Cost-utility analysis of add-on vericiguat for the treatment of chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the cost-utility of the addition of vericiguat for treating chronic heart failure (CHF) in China from the healthcare payer's perspective. METHODS: A Markov model was built to estimate the cost and utility of treating CHF using vericiguat plus standard treatment (vericiguat group) vs. standard treatment alone (standard treatment group). The clinical parameters (mortality of cardiovascular and hospitalization rate of HF) were calculated according to the VICTORIA clinical trial. The HF cost and utility data were obtained from the literature published in China. One-way sensitivity analysis and probability sensitivity analysis were performed. RESULTS: According to the 13-year model, vericiguat was more expensive (155599.07 CNY vs. 259396.83 CNY) and more effective (4.41 QALYs vs. 4.54 QALYs). The incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) was 802389.27 CNY per QALY. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that cardiovascular mortality in the two groups was the parameter that had the greatest impact on the results. The GDP per capita in 2022 in China was 85,700 CNY. The probability sensitivity analysis (PSA) showed that the probability of vericiguat being cost-effective was only 41.7% at the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of 3 times GDP per capita (257,100 CNY). CONCLUSIONS: In China, the treatment of CHF with vericiguat is not cost-effective. The drug price could decrease to 145.8 CNY, which could be considered cost-effective.

[Research progress on curcumin improving chronic low-grade inflammation and related diseases].

Chronic low-grade inflammation(CLGI), a relatively new concept without a clear definition, refers to a nonspecific, chronic, continuous, and low-grade inflammation state, and it is closely associated with various chronic diseases, including obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and tumors. Improvement of CLGI can slow down disease progression. Anti-inflammatory treatment is an important strategy for prevention and treatment of CLGI. However, there is currently no definitive drug treatment method. Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound extracted from the rhizome of zingiberaceae, with significant anti-inflammatory activity. Research has shown that curcumin can play an anti-inflammatory role by regulating NF-κB, JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt, MAPK, NLRP3 inflammasome, Nrf2/ARE, and other inflammation-related pathways. This paper summarized the anti-inflammatory mechanisms, pharmacological effect, and clinical application of curcumin in improving CLGI and other diseases, so as to provide a reference for in-depth research and clinical application of curcumin in improving CLGI.

Could GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Like Semaglutide Treat Addiction, Alzheimer Disease, and Other Conditions?

This Medical News story examines other potential uses of GLP-1 receptor agonists, the popular type 2 diabetes and weight-loss drugs.

A aplicabilidade das pics na assistencia de enfermagem em pacientes com doença crônica: revisão integrativa / The applicability of pics in nursing care for patients with chronic disease: integrative review / La aplicabilidad de la pics en los cuidados de enfermería a pacientes con enfermedades crónicas: revisión integradora

A implementação das PICs no Brasil é uma realidade, dessa forma, compreende-se que o enfermeiro é o profissional que em tese deve possuir habilidades para aplicar as técnicas em pacientes. Com base nisso, o objetivo do trabalho foi descrever a atuação da enfermagem através de Planos de ações por intermédio das PICs em individuos com diminuição da qualidade de vida em razão do desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas degenerativas. Dessa forma, o presente artigo trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a aplicabilidade das PICs, está consolidada, sendo uma prática bastante utilizada na intervenção terapêutica de indivíduos portadores de doenças crônicas degenerativas, na qual as mais utilizadas são: plantas medicinais, reiki, homeopatia, acupuntura e auricuoterapia, entretanto, em relação a assistência de enfermagem, foi observado impasses em relação a capacitação profissional. Logo, concluímos que com base nas produções cientificas existentes a respeito das PICs, a prática infere em diversos benefícios ao indivíduo, estas que se convergem a promoção de maior qualidade de vida ao paciente com doenças crônicas, porém, a falta de capacitação profissional revela um impasse ainda persistente.

