The decreased left ventricular ejection fraction in patients using trastuzumab deruxtecan for her2-positive breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Breast Cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in population femmale and it has several subtypes, one of them being theexpressing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2 +), one of the treatments for HER2+ breast cancer consists of chemotherapy plus trastuzumab deruxtecan. Several clinical trials have shown the effectiveness and safety of trastuzumabe deruxtecano in cancer patients, however, several Adverse Events (AEs) have been described and the decrease in left ventricular ejection has been singled out for more prominent analysis. Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the cardiovascular effects of Trastuzumab Deruxtecano and whether it can influence the appearance of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.. METHODS: We performed a systematic search in Embase, PubMed and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction in patients using trastuzumab deruxtecan against Her-2-positive breast cancer compared to patients to used another's treatments against this disease. Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random effects model. The heterogeneity was examined in the I2 statistic. P-values > 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The statistical analysis was carried out using R software version 4.2.3. RESULTS: A total of 3 RCTs were included, with a total of 1656 patients evaluated, 928 patients randomized to the use of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan and 728 patients to the use of other treatments according to medical choice, follow-up ranged from 10 to 38 months. There was a visible in the decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction, with a higher incidence in the group that used trastuzumab compared to the placebo group (RR: 5.73%; 95% CI 1.51 - 21.78; I2 33% ; P= 0.010466). Another important point is the discontinuation of treatment due to grade 2 adverse events, classified as reduced LVEF, where a higher incidence is seen in the group that used Trastuzumab Deruxtecan compared to the placebo group (RR 2.11%; 95% CI 1.54 - 2.89; P = 0.000003),7. CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, Trastuzumab Deruxtecan showed a relationship with a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction, displaying the need for more studies to evaluate the cardiotoxicity of trastuzumab and its effects as a whole on the cardiovascular system.

Cardio-protective effects of statins in patients with breast cancer undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy: a metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: Contemporary understanding characterizes cardiotoxicity as a reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by at least 10%, resulting in a final value below 53% in successive assessments. Nevertheless, breast cancer therapy can impact the cardiovascular system through various avenues. Cardiotoxicity is a known side effect of anthracycline chemotherapy, and the effectiveness of concomitant statin use in mitigating this risk is still unclear. PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the potential cardioprotective effects of statin exposure during anthracycline treatment. Our hypothesis posited that patients receiving statins during their treatment would experience a lesser decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), lower levels of cholesterol and a reduced occurrence of cardiotoxicity compared to those not exposed to statins. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing statin versus placebo in patients undergoing anthracycline therapy. We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane for eligible trials. Mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was examined with I2 statistics. P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis were performed using R software version 4.2.3. RESULTS: A total of 4 RCTs comprising 580 patients were included, of whom 281 were randomized to statins and 299 to placebo. The follow up period ranged from 2.5 to 24 months, with participant ages varying between 36 to 68.9 in the intervention group and 37.9 to 72 in the control group. Compared with placebo, statins were significantly associated with a higher left ventricular ejection fraction (MD 2.57%; 95% CI 1.05-4.08; p<0.001; I2=0%), reduction in left ventricular systolic end-volume (MD -4.5 mL; 95% CI -7.57 to -1.44; p<0.004; I2=0%) and diastolic end-volume (MD -6.08 mL; 95% CI -11.27 to -0.9; p<0.021; I2=0%), with a low heterogeneity value. Statins also showed important reduction of total cholesterol (MD -46.28 mg/dL; 95% CI -71.3 to -21.25; p<0.001; I2=89%) and LDL-C (MD -39.45 mg/dL; 95% CI -52.27 to -26.64; p<0.001; I2=84%). CONCLUSIONS: In this metaanalysis of RCTs, the use of statins showed a correlation with improved cardiovascular parameters, indicating their effectiveness in minimizing cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy

Monitoreo y manejo de eventos adversos durante la administración masiva de medicamentos

