Real-world effectiveness of biological therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease, is based on disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Typically, it starts with conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs), and depending on the patient's response to the treatment and the adverse events experienced, biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) are initiated. bDMARDs are more specific to inflammatory factors than csDMARDs and more efficient in inducing remission and low disease activity. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of biological therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in administrative health databases. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, Ovid, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to 21 October 2021, to identify observational studies that evaluated the effectiveness of biological therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using administrative databases and real-world data. The methodological quality was assessed by the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS). A fixed or random-effects model estimated risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals. The analysis was divided into four groups: tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) versus non-TNFi; TNFi versus TNFi (adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab versus infliximab); bDMARDs versus Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi); and bDMARDs monotherapy versus combination therapy (bDMARDs and MTX). Results: Twenty-one records were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review and meta-analysis; seven population-based cohorts, eight prospective, and six retrospective cohort studies. Overall, 182,098 rheumatoid arthritis patients were evaluated. In the meta-analysis, lower effectiveness was observed among TNFi users than in non-TNFi (RR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.81-0.95; p < 0.01; I2 = 94.0%) and bDMARDs than in JAKi (RR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.79-0.94; p < 0.01; I2 = 93.0%). Higher effectiveness among adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab than in infliximab (RR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.05-1.36; p < 0.01; I2 = 96.0%) was found. No significant differences in the effectiveness of bDMARD monotherapy compared to combination therapy (RR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.68-1.00; p < 0.01; I2 = 81.0%) was observed. E-value analysis indicated that the estimates were not robust against unmeasured confounding. Conclusion: According to the available real-world data, our results suggest that biological therapy effectively treats patients with rheumatoid arthritis, indicating higher effectiveness with non-TNFi and JAKi than with TNFi. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID#CRD42020190838, identifier CRD42020190838.

Safety of biological therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in administrative health databases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease that affects the synovial fluid of joints, tendons, and some extra-articular sites. Biologic agents have been highly effective and are comparable in reducing RA symptoms, slowing disease progression, and improving physical function; however, concerns have been raised about the risks of several potential adverse effects. Thus, this study aimed to assess the safety of biological therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in observational studies using administrative health databases. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, Ovid, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to 21 October 2021. The analysis was divided into five groups: tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) versus non-TNFi; TNFi versus csDMARDs; bDMARDs versus csDMARDs; abatacept versus bDMARDs; and TNFi versus Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi). The adverse events were cancer, cardiovascular events, infection, herpes zoster, tuberculosis, and death. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model estimated risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Thirty-one studies were eligible for inclusion in the present systematic review, published from 2014 to 2021. A total of 1,039,398 RA patients were assessed. The 31 studies evaluated eleven different biological drugs. No significant differences were found regarding safety between TNFi versus non-TNFi (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.92-1.28; p < 0.01; I2 = 93.0%), TNFi versus csDMARDs (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.75-1.10; p < 0.01; I2 = 87.0%), bDMARDs versus csDMARDs (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.82-1.20; p < 0.01; I2 = 93.0%), abatacept versus bDMARDs (RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.54-1.18; p < 0.01; I2 = 90.0%), and TNFi versus JAKi (RR 3.54; 95% CI 0.30-42.09; p = 0.01; I2 = 81.0%). In the subgroup analysis, among studies comparing abatacept to TNFi, a lower risk of cardiovascular events was associated with abatacept (RR 0.37; 95% CI 0.24-0.55). Conclusion: Our results do not suggest an increased risk of adverse events associated with biological therapy in treating RA patients, indicating a lower risk of cardiovascular events with abatacept than TNFi. However, these findings must be interpreted with caution given the limitations of this study and the low/very low certainty of the evidence. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?, identifier [CRD42020190838].

