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BACKGROUND: The analysis of how people search and "navigate" the internet to obtain health-related information and how they communicate and share this information can provide valuable knowledge about the disease patterns behaviour and health habits of populations. OBJECTIVE: To determine the population's interest in drug-related problems through information search trends. METHOD: A descriptive ecological correlational study, based on obtaining Google Trends data. VARIABLES STUDIED: relative search volume (RSV), evolution over time, milestones and seasonality. RESULTS: The most searched topic was drug overdose, with mean RSV of 56.25 ± 0.65. The highest increase occurred in the contraindication topic (R2 = 0.87, p < 0.001). The main milestone was observed in the drug overdose topic in July 2018 (RSV = 100). A very close relationship was found between adverse drug reaction and contraindication (R = 0.89, p < 0.001). Slight seasonality was noted in the adverse drug reaction (augmented Dickey-Fuller test [ADF] = -1.96), contraindication (ADF = -2.66) and drug interaction (ADF = -1.67) topics, but did not show an epidemiological trend. CONCLUSIONS: The greatest public interest was found in the drug overdose and contraindication topics, which showed a stronger upward trend, although the seasonality study did not show any very notable data or demonstrate epidemiological information search behaviour. The main milestone observed was due to media factors related to the consumption of narcotics. There was a clear difference in English-speaking countries in the use of the drug overdose topic. A correlation between the adverse drug reaction and contraindication topics was confirmed.
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Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar y relacionar el interés de la población, a través de tendencias de búsqueda de información, sobre el Síndrome Metabólico (MS) con la Salud Laboral (OH).Método: Estudio ecológico y correlacional del Volumen Relativo de Búsqueda (RSV) obtenido de la consulta de Google Trends, segmentado en 3 períodos buscados relacionados con la antigüedad; fecha de consulta: 30 de sep-tiembre de 2023.Resultados: La media más baja del RSV fue para el tema MS (2,23 ± 0,87), aunque hubo una correlación positiva en el RSV entre MS y OH (R = 0,56; p < 0,05). Se observó asociación (p < 0,05) entre los 3 períodos estudiados, excepto para los temas Hipertensión y Obesidad Central, pero significativamente menor en el período actual para los Temas MS y OH. Se encontró una estacionalidad moderada en el tema MS (KPSS = 0,14; p > 0,05), y se demostraron diferen-cias significativas en la búsqueda de información entre países desarrollados y no desarrollados (p > 0,05).Conclusiones: A través de sus búsquedas de información, toda la población demostró tener un menor conocimien-to sobre la MS que sobre las enfermedades que la componen. Se encontró relación entre las búsquedas de infor-mación realizadas sobre MS y OH. El estudio de las tendencias de búsqueda de información puede proporcionar información útil sobre el interés de la población por los datos de enfermedades, así como permitiría gradualmente analizar diferencias en popularidad, o interés incluso entre distintos países. (AU)
Objective: This study aimed to analyse and relate the population interest through information search trends, on Metabolic Syndrome (MS) with the Occupational Health (OH).Method: Ecological and correlational study of the Relative Search Volume (RSV) obtained from Google Trends que-ry, segmented into 3 searched periods concerning antiquity; date of query: September 30, 2023.Results: The lowest mean of the RSV was for the MS Topic (2.23 ± 0.87), albeit there was a positive correlation in the RSV amid MS and OH (R = 0.56; p < 0.05). Association (p < 0.05) was observed between the 3 periods under study, except for the Hypertension and Central Obesity topics, but significantly lower in the current period for the MS and OH Topics. Moderate seasonality was found in the MS topic (KPSS = 0.14; p > 0.05), and significant differences were demonstrated in the information search between developed and undeveloped countries (p > 0.05).Conclusions: Through their information searches, the whole population showed to have a dearth of knowledge of MS than of its component diseases. A relationship was found between the information searches carried out on MS and OH. The study of information search trends may provide useful information on the populations interest in the disease data, as well as would gradually allow the analysis of differences in popularity, or interest