Potential and clinical relevant drug-drug interactions among elderly from nursing homes: a multicentre study in Murcia, Spain / Interações medicamentosas potenciais e clinicamente relevantes em instituições de longa permanência para idosos: um estudo multicêntrico em Murcia, Espanha

Abstract This study purposes to determine the prevalence of potential and clinical relevant Drug-Drug-Interactions (pDDIs) in institutionalized older adults and to identify the pertinent factors associated. We conduct an observational, multicenter and cross-sectional study during the last quarter of 2010. We selected a sample of 275 subjects (aged ≥ 65 years) from 10 nursing homes of Murcia (Spain) by a two-stage complex sampling. pDDIs were identified using the College of Pharmacists Database. We only considered pDDIs of clinical relevance, and thereafter the relevant factors were identified through uni-level and multi-level regression analyses. A total of 210 pDDIs were identified, 120 of which were considered clinically relevant (57.1%), affecting a total of 70 elderly (25.8%). Eight pharmacological groups made up 70.2% of the clinically relevant pDDIs. More clinically relevant DDIs were found in people suffering several pathologies (OR = 2.3; 95%CI = 1.4-4.5), and also in people who take ten or more drugs daily (OR = 9.6; 95%CI = 4.8-19.1), and people who take anti-inflammatory drugs (OR = 3.9; 95%CI = 1.4-10.4). This study reveals that clinically relevant pDDIs are very common in institutionalized elderly people, and that caregivers should aim at improving their practice in order to reduce the prevalence of this phenomenon.

Resumo Este estudo pretende identificar a prevalência de interações medicamentosas potenciais (IMP) em idosos institucionalizados e seus fatores associados. Realizamos um estudo observacional, multicêntrico e transversal, durante o último trimestre de 2010. Selecionamos uma amostra de 275 sujeitos (≥ 65 anos) de 10 instituições para idosos de Murcia (Espanha) mediante amostragem aleatória complexa em duas etapas. As IMP foram identificadas usando a base de dados do College of Pharmacists. Estimamos a prevalência de IMP de relevância clínica e analisamos os fatores associados com análise de regressão uni e multinível. Identificamos 210 IMP, das quais 120 foram consideradas clinicamente relevantes (57,1%) e afetaram 70 idosos (25,8%). Oito grupos farmacológicos constituíram 70,2% das IMP clinicamente relevantes. A prevalência de IMP esteve associada à multimorbidade (OR = 2,3; IC 95% = 1,4-4,5) e tomar dez ou mais medicamentos diariamente (OR = 9,6; IC95% = 4,8-19,1) e uso de medicamentos anti-inflamatórios (OR = 3,9; IC 95% = 1,4-10,4). Este estudo revela que as IMP clinicamente relevantes são muito comuns em idosos institucionalizados e que os serviços devem melhorar seus processos para reduzir a prevalência deste fenômeno.

Study of dermatoses in kidney transplant patients / Estudo das dermatoses em pacientes transplantados renais

BACKGROUND: The increasing in the number of kidney transplant recipients has favored, more frequently than before, the emergence of dermatoses and warranted their study through subsequent publications. OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the frequency of dermatoses in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: kidney transplant recipients with suspected dermatoses between March 1st 2009 and June 30th 2010. RESULTS: 53 patients (28 males and 25 females), aged between 22 and 69 (mean age = 45 years) were evaluated. Most of them came from the cities of Ceilândia, Samambaia and São Sebastião/DF, and had already been transplanted for 5 to 10 years before (37.7%); 62.3% were recipients of living donors and 83% were prednisone-treated. The most prevalent dermatoses were of fungal (45.3%) and viral (39.6%) etiologies. Among the non-melanoma malignant neoplasms, the basal cell carcinoma prevailed (six cases), in spite of the low incidence. Concerning fungal dermatoses, 12 cases of onychomycosis, five of pityriasis versicolor and four of pityrosporum folliculitis were reported. For diagnosis, in most cases (64.2%), laboratory examinations (mycological and histopathological) were performed. CONCLUSION: cutaneous manifestations in kidney transplant recipients are generally secondary to immunosuppression. The infectious dermatoses, especially those of fungal origin, are frequently found in kidney transplant recipients and their occurrence increases progressively according to the time elapsed from the transplantation, which makes follow-up important. .