Percepções e uso do metilfenidato entre universitários da área da Saúde em Ceilândia, DF, Brasil / Perceptions and use of methylphenidate among health students in Ceilândia, DF, Brazil / Percepciones y uso del metilfenidato entre universitarios del área de la salud en Ceilândia, Distrito Federal - DF, Brasil

As percepções e o uso de metilfenidato entre universitários foram investigados em estudo descritivo realizado em duas etapas. A primeira, quantitativa, foi realizada por meio do preenchimento de um questionário semiestruturado on-line. Para a segunda etapa, qualitativa, foi realizado um grupo focal. Dos 337 participantes da primeira etapa, 14,5% relataram usar o metilfenidato. Entre os usuários, a prevalência de uso sem prescrição foi maior para o sexo masculino (65,3%), após ingresso na faculdade (57,1%), e 61,2% relataram eventos adversos. O principal motivo de uso foi o doping intelectual (65,3%). Já na etapa qualitativa, além de reforçar os achados anteriores, foram identificados tópicos temáticos como a pressão externa exercida por familiares, sociedade e a rotina universitária. Esses achados apontam para a necessidade de medidas de apoio e orientação aos universitários e de reformulação do processo ensino-aprendizagem.(AU)

This descriptive study investigated the use and perceptions of methylphenidate among university students. The study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage (quantitative), the students completed an online semi-structured questionnaire. The second stage (qualitative) consisted of focus group discussions. Of the 337 participants in the first stage, 14.5% reported using methylphenidate. The prevalence of methylphenidate use without a prescription was greater among men (65.3%) and after starting university (57.1%); 61.2% of the students reported adverse events. The main reason for using the drug was intellectual doping (65.3%). In the qualitative stage, which reinforced the findings of the quantitative stage, we identified themes such as external pressure from family, society and university routine. The findings underline the need to provide student support and advice and reformulate the teaching and learning process.(AU)

Se investigaron las percepciones y el uso del metilfenidato entre universitarios, en un estudio descriptivo realizado en dos etapas. La primera, cuantitativa, se realizó por medio del llenado de un cuestionario semiestructurado online. Para la segunda etapa, cualitativa, se realizó un grupo focal. De los 337 participantes de la primera etapa, el 14,5% relató que usaba metilfenidato. Entre los usuarios, la prevalencia de uso sin prescripción fue mayor para el sexo masculino (65,3%), después del ingreso en la facultad (57,1%) y el 61,2% relataron eventos adversos. El principal motivo de uso fue el dopping intelectual (65,3%). En la etapa cualitativa, además de reforzar los hallazgos anteriores, se identificaron tópicos temáticos tales como la presión externa ejercida por los familiares, la sociedad y la rutina universitaria. Esos hallazgos señalan la necesidad de medidas de apoyo y orientación a los universitarios y de reformulación del proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje.(AU)

Problemas relacionados a medicamentos em idosos usuários de psicotrópicos: revisão integrativa de literatura / Problems related to drugs in elderly users of psychotropic drugs: an integrative literature review / Problemas relacionados a medicamentos en ancianos usuarios de psicotrópicos: revisión integrativa de literatura

Revisão integrativa da literatura realizada na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), buscou identificar os principais problemas relacionados ao uso de psicotrópicos em idosos e propor soluções. Os principais problemas identificados foram reações adversas, risco de quedas e interações medicamentosas. Foram sugeridas três propostas para a redução de suas ocorrências: a adoção de um programa de prescrição eletrônica, a adoção de medidas educativas e/ou realização de acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico com estes pacientes.

An integrative review of the literature carried out in the "Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde" (BVS), sought to identify the main problems related to the use of psychotropic drugs in the elderly and propose solutions. The main problems identified were adverse reactions, risk of falls and drug interactions. Three proposals were suggested to reduce their occurrences: the adoption of an electronic prescription program, the adoption of educational measures and / or pharmacotherapeutic follow-up with these patients.

Revisión integrativa de la literatura realizada en la "Biblioteca virtual em saúde" (BVS,) buscó identificar los principales problemas relacionados al uso de psicotrópicos en ancianos y proponer soluciones. Los principales problemas identificados fueron reacciones adversas, riesgo de caídas e interacciones medicamentosas. Se sugirieron tres propuestas para la reducción de sus ocurrencias: la adopción de un programa de prescripción electrónica, adopción de medidas educativas y / o realización de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico con estos pacientes.

Management of pharmaceutical services in the Brazilian primary health care.

