Airway surface liquid pH in paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis / PH del líquido de la vía aérea en pacientes pediátricos con fibrosis quística

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have more acidic airway surface liquid (ASL), which can denature antimicrobial defensins. Induced sputum is non-invasive and is as representative as bronchoalveolar lavage. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to analyse the ASL pH obtained by induced sputum and assess the relationship between clinical features in paediatric CF patients. Methods: This is a prospective observational study in CF paediatric patients. Sputum was induced in a patient by inhaling 4.5% hypertonic saline, the sputum was collected into a sterile container for pathological analysis, and the pH was measured from the liquid part (ASL) in a gas machine. Results: A total of 27 patients were included in the study: mean age (11.96 ± 3.9) years, mean sweat test (99.38 ± 17.76) ng/L, common mutation Del508F (N24, 88.8%), mean FEV1% 91.94% ± –12.6%, Staphylococcus colonization 14 (51.9%), normal chest CT 8 (29.6%), air trapping 12 (44.4%), bronchiectasis 6 (22.2%), and mean ASL pH 6.72 ± 0.06 (n = 15). A significant correlation was found between a higher sweat test and lower ASL pH (R = 0.683, p = 0.005). There were no differences between altered chest CT (p = 0.199) and positive Staphylococcus aureus (p = 0.17). Conclusion: This is the first publication that use induced sputum to obtain the ASL pH in CF patients. The ASL pH in CF patients is usually acidic and correlated with altered transmembrane function conductance. (AU)

Antecedentes: Los pacientes con fibrosis quística (FQ) tienen el líquido de la vía aérea (ASL) ácido, provocando desnaturalización de defensinas antimicrobianas. El esputo inducido es reproducible, no invasivo y la muestra es equiparable al lavado broncoalveolar. Objetivo: Evaluar el pH ASL obtenido por esputo inducido y analizar sus implicaciones clínicas, en niños FQ. Métodos: Estudio observacional prospectivo desarrollado en niños FQ. El esputo se indujo mediante inhalación de solución salina hipertónica 4,5%. Se recolectó el esputo y posterior al análisis patológico el ASL se colocó en una jeringa y se midió pH con una máquina de gases. Resultados: Se incluyeron 27 pacientes: edad (11,96 ± 3,9) años, test del sudor (99,38 ± 17,76) ng/L, variante común Del508F (N24, 88,8%), FEV1% 91,94% ± 12,6%, Staphylococcus 14 (51,9%), TAC pulmonar normal 8 (29,6%), atrapamiento 12 (44,4%), bronquiectasias 6 (22,2%), pH ASL 6,72 ± 0,06 (n = 15). Se observó correlación significativa entre niveles elevados del test del sudor y pH ASL ácido (R = 0,683, p = 0,005). No hubo correlación entre pH ASL y TAC pulmonar alterado (p = 0,199) o S. aureus positivo (p = 0,17). Conclusiones: Esta es la primera publicación que utiliza esputo inducido para medir pH del ASL en FQ. El pH ASL se correlacionó con la alteración del gen de conductancia transmembranal. (AU)

Consensus of Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy on optimal medication therapy management of atopic dermatitis / Consenso de la Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria en manejo fármacoterapéutico óptimo de la dermatitis atópica

Aim: This study's aims are: 1) To use the Delphi method to determine the level of consensus among hospital pharmacists (HPs) as regards the factors involved in the current approach to patients with atopic dermatitis (AD); 2) To identify potential areas for improvement in hospital pharmacy in terms of dealing with patients with severe AD; and 3) To contribute to adequate pharmaceutical care for patients with AD by drawing up recommendations. Methods: A two-round Delphi survey with participation from HPs from all over Spain. Three theme-based blocks were set out: 1) AD; 2) Management of patients with severe AD in the Hospital Pharmacy setting; and 3) Unmet needs (pathology, patient, treatment and management). Results: The 42 HPs participating reached a consensus in recognising the impact of severe AD on the patients suffering from it, the need to encourage adherence and the recommendations to use scales that take into account the patient's quality of life and indicators of the patient's experience. It has also been demonstrated that it is worthwhile evaluating the results in real clinical practice in consensus with other specialists from the multidisciplinary team. Finally, it is advisable to use drugs that have demonstrated long-term effectiveness and safety for patients with severe AD, given the disease's chronic nature. Conclusions: This Delphi consensus highlights the impact of severe AD on patients, the importance of a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, in which HP play a major role. It also highlights the importance of increased access to new drugs to improve health outcomes. (AU)