La Quimioterapia Preventiva (QP) es una herramienta vital en la salud pública, utilizada para controlar y eliminar enfermedades infecciosas desatendidas (EID) mediante la administración regular de medicamentos. Este enfoque reduce la incidencia y la propagación de estas enfermedades y mitiga la gravedad de sus secuelas a largo plazo. Al tratar a las poblaciones elegibles, la QP brinda beneficios significativos para la salud, pero también conlleva la responsabilidad ética de garantizar la seguridad de estos medicamentos, adhiriéndose al principio fundamental de "no hacer daño". La seguridad en la administración de medicamentos es crucial para el éxito de cualquier programa de salud pública. La población debe confiar en la seguridad y efectividad de los medicamentos para participar de manera efectiva en estos programas. Esta confianza se logra asegurando que cada etapa del proceso, desde la fabricación de los medicamentos cumpliendo con estrictos estándares de calidad, hasta su envío, gestión en la cadena de suministro, administración y monitoreo de eventos adversos, se realice con la máxima diligencia. Para proporcionar guías prácticas, materiales de capacitación y herramientas de apoyo, la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) y la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) han desarrollado, en colaboración con socios estratégicos, una serie de directrices, manuales y materiales educativos disponibles en línea. Estos recursos están diseñados para apoyar a los programas nacionales de EID en la planificación, preparación y vigilancia de la administración segura de medicamentos. El documento en cuestión complementa estos recursos, ofreciendo soporte específico para el monitoreo de la seguridad de los medicamentos y el manejo de eventos adversos. A través de respuestas a preguntas frecuentes y mensajes clave, se proporciona una guía esencial para el personal que participa en la administración de medicamentos para EID, así como para la comunidad en general. Este enfoque asegura que todos los involucrados estén informados y preparados para manejar cualquier eventualidad, fortaleciendo así la confianza y la efectividad del programa. En resumen, la Quimioterapia Preventiva es una estrategia fundamental en la lucha contra las EID, y su éxito depende en gran medida de la seguridad y confianza en los medicamentos utilizados. A través de directrices claras, capacitación y monitoreo riguroso, la OPS y la OMS aseguran que estos programas no solo sean efectivos, sino también seguros y confiables para todas las comunidades involucradas.

Measuring Pharmacy Student Engagement in a Pharmacotherapy Course With Required Attendance.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate student engagement in a pharmacotherapy course with required attendance, identify intervals where students were most and least likely to be engaged, and assess student perceptions of the importance of engagement. METHODS: In 2022, the pharmacotherapy course faculty implemented a graded attendance policy. A survey instrument was developed to gauge student engagement throughout in-class sessions and included 3 questions regarding engagement to determine whether students were on-task, off-task-related, or off-task-unrelated. Each week throughout the semester, students were randomly surveyed for a beginning, middle, and end time point. A second survey was utilized to collect perception data from students regarding attendance and engagement. The perception survey was released during the midpoint of the semester and at the end of the semester. RESULTS: The overall attendance rate was 91.1% (SD 4.64%) for the semester. Generally, students reported being on-task when surveyed. The average weekly tasks rates were 77.7% on-task, 15.8% off-task-related, and 6.5% off-task-unrelated. For the perception survey, both time points had a high response rate (82.8% midpoint survey, 77.1% end of semester). Most students had positive perceptions regarding mandatory attendance, engagement, and pre-class preparation. CONCLUSION: This study endorses high levels of student engagement in a pharmacotherapy course with required attendance. In addition, student perceptions were generally positive regarding required attendance. Future investigations need to be completed on the non-performance benefits of attending classes.

Pre-clinical Models for Geriatric Pharmacotherapy.

With ageing of the population worldwide and discovery of new medications for prevention and management of age-related conditions, there is increasing use of medications by older adults. There are international efforts to increase the representativeness of participants in clinical trials to match the intended real-world users of the medications across a range of characteristics including age, multimorbidity, polypharmacy and frailty. Currently, much of the data on medication-related harm in older adults are from pharmacovigilance studies. New methods in pre-clinical models have allowed for measurement of exposures (such as chronic exposure, polypharmacy and deprescribing) and outcomes (such as health span functional measures and frailty) that are highly relevant to geriatric pharmacotherapy. Here we describe opportunities for design and implementation of pre-clinical models that can better predict drug effects in geriatric patients. This could improve the translation of new drugs from bench to bedside and improve outcomes of pharmacotherapy in older adults.