OBJECTIVE: To identify limiting factors in the management of pharmaceutical services in the primary health care provided by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). METHODS: This study was based on the data from the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos no Brasil (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines), and it was conducted by interviews with professionals responsible for pharmaceutical services in Brazilian cities, in 2015. To identify the management limiting factors, we considered the organizational, operational, and sustainability indicators of the management. For the analyses, we included the weights and structure of analysis plan for complex samples. The results were expressed by frequencies and measures of central tendency with 95% confidence interval, considering the Brazilian geographic regions. RESULTS: We identified the following limiting factors: lack of pharmaceutical services in the Municipal Health Secretariat organization chart (24%) and in the health plan (18%); lack of participation of managers in the Health Board and the absence of reference to this topic in the agenda of meetings (58.4%); lack of financial autonomy (61.5%) and lack of knowledge on the available values (81.7%); lack of adoption of operational procedures (about 50%) for selection, scheduling, and acquisition; and the fact that most professionals evaluate the organization of pharmaceutical services as good and great (58.8%), despite the worrisome indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmaceutical services management is currently supported by a legal and political framework that should guide and contribute to improve the pharmaceutical services in the Brazilian Unified Health System primary health care. However, there is a mismatch between the goals established by these guidelines and what is actually happening.

Characterization of the selection of medicines for the Brazilian primary health care.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the process of selection of medicines for primary health care in the Brazilian regions. METHODS: This article is part of the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services, 2015), a cross-sectional study that consisted of an information gathering in a sample of cities in the five regions of Brazil. The data used were collected by interviews with those responsible for pharmaceutical services (PS) (n = 506), professionals responsible for the dispensing of medicines (n = 1,139), and physicians (n = 1,558). To evaluate the difference between ratios, we adopted the Chi-square test for complex samples. The differences between the averages were analyzed in generalized linear models with F-test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. The analyses considered significant had p≤0.05. RESULTS: The professionals responsible for pharmaceutical services reported non-existence of a formally constituted Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PTC) (12.5%). They claimed to have an updated (80.4%) list of Essential Medicines (85.3%) and being active participants of this process (88.2%). However, in the perception of respondents, the list only partially (70.1%) meets the health demands. Of the interviewed professionals responsible for the dispensing of medicines, only 16.6% were pharmacists; even so, 47.8% reported to know the procedures to change the list. From the perspective of most of these professionals (70.9%), the list meets the health demands of the city. Among physicians, only 27.2% reported to know the procedures to change the list, but 76.5% would have some claim to change it. Most of them reported to base their claims in clinical experiences (80.0%). For 13.0% of them, the list meets the health demands. CONCLUSIONS: As this is the first national survey of characterization of the process of selection of medicines within primary health care, it brings unpublished data for the assessment of policies related to medicines in Brazil.

Interações medicamentosas entre pacientes idosos internados em um hospital universitário / Potential drug interactions among elderly inpatients of an University Hospital

O envelhecimento da população está intimamente ligado ao consumo de uma maior quantidade de medicamentos e,por consequência, associada à maior ocorrência de interações medicamentosas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar a frequência de interações medicamentosas potenciais em idosos internados. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo transversal realizado em um hospital universitário. A coleta de dados foi realizada através de prontuários dos pacientes.Os medicamentos foram agrupados conforme a classificação Anatômico Terapêutico Químico e para a análise das interações foi utilizado o banco de dados Micromedex®. Foram analisados 258 pacientes com média de idade de71,9 anos e a maioria mulheres (52,7%). O número de medicamentos prescritos variou de 2 a 16, sendo a média por paciente de 6,8. Os medicamentos mais envolvidos nas interações pertenciam ao sistema cardiovascular (38,6%).Foram identificadas 65,5% de interações medicamentosas potenciais nas prescrições avaliadas, sendo na sua maioria classificadas como gravidade moderada (75,3%). As interações de ação farmacocinética corresponderam a 65,4% das prescrições e a hipotensão e hipercalemia corresponderam a 30,7% das reações adversas a medicamentos possíveis de serem induzidas por interações medicamentosas. O manejo clínico de maior frequência foi a monitorização de sinais e sintomas (65,7%), sendo que a monitorização da pressão arterial correspondeu a 21,8% do total. Este trabalho evidenciou os riscos de interações medicamentosas em idosos hospitalizados, ressaltando a importância de auxiliar as equipes de saúde para minimização de problemas relacionados a medicamentos

