Healthcare Resource Utilization and Associated Costs among Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy or Immunotherapy in Spain: A Single-Center, Real-World, Exploratory Study.

The objective of this observational, single-center, retrospective study conducted in a Spanish tertiary hospital was to describe the real-world (RW) healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) among patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) who received chemotherapy (CT) or immunotherapy (IT) as first and second lines of treatment. A total of 173 patients diagnosed with aNSCLC and treated between January 2016 and August 2020 were included. The standardized average costs per patient/year were EUR 40,973.2 and EUR 22,502.4 for first-line CT and IT and EUR 140,601.3 and EUR 20,175.9 for second-line CT and IT, respectively. The average annual costs per patient associated with adverse-event (AE) onset were EUR 29,939.7 and EUR 460.7 for first-line CT and IT and EUR 35,906.4 and EUR 3206.1 for second-line CT and IT, respectively. The costs associated with disease management were EUR 33,178.0 and EUR 22,448.4 for first-line CT and IT and EUR 127,134.2 and EUR 19,663.9 for second-line CT and IT, respectively. In conclusion, IT use showed a lower average annual cost per patient, which was associated with lower HCRU for both disease and AE management, compared to the use of CT. However, these results should be further confirmed in the context of the currently implemented treatment schemes, including the combination of CT with single or dual IT.

Intervención educativa sobre traumatismos dentales en maestros primarios y auxiliares pedagógicas

RESUMEN Introducción: las lesiones traumáticas de los dientes ocurren frecuentemente en el ambiente escolar. Sin embargo, los maestros no están preparados para proporcionar un adecuado manejo ante esta situación. Objetivos: evaluar la efectividad de una estrategia educativa sobre conocimientos ante traumatismos dentales en maestros primarios y auxiliares pedagógicas. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental de tipo intervención educativa. El universo estuvo constituido por 37 maestros primarios y auxiliares pedagógicas de la escuela primaria Juan Lefont Alonso, a los que se les evaluó, mediante encuesta, el nivel de conocimientos previo y posterior a la intervención. Se empleó la variable nivel de conocimientos sobre traumatismo dental. La información fue procesada de forma automatizada. Los datos obtenidos se plasmaron en tablas. Resultados: al aplicar la encuesta, el 86,5 % de los maestros y las auxiliares pedagógicas no tenían los conocimientos adecuados sobre trauma dental en niños; el 97,3 % desconocía las consecuencias de los mismos, y un 2,7 % sí sabía qué hacer ante estos eventos. Tras la intervención, se evidenció un incremento del nivel de conocimientos sobre los temas abordados, debido a que el 91,8 % de los encuestados mostraron los conocimientos adecuados para afrontar estos accidentes. Conclusiones: la intervención educativa aplicada fue efectiva, al lograr un incremento notable del nivel de conocimientos de los maestros y las auxiliares pedagógicas sobre traumatismos dentales.

ABSTRACT Introduction: traumatic lesions of the teeth often occur in the school environment. However, teachers are not prepared to provide adequate management in this situation. Objective: to assess the effectiveness of an educative strategy on knowledge of dental trauma in primary teachers and pedagogical assistants. Materials and methods: a quasi-experimental study of educational intervention type was carried out. The universe were 37 primary teachers and pedagogical assistants from the primary school Juan Lefont Acosta, whose level of knowledge before and after intervention were assessed. The variable level of knowledge on dental trauma was used. The information was processed in an automated way. The data obtained were shown in tables. Results: when applying the survey, 86.5 % of the teachers and pedagogical assistants did not have adequate knowledge on dental trauma in children; 97.3 % were unaware of the consequences, and 2.7 % did know what to do in the face of these events. After the intervention, there was evidence of an increase of the level of knowledge on the topics addressed, because 91.8 % of the enquired persons showed the knowledge to deal with these accidents. Conclusions: the applied educative intervention was effective, achieving a notable increase of the level of knowledge of the teachers and pedagogical assistants on dental trauma.