Tumor espermatocítico variante anaplásica sincrónico bilateral: reporte de una neoplasia infrecuente / Bilateral synchronous anaplastic variant spermatocytic tumor: Report of a rare neoplasm

El tumor espermatocítico es una neoplasia testicular de células germinales, muy infrecuente, que representa menos del 1% de los cánceres testiculares. Afecta generalmente a hombres mayores con una edad media de 53,6 años (rango 19-92 años). El tumor espermatocítico se clasifica dentro del grupo de tumores germinales no relacionados con la neoplasia de células germinales in situ. Muestra características clinicopatológicas diferentes del seminoma clásico y no se considera una variante de este último. Debido a una superposición morfológica con el seminoma clásico, en el pasado se denominó «seminoma espermatocítico». La variante anaplásica del tumor espermatocítico es excepcional, se han descrito pocos casos en la literatura, presenta un inicio más temprano en comparación con el tumor espermatocítico y un buen comportamiento a pesar de mostrar patrones histológicos similares al seminoma clásico. Presentamos el segundo caso de tumor espermatocítico anaplásico sincrónico bilateral, en un paciente joven tratado con orquiectomía y quimioterapia. (AU)

Spermatocytic tumor is a very rare germ cell testicular neoplasm that accounts for less than 1% of testicular cancers. It generally affects older men with a mean age of 53.6 years (range 19-92 years). Spermatocytic tumor is classified within the group of germ cell tumors not related to germ cell neoplasia in situ. It presents clinicopathological characteristics different from classic seminoma and is not considered a variant of the latter. Due to a morphologic overlap with classical seminoma, it was called “sperm cell seminoma” in the past. The anaplastic variant of spermatocytic tumor is exceptional, few cases have been described in the literature, it presents an earlier onset compared to spermatocytic tumor and a benign behavior despite showing histological patterns similar to classic seminoma. We present the second case of bilateral synchronous anaplastic spermatocytic tumor, in a young patient treated with orchiectomy and chemotherapy. (AU)

EDucated: The emergency medicine pharmacotherapy literature of 2023.

The purpose of this article is to summarize pharmacotherapy related emergency medicine (EM) literature indexed in 2023. Articles were selected utilizing a modified Delphi approach. The table of contents from pre-determined journals were reviewed and independently evaluated via the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system by paired authors. Pharmacotherapy-related publications deemed to be GRADE 1A and 1B were reviewed by the collective group for inclusion in the review. In all, this article summarizes and provides commentary on the potential clinical impact of 13 articles, 6 guidelines, and 5 meta-analyses covering topics including guideline releases and updates on rapid sequence intubation in the critically ill, managing cardiac arrest or life-threatening toxicity due to poisoning, and management of major bleeding following trauma. Also discussed are ongoing controversies surrounding fluid resuscitation, time and treatment modalities for ischemic stroke, steroid use in community-acquired pneumonia, targeted blood product administration, and much more.

Liposarcoma gigante mediastinal. Cirugía radical con abordaje Clamshell y manejo en la Unidad de Cuidados Críticos / Giant Mediastinal Liposarcoma. Radical Surgery with Clamshell Approach and Management in Critical Care Unit

Se presenta a un paciente con liposarcoma mediastinal gigante con dolor torácico, disnea, cuyos estudios por imágenes revelaban la presencia de una gran tumoración de 42 cm en su diámetro mayor que abarcaba todo el mediastino, comprometía ambas cavidades torácicas, rechazaba los pulmones, corazón y grandes vasos. La biopsia con aguja cortante bajo guía ecográfica fue informada como liposarcoma. El paciente tuvo resección completa del tumor mediante la incisión Clamshell. En el post operatorio inmediato, presentó shock circulatorio más disfunción multiorgánica (DOMS): plaquetopenia, insuficiencia renal aguda con necesidad de soporte dialítico, injuria hepática. El soporte y monitoreo especializado en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) permitió mejoría clínica y buena evolución. Salió de alta en buenas condiciones.

We present a patient with giant mediastinal liposarcoma with chest pain, dyspnea, whose imaging studies revealed the presence of a large tumor measuring 42 cm in its greatest diameter that covered the entire mediastinum, involved both thoracic cavities, rejected the lungs, heart and big glasses. The sharp needle biopsy under ultrasound guidance was reported as liposarcoma. The patient had complete resection of the tumor through the Clamshell incision. In the immediate postoperative period, he presented circulatory shock plus multiple organ dysfunction (DOMS): plateletopenia, acute renal failure with the need for dialytic support, liver injury. Specialized support and monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) allowed clinical improvement and good evolution. He was discharged in good condition.

