Evaluation of proactive therapeutic drug monitoring application in infliximab users in ulcerative colitis

Objective: To evaluate the application of proactive pro-drug therapy (TDM) at week six in users of infliximab therapy in ulcerative colitis patients and to analyze the need for further disease optimization. Method: This is a retrospective analysis that will be carried out simultaneously at the Hospital de Clínicas de Passo Fundo and at the Endoclin Diagnostic Center in the city of Passo Fundo, with secondary data collection between January 2020 and May 2022. The sample included patients from both sexes, regardless of age, who are being followed up in the services mentioned above, by signing the informed Free and Clarified Consent Term. Results: 63.2% of patients required optimization of their treatment based on the serum level assessment at week six. Conclusion: Proactive TDM performed at week six benefits patients in order to complete indications for treatment to avoid lack of drug response and complications from the disease. (AU)

Monitoring compliance with Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Alzheimer's disease / Monitoramento do cumprimento do protocolo clínico e diretrizes terapêuticas da doença de alzheimer

ABSTRACT Dementia is a chronic neurodegenerative disease and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent type. Objective: To describe the drug monitoring of patients enrolled in a Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines of Alzheimer's Disease (PCDTDA) in Brazil. Methods: A descriptive study based on interviews conducted in 2017 was performed. Patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) enrolled on the PCDTDA were included. The variables assessed were age, sex, time since diagnosis, clinical parameters of Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), drug therapy used and AD drug collection. Results: The drug monitoring of 143 patients was evaluated. Observing the requirements of the screening tests for patient enrolment on the PCDTDA, all patients had scores for at least one MMSE and CDR assessment at protocol admission. None of the patients underwent the first reassessment of the effectiveness of AD drug therapy or the semiannual reassessment. Conclusion: Although PCDTDA provides the best evidence of AD treatment, the data showed failures in the monitoring of the effectiveness of AD drug therapy at dispensing.

RESUMO A demência é uma doença crônica e neurodegenerativa, e a doença de Alzheimer (DA) é a mais prevalente. Objetivo: Descrever o monitoramento da farmacoterapia de pacientes inseridos no Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas da Doença de Alzheimer (PCDTDA), Brasil. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, conduzido por meio de entrevistas em 2017. Foram incluídos pacientes com diagnóstico da doença de Alzheimer (DA) inseridos no PCDTDA. As variáveis foram idade; sexo; tempo de diagnóstico e farmacoterapia da DA; os parâmetros clínicos Mini-exame do estado mental (MEEM) e Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR); e farmacoterapia em uso. Resultados: O monitoramento de 143 pacientes foi avaliado. Considerando a exigência dos testes de rastreio para a inserção do paciente no PCDTDA, observou-se que todos os pacientes tinham pelo menos um escore no MEEM e no CDR na admissão no protocolo. Nenhum paciente foi submetido à primeira reavaliação da efetividade da farmacoterapia da DA e nem à reavaliação semestral. Conclusão: Apesar do PCDTDA ser a maior evidência do tratamento da DA, dados evidenciam falhas no monitoramento da efetividade da farmacoterapia da DA na dispensação.

Marco de monitoreo y evaluación para programas de control de hipertensión / Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Hypertension Control Programs

Este documento describe el marco de evaluación y monitoreo para programas de control de hipertensión, un trabajo colaborativo entre la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) y la Liga Mundial de Hipertensión (LMH). Este marco provee los cimientos que le permite a los países, basado en sus propios recursos y prioridades, seleccionar los indicadores para monitoreo y evaluación. Se recomienda enfáticamente el uso de cinco indicadores básicos del paquete técnico de HEARTS y el indicador adicional de cobertura del registro propuesto por OPS-LMH. La iniciativa Global HEARTS compila las buenas prácticas mundiales para el control de las enfermedades cardiovasculares [1]. El marco de monitoreo y evaluación está diseñado para ser utilizado en diferentes niveles de intervención: nacional, regional e incluso al nivel de los servicios clínicos e instituciones de salud. La intención es que los programas de hipertensión seleccionen indicadores cuantitativos que sean consonantes con los mecanismos de vigilancia que ya están disponibles y viables; y que, además, usen los indicadores de procesos sugeridos por este marco como una guía para la gestión de programas. Los programas pueden optar por incrementar o refinar el número de indicadores a medida que transcurre el tiempo.

Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Hypertension Control Programs

[Introduction]. This document describes the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Hypertension Control Programs, a collaboration between the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Hypertension League (WHL). It provides a foundation that allows countries, based on their own resources and priorities, to select indicators for their monitoring and evaluation efforts and strongly recommends the use of the five core indicators of the Global HEARTS cardiovascular disease management technical package and one additional PAHO-WHL core indicator. The framework is designed to be used at different intervention levels: national, regional, and even at the community or clinic/facility-level. The intention is for hypertension programs to select quantitative indicators based on the current surveillance mechanisms that are available and what is feasible and to use the framework process indicators as a guide to program management. Programs may wish to increase or refine the number of indicators they use over time.

Preventable adverse drug events in critically ill HIV patients: Is the detection of potential drug-drug interactions a useful tool?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a strategy to identify adverse drug events associated with drug-drug interactions by analyzing the prescriptions of critically ill patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included HIV/AIDS patients who were admitted to an intensive care unit between November 2006 and September 2008. Data were collected in two stages. In the first stage, three prescriptions administered throughout the entire duration of these patients' hospitalization were reviewed, with the Micromedex database used to search for potential drug-drug interactions. In the second stage, a search for adverse drug events in all available medical, nursing and laboratory records was performed. The probability that a drug-drug interaction caused each adverse drug events was assessed using the Naranjo algorithm. RESULTS: A total of 186 drug prescriptions of 62 HIV/AIDS patients were analyzed. There were 331 potential drug-drug interactions, and 9% of these potential interactions resulted in adverse drug events in 16 patients; these adverse drug events included treatment failure (16.7%) and adverse reactions (83.3%). Most of the adverse drug reactions were classified as possible based on the Naranjo algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: The approach used in this study allowed for the detection of adverse drug events related to 9% of the potential drug-drug interactions that were identified; these adverse drug events affected 26% of the study population. With the monitoring of adverse drug events based on prescriptions, a combination of the evaluation of potential drug-drug interactions by clinical pharmacy services and the monitoring of critically ill patients is an effective strategy that can be used as a complementary tool for safety assessments and the prevention of adverse drug events.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of benznidazole and nifurtimox: a systematic review and quality assessment of published clinical practice guidelines

Abstract The pharmacological management of adults with chronic-phase Chagas disease is challenging despite it being the recent focus of extensive research. One of the challenges in the current clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) landscape is the existence of non-evidence-based recommendations for the use of laboratory tests in treatment monitoring. This study aimed to systematically assess the quality and consistency of recommendations of CPGs on the pharmacological management of adults with chronic-phase Chagas disease. Systematic literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, SciELO and Google to identify all published CPGs relevant to the pharmacological management of Chagas disease, between January 2010 and March 2016. Three independent reviewers assessed the quality of each CPG using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. A total of five CPGs were included and the overall quality of the guidelines for therapeutic drug monitoring of Chagas disease was moderate-to-low. There was considerable variation in the quality of the CPGs across the AGREE II domains. The domains of scope/purpose, stakeholder involvement, and clarity of presentation were rated well, and the domains of applicability and editorial independence received poor ratings. This review showed that the methodological quality of CPGs for Chagas disease was generally inappropriate, and there was no explicit link between the best available evidence and current recommendations.

Conversion to Mycophenolate Mofetil Monotherapy in Liver Recipients: Calcineurin Inhibitor Levels are Key

Abstract: The use of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) after liver transplantation is associated with post-transplant nephrotoxicity. Conversion to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) monotherapy improves renal function, but is related to graft rejection in some recipients. Our aim was to identify variables associated with rejection after conversion to MMF monotherapy. Conversion was attempted in 40 liver transplant recipients. Clinical variables were determined and peripheral mononuclear blood cells were immunophenotyped during a 12-month follow- up. Conversion was classified as successful (SC) if rejection did not occur during the follow-up. MMF conversion was successful with 28 patients (70%) and was associated with higher glomerular filtration rates at the end of study. It also correlated with increased time elapsed since transplantation, low baseline CNI levels (Tacrolimus ≤ 6.5 ng/mL or Cyclosporine ≤ 635 ng/mL) and lower frequency of tacrolimus use. The only clinical variable independently related to SC in multivariate analysis was low baseline CNI levels (p = 0.02, OR: 6.93, 95%, CI: 1.3-29.7). Mean baseline fluorescent intensity of FOXP3+ T cells was significantly higher among recipients with SC. In conclusion, this study suggests that baseline CNI levels can be used to identify recipients with higher probability of SC to MMF monotherapy. Clinicaltrials.gov identification: NCT01321112.