Comportamiento del Servicio de Urgencia Estomatológica en tiempos de covid-19. Jagüey Grande, Matanzas, 2020 / Behavior of the Dentistry Emergency Service in the times of COVID-19. Jagüey Grande, Matanzas, 2020

RESUMEN Introducción: en marzo de 2020, la Organización Mundial de la Salud determinó que la covid-19 podía caracterizarse como una pandemia. Desde entonces, Cuba implementó medidas de control sanitario y evita el colapso de los servicios de salud. Por su parte, la atención estomatológica básica quedó sustituida por la de urgencias y es brindada por personal calificado con equipos de protección. Objetivos: describir el comportamiento de la atención a urgencias estomatológicas. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal (de marzo a agosto de 2020), a un universo constituido por 3 722 pacientes atendidos en dicho período, 32 estomatólogos y 29 licenciados. Se estudiaron las variables edad, sexo y patología de urgencias. Resultados: entre los estomatólogos que atendieron urgencias, predominaron los de 22 a 35 años (68,75 %), el sexo femenino (77,27 %) y licenciadas del grupo de 36 a 50 años (68,96 %). Los pacientes atendidos en Urgencias fueron mayormente de 19 a 59 años (76,03 %) y de sexo masculino (52,76 %). Los motivos más representativos de asistencia allí, fueron la odontalgia (53,68 %), el absceso alveolar agudo (17,35 %), la hiperestesia dentinaria (6,15 %) y la estomatitis aftosa (5,02 %). Conclusiones: la atención estomatológica de urgencia fue brindada fundamentalmente por personal joven, no comprendido dentro del grupo vulnerable, de sexo femenino. Las principales urgencias estomatológicas fueron la odontalgia por estados inflamatorios pulpares, el absceso alveolar agudo, la hiperestesia dentinaria y la estomatitis aftosa, prevaleciendo pacientes adultos del sexo masculino (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: in March 2020, the World Health Organization decided that COVID-19 could be characterized as a pandemic. Since then on, Cuba has implemented health control measures and prevents the collapse of the health services. For its part, basic dentist care was replaced by emergency care and is provided by qualified personnel with protective equipment. Objective: to describe the behavior of care to dentistry emergencies. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study was carried out to a universe formed by 3 722 patients, 32 dentists and 29 bachelors. The variables age, gender and emergency pathology were studied. Results: among the dentists who attended the emergency, those aged 22-35 years (68.75 %), who were female (77.27 %), and bachelors from the 36-50 age group (68.96 %) predominated. The patients treated in the Emergencies were mostly 19 to 59 years old (76.03 %) and male (52.76 %). The most representative reasons for care there were toothache (53.68 %), acute alveolar abscess (17.35 %), dental hyperesthesia (6.15 %) and aphthous stomatitis (5.02 %). Conclusions: emergency dentistry care was provided mainly by young female persons, not included within the vulnerable group. The main dentistry emergencies were toothaches by pulpal inflammatory states, acute alveolar abscess, dental hyperesthesia and aphthous stomatitis, prevailing adult male patients (AU).

A multi-stakeholder multicriteria decision analysis for the reimbursement of orphan drugs (FinMHU-MCDA study).

BACKGROUND: Patient access to orphan medicinal products (OMPs) is limited and varies between countries, reimbursement decisions on OMPs are complex, and there is a need for more transparent processes to know which criteria should be considered to inform these decisions. This study aimed to determine the most relevant criteria for the reimbursement of OMPs in Spain, from a multi-stakeholder perspective, and using multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA). METHODS: An MCDA was developed in 3 phases and included 28 stakeholders closely related to the field of rare diseases (6 physicians, 5 hospital pharmacists, 7 health economists, 4 patient representatives and 6 members from national and regional health authorities). Initially [phase A], a bibliographic review was conducted to identify the potential reimbursement criteria. Then, a reduced advisory board (8 members) proposed, selected, and defined the final list of criteria that could be relevant for reimbursement. A discrete choice experiment (DCE) [phase B] was developed to determine the relevance and relative importance weight of such criteria according to the stakeholders' preferences by choosing between pairs of hypothetical financing scenarios. A multinomial logit model was fitted to analyze the DCE responses. Finally [phase C], the advisory board review the results using a deliberative process. RESULTS: Thirteen criteria were selected, related to 4 dimensions: patient population, disease, treatment, and economic evaluation. Nine criteria were deemed relevant for decision-making and associated with a higher relative importance: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) (23.53%), treatment efficacy (14.64%), availability of treatment alternatives (13.51%), disease severity (12.62%), avoided costs (11.21%), age of target population (7.75%), safety (seriousness of adverse events) (4.72%), quality of evidence (3.82%) and size of target population (3.12%). The remaining criteria had a < 3% relative importance: economic burden of disease (2.50%), cost of treatment (1.73%), cost-effectiveness (0.83%) and safety (frequency of adverse events) (0.03%). CONCLUSION: The reimbursement of OMPs in Spain should be determined by its effect on patient's HRQL, the extent of its therapeutic benefit from efficacy and the availability of other therapeutic options. Furthermore, the severity of the rare disease should also influence the decision along with the potential of the treatment to avoid associated costs.