The aging process of people is closely linked to the use of several drugs and consequently associated with a higherevent of drug interactions (DI). This study aimed to analyze the potential DI events in elderly inpatients. A descriptivecross-sectional study was carried out in the university hospital. Medical records were used to data collection. Drugs were classified according Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Code and the analysis of the DI was performed by Micromedex®database. Two hundred and fifty-eight patients were analyzed with an average age of 71.9 years and the majorityof them were women (52.7%). The number of drug prescriptions ranged from 2 to 16 with an average of 6.8 perprescription. Most drugs involved in the DI related to the cardiovascular system (38.6%). It was identified 65.6% ofpotential DI and classified as moderate severity (75.3%). Pharmacokinetic interactions corresponded to 65.4% of drugprescriptions and hypotension and hyperkalemia were responsible for 30.7% of adverse drug reactions. Monitoring of signs and symptoms (65.7%) was most clinical management and blood pressure measurement corresponded to21.8%. This study showed the risk of the DI in elderly inpatients, emphasizing the importance of helping health teams to minimize drug-related problems

Characterization of the selection of medicines for the Brazilian primary health care / Caracterização da seleção de medicamentos para a atenção primária no Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To characterize the process of selection of medicines for primary health care in the Brazilian regions. METHODS This article is part of the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services, 2015), a cross-sectional study that consisted of an information gathering in a sample of cities in the five regions of Brazil. The data used were collected by interviews with those responsible for pharmaceutical services (PS) (n = 506), professionals responsible for the dispensing of medicines (n = 1,139), and physicians (n = 1,558). To evaluate the difference between ratios, we adopted the Chi-square test for complex samples. The differences between the averages were analyzed in generalized linear models with F-test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. The analyses considered significant had p≤0.05. RESULTS The professionals responsible for pharmaceutical services reported non-existence of a formally constituted Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PTC) (12.5%). They claimed to have an updated (80.4%) list of Essential Medicines (85.3%) and being active participants of this process (88.2%). However, in the perception of respondents, the list only partially (70.1%) meets the health demands. Of the interviewed professionals responsible for the dispensing of medicines, only 16.6% were pharmacists; even so, 47.8% reported to know the procedures to change the list. From the perspective of most of these professionals (70.9%), the list meets the health demands of the city. Among physicians, only 27.2% reported to know the procedures to change the list, but 76.5% would have some claim to change it. Most of them reported to base their claims in clinical experiences (80.0%). For 13.0% of them, the list meets the health demands. CONCLUSIONS As this is the first national survey of characterization of the process of selection of medicines within primary health care, it brings unpublished data for the assessment of policies related to medicines in Brazil.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Caracterizar o processo de seleção de medicamentos na atenção primária à saúde, nas regiões brasileiras. MÉTODOS Artigo integrante da Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços 2015, um estudo transversal que envolveu o levantamento de informações numa amostra de municípios das cinco regiões do Brasil. Os dados utilizados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas com os responsáveis pela assistência farmacêutica (n = 506), profissionais que realizam a dispensação de medicamentos (n = 1.139) e médicos (n = 1.558). Para avaliar a diferença entre as proporções foi adotado o teste do qui-quadrado para amostras complexas. As diferenças entre as médias foram analisadas em modelos lineares generalizados, com teste F com correção de Bonferroni para comparações múltiplas. Foram significativas as análises com valores de p ≤ 0,05. RESULTADOS Os responsáveis da assistência farmacêutica relataram não haver Comissão de Farmácia e Terapêutica formalmente constituída (12,5%). Eles afirmaram possuir uma Lista de Medicamentos Essenciais (85,3%) atualizada (80,4%), e serem participantes deste processo (88,2%). Contudo, na percepção dos entrevistados a Lista atende apenas parcialmente (70,1%) as demandas de saúde. Dos profissionais que realizam a dispensação de medicamentos entrevistados, apenas 16,6% eram farmacêuticos, mesmo assim, 47,8% referiram conhecer os procedimentos para mudança da lista. Na perspectiva da maior parte desses profissionais (70,9%), a lista atende as demandas de saúde do município. Dentre os médicos apenas 27,2% declararam ter conhecimento dos procedimentos para mudança da lista, mas 76,5% teriam alguma reivindicação de alteração. A maior parte reporta que baseia suas reivindicações em experiências clínicas (80,0%); para 13,0% deles, a lista atende às demandas de saúde. CONCLUSÕES Por tratar-se da primeira pesquisa nacional de caracterização do processo de seleção de medicamentos no âmbito da atenção primária à saúde, traz dados inéditos para a avaliação das políticas relacionadas com medicamentos no Brasil.

