Effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on the glucose levels in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

CONTEXT: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are used in different types of cancers due to their good profile of adverse reactions and their convenience in the oral administration. Some studies describe that certain TKIs are associated with changes in the glycemic profile of the patients. AIMS: This study aims to determine if treatment with ITK affects to serum glucose levels in clinical practice. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective study was carried out in 136 episodes (112 patients treated with sorafenib, sunitinib, imatinib, dasatinib, or nilotinib). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The serum glucose levels were analyzed before treatment and after months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 of treatment. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was completed with SPSS version 20 for Windows. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the serum glucose levels before treatment between diabetic and nondiabetic patients, but not between the average blood glucose readings before treatment and the average of the subsequent readings, once their treatment had begun. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study do not reproduce the results of the literature since changes in the serum glucose levels have not been found in this sample of patients.

[Clinical and economic impact of the pharmacy resident incorporation into the healthcare team]. / Impacto clínico y económico de la incorporación del farmacéutico residente en el equipo asistencial.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the impact of the incorporation of a hospital pharmacy resident into a healthcare team. To describe the work schedule followed. METHOD: The resident was integrated for 8 months in Medical Oncology, Intensive Care Unit, and Oncology Day Hospital. Interventions were recorded and evaluated using Atefarm software. Problem characteristics, type, and severity were recorded, as were acceptance, and costs avoided by interventions. RESULTS: In all, 2,415 drug-related problems were detected (10 per day, and 3.6 per patient), and 2,545 interventions for 672 patients were carried out. Most common problems were inadequate treatment duration, and conversion to oral route. Sixty-one percent of errors were prevented. Sixty-five percent of interventions influenced safety, 35% efficiency, and 25% effectiveness. Ninety-four percent of interventions were accepted. Costs avoided by the pharmacist amounted to 3,133 euro per month. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of a pharmacist in the healthcare teams optimizes therapy, reduces costs, prevents adverse events, and offers healthcare education.