Objetivos: Los objetivos de este estudio son: 1) Determinar, mediante el método Delphi, el grado de consenso existente entre los farmacéuticos de hospital (FH) en cuanto a los factores que intervienen en el abordaje actual de los pacientes con dermatitis atópica (DA); 2) Identificar posibles áreas de mejora en la farmacia hospitalaria en cuanto al abordaje de los pacientes con DA grave; y 3) Contribuir a una adecuada atención farmacéutica a los pacientes con DA mediante la elaboración de recomendaciones. Método: Una encuesta Delphi con participación de FHs de toda España. Se establecieron tres bloques temáticos: 1) DA; 2) Manejo de pacientes con DA grave desde Farmacia Hospitalaria; y 3) Necesidades no cubiertas (patología, paciente, tratamiento y manejo). Resultados: Los 42 FHs participantes llegaron a un consenso en el reconocimiento del impacto de la DA grave en los pacientes, la necesidad de fomentar la adherencia y las recomendaciones de utilizar escalas que tengan en cuenta la calidad de vida del paciente e indicadores de la experiencia. También se muestra la conveniencia de evaluar los resultados en la práctica clínica real en consenso con otros especialistas del equipo multidisciplinar. Por último, es aconsejable utilizar fármacos que hayan demostrado eficacia y seguridad a largo plazo para los pacientes con DA grave, dado el carácter crónico de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: Este consenso Delphi pone de manifiesto el impacto de la DA grave en los pacientes, la importancia del abordaje multidisciplinar y holístico, en el que el FH juega un papel de gran importancia. También se resalta la importancia de un mayor acceso a nuevos fármacos que permitan mejorar resultados en salud. (AU)

Consensus of Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy on optimal medication therapy management of atopic dermatitis. / [Artículo traducido] Consenso de la Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria sobre el manejo fármacoterapéutico óptimo de la dermatitis atópica.

AIM: This study's aims are: 1) To use the Delphi method to determine the level of consensus among HPs as regards the factors involved in the current approach to patients with AD; 2) To identify potential areas for improvement in hospital pharmacy in terms of dealing with patients with severe AD; and 3) To contribute to adequate pharmaceutical care for patients with AD by drawing up recommendations. METHODS: A two-round Delphi survey with participation from HPs from all over Spain. Three theme-based blocks were set out: 1) AD; 2) Management of patients with severe AD in the Hospital Pharmacy setting; and 3) Unmet needs (pathology, patient, treatment and management). RESULTS: The 42 HPs participating reached a consensus in recognizing the impact of severe AD on the patients suffering from it, the need to encourage adherence and the recommendations to use scales that take into account the patient's quality of life and indicators of the patient's experience. It has also been demonstrated that it is worthwhile evaluating the results in real clinical practice in consensus with other specialists from the multidisciplinary team. Finally, it is advisable to use drugs that have demonstrated long-term effectiveness and safety for patients with severe AD, given the disease´s chronic nature. CONCLUSIONS: This Delphi consensus highlights the impact of severe AD on patients, the importance of a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, in which HP play a major role. It also highlights the importance of increased access to new drugs to improve health outcomes.

Drug-Related Problems in Elderly Patients Attended to by Emergency Services.

The progressive aging and comorbidities of the population have led to an increase in the number of patients with polypharmacy attended to in the emergency department. Drug-related problems (DRPs) have become a major cause of admission to these units, as well as a high rate of short-term readmissions. Anticoagulants, antibiotics, antidiabetics, and opioids have been shown to be the most common drugs involved in this issue. Inappropriate polypharmacy has been pointed out as one of the major causes of these emergency visits. Different ways of conducting chronic medication reviews at discharge, primary care coordination, and phone contact with patients at discharge have been shown to reduce new hospitalizations and new emergency room visits due to DRPs, and they are key elements for improving the quality of care provided by emergency services.

Adherencia en pacientes en tratamiento crónico: resultados del 'Día de la Adherencia' del 2013 / Adherence in patients with chronic treatment: data of 'Adherence Day 2013'

Objetivo: Conocer el nivel de adherencia en pacientes en tratamiento crónico que acudieron al hospital el 15 de noviembre del 2013 en el marco del 'día de la adherencia' Métodos: Estudio trasversal, observacional, multicéntrico, realizado en 43 hospitales nacionales, para conocer el nivel de adherencia utilizando los cuestionarios de Haynes- Sackett y Morisky- Green, además de una escala analógica visual y preguntas relacionadas con la complejidad del tratamiento y la adherencia selectiva. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y se calculó la concordancia entre los distintos métodos. Resultados: Se recogieron 723 encuestas principalmente en el área de pacientes externos, siendo el 43% de las encuestadas mujeres, con una mediana de edad de 51 años y tomando 3 medicamentos al día. Según el test de Haynes- Sackett, el 10,8% de los pacientes refirieron tener dificultades para tomar su tratamiento. En cambio, un 56,4% de los pacientes fueron cumplidores totales según el cuestionario de Morisky- Green, aunque al considerar únicamente la pregunta relacionada con la omisión de la toma, eran adherentes un 77% de los pacientes. Al aplicar la escala analógica visual, el 71% de los pacientes consideró su adherencia como buena, superior al 80%. Y un 11% de los pacientes presentaron una adherencia selectiva, refiriendo no tomar por igual todos los fármacos. El test de concordancia entre los distintos cuestionarios, considerando el cuestionario de Morisky- Green como Gold estándar, fue débil. Conclusión: En nuestro estudio solamente un 56% de los pacientes en tratamiento crónico presentaron un nivel de adherencia total o perfecto (AU)

