyecto, establecer un programa de intervención farmacéutica que se muestre eficiente para mejorar la adherencia farmacoterapéutica de los pacientes en tratamiento con hipoglucemiantes y disminuir la aparición de hipoglucemias

INTRODUCTION: Lack of adherence results in worse control of diabetes and an increased number of complications, often resulting in higher healthcare spending. Hypoglycemia, which is sometimes unrecognized, is one of the main consequences of non-adherence to treatment. It is prevented through multidisciplinary interventions which help improve adherence. OBJECTIVES: to measure adherence to hypoglycemic agents, to detect and quantify unrecognized and recurrent hypoglycemia, to learn patients' perceptions of their treatment and refer them to doctors in cases of non-adherence and unsolved hypoglycemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study in community pharmacies, conducted from April 2019 with type 2 diabetics in treatment with hypoglycemic agents for ≥12 months on the same drug regimen. To detect hypoglycemia, those treated with sulfonylureas, glinides and/or insulin. Design of a questionnaire with sociodemographic data, diseases and treatments. Use of the MMAS-8 test for non-adherence and the Clarke hypoglycemia awareness test. If non-compliance and/or hypoglycemia is detected and cannot be resolved by the pharmacist, it will be referred to the family doctor. Statistical analysis: the STATA13 program will be used for Windows®. Bivariate and multivariate analyses will be conducted. Statistical significance will be set at p < 0.05. APPLICABILITY OF THE RESULTS: we hope to gain awareness of the lack of adherence and its causal factors and the prevalence of unrecognized hypoglycemia so that, in another project, an efficient pharmaceutical intervention program can be established to improve adherence to pharmacotherapy of patients treated with hypoglycemic agents and reduce the occurrence of hypoglycemia

Análisis de la demanda de antibióticos en farmacia comunitaria con receta privada, prescripción irregular y sin receta (automedicación): perfil de las farmacias y los farmacéuticos comunitarios participantes / Analysis of the demand for antibiotics in community pharmacy with private prescription, irregular prescription and without prescription (self-medication): profile of the participating pharmacies and community pharmacists

Introducción: La resistencia a los antibióticos constituye uno de los mayores desafíos que afronta la medicina en la actualidad. Es una amenaza creciente para la salud pública que afecta a todos los países del mundo debido a que los nuevos mecanismos de resistencia se extienden a escala internacional. Objetivos: Analizar el perfil profesional y el nivel de participación de los farmacéuticos comunitarios que realizan el estudio. Describir el tipo de farmacia comunitaria, localización y nivel de participación. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, observacional, prospectivo, de corte transversal y multicéntrico realizado en farmacias comunitarias españolas durante cuatro semanas, una por cada estación. Se diseñó un cuaderno de recogida de datos que recogía las siguientes variables: tipo de farmacéutico y farmacia, variables sociodemográficas, antibiótico demandado, tipo y razón de la demanda, especialidad del médico prescriptor, tipo de tratamiento, conocimiento del proceso de uso del antibiótico, problemas relacionados con el medicamento y resultados negativos asociados a la medicación identificados, actuación e intervención del farmacéutico. Se diseñó una plataforma web http://investigacionsefac.org/antibioticos/ para la recogida de datos. Resultados: Registraron encuestas 341 farmacéuticos (57,3% titulares y 35,6% adjuntos) pertenecientes a 247 farmacias (65,6% farmacias de barrio). Conclusiones: Los farmacéuticos inscritos en este estudio son mayoritariamente adjuntos del sexo femenino y los más participativos titulares. Las comunidades autónomas (CCAA) con mayor número de farmacias participantes han sido C. Valenciana, Cataluña y Madrid y las que más han registrado han sido las farmacias de la Comunidad Valenciana. Las farmacias tipificadas como de barrio han sido mayoritarias y las que han registrado mayor número de casos (AU)

Background: Antibiotic resistance is one of the main challenges facing medicine today. It is a growing threat to public health that affects all countries in the world, since the new mechanisms of resistance spread on an international scale. Objectives: To analyse the professional profile and level of participation of the CFs conducting the study. To describe the type of pharmacy, location and level of participation. Method: A prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive, observational multicentre study to be carried out in Spanish community pharmacies during four weeks -one in each season of the year. A case report form (CRF) is designed for collection of the following variables: type of pharmacist and pharmacy, sociodemographic data, antibiotic requested, type and reason for request, specialty of the prescribing physician, type of treatment, knowledge of the process of antibiotic use, drug-related problems and negative medication outcomes identified, and pharmacist behaviour and intervention. A platform http://investigacionsefac.org/antibioticos/ is available for data compilation. Results: A total of 341 community pharmacists (57.3% owners and 35.6% responsible pharmacist) in 247 community pharmacies (65.6% local pharmacies) have registered in the study. Conclusions: The pharmacists involved in this study are mostly female, responsible pharmacist and the most participative owners. The Autonomous Regions with the largest number of participating pharmacies were Comunidad Valenciana and Cataluña, and the ones that registered the most were the pharmacies in Comunidad Valenciana. The pharmacies classified as local pharmacies have been the majority and those that have registered the highest number of cases (AU)

La farmacia comunitaria en la detección del deterioro cognitivo leve. Signos de alerta / The Community Pharmacy in the Early Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment. Warning Signs