Impacto de Ia telemedicina en Ia calidad del control de tratamiento anticoagulante oral / Impact of tele-medicine for control of oral anticoagulant treatment

Antecedentes: En el año 2014 se inició Telemedicina desde el Policlinico de Tratamiento Anticoagulante oral del Hospital San Juan de Dios y el Hospital de Curacaví, evitando así el traslado de pacientes a Santiago para el control con el médico especialista. Métodos: Se utilizó licencia de video conferencia en el Hospital San Juan de Dios, dispositivo móvil, equipo de INR capilar y stock de Acenocumarol en el Hospital de Curacaví. Resultados: En total se han realizado 2.174 consultas vía Telemedicina (junio 2014 a diciembre 2015). Esta estrategia ha sido bien evaluada por los pacientes. La mejora en la calidad del tratamiento ha sido evidente: 58,3% de los pacientes del Hospital de Curacaví se encuentran en rango terapéutico, superior al 50,8% de los pacientes del Hospital San Juan de Dios (p < 0,05). En cuanto al Tiempo en Rango Terapéutico (TTR) 50,6% de los pacientes del Hospital de Curacaví se encuentran en rango versus 46,2% de los pacientes del Hospital San Juan de Dios (p< 0,05). Conclusiones: La Telemedicina utilizada por equipos comprometidos es capaz de mantener indicadores de calidad de la atención que la validan como herramienta de atención clínica a distancia. La Telemedicina, en cuanto es una herramienta que acerca el especialista a comunidades alejadas de centros hospitalarios complejos, es valorada y muy bien calificada por los usuarios.

Background: Starting in 2014 telemedicine has been used to control oral anticoagulant treatment (OAT) in patients attending a peripheral hospital (Curacaví), in connection with Hospital San Juan de Dios, based in Santiago. Methods: A license for video conference was available to communicate both hospitals. Capillary INR and medications were available at Curacaví Hospital. Results: Between June 2014 and December 2015, 2174 indications for OAT have been made through tele-medicine. Different estimates of quality of care and user satisfaction have been rated > 6.7 (1-7 scale). Percent of INR measurements in therapeutic range was 58.3% in Curacavi and 50.8% at Hospital San Juan de Dios (p<0.05) and time in therapeutic range was 50.6% vs 42.6%, respectively (p<0.05) Conclusion: Tele-medicine allowed a close relationship between remote medical facilities and a complex medical center and was fully validated as a means of controlling OAT with a high degree of acceptance by patients.

Uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados por idosos do Município de São Paulo, Brasil: Estudo SABE / Use of potentially inappropriate medication by the elderly in São Paulo, Brazil: SABE Study / Uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropiados para los adultos mayores de São Paulo, Brasil: Estudio SABE

Alguns medicamentos são considerados impróprios para o idoso, devido a alterações na farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica, por falta de eficácia terapêutica ou por um risco aumentado de efeitos adversos superando seus benefícios. Verificou-se a prevalência do uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados, segundo os critérios de Beers, por idosos do Município de São Paulo, Brasil, participantes do Estudo SABE. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de base populacional, cuja amostra de 1.254 indivíduos com 60 anos ou mais representava a população idosa do município no ano de 2006. Verificou-se a prevalência de 28% de uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados. No modelo de regressão logística múltipla, as variáveis associadas ao uso foram uso de cinco medicamentos ou mais (p = 0,001), presença de duas ou mais doenças (p = 0,011) e sexo feminino (p = 0,007). Identificou-se o uso de 36 medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados, a maioria de venda sob prescrição. São necessários critérios específicos para a população brasileira e ampla divulgação da farmacologia clínica do idoso. Protocolos ou softwares para prescrição também podem auxiliar a prescrição racional para esse grupo.