Ceftolozane/tazobactam for the treatment of multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: experience from the Balearic Islands.

A prospective, descriptive observational study of consecutive patients treated with ceftolozane/tazobactam in the reference hospital of the Balearic Islands (Spain), between May 2016 and September 2017, was performed. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological variables were recorded. The later included resistance profile, molecular typing, and whole genome sequencing of isolates showing resistance development. Fifty-eight patients were treated with ceftolozane/tazobactam. Thirty-five (60.3%) showed respiratory tract infections, 21 (36.2%) received monotherapy, and 37 (63.8%) combined therapy for ≥ 72 h, mainly with colistin (45.9%). In 46.6% of the patients, a dose of 1/0.5 g/8 h was used, whereas 2/1 g/8 h was used in 41.4%. In 56 of the cases (96.6%), the initial Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates recovered showed a multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotype, and 50 of them (86.2%) additionally met the extensively drug resistant (XDR) criteria and were only susceptible colistin and/or aminoglycosides (mostly amikacin). The epidemic high-risk clone ST175 was detected in 50% of the patients. Clinical cure was documented in 37 patients (63.8%) and resistance development in 8 (13.8%). Clinical failure was associated with disease severity (SOFA), ventilator-dependent respiratory failure, XDR profile, high-risk clone ST175, negative control culture, and resistance development. In 6 of the 8 cases, resistance development was caused by structural mutations in AmpC, including some mutations described for the first time in vivo, whereas in the other 2, by mutations in OXA-10 leading to the extended spectrum OXA-14. Although further clinical experience is still needed, our results suggest that ceftolozane/tazobactam is an attractive option for the treatment of MDR/XDR P. aeruginosa infections.

Evaluation of new antimicrobials for the hospital formulary. Policies restricting antibiotic use in hospitals.

In Spain, the inclusion of new antibiotics in hospital formularies is performed by the Infection Policy Committee or the Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee, although now the decision is moving to a regional level. Criteria for the evaluation of new drugs include efficacy, safety and cost. For antimicrobial drugs evaluation it is necessary to consider local sensibility and impact in bacterial resistance to determinate the therapeutic positioning. There is compelling evidence that the use of antibiotics is associated with increasing bacterial resistance, and a great number of antibiotics are used incorrectly. In order to decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics, several approaches have been proposed. Limiting the use of antimicrobials through formulary restrictions, often aimed at drugs with a specific resistance profile, shows benefits in improving antimicrobial susceptibilities and decreasing colonization by drug-resistant organisms. However, the restriction of one agent may result in the increased utilization of other agents. By using antibiotic cycling, the amount of antibiotics is maintained below the threshold where bacterial resistance develops, thus preserving highly efficient antibiotics. Unfortunately, cumulative evidence to date suggests that antibiotic cycling has limited efficacy in preventing antibiotic resistance. Finally, although there is still little clinical evidence available on antibiotic heterogeneity, the use of most of the existing antimicrobial classes could limit the emergence of resistance. This review summarizes information regarding antibiotic evaluation and available restrictive strategies to limit the use of antibiotics at hospitals with the aim of curtailing increasing antibiotic resistance.

Evaluation of new antimicrobials for the hospital formulary. Policies restricting antibiotic use in hospitals / Evaluación de nuevos antibióticos para el formulario de hospital. Normas restrictivas del uso de antibióticos en los hospitales