Conhecimento e uso de práticas integrativas e complementares por pacientes submetidos a tratamento quimioterápico / Knowledge and use of integrative and complementary practices by patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment / Conocimiento y uso de prácticas integrativas y complementarias por pacientes sometidos a tratamiento de quimioterapia

Objetivo:avaliar o conhecimento e o uso das práticas integrativas e complementares por pacientes adultos com câncer durante a quimioterapia. Método:estudo quantitativo do tipo descritivo, realizado em uma unidade de quimioterapia de Minas Gerais entre outubro de 2022 e março de 2023. Foram entrevistados pacientes adultos com câncer de ambos os sexos, excluindo aqueles com déficit de compreensão. Aplicado questionário sociodemográfico e clínico-terapêutico, com análise pelosoftware Statistical Package forthe Social Sciences®. Resultados:foram entrevistados 93 pacientes, a maioria era homens, com média de idade 60,32 anos, brancos, casados e com baixa escolaridade. Os cânceres mais prevalentes foram colorretal, pulmão e mama. Quanto às práticas integrativas, 73 pacientes possuíam conhecimento, porém somente 33 realizavam alguma terapia, sendo as mais utilizadas a musicoterapia e a acupuntura. Conclusões:houve maior nível de conhecimento do que de utilização. Para evitar essa discrepância, o enfermeiro precisa realizar orientação e supervisão dessas práticas.

Objective:to evaluate the knowledge and the use of integrative and complementary practices by adult cancer patients during chemotherapy. Method:quantitative descriptive study, carried out in a chemotherapy unit in Minas Gerais between October 2022 and March 2023. Adult cancer patients of both sexes were interviewed, excluding those with comprehension deficits. A sociodemographic and clinical-therapeutic questionnaire was applied and analysis using the software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences®. Results:93 patients were interviewed, the majority were men, average age of 60.32 years, white, married and with a low level of education. The most prevalent cancers were colorectal, lung, and breast. Regarding integrative and complementary practices, 73 patients had knowledge, but only 33 performed some therapy, the most used being music therapy and acupuncture. Conclusions:there was a higher level of knowledge than use. To avoid this discrepancy, nurse need to provide guidance and supervision of these practices.

Objetivo:evaluar el conocimiento y uso de prácticas integrativas y complementarias por parte de pacientes adultos con cáncer durante la quimioterapia. Método:estudio descriptivo cuantitativo, realizado en unidad de quimioterapia de Minas Gerais entre octubre/2022 y marzo/2023. Se entrevistaron pacientes adultos con cáncer de ambos sexos, excluidos aquellos con déficit de comprensión. Se aplicó cuestionario sociodemográfico y clínico-terapéutico, con análisis mediante el software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences®. Resultados:se entrevistaron 93 pacientes, la mayoría eran hombres, edad promedio 60,32 años, blancos, casados y con bajo nivel educativo. Los cánceres más prevalentes fueron el colorrectal, de pulmón y de mama. En cuanto las prácticas integradoras y complementarias,73 pacientes tenían conocimientos, pero solo 33 realizaban alguna terapia, siendo las más utilizadas la musicoterapia y la acupuntura. Conclusiones:hubo mayor nivel de conocimiento que de uso. Para evitar esta discrepancia,la enfermera debe proporcionar orientación y supervisión de estas prácticas.

Nursing students' and faculty's experiences of first medication administration: A phenomenological inquiry.

BACKGROUND: Learning medication administration is essential for nursing students, but the first time can be stressful and shape their clinical development. Previous research primarily focused on student knowledge and technical aspects. PURPOSE: This phenomenological study helped explore the lived experiences of nursing students and faculty during student's first medication administration in the clinical setting to gain a deeper understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with female student and faculty informants (N = 12). Using a phenomenological study, data were analyzed using van Manen's hermeneutic six-step research activity method. RESULTS: Five overarching themes were found: administrating medication, (un)preparedness for complexities in the clinical environment, transformative experience, overcoming fears, and reaping the rewards. CONCLUSION: First-time medication experiences are greater than an exercise in skill proficiency and may be improved if faculty provides more structured learning experiences and take sufficient time for student preparation in relating medication knowledge to the skill, technology usage, and supporting students' attitudes toward nurse-patient interactions. These are essential aspects of the medication administration learning process as nursing programs shift toward competency-based education. Clinical faculty also need support in their role as educators and to be facilitated to find this time, considering their multiple responsibilities.