Management of pharmaceutical services in the Brazilian primary health care / Gestão da assistência farmacêutica na atenção primária no Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To identify limiting factors in the management of pharmaceutical services in the primary health care provided by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). METHODS This study was based on the data from the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos no Brasil (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines), and it was conducted by interviews with professionals responsible for pharmaceutical services in Brazilian cities, in 2015. To identify the management limiting factors, we considered the organizational, operational, and sustainability indicators of the management. For the analyses, we included the weights and structure of analysis plan for complex samples. The results were expressed by frequencies and measures of central tendency with 95% confidence interval, considering the Brazilian geographic regions. RESULTS We identified the following limiting factors: lack of pharmaceutical services in the Municipal Health Secretariat organization chart (24%) and in the health plan (18%); lack of participation of managers in the Health Board and the absence of reference to this topic in the agenda of meetings (58.4%); lack of financial autonomy (61.5%) and lack of knowledge on the available values (81.7%); lack of adoption of operational procedures (about 50%) for selection, scheduling, and acquisition; and the fact that most professionals evaluate the organization of pharmaceutical services as good and great (58.8%), despite the worrisome indicators. CONCLUSIONS Pharmaceutical services management is currently supported by a legal and political framework that should guide and contribute to improve the pharmaceutical services in the Brazilian Unified Health System primary health care. However, there is a mismatch between the goals established by these guidelines and what is actually happening.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Identificar fatores condicionantes da gestão da assistência farmacêutica na atenção primária no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde. MÉTODOS Estudo com dados obtidos da Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos no Brasil (PNAUM) - Serviços, realizada por meio de entrevistas com responsáveis pela assistência farmacêutica em municípios, em 2015. Para identificar os fatores condicionantes da gestão foram considerados indicadores organizacionais, operacionais e de sustentabilidade da gestão. Para as análises consideraram-se os pesos amostrais e a estrutura do plano de análise para amostras complexas. Os resultados foram expressos por meio de frequências e medidas de tendência central com intervalo de confiança de 95%, por regiões geográficas do Brasil. RESULTADOS Foram identificados os fatores condicionantes: a ausência da assistência farmacêutica no organograma da secretaria (24%) e no plano de saúde (18%), a não participação dos gestores no conselho de saúde e a não referência desse tema na pauta das reuniões (58,4%), falta de autonomia financeira (61,5%) e conhecimento dos valores disponíveis (81,7%), falta de adoção de procedimentos operacionais em cerca de 50% para seleção, programação e aquisição e o fato da maioria avaliar a organização da assistência farmacêutica como boa e ótima (58,8%), apesar dos indicadores preocupantes apontados. CONCLUSÕES A gestão da assistência farmacêutica encontra-se respaldada em um arcabouço legal e político, que deveria nortear e contribuir para melhoria da assistência farmacêutica na atenção primária no Sistema Único de Saúde. No entanto, há um descompasso entre os objetivos fixados por essas normativas e o que se observa na realidade.

[Drug prescriptions of patients treated in a geriatric outpatient ward of a university hospital: a descriptive cross-sectional study]. / Prescrições medicamentosas de pacientes atendidos no ambulatório de geriatria de um hospital universitário: estudo transversal descritivo.

