Efficacy and safety of proactive drug monitoring in inflammatory bowel disease treated with anti-TNF agents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature was conducted to assess efficacy and safety of proactive therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) versus conventional management during maintenance treatment with anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNFα) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: A search was conducted up to January 2022 (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library). The primary outcome was the ability to maintain clinical remission at 12 months. The certainty of evidence was determined using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Nine studies were identified: one systematic review, six randomised clinical trials, and two cohort studies. No superior efficacy of proactive TDM [relative risk 1.16; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98-1.37, n=528; I2=55%] was shown. Proactive TDM could improve the durability of anti-TNFα treatment [odds ratio (OR) 0.12; 95%CI: 0.05-0.27; n=390; I2=45%), prevent acute infusion reactions (OR 0.21; 95%CI: 0.05-0.82; n=390; I2=0%), decrease adverse events (OR 0.38; 95%CI: 0.15-0.98; n=390; I2=14%), and reduce the probability of surgery, at lower economical expenditure. CONCLUSIONS: The analysed evidence did not confirm the superiority of proactive TDM of anti-TNFα treatment over conventional management in patients with IBD, so proactive TDM should not currently be recommended.

Development and validation of a clinical score for identifying patients with high risk of latent autoimmune adult diabetes (LADA): The LADA primary care-protocol study.

BACKGROUND: Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a type of diabetes mellitus showing overlapping characteristics between type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), and autoimmunity against insulin-producing pancreatic cells. For its diagnosis, at least one type of anti-pancreatic islet antibody (GADAb is the most common) is required. Many authors recommend performing this measure in all newly diagnosed patients with DM, but it is not possible in Primary Health Care (PHC) due to its high cost. Currently, a relevant proportion of patients diagnosed as T2DM could be LADA. Confusing LADA with T2DM has clinical and safety implications, given its different therapeutic approach. The main objective of the study is to develop and validate a clinical score for identifying adult patients with DM at high risk of LADA in PHC. METHODS: This is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out in Primary Care Health Centers with a centralized laboratory. All people over 30 years of age diagnosed with diabetes within a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 4 years before the start of the study will be recruited. Individuals will be recruited by consecutive sampling. The study variables will be obtained through clinical interviews, physical examinations, and electronic medical records. The following variables will be recorded: those related to Diabetes Mellitus, sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle habits, laboratory parameters, presence of comorbidities, additional treatments, personal or family autoimmune disorders, self-perceived health status, Fourlanos criteria, and LADA diagnosis (as main variable) according to current criteria. DISCUSSION: The study will provide an effective method for identifying patients at increased risk of LADA and, therefore, candidates for antibody testing. However, a slight participation bias is to be expected. Differences between participants and non-participants will be studied to quantify this potential bias.

Switching from Premixed Insulin To Basal Insulin Analogue For Type 2 Diabetes and Role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to confirm the usefulness of basal insulin analogue plus oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) for type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients inadequately controlled with premixed insulin with/without OADs and assess the role of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors within this regimen in clinical practice. METHODS: Spanish retrospective observational study that included 186 T2D patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >7% (53 mmol/mol) despite premixed insulin with/without OADs who had been switched to basal insulin analogue plus OADs. Study data describing the situation before the treatment switch and 6 months later was retrospectively retrieved from patients' medical charts. RESULTS: Switching to a basal insulin plus OADs decreased HbA1c (-1.0%, p<0.001), fasting (-38.1 mg/dl, p<0.001) and postprandial glycemia (-36.1 mg/dl, p<0.001), with reduced body weight (-1.1 kg, p<0.001) and hypoglycemic episodes (-17.5%, p<0.001). 68 (36.6%) patients received a basal insulin plus DPP-4 inhibitor±metformin and 74 (39.8%) plus metformin only. The DPP-4 inhibitor±metformin group showed a greater HbA1c reduction than the metformin group (1.3±1.4% vs. 0.9±1.0%, p=0.022), with no significant differences between groups in hypoglycemic episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Basal insulin analogue plus OADs may be a useful treatment for type 2 diabetes patients inadequately controlled with premixed insulin. Administering DPP-4 inhibitors within this regimen may contribute to improve patients' glycemia, with a favorable weight-change profile and without increasing hypoglycemia risk.

