Antiemetic prophylaxis regimens in haematologic malignancies patients undergoing a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Which is the best standard of care? A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antiemetic prophylaxis in haematological patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy as part of their hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) conditioning regimens. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search in PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane database to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews of antiemetic prophylaxis. Studies in English, French, Italian or Spanish were included. This review is registered with PROSPERO, ID CRD42023406380. RESULTS: Eight RCTs were analysed. The antiemetic regimens evaluated ranged from monotherapy with 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 3 antagonists (5-HT3RAs) to complex combinations including olanzapine, neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists, 5-HT3RAs and corticosteroids. Complete response rates for triplet or quadruple regimens varied between 23.5% and 81.9%. Although no significant adverse effects were observed, minor symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation, sedation and headaches were reported. CONCLUSION: Existing evidence on HSCT antiemetic therapy highlights its benefits but fails to provide clear clinical directions. The choice between triplet and quadruplet therapies for different patient scenarios is still uncertain. Until more detailed research is available, healthcare providers must rely on the latest guidelines and their judgement to customise antiemetic care for each patient's specific needs and risks.

Medication adherence and persistence in heart failure: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To study medication adherence and persistence among heart failure patients, assess the methods utilised for estimating medication adherence, and identify optimal adherence thresholds and their impact on clinical outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search will be conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Observational studies assessing medication adherence or persistence among heart failure patients via electronic healthcare databases will be included. A narrative synthesis will describe medication adherence and persistence reported and methods used to measure it. A meta-analysis will be attempted to evaluate the impact of secondary medication adherence (multiple and by drug class) on clinical outcomes, including hospitalisation, emergency visits, and mortality. The I2 statistic will be employed to study heterogeneity and the GRADE framework to evaluate evidence certainty. This protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines and is registered with the Prospective Register of Ongoing Systematic Reviews CRD42024509542. DISCUSSION: This study aims to evaluate medication adherence and persistence in heart failure management through electronic health databases, intending to explore widely used measurement methods and their limitations, and to identify adherence thresholds associated with improved clinical outcomes. By examining these aspects, we anticipate proposing enhancements for future research and establishing desired adherence goals. This approach highlights the expected significance of our findings in advancing patient care and research methodologies.

Reducing the drug burden of sedative and anticholinergic medications in older adults: a scoping review of explicit decision criteria.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the extent, characteristics, and knowledge gaps regarding explicit decision criteria for deprescribing drugs with anticholinergic or sedative properties (Ach/Sed) in older adults. DESIGN: Scoping review. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Original studies, clinical trial protocols, grey literature, and Summaries of Product Characteristics. METHODS: Searches targeting explicit decision criteria for deprescribing Ach/Sed were performed across MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science, including trial registries (clinicaltrials.gov, ICTRP, EU-CTR, ANZCTR) for pertinent articles, study protocols. Additionally, to encompass non-traditional or 'grey literature' sources, Google searches and relevant agency websites were explored, alongside the summary of product characteristics for Ach/Sed. RESULTS: The initial literature search identified 8,192 unique data sources. After review, 188 original articles or books, 79 internet sources, and 127 SmPCs were included. Examining these sources for explicit criteria for 154 Ach/Sed, overall, 1,271 explicit criteria guidance for identifying clinical scenarios warranting deprescription of Ach/Sed across 145/154 Ach/Sed were identified. These criteria were identified mainly from qualitative research and Summaries of Product Characteristics. Additionally, 455 criteria-based recommendations suggesting approaches for tapering implementation across 76/154 Ach/Sed were identified, mostly from sources classified as expert opinions. Significant heterogeneity was found across the approaches for tapering Ach/Sed. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review provides a comprehensive overview of the literature providing guidance for clinical scenarios where Ach/Sed should be deprescribed and highlights the existing knowledge gaps regarding comprehensive guidance on tapering these drugs which warranties future research and development.

Therapeutic management, adherence, and clinical outcomes of heart failure in Andalucía. ANDALIC Protocol. / Manejo terapéutico, adherencia y resultados clínicos de la insuficiencia cardiaca en Andalucía. Protocolo ANDALIC.

Heart failure is a prevalent syndrome with high mortality rates, representing a significant economic burden in terms of healthcare. The lack of systematic information about the treatment and adherence of patients with heart failure limits the understanding of these aspects and potentially the improvement of clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics, therapeutic management, adherence, persistence and clinical results, as well as the association between these variables, in a cohort of patients with heart failure in Andalusia. DESIGN: This study will be an observational, population-based, retrospective cohort study. Data of patients discharged from an Andalusian hospital with a diagnosis of heart failure between 2014 and 2023 will be extracted from the Andalusian population health database. ANALYSIS: The statistical analysis will incorporate the following strategies: 1) Descriptive analysis of the characteristics of the population cohort, adherence measures, and clinical outcomes. 2) Bivariate analyses to study the association of covariates with adherence, persistence and clinical results. 3) Multivariate logistic regression and Cox regression analysis including relevant covariates. 4) To evaluate changes over time, multivariate Poisson regression models will be used. By conducting this comprehensive study, we aim to gain valuable insights into the clinical characteristics, treatment management, and adherence of heart failure patients in Andalusia, as well as to identify factors that may influence clinical outcomes. These findings could be critical both for the development of optimized strategies that improve medical care and quality of life of patients and for mitigating the health burden of HF in the region.

[Translated article] Therapeutic management, adherence, and clinical outcomes of heart failure in Andalucía. ANDALIC Protocol.

Heart failure is a prevalent syndrome with high mortality rates, representing a significant economic burden in terms of healthcare. The lack of systematic information about the treatment and adherence of patients with heart failure limits the understanding of these aspects and potentially the improvement of clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics, therapeutic management, adherence, persistence, and clinical results, as well as the association between these variables, in a cohort of patients with heart failure in Andalusia. DESIGN: This study will be an observational, population-based, retrospective cohort study. Data of patients discharged from an Andalusian hospital with a diagnosis of heart failure between 2014 and 2023 will be extracted from the Andalusian population health database. ANALYSIS: The statistical analysis will incorporate the following strategies: (1) Descriptive analysis of the characteristics of the population cohort, adherence measures, and clinical outcomes. (2) Bivariate analyses to study the association of covariates with adherence, persistence, and clinical results. (3) Multivariate logistic regression and Cox regression analysis including relevant covariates. (4) To evaluate changes over time, multivariate Poisson regression models will be used. By conducting this comprehensive study, we aim to gain valuable insights into the clinical characteristics, treatment management, and adherence of heart failure patients in Andalusia, as well as to identify factors that may influence clinical outcomes. These findings could be critical both for the development of optimised strategies that improve medical care and quality of life of patients and for mitigating the health burden of HF in the region.