even between different countries. (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Occupational Health , Metabolic Syndrome , DiseaseABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyze population interest in obesity, nutrition, and occupational health and safety and its relationship with the worldwide prevalence of obesity through information search trends. METHOD: In this ecological study, data were obtained through online access to Google Trends using the topics "obesity", "nutrition", and "occupational health and safety". Obesity data were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO) website for crude adult prevalence and estimates by region. The variables studied were relative search volume (RSV), temporal evolution, milestone, trend, and seasonality. The temporal evolution of the search trends was examined by regression analysis (R2). To assess the relationship between quantitative variables, the Spearman correlation coefficient (Rho) was used. Seasonality was verified using the augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test. RESULTS: The RSV trends were as follows: obesity (R2 = 0.04, p = 0.004); nutrition (R2 = 0.42, p < 0.001); and occupational health and safety (R2 = 0.45, p < 0.001). The analysis of seasonality showed the absence of a temporal pattern (p < 0.05 for all terms). The associations between world obesity prevalence (WOP) and the different RSVs were as follows: WOP versus RSV obesity, Rho = -0.79, p = 0.003; WOP versus RSV nutrition, Rho = 0.57, p = 0.044; and WOP versus RSV occupational health and safety, Rho = -0.93, p = 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Population interest in obesity continues to be a trend in countries with the highest prevalence, although there are clear signs popularity loss in favor of searches focused on possible solutions and treatments, with a notable increase in searches related to nutrition and diet. Despite the fact that most people spend a large part of their time in the workplace and that interventions including various strategies have been shown to be useful in combating overweight and obesity, there has been a decrease in the population's interest in information related to obesity in the workplace. This information can be used as a guide for public health approaches to obesity and its relationship to nutrition and a healthy diet, approaches that are of equal utility and applicability in occupational health.
Subject(s)
Occupational Health , Adult , Humans , Prevalence , Obesity/epidemiology , Nutritional Status , OverweightABSTRACT
Background: This review wants to highlight the importance of computer programs used to control the steps in the management of dangerous drugs. It must be taken into account that there are phases in the process of handling dangerous medicines in pharmacy services that pose a risk to the healthcare personnel who handle them. Objective: To review the scientific literature to determine what computer programs have been used in the field of hospital pharmacy for the management of dangerous drugs (HDs). Methods: The following electronic databases were searched from inception to July 30, 2021: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and Medicine in Spanish (MEDES). The following terms were used in the search strategy: "Antineoplastic Agents," "Cytostatic Agents," "Hazardous Substances," "Medical Informatics Applications," "Mobile Applications," "Software," "Software Design," and "Pharmacy Service, Hospital." Results: A total of 104 studies were retrieved form the databases, and 18 additional studies were obtained by manually searching the reference lists of the included studies and by consulting experts. Once the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 26 studies were ultimately included in this review. Most of the applications described in the included studies were used for the management of antineoplastic drugs. The most commonly controlled stage was electronic prescription; 18 studies and 7 interventions carried out in the preparation stage focused on evaluating the accuracy of chemotherapy preparations. Conclusion: Antineoplastic electronic prescription software was the most widely implemented software at the hospital level. No software was found to control the entire HD process. Only one of the selected studies measured safety events in workers who handle HDs. Moreover, health personnel were found to be satisfied with the implementation of this type of technology for daily work with these medications. All studies reviewed herein considered patient safety as their final objective. However, none of the studies evaluated the risk of HD exposure among workers.