Medidas organizativas y práctica asistencial. Una perspectiva desde los centros de salud / Organizational procedures and health care management. A point of view from primary care centres

ObjetivoConocer la utilización de medidas organizativas relacionadas con la práctica asistencial de los centros de salud (CS) a través de la valoración de las comisiones directivas.DiseñoEstudio multicéntrico, descriptivo, transversal.EmplazamientoÁrea 11 Atención Primaria, Madrid.ParticipantesComisiones Directivas de los Equipos de Atención Primaria (n=38).MedicionesSe utilizó un cuestionario semiestructurado autoadministrado con 21 preguntas principales sobre procedimientos y utilización de medidas organizativas internas relacionadas con la práctica asistencial en los CS, agrupadas en 5 apartados: consultas previsibles y no previsibles (carácter asistencial o administrativo) y gestión de agendas/atención al usuario.ResultadosTasa de respuesta 100%. El 69% dispone de circuito interno y/o aplicación informática para renovación de recetas crónicas y el 55% para incapacidad temporal. En el 71%, las consultas de enfermería participan en emisión y entrega de recetas crónicas. El 42% realiza trámites administrativos atribuibles a atención especializada. El 21% no se ajusta a la frecuencia recomendada de visitas de seguimiento en los programas asistenciales y el 29% duplica la actividad entre medicina y enfermería. El 97% dispone de circuito específico interno para atención urgente. El 84% facilita citación autoconcertada desde las consultas y un 29% tiene agenda disponible para un período superior a 6 meses.ConclusionesExiste variabilidad en la utilización de determinadas medidas organizativas y procedimientos relacionados con la práctica asistencial en los centros de salud. Sería recomendable una mayor investigación para determinar si los cambios organizativos y del profesional pudieran contribuir a una mejor eficiencia y satisfacción del paciente(AU)

ObjectiveWe aimed to know how the directive teams perceive the implementation of organizational procedures in relation with the health care management in the primary care setting.DesignMulticentre cross-sectional descriptive study.SettingArea 11 Madrid Primary Care Service, Spain.ParticipantsAll directive teams of primary care centres (PCC) (n=38).MeasurementsData were collected with a self-administered semiestructured questionnaire which included 21 main questions about procedures and use of internal organizational measures relating to the health care management in PCC, grouped in five sections: predictable and non predictable consultations(clinical and administrative), clinical schedules and office management.Results100% response rate. 69% of PCC use internal procedures and computerized applications for the renewal of medical chronic prescriptions and 55% for temporary disability. 71% show nurse involvement in terms of dispensing medical prescriptions during clinical consultations. 42% keep on performing administrative procedures of specialized care. 21% don’t get compliance with routine control of programs and in 29% of consultations duplicity of visits among medicine and nursing are expected. 97% follow a specific process for urgent attention. 84% request subsequent appointment in the previous clinical consultation. 29% have open schedules availables for 6 months.ConclusionsA wide variability of the implementation of organizational procedures in PCC was observed. Further research is needed to determine whether any organizational and professional changes could contribute to improve efficiency and patient satisfaction(AU)

[Organizational procedures and health care management. A point of view from primary care centres]. / Medidas organizativas y práctica asistencial. Una perspectiva desde los centros de salud.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to know how the directive teams perceive the implementation of organizational procedures in relation with the health care management in the primary care setting. DESIGN: Multicentre cross-sectional descriptive study. SETTING: Area 11 Madrid Primary Care Service, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: All directive teams of primary care centres (PCC) (n=38). MEASUREMENTS: Data were collected with a self-administered semiestructured questionnaire which included 21 main questions about procedures and use of internal organizational measures relating to the health care management in PCC, grouped in five sections: predictable and non predictable consultations(clinical and administrative), clinical schedules and office management. RESULTS: 100% response rate. 69% of PCC use internal procedures and computerized applications for the renewal of medical chronic prescriptions and 55% for temporary disability. 71% show nurse involvement in terms of dispensing medical prescriptions during clinical consultations. 42% keep on performing administrative procedures of specialized care. 21% don't get compliance with routine control of programs and in 29% of consultations duplicity of visits among medicine and nursing are expected. 97% follow a specific process for urgent attention. 84% request subsequent appointment in the previous clinical consultation. 29% have open schedules availables for 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variability of the implementation of organizational procedures in PCC was observed. Further research is needed to determine whether any organizational and professional changes could contribute to improve efficiency and patient satisfaction.