The implementation of PICs in Brazil is a reality, therefore, it is understood that the nurse is the professional who, in theory, must have the skills to apply the techniques to patients. Based on this, the objective of the study was to describe the role of nursing through Action Plans through PICs in individuals with reduced quality of life due to the development of chronic degenerative diseases. Thus, this article is an integrative literature review. The results obtained show that the applicability of PICs is consolidated, being a practice widely used in the therapeutic intervention of individuals with chronic degenerative diseases, in which the most used are: medicinal plants, reiki, homeopathy, acupuncture and auricutherapy, however, in regarding nursing care, impasses regarding professional training were observed. Therefore, we conclude that based on the existing scientific productions regarding PICs, the practice infers in several benefits to the individual, these that converge to the promotion of a better quality of life for the patient with chronic diseases, however, the lack of professional training reveals a stalemate still persistent.

La implementación de los PICs en Brasil es una realidad, por lo tanto, se entiende que la enfermera es el profesional que, en teoría, debe tener las habilidades para aplicar las técnicas a los pacientes. Con base en esto, el objetivo del estudio fue describir el papel de la enfermería a través de Planes de Acción por medio de PICs en individuos con calidad de vida reducida debido al desarrollo de enfermedades crónico degenerativas. Así, este artículo es una revisión bibliográfica integradora. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la aplicabilidad de los PICs está consolidada, siendo una práctica ampliamente utilizada en la intervención terapéutica de individuos con enfermedades crónicas degenerativas, en la que las más utilizadas son: plantas medicinales, reiki, homeopatía, acupuntura y auricuterapia, sin embargo, en lo que respecta a los cuidados de enfermería, se observaron impasses en cuanto a la formación profesional. Por lo tanto, concluimos que con base en las producciones científicas existentes en relación a las PICs, la práctica infiere en varios beneficios al individuo, estos que convergen a la promoción de una mejor calidad de vida para el paciente con enfermedades crónicas, sin embargo, la falta de formación profesional revela un impasse aún persistente.

Adesão ao tratamento do diabetes mellitus em pacientes da atenção primária à saúde / Adherence to the treatment of diabetes mellitus in patients in primary health care / Adherencia al tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus en pacientes de atención primaria

O Diabetes Mellitus (DM) é uma doença crônica, que tem elevada prevalência na sociedade e representa um problema de saúde pública devido à natureza de suas complicações, acredita-se que a dificuldade na manutenção do tratamento, pode estar relacionada a deficiência ou falta de adesão. O estudo teve como objetivo relatar à adesão ao tratamento do Diabetes Mellitus na Atenção Primária a Saúde. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com 30 pacientes diabéticos de uma Unidade de Atenção Primária à Saúde de Guaiúba-CE, no período de agosto a outubro de 2021. A coleta de dados deu-se por entrevista semiestruturada utilizando questões norteadoras sobre adesão ao tratamento, adoção de práticas promotoras de saúde e posteriormente sujeita a análise de conteúdo. Observou-se que a adesão ao tratamento do diabetes envolve inúmeros desafios, relacionados principalmente ao usuário e sistemas de saúde/profissionais. Os maiores desafios encontrados foram em relação a supervalorização do tratamento medicamentoso frente a adoção de hábitos saudáveis e de ações promotoras de autocuidado. Nesse cenário, nota-se a importância de conhecer os fatores que influenciam na adesão ao tratamento com o intuito de se lançar estratégias para aperfeiçoar o planejamento de ações e intervenções a esses pacientes.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that is highly prevalent in society and represents a public health problem due to the nature of its complications. The study aimed to report on the adherence to treatment of Diabetes Mellitus in Primary Health Care. This is a descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, conducted with 30 diabetic patients from a Primary Health Care Unit in Guaiúba-CE, in the period from August to October 2021. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using guiding questions about adherence to treatment, adoption of health-promoting practices and later subjected to content analysis. It was observed that diabetes treatment adherence involves numerous challenges, mainly related to the user and health systems/professionals. The biggest challenges found were related to the overvaluation of drug treatment against the adoption of healthy habits and self-care promoting actions. In this scenario, it is important to know the factors that influence treatment adherence in order to develop strategies to improve the planning of actions and interventions for these patients.

