Concordance between two models of stratification for patients living with HIV infection to providing pharmaceutical care. / [Artículo traducido] Concordancia entre 2 modelos de estratificación de pacientes que viven con el VIH para la prestación de atención farmacéutica.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree of agreement of two differents stratification models for pharmaceutical care to people living with HIV. METHODS: This was a single-centre observational prospective cohort study of patients with regular follow-up in pharmaceutical care consultations according to the Capacity-Motivation-Opportunity methodology, conducted between January 1st and March 31th, 2023. Patients received the pharmacotherapeutic interventions applied routinely to ambulatory care patients according to this model. As part of the usual clinical practice, the presence or absence of the variables that apply to both stratification models were collected. The scores obtained and the corresponding stratification level were collected for each patient according to both stratification models published (ST-2017 and ST-2022). To analyze the reliability between the measurements of two numerical score models of the stratification level with both tools, their degree of concordance was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Likewise, reliability was also evaluated from a qualitative perspective by means of Cohen's Kappa coefficient. Additionally, the existence of correlation between the scores of the two models was assessed by calculating Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Of the total of 758 patients being followed in the cohort, finally, 233 patients were enrolled. The distribution of patients for each stratification model was: ST-2017: 59.7% level-3, 25.3% level-2 and 15.0% level-1, while for ST-2022: 60.9% level-3, 26.6% level-2 and 12.4% level-1. It was observed that the reclassification was symmetrical (p=0.317). The qualitative analysis of the agreement between the models showed a good Cohen's kappa value, (K=0.66). A value of 0.563 was found as the intraclass correlation coefficient. Finally, the correlation analysis between the quantitative scores of the two models yielded a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.86. CONCLUSIONS: The concordance between the two models was good, which confirms that the multidimensional adaptation and simplification of the model were correct and that its use can be extended in routine clinical practice.

Concordance between two models of stratification for patients living with HIV infection to providing pharmaceutical care.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree of agreement of 2 differents stratification models for pharmaceutical care to people living with HIV. METHODS: This was a single-center observational prospective cohort study of patients with regular follow-up in pharmaceutical care consultations according to the Capacity-Motivation-Opportunity methodology, conducted between January 1 and March 31, 2023. Patients received the pharmacotherapeutic interventions applied routinely to ambulatory care patients according to this model. As part of the usual clinical practice, the presence or absence of the variables that apply to both stratification models were collected. The scores obtained and the corresponding stratification level were collected for each patient according to both stratification models published (ST-2017 and ST-2022). To analyze the reliability between the measurements of 2 numerical score models of the stratification level with both tools, their degree of concordance was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Likewise, reliability was also evaluated from a qualitative perspective by means of Cohen's Kappa coefficient. Additionally, the existence of correlation between the scores of the 2 models was assessed by calculating Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Of the total of 758 patients being followed in the cohort, finally, 233 patients were enrolled. The distribution of patients for each stratification model was: ST-2017: 59.7% level-3, 25.3% level-2, and 15.0% level-1, while for ST-2022: 60.9% level-3, 26.6% level-2, and 12.4% level-1. It was observed that the reclassification was symmetrical (P=.317). The qualitative analysis of the agreement between the models showed a good Cohen's kappa value, (K=0.66). A value of 0.563 was found as the intraclass correlation coefficient. Finally, the correlation analysis between the quantitative scores of the 2 models yielded a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.86. CONCLUSIONS: The concordance between the 2 models was good, which confirms that the multidimensional adaptation and simplification of the model were correct and that its use can be extended in routine clinical practice.

Impacto de la intervención en un Hospital de Día de Salud Mental sobre el uso posterior de recursos sanitarios y ocupacionales / Impact of an intervention in a mental health day hospital on the subsequent use of health and occupational resources

El presente trabajo examina el impacto del tratamiento intensivo en un Hospital de Día de Salud Mental (HD-SM) sobre el uso posterior de recursos asistenciales (comunitarios y hospitalarios), así como ocupacionales y formativos. Se parte de un diseño descriptivo longitudinal y ambispectivo en el que se estudia de forma innovadora el uso diferencial de los recursos por parte de los usuarios de la red de Salud Mental, antes y después del tratamiento en HD. Finalmente, se discuten las implicaciones y recomendaciones clínicas de acuerdo con los resultados. (AU)

This work examines the impact of intensive treatment in a Mental Health Day Hospital (HD) on the subsequent use of healthcare resources (community and hospital), as well as occupational and training ones. It starts from a longitudinal and ambispective descriptive design in which the differential use of resources by users of the Mental Health network is studied in an innovative way, before and after treatment in HD. Finally, the clinical implications and recommendations are discussed according to the results. (AU)