The scope of this study was to evaluate drug prescriptions for elderly patients in the geriatric outpatient ward of a hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a university hospital, with the application of a questionnaire. Patients aged >60 years were interviewed about their drug prescriptions and a total of 208 patients were interviewed. The average number of drugs used per person was 3.8 and the drugs most used were for the cardiovascular system (37%). 406 potential interactions were identified in 140 patients (67.3%), and duplicate therapy was found in two prescriptions. The potentially inappropriate drug most used for the elderly was nifedipine (2.4%). Data from this study support the relevance of the issue of drug use among the elderly, thus reinforcing the importance of the evaluation of the process of the prescription of drugs for this population.

Interações medicamentosas na farmacoterapia prescrita a idosos residentes em uma instituição de longa permanência brasileira / Drug interactions in the pharmacotherapy prescribed to elderly in a brazilian long – term carefacility

O objetivo desse artigo foi identificar o perfil de utilização de medicamentos de idosos residentes em uma Instituição de Longa Permanência e caracterizar as interações medicamentosas observadas na farmacoterapia prescrita. Foi realizado um estudo transversal, descritivo e analítico, desenvolvido no sul do Brasil, incluindo 111 idosos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos. Foi aplicado um questionário semiestruturado, constituído de variáveis sociodemográficas, problemas de saúde e medicamentos utilizados. As interações medicamentosas foram analisadas e ordenadas de acordo com a gravidade de ocorrência. O número de medicamentos utilizados variou de 1 a 13, com média de uso de 4,9 + 2,3 medicamentos por idoso. As classes farmacológicas mais empregadas foram: sistema cardiovascular (33.1%) e sistema nervoso central (26.7%). Em 40 (36%) prescrições foram observadas 99 interações medicamentosas. As de gravidade consideradas moderadas foram as mais frequentes (64,9%). Entre os 98 diferentes tipos de medicamentos prescritos, 39 (39,8%) estavam relacionados a interações medicamentosas e 20 (20,4%) diretamente às de gravidade alta. Amiodarona, amitriptilina, diltiazem, fenobarbital, fluoxetina, haloperidol, lítio, clonidina, cilostazol, amilorida e imipramina apresentaram gravidade alta em todas as interações em que estiveram envolvidos. Os resultados refletem uma necessidade de monitoramento da farmacoterapia com vistas a prevenir problemas de saúde evitáveis decorrentes do uso de medicamentos. (AU)

The aim of this article was to identify the most commonly used drugs and the drug interactions observed in pharmacotherapy prescribed for elderly in a long-term care facility. A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study was developed in southern Brazil, involving 111 adults aged over 60 years. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied, with sociodemographic variables, health problems and drugs used. Drug interactions were analyzed and ranked according to the severity of occurrence. The number of drugs used varied from 1 to 13, with an average use of 4.9 + 2.3 drugs per individual. The most widely used pharmacological classes were: cardiovascular system (33.1%) and central nervous system (26.7%). In 40 (36%) of the prescriptions were observed 99 drug interactions. Those that had moderate severity were the most frequent (64.9%). Among the 98 different types of prescription drugs, 39 (39.8%) were related to drug interactions and 20 (20.4%) directly related to high severity. Amiodarone, amitriptyline, diltiazem, phenobarbital, fluoxetine, haloperidol, lithium, clonidine, cilostazol, amiloride and imipramine showed high severity in all interactions they were involved. The results reflect a need for monitoring of pharmacotherapy in order to prevent avoidable health problems which arise from the use of medicaments. (AU)

Interações medicamentosas na farmacoterapia prescrita a idosos residentes em uma instituição de longa permanência brasileira / Drug interactions in the pharmacotherapy prescribed to elderly in a brazilian long – term carefacility