La diabetes mellitus (DM) es una enfermedad crónica, que tiene una alta prevalencia en la sociedad y representa un problema de salud pública debido a la naturaleza de sus complicaciones, se cree que la dificultad para mantener el tratamiento puede estar relacionada con la deficiencia o falta de adherencia. El estudio tenía como objetivo informar sobre la adherencia al tratamiento de la Diabetes Mellitus en Atención Primaria. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo con enfoque cualitativo, realizado con 30 pacientes diabéticos de una Unidad de Atención Primaria de Salud de Guaiúba-CE, en el período de agosto a octubre de 2021. La recogida de datos se llevó a cabo mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas en las que se utilizaron preguntas orientativas sobre la adherencia al tratamiento y la adopción de prácticas de promoción de la salud, y posteriormente se sometieron a un análisis de contenido. Se ha observado que el acceso al tratamiento de la diabetes conlleva numerosos desafíos, relacionados principalmente con el usuario y los sistemas de salud/profesionales. Los mayores retos encontrados estaban relacionados con la sobrevaloración del tratamiento farmacológico frente a la adopción de hábitos saludables y acciones de promoción del autocuidado. En este escenario, se constata la importancia de conocer los factores que influyen en la adherencia al tratamiento para poner en marcha estrategias que mejoren la planificación de las acciones e intervenciones para estos pacientes.

Recent Advances of Microneedles and Their Application in Disease Treatment.

For decades, scientists have been doing a lot of research and exploration to find effective long-term analgesic and/or disease-modifying treatments. Microneedles (MNs) are a simple, effective, and painless transdermal drug delivery technology that has emerged in recent years, and exhibits great promise for realizing intelligent drug delivery. With the development of materials science and fabrication technology, the MN transdermal drug delivery technology has been applied and popularized in more and more fields, including chronic illnesses such as arthritis or diabetes, cancer, dermatocosmetology, family planning, and epidemic disease prevention, and has made fruitful achievements. This paper mainly reviews the latest research status of MNs and their fabrication methodology, and summarizes the application of MNs in the treatment of various diseases, as well as the potential to use nanotechnology to develop more intelligent MNs-based drug delivery systems.

Albendazole reduces hepatic inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum-stress in a mouse model of chronic Echinococcus multilocularis infection.

BACKGROUND: Echinococcus multilocularis causes alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a rising zoonotic disease in the northern hemisphere. Treatment of this fatal disease is limited to chemotherapy using benzimidazoles and surgical intervention, with frequent disease recurrence in cases without radical surgery. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying E. multilocularis infections and host-parasite interactions ultimately aids developing novel therapeutic options. This study explored an involvement of unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum-stress (ERS) during E. multilocularis infection in mice. METHODS: E. multilocularis- and mock-infected C57BL/6 mice were subdivided into vehicle, albendazole (ABZ) and anti-programmed death ligand 1 (αPD-L1) treated groups. To mimic a chronic infection, treatments of mice started six weeks post i.p. infection and continued for another eight weeks. Liver tissue was then collected to examine inflammatory cytokines and the expression of UPR- and ERS-related genes. RESULTS: E. multilocularis infection led to an upregulation of UPR- and ERS-related proteins in the liver, including ATF6, CHOP, GRP78, ERp72, H6PD and calreticulin, whilst PERK and its target eIF2α were not affected, and IRE1α and ATF4 were downregulated. ABZ treatment in E. multilocularis infected mice reversed, or at least tended to reverse, these protein expression changes to levels seen in mock-infected mice. Furthermore, ABZ treatment reversed the elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ in the liver of infected mice. Similar to ABZ, αPD-L1 immune-treatment tended to reverse the increased CHOP and decreased ATF4 and IRE1α expression levels. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: AE caused chronic inflammation, UPR activation and ERS in mice. The E. multilocularis-induced inflammation and consecutive ERS was ameliorated by ABZ and αPD-L1 treatment, indicating their effectiveness to inhibit parasite proliferation and downregulate its activity status. Neither ABZ nor αPD-L1 themselves affected UPR in control mice. Further research is needed to elucidate the link between inflammation, UPR and ERS, and if these pathways offer potential for improved therapies of patients with AE.