Subject(s)
Mobile Applications , Pharmacy Service, Hospital , Humans , Caribbean Region , Databases, Factual , EthnicityABSTRACT
Objetivo: Estimar el grado de alfabetización para la salud (AS) de las técnicas en cuidados auxiliares de enfermería (TCAE) y del personal no sanitario perteneciente a la plantilla laboral de 4 hospitales españoles.Método: Estudio descriptivo-correlacional, siendo la población diana las TCAE a quienes se preguntó, mediante formulario online HLS-EU-Q16 (Health Literacy Survey - European Union), con escala Likert de 4 valores (de 1 muy fácil a 4 muy difícil). Resultados: Respondieron 477 profesionales. Los resultados para la AS global fueron: media 1,95 ± 0,03 y mediana 1,94. El nivel de alfabetización en salud (NAS) demostró AS suficiente en 293 (61,43%) individuos. La mediana sobre la AS de los 3 componentes del cuestionario fue: cuidado sanitario = 2, prevención de enfermedades = 2 y promo-ción de la salud = 1,75. El ítem sobre sobre la manera de abordar problemas de salud mental es el que presentó mayor dificultad con media de 2,45 ± 0,04 y mediana igual a 2. No hubo diferencias significativas entre TCAE y el personal no sanitario.Conclusiones: El grado de AS de las TCAE resultó ser bueno, tanto a nivel global como en las dimensiones de aten-ción y cuidado sanitario, prevención de enfermedades y promoción de la salud. Asimismo, el nivel de alfabetización en salud que se obtuvo resultó ser suficiente en la mayoría de ellas. No se encontró diferencias con el personal no sanitario perteneciente a la plantilla laboral de 4 hospitales estudiados (AU)
Objetive: To estimate the degree of health literacy (HL) of nursing auxiliary care technicians (NACT) and non-health personnel belonging to the workforce of 4 Spanish hospitals.Method: A descriptive-correlational research, with NACT as target population. They were asked, using the online form HLS-EU-Q16 (Health Literacy Survey - European Union), with a Likert scale of 4 values (from 1 very easy to 4 very difficult).Results: 477 professionals answered the form. The results for global SA were: mean 1.95 ± 0.03 and median 1.94. The health literacy level (HLL) demonstrated sufficient HL in 293 (61.43%) individuals. The median on the HL for the 3 components of the questionnaire was: health care = 2, disease prevention = 2 and health promotion = 1.75. The item about how to deal with mental health problems showed the greatest difficulty with a mean of 2.45 ± 0.04 and a median equal to 2. There were no significant differences between NACT and non-health personnel. Conclusions: The HL grade of the NACTs turned out to be good, both globally and in the dimensions of attention and health care, disease prevention and health promotion. Likewise, the level of health literacy obtained turned out to be enough in most of them. No differences were found with the non-health personnel belonging to the workforce of the 4 hospitals researched (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Young Adult , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Personnel, Hospital , Allied Health Personnel , Nursing Assistants , Health Literacy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Cross-Sectional Studies , SpainABSTRACT
(1) Objective: to identify and review existing infodemiological studies on nutritional disorders applied to occupational health and to analyse the effect of the intervention on body mass index (BMI) or alternatively body weight (BW); (2) Methods: This study involved a critical analysis of articles retrieved from MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, Latin American, and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) and Medicina en Español (MEDES) using the descriptors "Nutrition Disorders, "Occupational Health" and "Infodemiology", applying the filters "Humans" and "Adult: 19+ years". The search was conducted on 29 May 2021; (3) Results: a total of 357 references were identified from the bibliographic database searches; after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 11 valid studies were obtained for the review. Interventions could be categorised into (1) interventions related to lifestyle, physical activity, and dietary changes through education programmes, (2) interventions associated with lifestyle, physical activity, and dietary changes through the use of telemonitoring systems or self-help applications, (3) interventions tied to lifestyle, physical activity, and dietary changes through control and/or social network support groups, and (4) interventions linked to changes in the work environment, including behavioural change training and work environment training tasks. The meta-analysis demonstrated that the heterogeneity present when analysing the results for BMI was 72% (p < 0.01), which decreased to 0% (p = 0.57) when analysing the outcomes for weight, in which case the null hypothesis of homogeneity could be accepted. In all instances, the final summary of the effect was on the decreasing side for both BMI and BW; (4) Conclusions: Despite the high heterogeneity of the results reported, the trend shown in all cases indicates that the intervention methodologies implemented by empowering individuals through Web 2.0 technologies are positive in terms of the problem of overweight. Further implementation of novel strategies to support individuals is needed to overcome obesity, and, at least in the early studies, these strategies seem to be making the necessary change.