FUNDAMENTOS: o crescente aumento do número dos transplantados renais tem favorecido o aparecimento mais frequente das dermatoses e permitido o estudo em sucessivos trabalhos. OBJETIVOS: avaliar a frequência das dermatoses em pacientes transplantados renais. MÉTODOS: captação de pacientes transplantados renais durante o período de 1° de março de 2009 a 30 de junho de 2010 com suspeita de dermatoses. RESULTADOS : foram avaliados 53 pacientes (28 homens e 25 mulheres), entre 22 e 69 anos (com uma média de 45 anos), a maioria procedente de Ceilândia, Samambaia e São Sebastião/DF, entre 5 e 10 anos de transplante renal (37,7%), sendo 62,3% receptor de doador vivo e 83% em uso de prednisona. As dermatoses mais prevalentes foram as de etiologia fúngica (45,3%) e viral (39,6%). Das neoplasias malignas não-melanoma, apesar da baixa incidência, predominou o carcinoma basocelular (seis casos). Com relação s dermatoses de origem fúngica, ocorreram 12 casos de onicomicoses, cinco casos de pitiríase versicolor e quatro casos de foliculite pitirospórica. Para realização do diagnóstico, na maioria dos casos (64,2%), foi utilizado os exames laboratoriais ( micológicos e histopatológicos). CONCLUSÃO: as manifestações cutâneas em pacientes transplantados renais são geralmente secundárias imunossupressão. As dermatoses infecciosas, principalmente as de etiologia fúngica, são frequentes em pacientes transplantados renais, e sua ocorrência aumenta progressivamente, conforme o tempo transcorrido, a partir do transplante, sendo importante o acompanhamento. .

Effectiveness of radiation synovectomy with samarium-153 particulate hydroxyapatite in rheumatoid arthritis patients with knee synovitis: a controlled randomized double-blind trial

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of Samarium153-particulate hydroxyapatite radiation synovectomy in rheumatoid arthritis patients with chronic knee synovitis. METHODS: Fifty-eight rheumatoid arthritis patients (60 knees) with chronic knee synovitis participated in a controlled double-blinded trial. Patients were randomized to receive either an intra-articular injection with 40 mg triamcinolone hexacetonide alone (TH group) or 40 mg triamcinolone hexacetonide combined with 15 mCi Samarium153-particulate hydroxyapatite (Sm/TH group). Blinded examination at baseline (T0) and at 1 (T1), 4 (T4), 12 (T12), 32 (T32), and 48 (T48) weeks post-intervention were performed on all patients and included a visual analog scale for joint pain and swelling as well as data on morning stiffness, flexion, extension, knee circumference, Likert scale of improvement, percentage of improvement, SF-36 generic quality of life questionnaire, Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Lequesne index, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or oral corticosteroids, events and adverse effects, calls to the physician, and hospital visits. RESULTS: The sample was homogeneous at baseline, and there were no withdrawals. Improvement was observed in both groups in relation to T0, but no statistically significant differences between groups were observed regarding all variables at the time points studied. The Sm/TH group exhibited more adverse effects at T1 (p<0.05), but these were mild and transitory. No severe adverse effects were reported during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular injection of Samarium153-particulate hydroxyapatite (15 mCi) with 40 mg of triamcinolone hexacetonide is not superior to triamcinolone hexacetonide alone for the treatment of knee synovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis at 1 y of follow-up.

Efficacy and safety of combined piroxicam, dexamethasone, orphenadrine, and cyanocobalamin treatment in mandibular molar surgery

Third molar extraction is a common procedure frequently accompanied by moderate or severe pain, and involves sufficient numbers of patients to make studies relatively easy to perform. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the therapeutic combination of 10 mg piroxicam, 1 mg dexamethasone, 35 mg orphenadrine citrate, and 2.5 mg cyanocobalamin (Rheumazin®) when compared with 20 mg piroxicam alone (Feldene®) in mandibular third molar surgery. Eighty patients scheduled for removal of the third molar were included in this randomized and double-blind study. They received (vo) Rheumazin or Feldene 30 min after tooth extraction and once daily for 4 consecutive days. Pain was determined by a visual analogue scale and by the need for escape analgesia (paracetamol). Facial swelling was evaluated with a measuring tape and adverse effects and patient satisfaction were recorded. There was no statistically significant difference in facial swelling between Rheumazin and Feldene (control group). Both drugs were equally effective in the control of pain, with Rheumazin displaying less adverse effects than Feldene. Therefore, Rheumazin appears to provide a better risk/benefit ratio in the mandibular molar surgery. Since the side effects resulting from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration are a severe limitation to the routine use of these drugs in clinical practice, our results suggest that Rheumazin can be a good choice for third molar removal treatment.

Mitoxantrone in secondarily progressive multiple sclerosis: a series of 18 patients

Hidrocloridrato de mitoxantrone (Novantrone®) é um antracenedione utilizado como o agente mais recente de uma longa linha de imunossupressivos gerais estudados em esclerose múltipla (EM). Realizamos revisão de dados clínicos, laboratoriais, de neuroimagem e ecocardiografia de 18 pacientes, no período de fevereiro de 2001 a março de 2004, a partir de um total de 100 pacientes com EM definida. Quatorze pacientes eram do sexo feminino (77,7%) e quatro eram do sexo masculino. A idade média dos pacientes foi 41,6±10 anos (intervalo de confiança 95%: 36,4-46,7 anos). A duração média da doença foi 10,5±6,3 anos. Quatorze pacientes apresentavam a forma secundária progressiva de EM e quatro a forma surto-remissão. O mitoxantrone é uma droga útil e clinicamente eficaz , sendo a principal limitação sua potencial cardiotoxicidade devido à dose cumulativa (140 mg).