Profile of pharmaceutical interventions of a pharmacotherapeutic follow-up model for diabetic patients in a community pharmacy

Abstract The insertion of Pharmaceutical Care in Primary Health Care (PHC) improves patients' clinical outcomes and quality of life. Pharmacotherapeutic follow-up can contribute to the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, promoting better glycemic control and adherence to therapy. This study aimed to assess the Drug-therapy Problems (DTPs) and Pharmacist Interventions (PIs) on the pharmacotherapeutic management in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a community pharmacy. A quantitative, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted in a Pharmaceutical Care Program within the PHC in Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais, Brazil). Inclusion criteria were patients with T2DM above 18, who attended at least three pharmaceutical consultations between July 2016 and October 2018 and presented two or more glycated hemoglobin tests. The study group (n = 17) was largely composed of women (65%), elderly (76%), sedentary (72%), and obese people (52%). The resolution was achieved in 79% of the DTPs identified (n = 115). Most of DTPs were related to administration and adherence to pharmacotherapy (46%). 60% of the 437 PIs involved the provision of information and counseling. In other words, accessible interventions lead to high resolvability. Therefore, clinical actuation of pharmacists could improve the prognosis in diabetes treatment

Os desafios na adesão ao tratamento do paciente com hipertensão arterial / Challenges in treatment adherence among patients with arterial hypertension

As doenças cardiovasculares são a principal causa de morte e de incapacidade no mundo, com destaque para a hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) como um dos principais fatores de risco. No manejo do paciente com HAS, um dos maiores desafios da prática clinica é a aderência ao tratamento. Tal fato se torna mais desafiador ainda em se tratando de doença crônica e na maioria das vezes assintomática. A falta de adesão ao tratamento ocasiona um mau controle da pressão arterial assim como também se associa a lesões de órgão-alvo, eventos cardiovasculares e morte. Fatores como complexidade do regime terapêutico, desconhecimento sobre a doença e suas complicações, sobrecarga da equipe assistencial e polifarmácia são barreiras importantes à aderência adequada. Entre as potenciais ferramentas a fim de mitigar este problema estão esquemas de medicamentos uma vez ao dia em comprimidos únicos, envolvimento da equipe multidisciplinar e uso de tecnologia digital.O entendimento amplo dos fatores que podem impactar a aderência pode melhorar o cuidado aos pacientes com HAS, com o objetivo de melhorar a qualidade de vida e sobrevida e reduzir a sobrecarga ao sistema de saúde (AU).

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death and disability worldwide, being systemic hypertension among the main risk factors. In the management of patients with hypertension, one of the biggest challenges in clinical practice is treatment adherence. This fact is even more challenging considering the chronic and mostly assymptomatic nature of the disease. The lack of adherence to treatment not only results in poor control of blood pressure but also is associated with target-organ lesion, cardiovascular events and death. Factors such as therapeutic regimen complexity, lack of knowledge about disease complications, excess workload to heatlhcare professionals and polypharmacy are important barriers to adequate adherence. Among the potential tools that are available to mitigate this problem are single pill, once a day regimens; multidisciplinary approach; and digital technologies. The broad understanding of factors that may impact treatment adherence can improve care of patients with hypertension, with the goal of improving quality of life, prolonging survival and decreasing the burden to the health system

The Multifaceted Role of Curcumin in Advanced Nanocurcumin Form in the Treatment and Management of Chronic Disorders.

Curcumin is the primary polyphenol in turmeric's curcuminoid class. It has a wide range of therapeutic applications, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and anticancer effects against various cancers, but has poor solubility and low bioavailability. Objective: To improve curcumin's bioavailability, plasma concentration, and cellular permeability processes. The nanocurcumin approach over curcumin has been proven appropriate for encapsulating or loading curcumin (nanocurcumin) to increase its therapeutic potential. Conclusion: Though incorporating curcumin into nanocurcumin form may be a viable method for overcoming its intrinsic limitations, and there are reasonable concerns regarding its toxicological safety once it enters biological pathways. This review article mainly highlights the therapeutic benefits of nanocurcumin over curcumin.

Development of an orally delivered GLP-1 receptor agonist through peptide engineering and drug delivery to treat chronic disease.