Various medicines are considered unsuitable for older adults due to alterations in pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, lack of therapeutic efficacy, and/or increased risk of adverse events exceeding potential benefits. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication among older adults in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 1,254 individuals aged 60 years or older (participants in the SABE Study), representing the elderly population of the city in 2006. Potentially inappropriate medication was defined according to the Beers criteria. Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication was 28%. Potentially inappropriate medication was associated with polypharmacy (p = 0.001), two or more diseases (p = 0.011), and female gender (p = 0.007). Thirty-six potentially inappropriate medicines were identified, the majority of which involving prescription medications. Specific criteria are needed for the Brazilian population, in addition to awareness-raising on clinical pharmacology in older adults. Prescription protocols and software programs could assist in the process of rational prescribing in this age group.

Algunos medicamentos son considerados inapropiados para los ancianos, debido a alteraciones en la farmacocinética y en la farmacodinámica, por falta de eficacia terapéutica o por un riesgo de aumento de efectos adversos, superando sus beneficios. Se verificó la prevalencia del uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropiados, según los criterios de Beers, por parte de ancianos del municipio de São Paulo, Brasil, participantes en el estudio SABE. Se trata de un estudio transversal de base poblacional, cuya muestra de 1.254 individuos con 60 años o más representaba a la población anciana en el municipio durante el año 2006. La prevalencia de uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropiados fue de un 28%. En el modelo de regresión logística múltiple, las variables asociadas al uso fueron polifarmacia (p = 0,001), dos o más enfermedades (p = 0,011) y sexo femenino (p = 0,007). Se identificó el uso de 36 medicamentos potencialmente inapropiados, la mayoría de venta con prescripción. Son necesarios criterios específicos para la población brasileña y una amplia divulgación de la farmacología clínica del anciano. Protocolos o softwares para prescripción pueden auxiliar en la prescripción racional para este grupo.

Acesso a medicamentos por via Judicial no Paraná: aplicação de um modelo metodológico para análise e monitoramento das demandas judiciais / Judicial access to medicine in Paraná: applying a methodological model for lawsuit analysis and monitoring

O número crescente de demandas judiciais individuais por medicamentos tem exigido estudos de caracterização e análise. As diferentes abordagens e análises realizadas dificultam a comparação entre estados e/ou municípios brasileiros, fato este que inspirou a construção de indicadores de análise e monitoramento dessas demandas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi aplicar tal modelo metodológico na análise das demandas judiciais individuais para o acesso a medicamentos no Estado do Paraná. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo empírico de análise das demandas judiciais por medicamentos junto à Secretaria de Estado da Saúde referentes ao ano de 2009. A partir da identificação e quantificação de variáveis selecionadas, foram calculados os indicadores propostos para avaliação e monitoramento das demandas judiciais de medicamentos. Procedeu-se, então, à análise da qualidade do modelo desenvolvido, com base na variabilidade das fontes de informação, na completude dos dados e na seleção da unidade de análise. Devido à indisponibilidade de informações nas fontes selecionadas, não foi possível determinar todos os indicadores propostos – em particular os relacionados às características sociodemográficas dos autores das ações. Para o uso eficiente do conjunto de indicadores, como instrumento tanto de pesquisa quanto de gestão, seria necessário dispor da cópia de cada processo judicial na íntegra.

The growing number of individual lawsuits over medicines has required characterization and analysis studies. The different approaches and analyses hinder the comparison between Brazilian states and/or municipalities, thus inspiring the elaboration of indicators to analyze and monitor these claims. This study aims at applying the referred methodological model to individual lawsuit analysis on medicine access in Paraná. Accordingly, we conducted an empirical analysis on the medicine access lawsuits addressed to the Health Secretariat of State, relative to 2009. After the identification and quantification of selected variables, we calculated the proposed indicators to evaluate and monitor the medicine lawsuits. In addition, the developed model quality was analyzed based on information source variability, data completeness, and the selection of the analysis unit. Due to information unavailability from the selected sources, it was not possible to determine all the proposed indicators—in particular,those related to the social and demographic characteristics of the concerned plaintiffs. To effectively use the set of indicators, both as research and management instrument, it would be necessary to have a complete available copy of each lawsuit.