El deterioro cognitivo y la demencia en la población anciana constituyen un problema de salud importante por su magnitud y gravedad. Los pacientes que sufren deterioro cognitivo leve tienen un riesgo mayor de desarrollar algún tipo de demencia, incluida la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Estudios epidemiológicos apoyan la existencia de factores de riesgo de deterioro cognitivo prevenibles: factores vasculares y factores relacionados con el estilo de vida. El objetivo es detectar posibles casos de deterioro cognitivo en mayores de 55 años del entorno de la farmacia comunitaria. El farmacéutico comunitario es un profesional sanitario cercano a la población, muy ligado a los enfermos crónicos que retiran periódicamente su medicación en las farmacias comunitarias. Esto hace que pueda ser utilizado, previo entrenamiento, para detectar los signos y síntomas de alarma más frecuentes y derivar al médico a estos pacientes, para que este realice un diagnóstico precoz del deterioro cognitivo leve (AU)

Cognitive dysfunction and dementia in the elderly population constitute a significant health problem due to their magnitude and seriousness. Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at increased risk of developing some form of dementia, including Alzheimer disease. Epidemiological studies support the existence of preventable risks for cognitive impairment: vascular factors and lifestyle-related factors. The aim is to detect possible cases of cognitive impairment in people aged over 55 years in the community pharmacy area. Community pharmacists work in close contact with the population, especially chronic patients who periodically collect their medication in community pharmacies. Consequently, these health professionals can be trained to detect the most frequent warning signs and symptoms and to refer these individuals to the doctor for an early diagnosis of MCI (AU)

Antibióticos: ¿enemigos o aliados? / No disponible

No disponible

Percepción de efectividad y seguridad de los fármacos de acción lenta para osteoartritis (SYSADOA) en el tratamiento de la artrosis desde la farmacia comunitaria / Perceived effectiveness and safety of symptomatic slow action drugs for osteoarthritis (SYSADOA) for treating osteoarthrosis from community pharmacy

Introducción: La osteoartrosis es un proceso degenerativo articular que genera un dolor profundo, crónico y mal localizado. Los SYSADOA son fármacos de acción lenta que previenen el deterioro del cartílago, reducen el dolor y mejoran la función articular. Objetivos: Estudiar la percepción de efectividad y seguridad de los SYSADOA como tratamiento farmacológico de la artrosis. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional transversal en ocho farmacias comunitarias de Madrid entre los meses de diciembre de 2015 y enero de 2016 mediante la realización de una encuesta estructurada. Resultados: Se realizaron 103 dispensaciones, principalmente a mujeres (70,9%) mayores de 60 a.os (47,9%). Un 31% de los encuestados seguía hábitos de vida saludables. El 52,4% de los pacientes padecía otras enfermedades: hipertensión arterial (34,0%), hipercolesterolemia (28,2%), diabetes (15,5%). El SYSADOA dispensado con mayor frecuencia fue el condroitón sulfato. Del análisis de las encuestas obtuvimos que un 53,4% de los pacientes percibía una mejoría en la movilidad, un 50,5% mejora su calidad de vida y un 49,5% su estado anémico. El 61,2% de los pacientes refería que los SYSADOA son efectivos. De los pacientes que habían tomado analgésicos en combinación con SYSADOA con anterioridad, el 2,9% apuntaba que les iba mejor con SYSADOA. La adherencia al tratamiento fue de un 73,8% en los encuestados. Se detectaron 14 PRM (13,5%) y 13 RNM (12,6%), de los cuales 2 fueron de inseguridad (1,8%). Conclusiones: Los pacientes que padecen osteoartrosis son muy adherentes a sus tratamientos y perciben los SYSADOA como fármacos efectivos y seguros, así como refieren mejoría en la movilidad articular, calidad de vida y estado anémico (AU)

Background: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint process a deep, chronic and poorly localized pain. The SYSADOA are slow-acting drugs that prevent the deterioration of cartilage, reduce pain and improve joint function. Objectives: To study the perception of effectiveness and safety of SYSADOA for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the community pharmacy. Method: Cross-sectional study in eight community pharmacies in Madrid between the months of December 2015 and January 2016 by conducting surveys. Results: A sample of 103 patients was included, where the mean age was over 60 years (47.9%) and 70.9% female. 32 interviewees (31%) mentioned healthy lifestyles. 54 patients (52.4%) suffer from other diseases: hypertension (34.0%), hypercholesterolemia (28.2%), diabetes (15.5%). The SYSADOA most frequently dispensed was chondroitin sulphate. Data analysis reveals that 53.4% of patients saw an improvement in mobility, 50.5% improved their quality of life and 49.5% improved their mood. Sixty-three patients (61.2%) reported that SYSADOA were effective. 2.9% of patients who had taken analgesics in combination with SYSADOA previously reported they were doing better with SYSADOA. Medication adherence was found in 76 (73.8%) patients. Fourteen (13.5%) Drug-Related Problems (DRPs) were found and thirteen (12.6%) Negative Outcomes Related to Medicines (NOM) were detected, two of them (1.8%) safety risk. Conclusions: Patients suffering from osteoarthritis are very adherents and SYSADOA drugs are perceived as effective and safe. They refer improvement in joint mobility, quality of life and mood (AU)