In Spain, the inclusion of new antibiotics in hospital formularies is performed by the Infection Policy Committee or the Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee, although now the decision is moving to a regional level. Criteria for the evaluation of new drugs include efficacy, safety and cost. For antimicrobial drugs evaluation it is necessary to consider local sensibility and impact in bacterial resistance to determinate the therapeutic positioning. There is compelling evidence that the use of antibiotics is associated with increasing bacterial resistance, and a great number of antibiotics are used incorrectly. In order to decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics, several approaches have been proposed. Limiting the use of antimicrobials through formulary restrictions, often aimed at drugs with a specific resistance profile, shows benefits in improving antimicrobial susceptibilities and decreasing colonization by drug-resistant organisms. However, the restriction of one agent may result in the increased utilization of other agents. By using antibiotic cycling, the amount of antibiotics is maintained below the threshold where bacterial resistance develops, thus preserving highly efficient antibiotics. Unfortunately, cumulative evidence to date suggests that antibiotic cycling has limited efficacy in preventing antibiotic resistance. Finally, although there is still little clinical evidence available on antibiotic heterogeneity, the use of most of the existing antimicrobial classes could limit the emergence of resistance. This review summarizes information regarding antibiotic evaluation and available restrictive strategies to limit the use of antibiotics at hospitals with the aim of curtailing increasing antibiotic resistance

En España, la evaluación de nuevos antibióticos para su inclusión en los formularios de los hospitales se realiza en la Comisión de Infecciones y la Comisión de Farmacia y Terapéutica, aunque hay una tendencia a que la decisión se traslade al ámbito de la comunidad autónoma. Los criterios de evaluación de nuevos medicamentos incluyen los datos de eficacia, seguridad y coste. En el caso de los antimicrobianos es necesario además valorar la sensibilidad local y el impacto en las resistencias bacterianas, para determinar su posicionamiento terapéutico. Hay numerosas evidencias de que el consumo de antibióticos se asocia con un aumento de las resistencias bacterianas y, además, muchos antibióticos se utilizan de forma incorrecta. Para reducir el uso inadecuado de los antibióticos se han propuesto distintos abordajes. En primer lugar limitar el uso de antibióticos mediante formularios restrictivos, a menudo relacionados con antibióticos asociados a un perfil de resistencias determinado. Esta estrategia ha demostrado beneficios en sensibilidad y reducción de la colonización por microorganismos resistentes, aunque la restricción de un fármaco concreto pueda conllevar el aumento del consumo de otros. Mediante el uso cíclico de antibióticos se pretende que el consumo total de antibióticos se mantenga por debajo de un determinado umbral a partir del cual se desarrollarían resistencias, lo que permitiría un uso ecológico de los antibióticos. Desafortunadamente, en la práctica la evidencia acumulada sugiere que el uso cíclico tiene una eficacia limitada para evitar las resistencias. Finalmente, la estrategia que en la actualidad se considera más prometedora está en relación con la diversificación o uso heterogéneo de antibióticos. El uso de diversas clases de antibióticos existentes, sin que se sobrecargue especialmente un grupo, podría limitar el desarrollo de resistencias de los diferentes antibióticos utilizados, aunque todavía hay poca evidencia en la eficacia de esta estrategia. Esta revisión resume la información disponible sobre la evaluación de antibióticos y las estrategias restrictivas existentes para limitar el uso de antibióticos en los hospitales, con el objetivo de reducir el aumento de las resistencias bacterianas

Programas de optimización de uso de antimicrobianos (PROA) en hospitales españoles: documento de consenso GEIH-SEIMC, SEFH y SEMPSPH / Programs for optimizing the use of antibiotics (PROA) in Spanish hospitals: GEIH-SEIMC, SEFH and SEMPSPH consensus document

Los antimicrobianos son fármacos distintos al resto. Su eficacia en la reducción de la morbilidad y la mortalidad es muy superior a la de otros grupos de medicamentos. Por otra parte, son los únicos fármacos con efectos ecológicos, de manera que su administración puede contribuir a la aparición y diseminación de resistencias microbianas. Finalmente, son utilizados por médicos de prácticamente todas las especialidades. La actual complejidad en el manejo de las enfermedades infecciosas y del aumento de las resistencias hace imprescindible el establecimiento de programas de optimización del uso de antimicrobianos en los hospitales (PROA).Este documento de consenso define los objetivos de los PROA (mejorar los resultados clínicos de los pacientes con infecciones, minimizar los efectos adversos asociados a la utilización de antimicrobianos, incluyendo aquí las resistencias, y garantizar la utilización de tratamientos coste-eficaces) y establece recomendaciones para su implantación en los hospitales españoles. Las líneas maestras de las recomendaciones son: la constitución de un equipo multidisciplinario de antibióticos, dependiente de la Comisión de Infecciones. Los PROA necesitan ser considerados programas institucionales de los hospitales donde se desarrollen. Deben incluir objetivos específicos y resultados cuantificables en función de indicadores, y basarse en la realización de actividades encaminadas a mejorar el uso de antimicrobianos, principalmente mediante actividades formativas y medidas no impositivas de ayuda a la prescripción (AU)