Bipolar disorder and medication: adherence, patients' knowledge and serum monitoring of lithium carbonate / Transtorno bipolar e medicamentos: adesão, conhecimento dos pacientes e monitorização sérica do carbonato de lítio / Trastorno bipolar y medicamentos: adhesión, conocimiento de los pacientes y monitorización sérica del carbonato de litio

OBJECTIVES: this study featured patients with affective bipolar disorder who were making use of lithium and received care at an outpatient care center located in a country town in the state of Sao Paulo in 2009; it assessed the adherence and knowledge of these patients in relation to the medication prescribed to them and verified the proportion of blood tests performed per year in the service, for each individual, to measure lithium levels in the blood. METHOD: descriptive study with quantitative approach, involving 36 participants. Structured interviews and review of medical records were used for data collection and descriptive statistics for data analysis. RESULTS: difficulties in reporting the dosage of the medication prescribed and a high rate of non-adherence were identified among the participants. None of the participants in the study was submitted to two tests a year to measure lithium levels in the blood, which is the minimum proportion of tests recommended by the literature for maintenance treatment using lithium carbonate. CONCLUSION: this study highlights the critical factors for the promotion of patients' safety in monitoring lithium drug therapy. .

OBJETIVOS: este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar pacientes com transtorno afetivo bipolar, em uso de lítio, atendidos no ano 2009 em um serviço ambulatorial do interior de São Paulo, Brasil; avaliar a adesão e conhecimento dos mesmos sobre medicamentos prescritos e verificar a proporção de litemias/ano realizadas, no serviço, para cada indivíduo. MÉTODO: trata-se de estudo descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, do qual participaram 36 pessoas. Foram utilizadas entrevistas estruturadas e revisão de prontuários para coleta de dados e estatística descritiva para análise dos mesmos. RESULTADOS: entre os participantes, foram identificadas dificuldades em relatar a dose dos fármacos prescritos e alta taxa de não adesão. Em nenhum participante do estudo foi atingida a proporção de duas litemias/ano, que representa a quantidade mínima de litemias preconizada pela literatura para o tratamento de manutenção com carbonato de lítio. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: este estudo aponta fatores críticos na promoção da segurança do paciente no seguimento da terapêutica medicamentosa com lítio. .

OBJETIVOS: este estudio caracterizó pacientes con trastorno afectivo bipolar, tratadas con litio, atendidos en el año de 2009 en un servicio de ambulatorio del interior del estado de Sao Paulo, en Brasil; evaluó la adhesión y conocimiento de los mismos sobre medicamentos prescritos y verificó la proporción de litemias/año realizadas, en el servicio, para cada individuo. MÉTODO: se trata de estudio descriptivo, con abordaje cuantitativo, del cual participaron 36 personas. Fueron utilizadas entrevistas estructuradas y revisión de fichas para recolección de datos y estadística descriptiva para análisis de los mismos. RESULTADOS: entre los participantes, fueron identificadas dificultades en relatar la dosis de los fármacos prescritos y una alta tasa de no adhesión. En ningún participante del estudio fue alcanzada la proporción de dos litemias/año, que representa la cantidad mínima de litemias preconizada por la literatura para el tratamiento de mantenimiento con carbonato de litio. CONCLUSIÓN: este estudio apunta factores críticos para la promoción de la seguridad del paciente en el seguimiento de la terapéutica medicamentosa con litio. .

Estudio de cohorte prospectiva de un programa de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico a pacientes anticoagulados ingresados en residencias geriátricas / Prospective cohort study of a pharmacological follow-up program of anticoagulated patients admitted to nursing homes

Introducción: El tratamiento anticoagulante, pese a conseguir un claro beneficio para prevenir y tratar la patología tromboembólica, presenta dificultades para su manejo en la práctica habitual. Ello debido a la variabilidad individual de dosificación, estrecho margen terapéutico, interacciones farmacológicas y efectos secundarios graves. Los pacientes ingresados en residencias geriátricas presentan cada vez más indicaciones para seguir un tratamiento anticoagulante oral, producto de trombosis venosa profunda y, muy especialmente, fibrilación auricular. Se trata de pacientes con un perfil que dificulta la prescripción del tratamiento anticoagulante: edad avanzada, polimedicación y pluripatologías. Objetivos: nos planteamos la hipótesis de que la implantación desde atención primaria de un programa de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico del tratamiento anticoagulante oral en pacientes ingresados en residencias geriátricas, que coordine a distintos profesionales de diferentes estamentos y niveles asistenciales, ha de mejorar su beneficio y disminuir los efectos secundarios. Métodos: se realiza un estudio descriptivo tipo cohorte prospectiva, de un año de evolución, de 27 pacientes ingresados en residencia geriátrica que realizan tratamiento anticoagulante controlado por el equipo de atención primaria. Se analizan distintas variables obtenidas a partir de la historia clínica informatizada, a partir de las cuales se establecen indicadores sobre el procedimiento del programa (indicadores de cobertura y registro) y otros sobre el resultado (indicadores definidos por el Comité Británico de Estándares en Hematología). Resultados: los resultados muestran que el perfil del paciente ingresado en una residencia geriátrica tratado con anticoagulantes es de edad avanzada (84 años), con predominio de mujeres (70 por ciento), con fibrilación auricular como indicación más frecuente (70,4 por ciento)...