Peptide therapeutics are increasingly used in the treatment of disease, but their administration by injection reduces patient compliance and convenience, especially for chronic diseases. Thus, oral administration of a peptide therapeutic represents a significant advance in medicine, but is challenged by gastrointestinal instability and ineffective uptake into the circulation. Here, we have used glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) as a model peptide therapeutic for treating obesity-linked type 2 diabetes, a common chronic disease. We describe a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach leading to the development of MEDI7219, a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) specifically engineered for oral delivery. Sites of protease/peptidase vulnerabilities in GLP-1 were removed by amino acid substitution and the peptide backbone was bis-lipidated to promote MEDI7219 reversible plasma protein binding without affecting potency. A combination of sodium chenodeoxycholate and propyl gallate was used to enhance bioavailability of MEDI7219 at the site of maximal gastrointestinal absorption, targeted by enteric-coated tablets. This synergistic approach resulted in MEDI7219 bioavailability of ~ 6% in dogs receiving oral tablets. In a dog model of obesity and insulin resistance, MEDI7219 oral tablets significantly decreased food intake, body weight and glucose excursions, validating the approach. This novel approach to the development of MEDI7219 provides a template for the development of other oral peptide therapeutics.

Cross-sectional study on the prevalence of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination and its association with health conditions and risk factors among hospitalized multimorbid older patients.

BACKGROUND: Older adults with chronic conditions are at high risk of complications from influenza and pneumococcal infections. Evidence about factors associated with influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among older multimorbid persons in Europe is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of these vaccinations in this population. METHODS: Multimorbid patients aged ≥70 years with polypharmacy were enrolled in 4 European centers in Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ireland. Data on vaccinations, demographics, health care contacts, and comorbidities were obtained from self-report, general practitioners and medical records. The association of comorbidities or medical contacts with vaccination status was assessed using multivariable adjusted log-binomial regression models. RESULTS: Among 1956 participants with available influenza vaccination data (median age 79 years, 45% women), 1314 (67%) received an influenza vaccination within the last year. Of 1400 patients with available pneumococcal vaccination data (median age 79 years, 46% women), prevalence of pneumococcal vaccination was 21% (n = 291). The prevalence of vaccination remained low in high-risk populations with chronic respiratory disease (34%) or diabetes (24%), but increased with an increasing number of outpatient medical contacts. Chronic respiratory disease was independently associated with the receipt of both influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.16; and PR 2.03, 95%CI 1.22-3.40, respectively), as was diabetes (PR 1.06, 95%CI 1.03-1.08; PR 1.24, 95%CI 1.16-1.34, respectively). An independent association was found between number of general practitioner visits and higher prevalence of pneumococcal vaccination (p for linear trend <0.001). CONCLUSION: Uptake of influenza and particularly of pneumococcal vaccination in this population of European multimorbid older inpatients remains insufficient and is determined by comorbidities and number and type of health care contacts, especially outpatient medical visits. Hospitalization may be an opportunity to promote vaccination, particularly targeting patients with few outpatient physician contacts.

Brazilian passion fruit as a new healthy food: from its composition to health properties and mechanisms of action.

The Brazilian biodiversity is one of the largest in the world, with about 41 000 species cataloged within two global biodiversity hotspots: Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, the Brazilian savannah. Passiflora, known also as passion flowers, is a genus of which 96% of its species are distributed in the Americas, mainly Brazil and Colombia. Passion fruit extracts have a commercial value on a global scale through the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, self-care, and food and beverage industries. Passiflora are widely studied due to their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antidepressant and vascular and neuronal protective effects, probably owing to their content of polyphenols. Passiflora setacea DC is a species of wild passion fruit from the Brazilian Cerrado, rich in flavonoid C-glycosides, homoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin and orientin. Intake of these plant food bioactives has been associated with protection against chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDCs), including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we aimed to discuss the varieties of Passiflora, their content in plant food bioactives and their potential molecular mechanisms of action in preventing or reversing CNDCs.

Polymeric long-acting drug delivery systems (LADDS) for treatment of chronic diseases: Inserts, patches, wafers, and implants.

Non-oral long-acting drug delivery systems (LADDS) encompass a range of technologies for precisely delivering drug molecules into target tissues either through the systemic circulation or via localized injections for treating chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and brain disorders as well as for age-related eye diseases. LADDS have been shown to prolong drug release from 24 h up to 3 years depending on characteristics of the drug and delivery system. LADDS can offer potentially safer, more effective, and patient friendly treatment options compared to more invasive modes of drug administration such as repeated injections or minor surgical intervention. Whilst there is no single technology or definition that can comprehensively embrace LADDS; for the purposes of this review, these systems include solid implants, inserts, transdermal patches, wafers and in situ forming delivery systems. This review covers common chronic illnesses, where candidate drugs have been incorporated into LADDS, examples of marketed long-acting pharmaceuticals, as well as newly emerging technologies, used in the fabrication of LADDS.