Association between sleep-disordered breathing and prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been associated with a greater aggressiveness of melanoma tumors, but the association with other cancers is unknown. This study investigates the relationship between the severity of SDB and the aggressiveness of prostate cancer (PC). METHODS: 165 patients under 66 years consecutively diagnosed with PC in three University Hospitals underwent a home respiratory polygraphy. SDB severity was assessed by means of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) as well as several oximetric parameters. The primary marker of the aggressiveness of PC was the Gleason score, while secondary markers included the tumor stage and metastatic spreading. RESULTS: The patients had a median (P 25-75) age of 60 (56-63) years, AHI of 13.3 (5.7-25.8), and 4% oxygen desaturation index of 8.7 (2.9-17.8). The prevalence of an AHI≥5 and AHI≥15 was 78.2% and 46.7%, respectively. The median AHI was similar in patients with Gleason 6 and > 6 [13.7 (5.6-28.7) vs 12.2 (5.7-23.2), p = 0.44], tumor stage I-II and III-IV [13.5 (5.3-26.5) vs 11.7 (7.8-21.1), p = 0.67], and presence or absence of metastasis [14.2 (9.6-31.8) vs 13.3 (5.2-24.6), p = 0.46]. The prevalence of an AHI≥5 and AHI≥15 was similar in patients with Gleason 6 and > 6 (79.2% vs 77.2%; p = 0.85, and 49.3% vs 44.33%; p = 0.53, respectively). These results did not change when different oximetric variables were analyzed instead of the AHI. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high prevalence of SDB in patients with PC, our results do not support any association between the severity of SDB and PC aggressiveness.

Microorganisms and Antibiotic Resistance of Bacterial Keratitis at a Rural County Hospital in Seville.

PURPOSE: To review the incidence, resistance patterns, and management of bacterial keratitis during the past 4 years. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of microbiological isolates from patients with a clinical diagnosis of bacterial keratitis. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients were analyzed, and 102 microorganisms were isolated from 129 cultures. In these cultures, 23.7% of the microorganisms were gram positive, 60.8% were gram negative, and 15.5% were fungi. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common bacteria (9.2%), followed by Serratia marcescens (4.4%) and Staphylococcus aureus (4%). Resistance to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides was found to be 23.1% and 53.1% in gram-positive and 2.8% and 13.9% in gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Resistance to ceftazidime against gram-negative bacteria was 13.9%. No resistance to vancomycin was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A high resistance rate to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones was observed in gram-positive bacteria. We concluded that fluoroquinolones or aminoglycosides may not be suitable for initial monotherapy in patients with severe bacterial keratitis.

Demora en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de 5 tipos de cáncer en 2 centros de salud urbanos / Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of five types of cancer in two urban health centres

Objetivos: Evaluar los intervalos de diagnóstico (ID) y tratamiento (IT) de los cánceres más prevalentes en pacientes adscritos a 2 centros de salud, y analizar la influencia de factores sociodemográficos, clínicos y de organización del sistema sanitario (SS).DiseñoEstudio observacional de cohortes, retrospectivo y analítico.LocalizaciónAtención primaria. Dos centros de salud urbanos.ParticipantesTrescientos sesenta y cinco pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer colorrectal (CCR), mama, pulmón, próstata o vejiga entre el 1/1/2012 y el 31/12/2017.Medidas principalesSe comparan las medianas de ID e IT y el riesgo (OR) de ID e IT superiores a esas medianas según los factores mencionados. Se analiza la contribución de cada etapa del proceso al ID.ResultadosLa mediana del ID fue 92 días, máxima en cáncer de próstata (395 días) y mínima en pulmón (54 días). Factores relacionados con ID prolongado (OR>92 días) fueron sexo femenino, localización CCR o prostática, estadío localizado, consulta índice en atención primaria (AP) y ruta diagnóstica ambulatoria. Un IT prolongado (OR>56 días) se relacionó con la localización de CCR o prostática y ruta diagnóstica ambulatoria. Componentes del ID con mayor influencia en la demora fueron: intervalo de atención primaria (IAP), demora de atención secundaria (DAS) y demora de la prueba complementaria de atención secundaria (DPCAS). La contribución del IAP fue mayor en pacientes con CCR, pulmón y vejiga.ConclusionesLos ID e IT fueron 92 y 56 días, respectivamente. Los componentes del ID con mayor contribución a la demora fueron IAP, DAS y DPCAS. Aumentar la capacidad diagnóstica en AP y organizar itinerarios específicos de diagnóstico y tratamiento, acortaría dichos intervalos y permitiría una detección más temprana.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic (ID) and treatment (IT) intervals of the most prevalent cancers in patients attached to two health centres and to analyse the influence of sociodemographic, clinical and health system (HS) organisational factors.DesignObservational, retrospective, analytical cohort study.SitePrimary care. Two urban health centres.ParticipantsThree hundred sixty-five patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC), breast, lung, prostate or bladder cancer between 1/1/2012 and 31/12/2017.Main measuresThe medians of ID and IT and the risk (OR) of ID and IT above those medians according to the above factors are compared. The contribution of each process step to ID is analysed.ResultsMedian ID was 92 days, maximum in prostate cancer (395 days) and minimum in lung (54 days). Factors associated with prolonged ID (OR>92 days) were female sex, CRC or prostate location, localised stage, index primary care (AP) consultation and outpatient diagnostic pathway. Prolonged IT (OR>56 days) was related to CRC or prostate location and outpatient diagnostic route. ID components with the greatest influence on delay were: Primary Care Interval (IAP), Secondary Care Delay (DAS) and Secondary Care Adjunctive Test Delay (DPAS). The contribution of IAP was highest in patients with CRC, lung and bladder.ConclusionsID and IT were 92 and 56 days respectively. The ID components with the highest contribution to delay were IAP, DAS and DPAS. Increasing diagnostic capacity in PC and organising specific diagnostic and treatment pathways would shorten these intervals and allow earlier detection.

[Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of five types of cancer in two urban health centres]. / Demora en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de 5 tipos de cáncer en 2 centros de salud urbanos.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic (ID) and treatment (IT) intervals of the most prevalent cancers in patients attached to two health centres and to analyse the influence of sociodemographic, clinical and health system (HS) organisational factors. DESIGN: Observational, retrospective, analytical cohort study. SITE: Primary care. Two urban health centres. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred sixty-five patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC), breast, lung, prostate or bladder cancer between 1/1/2012 and 31/12/2017. MAIN MEASURES: The medians of ID and IT and the risk (OR) of ID and IT above those medians according to the above factors are compared. The contribution of each process step to ID is analysed. RESULTS: Median ID was 92 days, maximum in prostate cancer (395 days) and minimum in lung (54 days). Factors associated with prolonged ID (OR>92 days) were female sex, CRC or prostate location, localised stage, index primary care (AP) consultation and outpatient diagnostic pathway. Prolonged IT (OR>56 days) was related to CRC or prostate location and outpatient diagnostic route. ID components with the greatest influence on delay were: Primary Care Interval (IAP), Secondary Care Delay (DAS) and Secondary Care Adjunctive Test Delay (DPAS). The contribution of IAP was highest in patients with CRC, lung and bladder. CONCLUSIONS: ID and IT were 92 and 56 days respectively. The ID components with the highest contribution to delay were IAP, DAS and DPAS. Increasing diagnostic capacity in PC and organising specific diagnostic and treatment pathways would shorten these intervals and allow earlier detection.

Prevalence of polypharmacy and associated factors among patients living with HIV infection in Spain: The POINT study.

PURPOSE: Survival in people living with HIV (PLWH) has increased and thus people are aging with HIV, increasing the frequency of multimorbidity and polypharmacy. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of polypharmacy among PLWH who were on antiretroviral treatment and were followed in an outpatient setting by the pharmacy department of several hospitals across Spain. In addition, we aimed to evaluate factors associated with polypharmacy and treatment complexity among this population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recorded information on demographic data, data on disease control including viral load and CD4 count at the time of inclusion, comorbidities, pharmacologic treatment and drugs interactions. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of 6 or more different drugs, including antiretroviral medication; major polypharmacy was defined as the use of ≥11 different drugs. RESULTS: Overall, 1225 PLWH were eligible in the study. The median (IQR) age was 49 (40-54). Comorbidities were present in 819 (67%) PLWH and 571 (47%) had two or more comorbidities. Overall, 397 (32.4%, 95% CI 29.8-34.9) PLWH met the criteria for polypharmacy, and 67 (5.5%, 95% CI, 4.2-6.7) had major polypharmacy. Several factors were associated with polypharmacy such as type of antiretroviral treatment, presence of potential interactions, the use of several types of medications and the number of comorbidities. Treatment complexity was also a factor strongly associated with polypharmacy; for each point increase in the medication regimen complexity index (MRCI), the likelihood of polypharmacy increased 2.3-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy is frequent among PLWH in Spain and contributes to a relevant extent to treatment complexity.