The antimicrobial agents are unique drugs for several reasons. First, their efficacy is higher than other drugs in terms of reduction of morbidity and mortality. Also, antibiotics are the only group of drugs associated with ecological effects, because their administration may contribute to the emergence and spread of microbial resistance. Finally, they are used by almost all medical specialties. Appropriate use of antimicrobials is very complex because of the important advances in the management of infectious diseases and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Thus, the implementation of programs for optimizing the use of antibiotics in hospitals (called PROA in this document) is necessary. This consensus document defines the objectives of the PROA (namely, to improve the clinical results of patients with infections, to minimise the adverse events associated to the use of antimicrobials including the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, and to ensure the use of the most cost-efficacious treatments), and provides recommendations for the implementation of these programs in Spanish hospitals. The key aspects of the recommendations are as follows. Multidisciplinary antibiotic teams should be formed, under the auspices of the Infection Committees. The PROA need to be considered as part of institutional programs and the strategic objectives of the hospital. The PROA should include specific objectives based on measurable indicators, and activities aimed at improving the use of antimicrobials, mainly through educational activities and interventions based more on training activities directed to prescribers than just on restrictive measures (AU)

[Programs for optimizing the use of antibiotics (PROA) in Spanish hospitals: GEIH-SEIMC, SEFH and SEMPSPH consensus document]. / Programas de optimización de uso de antimicrobianos (PROA) en hospitales españoles: documento de consenso GEIH-SEIMC, SEFH y SEMPSPH.

The antimicrobial agents are unique drugs for several reasons. First, their efficacy is higher than other drugs in terms of reduction of morbidity and mortality. Also, antibiotics are the only group of drugs associated with ecological effects, because their administration may contribute to the emergence and spread of microbial resistance. Finally, they are used by almost all medical specialties. Appropriate use of antimicrobials is very complex because of the important advances in the management of infectious diseases and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Thus, the implementation of programs for optimizing the use of antibiotics in hospitals (called PROA in this document) is necessary. This consensus document defines the objectives of the PROA (namely, to improve the clinical results of patients with infections, to minimise the adverse events associated to the use of antimicrobials including the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, and to ensure the use of the most cost-efficacious treatments), and provides recommendations for the implementation of these programs in Spanish hospitals. The key aspects of the recommendations are as follows. Multidisciplinary antibiotic teams should be formed, under the auspices of the Infection Committees. The PROA need to be considered as part of institutional programs and the strategic objectives of the hospital. The PROA should include specific objectives based on measurable indicators, and activities aimed at improving the use of antimicrobials, mainly through educational activities and interventions based more on training activities directed to prescribers than just on restrictive measures.

Clasificación de cesáreas por Grupos de Robson en dos periodos comparativos en el Hospital de Manacor / Cesarean section classification according to Robson's Groups in two comparative periods at the Manacor Hospital

Objetivo. Identificar los grupos de mujeres en los que cambian las tasas de cesáreas durante dos periodos comparativos. Sujetos y métodos. Revisamos los partos del Hospital de Manacor en 2000-1 y 2005-6, mediante el análisis retrospectivo de las historias clínicas, agrupándolos según la Clasificación de Robson. Resultados. El porcentaje de cesáreas aumentó del 14 al 18,6%, con un incremento significativo entre las mujeres con feto único en cefálica a término inducidas, o sometidas a cesárea electiva, que son quienes más contribuyen al porcentaje de cesáreas del hospital. Conclusión. Ha aumentado el porcentaje de cesáreas. Con la Clasificación de Robson sabemos qué pacientes contribuyen a ese incremento (AU)

Objective. To identify groups of women with changes in cesarean rates in two different periods. Subjects and methods. Deliveries in the Manacor Hospital in 2000-2001 and 2005-2006, were analyzed through a retrospective review of clinical records and were grouped using Robsonìs classification. Results. The cesarean rate increased from 14 to 18.6% with a statistically significant increase among women with a single cephalic pregnancy at term who underwent labor induction or elective cesarean section. These two groups were the major contributors to the cesarean rate at our hospital. Conclusion. A trend towards an increase in the rates of cesarean section was found during the study period. Robson's Classification allowed us to identify the groups of women contributing to this increase (AU)