Impact of chronic medications in the perioperative period -anesthetic implications (Part II).

Background: This review article discusses the pharmacodynamic effects of the most commonly used chronic medications by patients undergoing elective surgical procedures, namely cardiovascular drugs (e.g., beta blockers, alpha-2 agonist, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, etc.), lipid-lowering drugs, gastrointestinal medications (H2-blockers, proton pump inhibitors), pulmonary medications (inhaled ß-agonists, anticholinergics,), antibiotics (tetracyclines, clindamycin and macrolide, linezolid.), opioids and non-opioids analgesics (NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, acetaminophen), gabapentanoids, erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs, psychotropic drugs (tricyclic antidepressants [TCAs], monoamine oxidase inhibitors [MAOI], selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors [SNRIs], and cannabinol-containing drugs).  In addition, the potential adverse drug-interactions between these chronic medications and commonly used anesthetic drugs during the perioperative period will be reviewed. Finally, recommendations regarding the management of chronic medications during the preoperative period will be provided.Materials and Methods: An online search was conducted from January 2000 through February 2021 with the Medline database through PubMed and Google Scholar using the following search terms/keywords: "chronic medications in the perioperative period", and "chronic medications and anesthetic implications." In addition, we searched for anesthetic side effects associated with the major drug groups.Results and Conclusions: An understanding of the pharmacodynamic effects of most used chronic medications is important to avoid untoward outcomes in the perioperative period. These drug interactions may result in altered efficacy and toxicity of the anesthetic medications administered during surgery. These drug-drug interactions can also affect the morbidity, mortality, recovery time of surgical patients and acute relapse of chronic illnesses which could lead to last minute cancellation of surgical procedures. Part II of this two-part review article focuses on the reported interactions between most commonly taken chronic medications by surgical patients and anesthetic and analgesic drugs, as well as recommendations regarding the handling these chronic medications during the perioperative period.

Impact of chronic medications in the perioperative period: mechanisms of action and adverse drug effects (Part I).

Background: This review article discusses the pharmacology of the most commonly used chronic medications in patients undergoing elective surgical procedures. The mechanism of action and adverse side effects of cardiovascular medications (e.g., beta blockers, alpha-2 agonist, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics), lipid-lowering drugs, gastrointestinal medications (H2-blockers, proton pump inhibitors), pulmonary medications (inhaled ß-agonists, anticholinergics,), antibiotics (tetracyclines, clindamycin and macrolide, linezolid), opioids and non-opioids analgesics (NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, acetaminophen), gabapentanoids, erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs, and psychotropic drugs (tricyclic antidepressants [TCAs], monoamine oxidase inhibitors [MAOI], selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors [SNRIs], and cannabinol-containing drugs) will be reviewed.Materials and Methods: An online search was conducted from January 2000 through February 2021 with the Medline database through PubMed and Google Scholar using the following search terms/keywords: "chronic medications in the perioperative period", and "chronic medications and anesthetic implications." In addition, we searched for anesthetic side effects associated with the major drug groups.Results and Conclusions: An understanding of the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of most used chronic medications is important to avoid untoward outcomes in the perioperative period. These drug interactions may result in altered efficacy and toxicity of the anesthetic medications administered during surgery. These drug-drug interactions can also effect the morbidity, mortality, and recovery time of surgical patients. Part I of this two-part review article focuses on the mechanisms of action and adverse side effects of the chronic medications most commonly taken by surgical patients in the preoperative period.