Subject(s)
Nutrition Disorders , Occupational Health , Adult , Humans , Body Mass Index , Caribbean Region , Obesity/prevention & controlABSTRACT
(1) Objective: To review the scientific literature on the impact of interventions to enhance the occupational health of health-care workers with overnutrition. (2) Methods: Scoping review with meta-analysis. Data were obtained by consulting the following bibliographic databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS), and Medicina en Español (MEDES). The terms used as descriptors and as text in the title and abstract fields of the records were "health workers", "overnutrition", and "occupational health", using the filters "human", "adult": 19+ years", and "clinical trial". The search update date was January 2023. The documentary quality of the articles was evaluated using the CONSORT questionnaire and the presence of bias was assessed using the Rob 2.0 tool. (3) Results: From the 611 digitally retrieved references, 17 clinical trials were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. CONSORT scores ranged from a minimum of 14.6% to a maximum of 91.7%, with a median of 68.8%. According to the SIGN criteria, this review provided "1" evidence with a grade B recommendation. Six different types of intervention were tested, grouped into strategies ranging from a single intervention to a combination of four interventions. The summary effect of the meta-analysis showed significant weight loss, but no association with reduced body mass index. (4) Conclusions: While workplace interventions have been shown to be potentially effective, and strategies using different types of interventions have been proven to be useful in tackling overnutrition, an effective and sustainable solution for changing the behavior of health professionals to tackle overweight and obesity has yet to be identified.
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Obesity , Occupational Health , Humans , Overweight/epidemiology , Overweight/prevention & control , Health Personnel , Body Mass IndexABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: For years, there has been controversy about the meaning of medication-related problems (MRPs). This has led several authors to attempt to redefine and classify this term with the aim of using it correctly in the healthcare setting. So far without achieving the desired objective, resulting in erroneous results in the sources of information and thus in malpractice in the sector. OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze the appropriateness of the existing indexing of scientific publications in the MEDLINE bibliographical database with respect to drug-related problems (DRPs) and to determine whether the descriptors used fulfilled the function of suitably representing this concept. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted, using the following search terms: Medication Errors; Drug Interactions; Drug Overdose; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Contraindications, Drug. The sample size was calculated by estimating population parameters in an infinite population (expected value = 0.05; precision of interval = 0.05; level of confidence = 0.95) and the selection method was simple random sampling without replacement, taking the total number of bibliographical references in the database as the basis. The agreement of the indexing with DRPs was evaluated with the coefficient of determination (R2), and the Cohen kappa coefficient was used for the association between the definition of the descriptors and the objective of the article. RESULTS: The 1930 records analyzed showed a total of 2888 different major topics. These major topics were present, with at least one of the five descriptors studied, in 482 (25.0%; 95% CI 23.0-27.0) documentary files, with statistically significant differences between the two phases analyzed (χ2 = 183.8; degrees of freedom (df) = 1; p < 0.001): 1st phase, 295 (13.3%; 95% CI 13.7-16.9) and 2nd phase, 187 (9.7%; 95% CI 8.4-11.0). Overall scientific output with the five descriptors showed a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9 (p < 0.001) and the relationship between the objective of the study and the definitions of the five descriptors was 0.9 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a very good direct exponential trend of the overall scientific output retrieved with the terms associated with DRPs, although the progression of the five descriptors separately did not show a growth model conforming to expectations. There was a moderate agreement between the objective of the study and the definition of each of the five descriptors used and a low relationship between the objective of the study and the concept of DRPs used for this investigation. It is essential to have a descriptor that unifies the terminological diffusion that has existed up till now, since process (causes) and effects (outcomes) have been mixed together under the various definitions and classifications of DRPs found in the studies.
