Analysis of patient-specific factors contributing to effectiveness of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.

BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists are antidiabetic medications used to improve hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and promote weight loss. Per the Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 agonists are expected to lower HbA1c by 1%-1.5%. The clinical pharmacy specialist in the women's health primary care clinic at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center noted cases of women started on GLP-1 agonists achieving greater than expected HbA1c reduction. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to determine if there are any patient-specific factors that may increase the effectiveness of GLP-1 agonists. Secondary objectives included an analysis of average weight and HbA1c, use of the Pearson rank correlation test to determine if there is a correlation between weight change and HbA1c reduction, and an analysis of HbA1c reduction associated with each GLP-1 agonist prescribed. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted. Data collected from the charts included age, sex, height, GLP-1 agonist prescribed, and HbA1c and weight before and after GLP-1 agonist initiation. For primary outcomes, statistical analyses were run between 2 groups: patients who had an HbA1c reduction of greater than 1.5% and patients who had an HbA1c reduction less than or equal to 1.5%. RESULTS: Women were more likely to have an HbA1c reduction of greater than 1.5% (P = 0.001). Patients with a lower baseline weight were more likely to attain an HbA1c reduction greater than 1.5% (P = 0.045). Higher baseline HbA1c was correlated with an increased likelihood of HbA1c reduction greater than 1.5% (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: GLP-1 agonists may be more effective at reducing HbA1c in female patients, those with a lower baseline weight, and those with a higher baseline HbA1c.

Comparison of Vancomycin Area-Under-the-Curve Dosing Versus Trough Target-Based Dosing in Obese and Nonobese Patients With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia.

Background: A vancomycin target of area under the curve to minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC:MIC) ratio ≥400 is recommended for treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. Objective: To evaluate vancomycin total daily dose (TDD) achieving trough targets versus a calculated strategy achieving AUC targets based on body mass index (BMI). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed within a large hospital network. Patients with MRSA bacteremia were eligible if they received vancomycin with a steady-state trough (15-20 mg/L). Cockcroft-Gault was used to estimate creatinine clearance, calculating vancomycin clearance and AUC. Patients were stratified by BMI (less than/greater than 30 kg/m2). The primary outcome was vancomycin TDD for the trough-based strategy compared with an AUC-dosing strategy. Results: A total of 119 patients were included, including 51 (42.9%) and 68 (57.1%) patients with high- and low-BMI, respectively. The TDD for trough-based dosing (2390.76 ± 1224.59 mg) differed significantly from AUC-based dosing (1985.07 ± 616.18 mg) across the cohort (P = 0.0014). For patients with high BMI, there was a significant difference (P < 0.0001) in TDD between trough (2637.25 ± 1327.89 mg) versus AUC (1918.71 ± 625.89 mg) strategies. No difference in TDD between dosing strategies was observed among low-BMI patients. Across all patients, 46 (38.7%) experienced acute kidney injury (AKI); high-BMI patients experienced higher rates of AKI compared with low-BMI patients (54.9 vs 26.5%; P = 0.002). Conclusions and Relevance: An AUC-based dosing strategy may reduce vancomycin TDD required for MRSA bacteremia compared with trough-based dosing, particularly for patients with higher BMI.

The Effects of the Opioid Epidemic on Prescribing Practices in Long-Term Care Residents.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate opioid prescribing practices for older adults since the opioid crisis in the United States.
DESIGN: Interrupted time-series analysis on retrospective observational cohort study.
SETTING: 176-bed skilled-nursing facility (SNF).
PARTICIPANTS: Patients admitted to a long-term care facility with pain-related diagnoses between October 1, 2015, and March 31, 2017, were included. Residents discharged prior to 14 days were excluded. Of 392 residents, 258 met inclusion criteria with 313 admissions.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Changes in opioid prescribing frequency between two periods: Q1 to Q3 (Spring 2016) and Q4 to Q6 for pre- and postgovernment countermeasure, respectively.
RESULTS: Opioid prescriptions for patients with pain-related diagnoses decreased during period one at -0.10% per quarter (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.85-0.85; P = 0.99), with the rate of decline increasing at -3.8% per quarter from period 1 and 2 (95% CI -0.23-0.15; P = 0.64). Opioid prescribing from top International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision category, "Injury and Poisoning" decreased in prescribing frequency by -3.0% per quarter from Q1 to Q6 (95% CI -0.16-0.10; P = 0.54). Appropriateness of pain-control was obtained from the Minimum Data Set version 3.0 "Percent of Residents Who Self-Report Moderate to Severe Pain (Short Stay)" measure; these results showed a significant increase in inadequacy of pain relief by 0.28% per quarter (95% CI 0.12-0.44; P = 0.009).
CONCLUSION: Residents who self-report moderate- to severe pain have significantly increased since October 2015. Opioid prescriptions may have decreased for elderly patients in SNFs since Spring 2016. Further investigation with a larger population and wider time frame is warranted to further evaluate significance.

2018 American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Annual Meeting & Exhibition.

Poster abstracts are evaluated based on the following criteria: significance of the problem to healthy aging or medication management; innovativeness of ideas, methods, and/or approach; methodological rigor of methods and approach; presentation of finding; implications identified for future research, practice, and/or policy; and clarity of writing. Submissions are not evaluated through the peer-reviewed process used by The Consultant Pharmacist. Industry support is indicated, where applicable. Presenting author is in italics. The poster abstract presentation is supported by the ASCP Foundation.