O objetivo desse artigo foi identificar o perfil de utilização de medicamentos de idosos residentes em uma Instituição de Longa Permanência e caracterizar as interações medicamentosas observadas na farmacoterapia prescrita. Foi realizado um estudo transversal, descritivo e analítico, desenvolvido no sul do Brasil, incluindo 111 idosos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos. Foi aplicado um questionário semiestruturado, constituído de variáveis sociodemográficas, problemas de saúde e medicamentos utilizados. As interações medicamentosas foram analisadas e ordenadas de acordo com a gravidade de ocorrência. O número de medicamentos utilizados variou de 1 a 13, com média de uso de 4,9 + 2,3 medicamentos por idoso. As classes farmacológicas mais empregadas foram: sistema cardiovascular (33.1%) e sistema nervoso central (26.7%). Em 40 (36%) prescrições foram observadas 99 interações medicamentosas. As de gravidade consideradas moderadas foram as mais frequentes (64,9%). Entre os 98 diferentes tipos de medicamentos prescritos, 39 (39,8%) estavam relacionados a interações medicamentosas e 20 (20,4%) diretamente às de gravidade alta. Amiodarona, amitriptilina, diltiazem, fenobarbital, fluoxetina, haloperidol, lítio, clonidina, cilostazol, amilorida e imipramina apresentaram gravidade alta em todas as interações em que estiveram envolvidos. Os resultados refletem uma necessidade de monitoramento da farmacoterapia com vistas a prevenir problemas de saúde evitáveis decorrentes do uso de medicamentos.

The aim of this article was to identify the most commonly used drugs and the drug interactions observed in pharmacotherapy prescribed for elderly in a long-term care facility. A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study was developed in southern Brazil, involving 111 adults aged over 60 years. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied, with sociodemographic variables, health problems and drugs used. Drug interactions were analyzed and ranked according to the severity of occurrence. The number of drugs used varied from 1 to 13, with an average use of 4.9 + 2.3 drugs per individual. The most widely used pharmacological classes were: cardiovascular system (33.1%) and central nervous system (26.7%). In 40 (36%) of the prescriptions were observed 99 drug interactions. Those that had moderate severity were the most frequent (64.9%). Among the 98 different types of prescription drugs, 39 (39.8%) were related to drug interactions and 20 (20.4%) directly related to high severity. Amiodarone, amitriptyline, diltiazem, phenobarbital, fluoxetine, haloperidol, lithium, clonidine, cilostazol, amiloride and imipramine showed high severity in all interactions they were involved. The results reflect a need for monitoring of pharmacotherapy in order to prevent avoidable health problems which arise from the use of medicaments.

Prescrições medicamentosas de pacientes atendidos no ambulatório de geriatria de um hospital universitário: estudo transversal descritivo / Drug prescriptions of patients treated in a geriatric outpatient ward of a university hospital: a descriptive cross-sectional study

O objetivo foi avaliar prescrições medicamentosas de pacientes idosos atendidos no ambulatório de geriatria de um hospital. Método: Foi realizado um estudo transversal e descritivo, desenvolvido em um hospital universitário, com o auxílio de um questionário. Os pacientes com idade > 60 anos foram entrevistados sobre os medicamentos prescritos. Resultados: Foram entrevistados 208 pacientes. A média de medicamentos utilizados por pessoa foi de 3,8 e os medicamentos mais utilizados foram do aparelho cardiovascular (37,0%). Foram identificadas 406 interações potenciais em 140 pacientes (67,3%) e duplicidade terapêutica em duas prescrições. O medicamento potencialmente inapropriado para idosos mais utilizado foi o nifedipino (2,4%). Conclusão: Os dados deste estudo corroboram sobre a temática do uso de medicamentos em idosos, reforçando a importância da avaliação do processo de prescrição de medicamentos para essa população.

The scope of this study was to evaluate drug prescriptions for elderly patients in the geriatric outpatient ward of a hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a university hospital, with the application of a questionnaire. Patients aged > 60 years were interviewed about their drug prescriptions and a total of 208 patients were interviewed. The average number of drugs used per person was 3.8 and the drugs most used were for the cardiovascular system (37%). 406 potential interactions were identified in 140 patients (67.3%), and duplicate therapy was found in two prescriptions. The potentially inappropriate drug most used for the elderly was nifedipine (2.4%). Data from this study support the relevance of the issue of drug use among the elderly, thus reinforcing the importance of the evaluation of the process of the prescription of drugs for this population.