Objetive: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the adherence level in chronic conditions patients during 'The Adherence Day' celebrated on November 15, 2013. Methods: We performed a transversal, observational and multicenter study at 43 Spanish hospitals, in order to estimate adherence in chronic treatments. We used the validated questionnaires Haynes- Sackett and Morisky- Green to measure medication adherence; but also a visual analogue scale and questions related with treatment complexity and selective adherence were applied. We performed a descriptive analysis and the closeness of agreement between questionnaires results. Results: A total of 723 surveys were collected especially among outpatients. 43% of the participants were women, with a median age of 51 and taking 3 drugs per day. 10.8% of the patients reported to have difficulty taking their pills according to Haynes- Sackett test. However, depending on Morisky- Green questionnaire, 56.4% of the participants were totally compliant; but considering only the question about forgetfulness, more were adherents (77%). 71% of the patients considered their compliance level as good (more than 8) according to visual analogue scale. And 11% presented a selective adherence, no taking equally well all the medications. The closeness of agreement between questionnaires and Morisky- Green test, as gold standard, was poor for Haynes- Sackett and weak for visual analogue scale. Conclusions: In our study only 56% of the patients with chronic treatment had a perfect adherence (AU)

[Adherence in patients with chronic treatment: data of "adherence day 2013"]. / Adherencia en pacientes en tratamiento crónico: resultados del "Día de la Adherencia" del 2013.

OBJETIVE: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the adherence level in chronic conditions patients during "The Adherence Day" celebrated on November 15, 2013. METHODS: We performed a transversal, observational and multicenter study at 43 Spanish hospitals, in order to estimate adherence in chronic treatments. We used the validated questionnaires Haynes- Sackett and Morisky- Green to measure medication adherence; but also a visual analogue scale and questions related with treatment complexity and selective adherence were applied. We performed a descriptive analysis and the closeness of agreement between questionnaires results. RESULTS: A total of 723 surveys were collected especially among outpatients. 43% of the participants were women, with a median age of 51 and taking 3 drugs per day. 10.8% of the patients reported to have difficulty taking their pills according to Haynes- Sackett test. However, depending on Morisky- Green questionnaire, 56.4% of the participants were totally compliant; but considering only the question about forgetfulness, more were adherents (77%). 71% of the patients considered their compliance level as good (more than 8) according to visual analogue scale. And 11% presented a selective adherence, no taking equally well all the medications. The closeness of agreement between questionnaires and Morisky- Green test, as gold standard, was poor for Haynes- Sackett and weak for visual analogue scale. CONCLUSIONS: In our study only 56% of the patients with chronic treatment had a perfect adherence.

Objetivo: Conocer el nivel de adherencia en pacientes en tratamiento crónico que acudieron al hospital el 15 de noviembre del 2013 en el marco del "día de la adherencia" Métodos: Estudio trasversal, observacional, multicéntrico, realizado en 43 hospitales nacionales, para conocer el nivel de adherencia utilizando los cuestionarios de Haynes- Sackett y Morisky- Green, además de una escala analógica visual y preguntas relacionadas con la complejidad del tratamiento y la adherencia selectiva. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y se calculó la concordancia entre los distintos métodos. Resultados: Se recogieron 723 encuestas principalmente en el área de pacientes externos, siendo el 43% de las encuestadas mujeres, con una mediana de edad de 51 años y tomando 3 medicamentos al día. Según el test de Haynes- Sackett, el 10,8% de los pacientes refirieron tener dificultades para tomar su tratamiento. En cambio, un 56,4% de los pacientes fueron cumplidores totales según el cuestionario de Morisky- Green, aunque al considerar únicamente la pregunta relacionada con la omisión de la toma, eran adherentes un 77% de los pacientes. Al aplicar la escala analógica visual, el 71% de los pacientes consideró su adherencia como buena, superior al 80%. Y un 11% de los pacientes presentaron una adherencia selectiva, refiriendo no tomar por igual todos los fármacos. El test de concordancia entre los distintos cuestionarios, considerando el cuestionario de Morisky- Green como Gold estándar, fue débil. Conclusión: En nuestro estudio solamente un 56% de los pacientes en tratamiento crónico presentaron un nivel de adherencia total o perfecto.