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Drug Overdose , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions , Humans , MEDLINE , Databases, Bibliographic , Databases, FactualABSTRACT
Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to global health in the 21st century. In the age of the internet and social media, infographics may constitute an effective educational resource for transmitting complete messages about antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance and driving behavioural change. We aimed to evaluate the infographics on antibiotics available on the internet in terms of their documentary quality, purpose, and appropriateness as educational tools for explaining the strategic lines defined in the World Health Organization Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR) and for conveying the One Health concept. We obtained the infographics for this cross-sectional study on 4 March 2021 by searching the terms "infographic" and "antibiotic" in Google Images. We verified infographic documentary quality by analysing the image, authorship, title, structure, date, and licence. To evaluate the purpose, we determined whether it coincided with one of the strategic objectives set out in the GAP-AMR. The degree of appropriateness depended on the type of key awareness message on antibiotic use. After obtaining these results, we performed a cross-sectional evaluation to determine how successfully these infographics conveyed the One Heath concept. We selected 247 infographics from 518 references. Of the included infographics, 97 (39%) were produced by public institutions; 58 (23%) read from left to right; 142 (57%) had an educational purpose; 156 (63%) focused on humans; 140 (57%) were subject to copyright; and 97 (39%) had no licence of any type. Almost one quarter (n = 57; 23%) included no key message on proper use of antibiotics. Infographics that included an author/promoter had a significantly higher mean number of messages that those without disclosure of authorship (1.67 vs. 0.50; p < 0.001). The infographics on antibiotics available on the internet are of moderate general quality. Most are produced by public institutions and have a clear and readable layout, but very few have a Creative Commons license to enable their reuse as informative material. The most common purpose is to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance; few infographics focus on the remaining four strategic objectives of the GAP-AMR. It would be useful for authors of educational infographics on antibiotics to promote key messages related to antimicrobial resistance and the One Health concept, in accordance with the first objective of the WHO GAP-AMR.
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Introducción: Analizar y relacionar el interés poblacional, a través de las tendencias de búsqueda de información, sobre acoso laboral (AL) y sexual (AS) en España y su asociación con los datos de búsqueda mundiales. Método: Estudio ecológico, los datos se obtuvieron mediante acceso online a Google Trends, utilizándose los términos «acoso laboral» y «acoso sexual» como tema. Variables estudiadas: volumen de búsqueda relativo (VBR), hito, tendencia y estacionalidad. Fecha consulta 14/01/2022. Resultados: A nivel mundial, mediana del VBR para AL = 25 y para AS = 37 con tendencia para AL de R2 = 0,04 y AS de R2 = 0,43. Se observó un hito de VBR = 100 en noviembre de 2017 en AS. A nivel español mediana del VBR para AL = 21 y para AS = 8 con tendencia para AL de R2 = 0,38 y AS de R2 = 0,06, observándose un hito de VBR = 100 en febrero de 2005 en AL. Conclusiones: Si bien las tendencias sobre AL y AS presentaron una línea decreciente fue a partir de noviembre de 2017 cuando se observó un cambio de modelo en las búsquedas sobre AS. El movimiento MeToo fue el principal responsable de este cambio, siendo incluso el principal hito observado en la tendencia de AS a nivel español y, en mayor medida, a nivel mundial (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Information Seeking Behavior , 16359 , Internet Access , Bullying/statistics & numerical data , Sexual Harassment/statistics & numerical data , Occupational Health , SpainABSTRACT