Prevalence of polypharmacy and associated factors among patients living with HIV infection in Spain: The POINT study / Prevalencia y factores asociados a la polifarmacia en pacientes VIH+ en España. Estudio POINT

PurposeSurvival in people living with HIV (PLWH) has increased and thus people are aging with HIV, increasing the frequency of multimorbidity and polypharmacy. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of polypharmacy among PLWH who were on antiretroviral treatment and were followed in an outpatient setting by the pharmacy department of several hospitals across Spain. In addition, we aimed to evaluate factors associated with polypharmacy and treatment complexity among this population.Material and methodsWe recorded information on demographic data, data on disease control including viral load and CD4 count at the time of inclusion, comorbidities, pharmacologic treatment and drugs interactions. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of 6 or more different drugs, including antiretroviral medication; major polypharmacy was defined as the use of ≥11 different drugs.ResultsOverall, 1225 PLWH were eligible in the study. The median (IQR) age was 49 (40–54). Comorbidities were present in 819 (67%) PLWH and 571 (47%) had two or more comorbidities. Overall, 397 (32.4%, 95% CI 29.8–34.9) PLWH met the criteria for polypharmacy, and 67 (5.5%, 95% CI, 4.2–6.7) had major polypharmacy. Several factors were associated with polypharmacy such as type of antiretroviral treatment, presence of potential interactions, the use of several types of medications and the number of comorbidities. Treatment complexity was also a factor strongly associated with polypharmacy; for each point increase in the medication regimen complexity index (MRCI), the likelihood of polypharmacy increased 2.3-fold.ConclusionsPolypharmacy is frequent among PLWH in Spain and contributes to a relevant extent to treatment complexity.

ObjetivoLa supervivencia de las personas con infección por el VIH ha aumentado notablemente en los últimos años incrementado la edad de estos sujetos. Ello se asocia con una mayor presencia de multimorbilidad y polifarmacia. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la prevalencia de la polifarmacia en pacientes VIH+ con tratamiento antirretroviral activo seguidos en las consultas externas de los servicios de farmacia hospitalaria en toda España. Adicionalmente, analizar los factores asociados a polifarmacia y a la complejidad farmacoterapéutica en esta población.Material y métodosEstudio multicéntrico, transversal. Se recogieron variables demográficas, variables relacionadas con el control de la enfermedad como la carga viral y los linfocitos CD4, las comorbilidades, el tratamiento farmacológico completo del paciente y la presencia de interacciones. La polifarmacia se definió como el uso de al menos 6 fármacos incluyendo el TAR. Se definió polifarmacia mayor como la toma de más de 11 fármacos diferentes. Se midió la complejidad farmacoterapéutica por la escala de valoración Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI).ResultadosSe incluyeron 1.225 pacientes. La mediana (RIQ) de edad fue de 49 años (40-54). En total 819 (67,0%) pacientes presentaban al menos una comorbilidad en el momento del estudio, teniendo 2 o más comorbilidades, el 47,0% de los mismos. Un total de 397 (32,4%; IC 95%: 29,8-34,9) pacientes cumplieron los criterios de polifarmacia y 67 (5,5%; IC 95%: 4,2-6,7) los de polifarmacia mayor. Los factores asociados con la polifarmacia fueron: el tratamiento antirretroviral, la presencia de interacciones potenciales, el uso de diferentes tipos de fármacos y el número de comorbilidades. La complejidad farmacoterapéutica se asoció de forma importante con la presencia de polifarmacia, incrementándose su probabilidad de aparición entre 2 y 3 veces por cada incremento en un punto en su escala de valoración.Conclusión

Long-term recurrences and mortality in patients with noncardiac syncope.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There are no in-depth studies of the long-term outcome of patients with syncope after exclusion of cardiac etiology. We therefore analyzed the long-term outcome of this population. METHODS: For 147 months, we included all patients with syncope referred to our syncope unit after exclusion of a cardiac cause. RESULTS: We included 589 consecutive patients. There were 313 (53.1%) women, and the median age was 52 [34-66] years. Of these, 405 (68.8%) were diagnosed with vasovagal syncope (VVS), 65 (11%) with orthostatic hypotension syncope (OHS), and 119 (20.2%) with syncope of unknown etiology (SUE). During a median follow-up of 52 [28-89] months, 220 (37.4%) had recurrences (21.7% ≥ 2 recurrences), and 39 died (6.6%). Syncope recurred in 41% of patients with VVS, 35.4% with OHS, and 25.2% with SUE (P=.006). In the Cox multivariate analysis, recurrence was correlated with age (P=.002), female sex (P <.0001), and the number of previous episodes (< 5 vs ≥ 5; P <.0001). Death occurred in 15 (3.5%) patients with VVS, 11 (16.9%) with OHS, and 13 (10.9%) with SUE (P=.001). In the multivariate analysis, death was associated with age (P=.0001), diabetes (P=.007), and diagnosis of OHS (P=.026) and SUE (P=.020). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with noncardiac syncope, the recurrence rate after 52 months of follow-up was 37.4% and mortality was 6.6% per year. Recurrence was higher in patients with a neuromedial profile and mortality was higher in patients with a nonneuromedial profile.