Posicionamiento del farmacéutico de hospital ante la utilización de medicamentos en condiciones diferentes a las autorizadas / Cost-reduction analysis for oral versus intravenous fludarabine (Beneflur®) in Spain

Introducción: Fludarabina ha demostrado su eficacia, seguridad y eficiencia en el tratamiento de la leucemia linfocítica crónica de células B (LLC-B) en diversos estudios internacionales. El objetivo del presente estudio fue realizar un análisis de minimización de costes de 2 formas alternativas de fludarabina (oral e intravenosa) para el tratamiento de la LLC-B en España. Métodos: La existencia de evidencias clínicas sobre la equivalencia terapéutica de las 2 opciones comparadas (fludarabina oral frente a fludarabina intravenosa) llevó a la realización de un análisis de minimización de costes. Se construyó un modelo farmacoeconómico que combinó datos de la bibliografía y la opinión de expertos para determinar el uso de recursos sanitarios asociados al tratamiento, y los costes unitarios se obtuvieron de bases de datos españolas. El análisis consideró 2 perspectivas: a) la del Sistema Nacional de Salud, que incluía sólo los costes directos sanitarios, y b) la perspectiva social, que además de éstos, incluía los costes indirectos derivados de la pérdida de productividad. Resultados: Aunque la forma oral de fludarabina tiene un coste de adquisición mayor que la especialidad farmacéutica genérica de fludarabina intravenosa, los mayores costes de administración de esta última, de uso hospitalario, se tradujeron en unos ahorros totales asociados a fludarabina oral de 1.908 y 1.292 € en monoterapia y tratamiento combinado con ciclofosfamida, respectivamente. La inclusión de los costes indirectos aumentó los ahorros asociados a la forma oral. Conclusiones: El tratamiento de los pacientes con LLC-B con fludarabina oral presenta unos costes menores respecto a fludarabina intravenosa, tanto en monoterapia, como en tratamiento combinado. Diversos análisis de sensibilidad confirmaron estos resultados, en los que se constata que la forma oral de fludarabina debería ser la opción de elección en el tratamiento de la LLC-B en España, salvo que se contraindique (AU)

Introduction: Various international studies have shown that fludarabine is effective, safe, and effi cient for treating B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). The purpose of the present study was to carry out a cost-minimization analysis for two alternative forms of fludarabine (oral and intravenous) used to treat B-CLL in Spain. Methods: The presence of clinical evidence about the treatment equivalence of the two options being compared (oral fludarabine vs. intravenous fludarabine) led us to carry out a cost-minimization analysis. A pharmacoeconomic model was constructed to compile data from the literature and experts’ opinions in order to determine the use of health resources associated with the treatment; unit costs were obtained from Spanish databases. The analysis contemplated two perspectives: that of the national health service, which includes only direct health costs, and the social perspective, which also includes the indirect costs that result from loss of productivity. Results: Although fludarabine in its oral form has a higher purchase price than generic intravenous fludarabine does, increased administration costs for the latter, which is used in hospitals, mean that oral fludarabine use produces total savings of €1,908 and €1,292 for single-drug therapy and combined therapy with cyclophosphamide, respectively. Including indirect costs increased the savings associated with the oral form of the drug. Conclusions: In B-CLL patients, treatment with oral fludarabine has a lower cost than treatment with intravenous fludarabine, in both single-drug therapy and combined therapy. Various sensitivity analyses confirmed these results and showed that oral fludarabine should be the treatment of choice for B-CLL in Spain, unless contrain (AU)

Concentraciones plasmáticas tras el cambio de amprenavir a fosamprenavir en pacientes infectados por el VIH en tratamiento antirretroviral con lopinavir/ritonavir / Plasma levels following the switch from amprenavir to fosamprenavir in HIV-infected patients under antiretroviral treatment with lopinavir/ritonavir