Replication-Independent ICL Repair: From Chemotherapy to Cell Homeostasis.

Interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) are a type of covalent lesion that can prevent transcription and replication by inhibiting DNA strand separation and instead trigger cell death. ICL inducing compounds are commonly used as chemotherapies due to their effectiveness in inhibiting cell proliferation. Naturally occurring crosslinking agents formed from metabolic processes can also pose a challenge to genome stability especially in slowly or non-dividing cells. Cells maintain a variety of ICL repair mechanisms to cope with this stressor within and outside the S phase of the cell cycle. Here, we discuss the mechanisms of various replication-independent ICL repair pathways and how crosslink repair efficiency is tied to aging and disease.

El paradigma de la irradiación corporal total en la leucemia linfoblástica aguda: efectividad terapéutica frente a los desafíos de toxicidad / The paradigm of total body irradiation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Therapeutic effectiveness against the challenges of toxicity

Introducción: La irradiación corporal total (ICT) forma parte del acondicionamiento mieloablativo del trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos (TPH) en hemopatías malignas. Esta terapia ha demostrado recientemente mayor supervivencia en leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) frente a regímenes basados en quimioterapia. Sin embargo, los efectos secundarios son una limitación importante, especialmente en la población pediátrica.Pacientes y métodosAnalizamos retrospectivamente la supervivencia de pacientes con LLA que recibieron un TPH en un hospital terciario entre los años 1996 a 2009 (N=69 TPH en 57 pacientes). Diferenciamos una cohorte que había recibido ICT (N=44) y otra que no (N=25). Posteriormente entrevistamos a los supervivientes del grupo ICT con un mínimo de 10 años de seguimiento (N=18), preguntando acerca de la presencia de efectos secundarios.ResultadosLa supervivencia global (SG) a los 2 y 5 años fue del 79,1 y 65,2%, respectivamente para el grupo ICT y del 66,2 y 55,8% para el grupo no ICT, aunque esta diferencia no fue significativa (p=0,31). La supervivencia libre de evento (SLE) a los 2 y 5 años fue del 77,3 y 63,6%, respectivamente para el grupo ICT y del 56 y 32% para el grupo no ICT (p=0,02). La probabilidad de recidiva (PR) a los 2 años habiendo recibido ICT fue del 10% y sin haber recibido ICT del 28,6% (p=0,005). Los supervivientes que recibieron ICT desarrollaron neoplasias secundarias (39%), dislipemia (67%), alteraciones cognitivas (44%), infecciones respiratorias de repetición (39%), alteraciones tiroideas (45%), insuficiencia ovárica precoz (89%), cataratas (22%) y problemas psicológicos (44%), aunque la calidad de vida, valorada por ellos mismos, fue considerada como buena para el 83% de los encuestados.ConclusionesLos pacientes que recibieron ICT tuvieron significativamente mayor SLE y menor PR. Sin embargo, los efectos adversos son frecuentes e importantes, aunque no afectan subjetivamente a la calidad de vida. (AU)

Introduction: Total body irradiation (TBI) is part of the myeloablative conditioning for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in malignant hematologic disorders. This therapy has recently shown improved survival in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) compared to chemotherapy-based regimens. However, side effects are a significant limitation, especially in the pediatric population.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively analyzed the survival of patients with ALL who underwent an HSCT at a tertiary hospital between 1996 and 2009 (N=69 HSCT in 57 patients). We differentiated a cohort that received TBI (N=44) from another that did not (N=25). Subsequently, we interviewed the survivors from the TBI group with a minimum of 10 years of follow-up (N=18), asking about the presence of side effects.ResultsThe overall survival (OS) at 2 and 5 years was 79.1% and 65.2% respectively for the TBI group and 66.2% and 55.8% for the non-TBI group, although this difference was not significant (P=.31). The event-free survival (EFS) at 2 and 5 years was 77.3% and 63.6% respectively for the TBI group and 56% and 32% for the non-TBI group (P=.02). The probability of relapse (PR) at 2 years for those who received TBI was 10% compared to 28.6% for those who did not receive TBI (P=.005). Survivors who received TBI developed secondary neoplasms (39%), dyslipidemia (67%), cognitive impairments affecting memory (44%), recurrent respiratory infections (39%), thyroid abnormalities (45%), premature ovarian failure (89%), cataracts (22%), and psychological problems (44%). However, the quality of life, as self-assessed by the patients, was considered good for 83% of the participants.ConclusionsPatients who received TBI had significantly higher EFS and lower PR. However, adverse effects are frequent and significant, although they do not subjectively affect quality of life. (AU)