(1) Background: To know the medical documentation related to exogenous melatonin in sleep disorders caused by shift work in health personnel; (2) Methods: Systematic and critical review. Data were obtained by looking up the bibliographic data base: MEDLINE (via Pubmed), Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and Medicine in Spanish (MEDES). The used terms, as descriptors and text in the title and abstract record fields, were "Health Personnel", "Melatonin" and "Sleep Disorders", Circadian Rhythm, by using the following filters: "Humans", "Adult: 19+ years" and "Clinical Trial". The search update was in December 2021. The documentary quality of the articles was assessed using the CONSORT questionnaire. (3) Results: Having applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 clinical essays were selected out of 98 retrieved references. CONSORT scores ranged from a minimum of 6.0 to a maximum of 13. 7 with a median of 10.2. According to the SIGN criteria, this review presented "1-"evidence with a grade of recommendation B. The intervention dose via administration of exogenous melatonin ranged between 1 and 10 mg. It was not mentioned whether the route of administration was by fast or slow absorption. The outcomes showed decreased daytime sleepiness, lessened sleep onset latency, diminished night-time awakenings, increased total sleep period and improved daytime attention in the melatonin-treated group; (4) Conclusions: Exogenously administered melatonin is effective in shift worker health personnel that are suffering from sleep disorders, and given its low adverse effects and tolerability, it might be recommended. A great disparity was evidenced in terms of dose, follow-up periods and type of melatonin, small participant population, same age ranges and young age. Therefore, new trials would be needed to amend these observations in order to have full evidence that is able to ensure the efficacy of exogenous melatonin in the studied population.
Subject(s)
Disorders of Excessive Somnolence , Melatonin , Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm , Sleep Wake Disorders , Adult , Circadian Rhythm , Disorders of Excessive Somnolence/complications , Humans , Melatonin/pharmacology , Melatonin/therapeutic use , Sleep , Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm/chemically induced , Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm/drug therapy , Sleep Wake Disorders/etiologyABSTRACT
Infliximab and adalimumab are monoclonal antibodies against tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) used to manage inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) has been proven to prevent immunogenicity, to achieve better long-term clinical results and to save costs in IBD treatment. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review on cost-effectiveness analyses of studies that apply TDM of anti-TNF in IBD and to provide a critical analysis of the best scientific knowledge available in the literature. The quality of the included studies was assessed using Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS). Cost-effectiveness of the TDM strategies was presented as total costs, cost savings, quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Thirteen studies that examined the health economics of TDM of anti-TNF in IBD from 2013 to 2021 were included. Eight of them (61.5%) achieved a score between 17 and 23 on the CHEERS checklist. The comparison between the TDM strategy and an empirical strategy was cost saving. The ICER between reactive TDM and an empirical strategy was dominated (favorable) by reactive TDM, whereas the ICER value for proactive TDM compared to an empirical strategy ranged from EUR 56,845 to 3,901,554. This systematic review demonstrated that a TDM strategy is cost-effective or cost-saving in IBD.
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OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to identify and critically evaluate the available evidence on the impact of switches in pill appearance/packaging on patient's behavior. METHODS: Studies from inception to March 2021 were searched across MEDLINE through PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus. Included studies carried out an original evaluation in English or Spanish language that evaluated the impact of switches in pill appearance/packaging on patient's behavior. Two authors independently extracted study data and evaluated studies for methodological quality according to the STROBE guidelines. RESULTS: Ten studies were included, and the mean (SD) number of STROBE criteria satisfied was 17.2 (3.9). Three of 5 studies found a significant association between change in pill appearance and persistence to treatment; the 3 studies that evaluated the impact of a change on adherence to treatment found a significant association; 1 of the 2 studies that evaluated the relationship between a change a clinical outcome found a significant association with the prevalence of uncontrolled blood pressure; and 1 study showed lower rates of switchbacks to the branded product compared with patients who switched to generic drug products, with different appearance. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review showed an impact of the change in pill/package appearance on patients' behavior in 7 of the 10 studies included. Generic switching may lead to unintended consequences on patients' behavior, mainly regarding adherence to treatment.