No disponible

[The application of new technologies to hospital pharmacy in Spain]. / Aplicación de las nuevas tecnologías a la farmacia hospitalaria en España.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the degree of introduction of new technologies in the medication use process in pharmacy services in Spain. METHOD: A descriptive study via a survey into the degree of introduction of computer systems for: management, computerized physician order entry (CPOE), automated unit dose drug dispensing, preparation of parenteral nutrition solutions, recording drug administration, pharmaceutical care and foreseen improvements. The survey was sent by electronic mail to the heads of the pharmacy services of 207 hospitals throughout Spain. RESULTS: Response index: 82 hospitals (38.6%). 29 hospitals (36.7%) have a modular management system, 24 (30.4%) an integrated one and 34 (44.9%) a modular-integrated one. CPOE is utilised in 17 (22.4%). According to the size of the hospital, between 17.9 and 26.7% of unit dose dispensing is done online with a management software; between 5.1 and 33.3% of unit dose dispensing is automated. Automation of unit dose dispensing centred in the pharmacy service varies between 10 and 33.3%. Between 13.2 and 35.7% of automated in-ward dispensing systems are utilised. Administration records are kept manually on a computerised sheet at 23 (31.5%) of the hospitals; at 4 (5.4%) on CPOE and 7 (9.5%) online on the integral management programme and 4 (5.4%) on specific nursing softwares. Sixty-three per cent foresee the implementation of improvements in the short to medium term. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of new technologies is being developed in Spain aiming to improve the safety and management of drugs, and there is a trend towards increasing their deployment in the near future. It is hoped that their fomentation could help to bring about process reengineering within pharmacy services in order to increase the time available for devotion to pharmaceutical care.

Adiciones a las normas CONSORT / Aditions to the CONSORT statement

No disponible

Comportamiento clínico-epidemiológico de la leptospirosis humana en el municipio Los Palacios, provincia Pinar del Río, Cuba / Clinical and epidemiological behaviour of human leptospirosis in Los Palacios municipality, Pinar del Rio, Cuba

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo para conocer algunos aspectos epidemiológicos de la leptospirosis en el municipio Los Palacios, durante el período de enero de 1996 a diciembre de 1998. La información se obtuvo por la encuesta epidemiológica para casos de leptospirosis que se aplica en el Centro Municipal de Higiene y Epidemiología. El resultado fue que 94 porciento de los casos correspondían al sexo masculino. El grupo etáreo de 14 a 19 años resultó el más afectado (21,8 porciento). Los hallazgos clínicos más comunes fueron fiebre (100 porciento), mialgia (84 porciento) y artralgia (62 porciento). Las labores relacionadas con el manejo del arroz (87,5 porciento) se asociaron de manera significativa a la aparición de la enfermedad

Comportamiento clínico-epidemiológico de la leptospirosis humana en el municipio Los Palacios, provincia Pinar del Río, Cuba / Clinical-epidemic behavior of the human leptospirosis in the municipality The Palaces, county Pinegrove of the River, Cuba

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo para conocer algunos aspectos epidemiológicos de la leptospirosis en el municipio Los Palacios, durante el período de enero de 1996 a diciembre de 1998. La información se obtuvo por la encuesta epidemiológica para casos de leptospirosis que se aplica en el Centro Municipal de Higiene y Epidemiología. El resultado fue que 94 por ciento de los casos correspondían al sexo masculino. El grupo etáreo de 14 a 19 años resultó el más afectado (21,8 por ciento). Los hallazgos clínicos más comunes fueron fiebre (100 por ciento), mialgia (84 por ciento) y artralgia (62 por ciento). Las labores relacionadas con el manejo del arroz (87,5 por ciento) se asociaron de manera significativa a la aparición de la enfermedad(AU)

[Clinical and epidemiological behavior of human leptospirosis in Los Palacios municipality, Pinar del Rio, Cuba]. / Comportamiento clínico-epidemiológico de la leptospirosis humana en el municipio Los Palacios, provincia Pinar del Río, Cuba.

A descriptive-retrospective study was performed to find out some epidemiological aspects of leptospirosis in Los Palacios municipality in the period January 1996 to December 1998. Data were obtained from an epidemiological survey of leptospirosis cases, which was made y the Municipal Hygiene and Epidemiological Center. The results were 94% of cases were males; the most affected aged group was 14-19y (21,8%). Fever (100%), myalgia(84%) and arthralgia (62%) were the most common clinical findings. Rice harvesting work (87,5%) was significantly associated to the onset of disease.