Polypharmacy prevalence in older adults seen in United States physician offices from 2009 to 2016.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: With an aging population suffering from increased prevalence of chronic conditions in the United States (U.S.), a large portion of these patients are on multiple medications. High-risk medications can increase the risk for drug-drug interactions and medication nonadherence. This study aims to describe the prevalence of polypharmacy and high-risk medication prescribing in U.S. physician offices. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2009 to 2016. All patients over 65 years old were included. Polypharmacy was categorized as no polypharmacy (< 2 medications), minor polypharmacy (2-3 medications), moderate polypharmacy (4-5 medications), and major polypharmacy (>5 medications). Medications were further categorized into high-risk medication categories (anticholinergics, cardiovascular agents, central nervous system (CNS) medications, pain medications, and other). Comparisons between the degrees of polypharmacy were performed utilizing chi-square or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests with JMP Pro 14® (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). RESULTS: Over 2 billion patient visits were included. Overall, Polypharmacy was common (65.1%): minor polypharmacy (16.2%), moderate polypharmacy (12.1%), and major polypharmacy (36.8%). Patients with major polypharmacy were older compared to those with moderate or minor polypharmacy (75 vs. 73 years, respectively) and were most frequently prescribed pain medications (477.3 per 1,000 total visits). NSAIDs were the most frequently prescribed, with 232.4 per 1,000 total visits resulting in one high-risk NSAID prescription, while 21.9 per 1,000 total visits resulted in two or more high-risk NSAIDs. CONCLUSION: Most patients over 65 years experienced some degree of polypharmacy, with many experiencing major polypharmacy. This indicates an increased need for expanded pharmacist roles through medication therapy management and safety monitoring in this patient population.

An unusual extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma presenting as chronic laryngitis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Nasal-type, extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma is a rare lymphoma. The tumor usually shows ulcerative and necrotic lesions in the nasal cavities and sinuses. Tissue involvement outside the nasal cavity is uncommon. PATIENT CONCERN: We describe a 30-year-old man with a 2-month history of hoarseness, weight loss, and dyspnea. DIAGNOSIS: Magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed edema of the larynx with obliteration of the airway. Laryngoscopic examination described necrotic tissue in the glottis and larynx. The biopsy showed chronic, necrotizing laryngitis, with no granulomas, vasculitis, or atypical cells. The immunologic and microbiologic study was negative. Later, after immunosuppressive therapy, the patient presented erythema and diffuse enlargement of the right arm. MRI showed myositis of the biceps and brachial muscles. Infection was rule out, and direct microscopy showed an extensive muscle infiltration by mononuclear cells and abundant mitosis. Immunohistochemistry was positive for CD3, CD8, Ki 67 (90%), and CD56 compatible with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma. INTERVENTIONS: The patient initially received immunosuppression treatments (corticoids, cyclofosfamide, and Rituximab) with relapsing episodes. When lymphoma was diagnosed, chemotherapy was started. OUTCOMES: The patient died during chemotherapy. LESSONS: Nasal-type, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma should be suspected even when there are no classical findings of neoplasms on histology. Immunohistochemistry is mandatory to rule it out.

Haematologic malignancies with unfavourable gene mutations benefit from donor lymphocyte infusion with/without decitabine for prophylaxis of relapse after allogeneic HSCT: A pilot study.

Relapse is the main cause of treatment failure for leukaemia patients with unfavourable gene mutations who receive allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). There is no consensus on the indication of donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) for prophylaxis of relapse after allo-HSCT. To evaluate the tolerance and efficacy of prophylactic DLI in patients with unfavourable gene mutations such as FLT3-ITD, TP53, ASXL1, DNMT3A or TET2, we performed a prospective, single-arm study. Prophylactic use of decitabine followed by DLI was planned in patients with TP53 or epigenetic modifier gene mutations. The prophylaxis was planned in 46 recipients: it was administered in 28 patients and it was not administered in 18 patients due to contraindications. No DLI-associated pancytopenia was observed. The cumulative incidences of grade II-IV and III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) at 100 days post-DLI were 25.8% and 11.0%, respectively. The rates of chronic GVHD, non-relapse mortality and relapse at 3 years post-DLI were 21.6%, 25.0% and 26.1%, respectively. The 3-year relapse-free survival and overall survival (OS) rates were 48.9% and 48.2%, respectively. Acute GVHD (HR: 2.30, p = 0.016) and relapse (HR: 2.46, p = 0.003) after DLI were independently associated with inferior OS. Data in the current study showed the feasibility of prophylactic DLI with/without decitabine in the early stage after allo-HSCT in patients with unfavourable gene mutations.