Meta-analysis on the efficacy and tolerability of the augmentation of antidepressants with atypical antipsychotics in patients with major depressive disorder

We assessed the efficacy and tolerability of the augmentation of antidepressants (ATDs) with atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) to treat patients with major depressive disorder. A retrograde study to identify relevant patient data included databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects. Data from 17 trials, involving 3807 participants, were identified. The remission rate (RR) and overall response rate (ORR) of adjunctive treatment with AAPs were significantly higher than placebo treatment: RR=1.90 (95%CI=1.61-2.23, z=7.74, P<0.00001) and ORR=1.68 (95%CI=1.45-1.94, z=7.07, P<0.00001). We found that the short-term (4 weeks) treatment [ORR=1.70 (95%CI=0.98-2.95, Z=1.89, P=0.06)] was significantly different from the long-term (6-12 weeks) treatment [ORR=1.68 (95%CI=1.45-1.94, z=7.07, P<0.00001)]. No significant difference in ORR was observed between groups with or without sedative drugs. The discontinuation rate due to adverse effects was higher for adjunctive treatment with AAPs: ORR=3.32 (95%CI=2.35-4.70, z=6.78, P<0.00001). These results demonstrate that the augmentation of ATDs with AAPs (olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole, and risperidone) was more effective than a placebo in improving response and remission rates, although associated with a higher discontinuation rate due to adverse effects.

Monitoramento de eventos adversos em ambiente hospitalar: relato de farmacovigilância, São Paulo / Monitoring of adverse events in hospitals: report of pharmacovigilance, São Paulo

Introdução: O percentual de internações hospitalares devido às reações adversas (RA) a medicamentos em alguns países é cerca de 10% (OPAS/OMS) e acarreta gastos adicionais para o sistema de saúde. Objetivo: Determinar medicamentos mais envolvidos em RA e as RA mais comuns. Métodos: Realizou-se um monitoramento descritivo de RA em hospital privado de São Paulo, de 2004 a 2008, em 197 leitos, totalizando 100 notificações. Dados descritos em frequência (n de RA relatadas). Resultados: Os medicamentos mais envolvidos em RA foram:cefalosporinas (13%) e quinolonas (12%). As RAs foram: rash cutâneo (20%), prurido (13%), hiperemia (12%), náusea (10%), tremores (9%), placas eritematosas (6%), etc. Observou-se que 61% dos indivíduos com RA são do sexo feminino. Conclusão: Sugere-se uma atitude positiva em farmacovigilância, para que a notificação se torne rotina. Verificou-se que houve crescimento das notificações. Pacientes do sexo feminino apresentaram mais RA e os antibióticos foram os medicamentos com maior RA.

Introduction: According to PAHO/WHO, the hospital admissions? due to adverse drug reactions (ADR) in some countries is around 10%, resulting in additional costs for health system. Objective: To determine which drugs are involved in adverse drug reactions and the most common reactions. Methods: We conducted a descriptive monitoring of ADR in a private hospital in São Paulo (Brazil), from 2004 to 2008, in 197 beds, totaling 100 notifications. Data described in frequency (n ADR reported). Results: The drugs most commonly involved in ADR were cephalosporins (13%) and quinolones (12%). The adverse reactions were rash (20%), pruritus (13%), redness (12%), nausea (10%), tremors (9%), erythematous plaques (6%), etc. We observed that 61% of individuals with ADR are female. Conclusion: Achieve the development of positive attitude towards pharmacovigilance among healthcare professionals to ADR becomes accepted and understood. There was an increase in notifications, antibiotics are involved in ADR and female have more ADR.

O uso de antipsicóticos em pacientes com diagnóstico de demência / The use of antipsychotics in patients with dementia

OBJETIVO: Revisar sistematicamente as evidências que sustentam o uso de antipsicóticos no tratamento dos sintomas comportamentais e psicológicos em pacientes com demência, assim como rever as controvérsias e desvantagens dessa prescrição, tendo em vista, por um lado, a elevada prevalência destas manifestações no curso clínico das demências e, por outro, a maior susceptibilidade do idoso aos eventos adversos desses medicamentos. MÉTODO: Revisão sistemática da literatura sobre o uso de antipsicóticos típicos e atípicos em pacientes portadores de síndromes demenciais. As bases de dados usadas para este fim foram o PubMed/Medline, Embase e SciELO. A busca por trabalhos se limitou aos anos de 1986 a 2007, selecionando-se ensaios clínicos randomizados e metanálises da literatura. RESULTADOS: Há evidências a partir de ensaios randomizados, duplamente encobertos, controlados por placebo, de que os antipsicóticos típicos e atípicos são eficazes no tratamento dos sintomas comportamentais que ocorrem nas síndromes demenciais, especialmente os quadros psicóticos e alterações do comportamento motor. Entretanto, o uso destas medicações está associado a eventos adversos importantes. Embora os antipsicóticos atípicos estejam menos associados aos efeitos colaterais extrapiramidais, comuns entre os neurolépticos de primeira geração, podem aumentar a incidência de eventos cerebrovasculares e do risco de morte, sobretudo em pacientes vulneráveis. CONCLUSÃO: Os antipsicóticos devem ser usados com cautela nos pacientes com demência, buscando otimizar o regime de dosagem e duração do tratamento, e avaliando-se individualmente a relação risco-benefício.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to systematically review the supporting evidence for the use of antipsychotics in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms in patients with dementia, as well as the controversies and limitations of this prescription. We discuss the available evidence in the light of the high prevalence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in this population, along with the greater susceptibility of elderly patients to adverse events. METHOD: Systematic literature review of the use of typical and atypical antipsychotics in patients with dementia was carried out in the databases PubMed/Medline, Embase and SciELO. The search was limited to clinical trials and meta-analysis of the literature published from 1986 to 2007. RESULTS: Evidence drawn from randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trials support the use of both typical and atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of behavioral symptoms of dementia, especially psychotic symptoms and abnormal psychomotor activity. Nevertheless, the use of these drugs in demented patients is not devoid of important adverse events. Although the induction of extrapiramidal symptoms is not as frequent or severe with atypical antipsychotics as it is with first-generation neuroleptics, the former drugs may particularly increase the risk of cerebrovascular events and death. CONCLUSION: Although effective, antipsychotic drugs must be prescribed cautiously in patients with dementia. Dose regimens, duration of treatment and a cautious assessment of risk-benefit must be established for each patient.