Introduction. Anticoagulant treatment, despite providing a clear benefit to prevent and treat thrombo-embolic disease, is difficult to manage in routine practice. This is due to individual variability of dosing, narrow therapeutic margin, drug interactions, and side effects. An increasing number of patients admitted to nursing homes are under oral anticoagulant therapy because of deep venous thrombosis and, especially, atrial fibrillation. These are patients with a profile that makes prescription of anticoagulant treatment more difficult - elderly, taking multiple concomitant medications and with multiple ailments. Objetive. We hypothesized that the implementation of a primary care pharmacological follow-up program of oral anticoagulant therapy in patients admitted to nursing homes, with the purpose of coordinating the different professionals and care levels, would lead to greater benefit and reduction of side effects. Methods. A one-year descriptive prospective cohort study was conducted of 27 patients admitted to nursing homes who are under anticoagulation therapy followed by the primary care team. We analyzed different variables obtained from computerized medical records, from which indicators on the program were established (coverage and registration) as well as outcome indicators (as defined by the British Committee for Standards in Haematology). Results. The profile of patients under anticoagulation and admitted to nursing homes is elderly (84 years), with a predominance of women (70 percent), atrial fibrillation as most frequent indication (70.4 percent), hypertension as major cardiovascular risk factor (92 percent) and most of them on multiple drugs (92 percent). The analysis of the program results showed excellent coverage and registration indicators (100 percent)...

Prevalence of potential drug interactions in patients in an intensive care unit of a university hospital in Brazil

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of potential drug interactions at the intensive care unit of a university hospital in Brazil and to analyze their clinical significance. METHODS: This cross-sectional retrospective study included 299 patients who had been hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the hospital. The drugs administered during the first 24 hours of hospitalization, in the 50th length-ofstay percentile and at the time of discharge were analyzed to identify potential drug-drug and drug-enteral nutrition interactions using DRUG-REAXH software. The drugs were classified according to the anatomical therapeutic chemical classification. RESULTS: The median number of medications per patient was smaller at the time of discharge than in the 50th length-of-stay percentile and in the first 24 hours of hospitalization. There was a 70 percent prevalence of potential drug interactions at the intensive care unit at the studied time points of hospitalization. Most of the drug interactions were either severe or moderate, and the scientific evidence for the interactions was, in general, either good or excellent. Pharmacodynamic interactions presented a subtle predominance in relation to pharmacokinetic interactions. The occurrence of potential drug interactions was associated with the number of medications administered and the length of stay. Medications that induced cytochrome P450, drugs that prolong the QT interval and cardiovascular drugs were pharmacotherapy factors associated with potential drug interactions. CONCLUSION: The study showed that potential drug interactions were prevalent in the intensive care unit due to the complexity of the pharmacotherapies administered. The interactions were associated with the number of drugs, the length of stay and the characteristics of the administered medications.