Impact of obesity on in-hospital mortality and morbidity among patients admitted for antineoplastic chemotherapy: a nationwide analysis / Impacto de la obesidad en la mortalidad y morbilidad hospitalaria entre pacientes ingresados para quimioterapia antineoplásica: un análisis a nivel nacional

Background: Obesity is a complex and multifactorial medical condition that can have far reaching consequences on cancer patients, particularly those undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy. Our study focuses to comprehensively explore the various adverse outcomes in obese patients receiving chemotherapy during hospitalization. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample 2020 was used using the ICD-10 codes to identify patients hospitalized with a primary discharge diagnosis of neoplastic chemotherapy with or without a secondary diagnosis of obesity. Statistical analysis using Stata software was done, and primary and secondary outcomes were obtained after adjusting for confounders using multivariate regression analysis. Results: Mortality was similar in both obese and non-obese patients. Length of stay and total hospitalization charges were increased in obese patients. Obese patients had higher odds of developing acute respiratory failure and were more likely to require non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Our study concluded that obesity could be considered an independent predictor of worse outcomes in patients admitted for neoplastic chemotherapy. Notably, addressing obesity could help to improve the efficacy of treatment for cancer patients while simultaneously reducing any negative consequences associated with being obese.(AU)

Diseño de una herramienta para la clasificación de pacientes en base a su actitud farmacoterapéutica / Design of a tool for classifying patients based on their pharmacotherapeutic attitude

Introducción: la percepción y alivio del dolor exhiben variabilidad entre individuos. Edad, género, etnia, nivel educativo, nivel real de estrés, estado de ánimo o las condiciones médicas pueden modificar la interpretación personal del dolor y las respuestas al tratamiento farmacológico. Estas diferencias pueden desempeñar un papel significativo en los efectos, en ocasiones no deseados, del tratamiento analgésico.Objetivos: definir perfiles tipo de pacientes con Síndrome de Espalda Fallida ante actitudes con la enfermedad, el tratamiento, la asistencia sanitaria y el seguimiento que reciben de sus profesionales sanitarios. Crear herramienta para la identificación del perfil de paciente.Material y métodos: estudio de series de casos clínicos, observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Población de estudio: pacientes Unidad Dolor Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria (HUNSC) en Tenerife en 3 fases: recopilación datos historia clínica (F0), visita inicial (F1) y entrevista personal (F2).Resultados: se obtienen 5 tipologías de pacientes según las respuestas a 17 ítems. A partir de estas respuestas, se calculan ecuaciones de regresión para predecir el tipo de paciente. Se agrupan en: “Clásicos”, “Dependientes”, “Críticos”, “Inconscientes” y “Responsables”. Por otro lado, se obtienen dos herramientas con 17 ítems y otra con 7 ítems optimizados a fin de simplificar el proceso.Conclusiones: estas herramientas permiten a la Farmacia Comunitaria (FC) identificar a los pacientes en función de sus características con el fin de poder dirigir estrategias personalizadas para cada uno de ellos.(AU)

Cardiovascular benefits of statin plus ezetimibe combination therapy versus statin monotherapy in acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of adding ezetimibe to statin therapy for event reduction in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains a topic of ongoing debate. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ezetimibe plus statin versus statin monotherapy in patients with ACS. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for eligible trials. Random-effects model was used to calculate the risk ratios (RRs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical analyses were performed using RStudio version 4.2.3. RESULTS: Six RCTs comprising 20,574 patients with ACS were included, of whom 10,259 (49.9%) were prescribed ezetimibe plus statin. The patient population had an average age of 63.8 years and 75.1% were male. Compared with statin monotherapy, ezetimibe plus statin significantly reduced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.90-0.97; p<0.01) and non-fatal myocardial infarction (RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.81-0.95; p<0.01). There was no significant difference between groups for revascularization (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.88-1.01; p=0.07), all-cause death (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.63-1.21; p=0.42), or unstable angina (RR 1.05; 95% CI 0.86-1.27; p=0.64). CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis of patients with ACS, the combination of ezetimibe plus statin was associated with a reduction in MACE and non-fatal myocardial infarction, compared with statin monotherapy.