Codificación geométrica y análisis de conglomerados para evaluar el control metabólico de pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Geometric coding and cluster analysis to assess metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de las combinaciones de los parámetros de control metabólico por arriba de lo normal, usando la codificación geométrica y el análisis jerárquico de conglomerados, en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). Métodos: Se desarrolló en México un estudio transversal descriptivo para evaluar a un grupo de 1 051 pacientes con DM2, cuyos criterios de inclusión eran tener uno o más de los siguientes valores: glucosa en ayunas > 130 mg/dL, colesterol total > 240 mg/dL, triglicéridos totales > 200 mg/dL, índice de masa corporal > 27 kg/m², y presión arterial sistólica mayor de 130 mmHg o presión arterial diastólica mayor de 85 mmHg. Por medio de codificaciones geométricas se obtuvieron las frecuencias de todas las combinaciones. Para definir similitudes entre las combinaciones se utilizó el método de análisis de conglomerados. Resultados: Utilizando el instrumento propuesto, se observó que la combinación en pares con mayor número de sujetos estuvo representada por hiperglucemia-hipertrigliceridemia (7,3 por ciento) e hiperglucemia-hipercolesterolemia (3,6 por ciento). Las policombinaciones de mayor frecuencia fueron hiperglucemia-hipercolesterolemia-hipertrigliceridemia (13,2 por ciento) e hiperglucemia- hipertrigliceridemia-hipercolesterolemia-hipertensión (10,5 por ciento). Conclusiones: La codificación geométrica y el análisis por conglomerados podrían llegar a ser un instrumento idóneo para evaluar el control metabólico de los pacientes con DM2, así como para identificar parámetros que contribuyan a mejorar su monitoreo y su tratamiento.

Objective: Determine the frequency of combinations of higher-than-normal metabolic control parameters, using geometric coding and hierarchical cluster analysis, in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Mexico to assess a group of 1 051 patients with DM2. The inclusion criteria were to have one or more of the following values: fasting glucose of 130 mg/dL, total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL, total triglycerides of 200 mg/dL, Body Mass Index of 27 kg/m², and systolic blood pressure higher than 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure higher than 85 mmHg. Through geometric coding, the frequencies of all combinations were obtained. Cluster analysis was used to determine similarities among the combinations. Results: Using the proposed instrument, it was observed that the paired combinations with the highest number of subjects were hyperglycemia-hypertriglyceridemia (7.3 percent) and hyperglycemia-hypercholesterolemia (3.6 percent). The most frequent polycombinations were hyperglycemia-hypercholesterolemia-hypertriglyceridemia (13.2 percent) and hyperglycemia-hypertriglyceridemia-hypercholesterolemia-hypertension (10.5 percent). Conclusiones: Geometric coding and cluster analysis could become a suitable instrument for assessing the metabolic control of patients with DM2, as well as for identifying parameters that will help improve their monitoring and treatment.

Vancomycin: the need to suit serum concentrations in hemodialysis patients

The vancomycin dose for hemodialysis (HD) patients should be adjusted by monitoring drug serum concentrations. However, this procedure is not available in most health services in Brazil, which usually adopts protocols based on published studies. The trials available are controversial, and several have not been conducted with current dialyzers. This study aimed at assessing the suitability of vancomycin serum concentrations in HD patients at a public hospital. Blood samples of HD patients were collected from November 2006 to May 2007, at time intervals of 48, 96, 120, or 168 hours after vancomycin administration. Drug measurement was performed with polarized light immunofluorescence. Approximately 86 percent of trough vancomycin serum concentrations were below the recommended value, indicating exposure to subtherapeutic doses and a higher risk for selecting resistant microorganisms.

Atenção farmacêutica em equipe multiprofissional como contribuição à farmacovigilância: monitoramento de reações adversas à alfainterferona na hepatite C crônica / Pharmaceutical attention in multiprofessional team as contribution to the pharmacovigilance: monitoring of adverse reactions to alpha interferon in chronic hepatitis C

Pacientes com hepatite C crônica foram monitorados quanto às reações adversas da alfainterona (tratamento de um ano), através de entrevistas pós-consulta apoiadas em questionário dirigido e relato espontâneo. O farmacêutico trabalhou em acordo colaborativo com equipe multiprofissional. Foram analisados o aparecimento, persistência, progressão ou regressão dos efeitos adversos durante e após o tratamento. Os sinais e sintomas mais freqüentes foram: desânimo, irritabilidade, cansaço, dores no corpo (todos os pacientes), dor de cabeça (96 por cento), boca seca (96 por cento), alterações do sono (91 por cento), queda de cabelos (87 por cento), pele seca (83 por cento) e visão turva (74 por cento)...

Antimalarial drug resistance in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Studies done between 1997 and 2003 are reviewed to give an overall picture of antimalarial drug resistance in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization [WHO]. The situation in 8 countries where resistance has been reported is detailed. It has been difficult to abandon chloroquine as first-line treatment even though resistance to it is widespread. Resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has also been detected. The spread of resistance could be slowed down by the adoption of effective national policies and control programmes. Coordination between counties and with other WHO regions, as opposed to working in isolation, could further reduce the spread of resistance