Outpatients' Opinion And Experience Regarding Telepharmacy During The COVID-19 Pandemic: The Enopex Project.

BACKGROUND: Telepharmacy, as a remote pharmaceutical care procedure, is being used worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of preserving the health of patients and professionals. Its future development should incorporate the assessment of patient perception, but no research study has investigated it. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to poll the opinions and experiences of outpatients with telepharmacy through a purpose-developed questionnaire and to assess it's quality through an internal validity and reliability analysis. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study of adult patients who used telepharmacy services during the COVID-19 lockdown period in Spain. The subjects answered a 24-item questionnaire, after giving their informed consent. Place of delivery, informed pharmacotherapeutic follow-up, opinion about telepharmacy, future development, ethics/satisfaction, and coordination constituted the six questionnaire categories. After assessing the adequate sample size with the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test, the Bartlett sphericity test analyzed the validity of the questionnaire. The intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach's α coefficient calculations verified the reliability and internal consistency. RESULTS: A total of 9442 interviews were administered to patients from 81 hospitals, of which 8079 were valid (52.8% female). A 54.1% were aged between 41-65 years; 42.7% had been in treatment for more than 5 years; 42.8% lived between 6-31 miles from the hospital. As many as 96.7% of patients were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with telepharmacy, 97.5% considering it complementary to their usual follow-up; 55.9% expressed a preference for being followed up face to face when visiting the hospital. 75.6% said they had rather receive their medication at home. The sample size obtained was deemed appropriate [the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test (0.789) and Bartlett's sphericity test (p<0.005)]. The reliability analysis resulted in a Cronbach α = 0.7. CONCLUSION: Patients have shown high satisfaction with telepharmacy and the ENOPEX questionnaire is a tool with sufficient validity and reliability to be used in the evaluation of the care that patients receive through telepharmacy.

Days Needed for the Disappearance of a Cough Due to the Use of an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor and Identification of Predisposing Factors Associated With Its Appearance in a Clinical Cohort of Hypertensive Patients.

Our main objective was to investigate the numbers of days necessary for the disappearance of the cough caused by an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) subsequent to the discontinuation of treatment, and to identify the associated factors that contribute to the appearance of said cough and angioneurotic edema. We studied 1101 patients with hypertension treated with an ACEI for 15 years. A multivariate analysis of binary logistic regression was performed to identify predisposing cough factors. In the 1101 patients treated with ACEI, 270 were diagnosed as having a cough caused by an ACEI (24.5%). The average numbers of days until the cough disappeared was 6.06 ± 1.58 days. The significant predisposing factors of the cough were female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-2.39), previous diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.31-2.61), and concomitant use of thiazides (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.11-2.04). Statins were shown as a protective factor (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.51-0.93). In the case of angioneurotic edema, 25 patients (2.3%) were diagnosed, without significant determinants. Our analysis showed that the cough disappeared in a period of ≤10 days for 96.7% of patients diagnosed with a cough, subsequent to the discontinuation of ACEI treatment. The risk factors identified for the appearance of a cough include female sex, previous obstructive sleep apnea, and concomitant use of thiazides. The use of statins was found to be a protective factor. The incidence of angioneurotic edema in our cohort is greater than that described in the literature.

Prevalence of polypharmacy and associated factors among patients living with HIV infection in Spain: The POINT study.

PURPOSE: Survival in people living with HIV (PLWH) has increased and thus people are aging with HIV, increasing the frequency of multimorbidity and polypharmacy. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of polypharmacy among PLWH who were on antiretroviral treatment and were followed in an outpatient setting by the pharmacy department of several hospitals across Spain. In addition, we aimed to evaluate factors associated with polypharmacy and treatment complexity among this population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recorded information on demographic data, data on disease control including viral load and CD4 count at the time of inclusion, comorbidities, pharmacologic treatment and drugs interactions. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of 6 or more different drugs, including antiretroviral medication; major polypharmacy was defined as the use of ≥11 different drugs. RESULTS: Overall, 1225 PLWH were eligible in the study. The median (IQR) age was 49 (40-54). Comorbidities were present in 819 (67%) PLWH and 571 (47%) had two or more comorbidities. Overall, 397 (32.4%, 95% CI 29.8-34.9) PLWH met the criteria for polypharmacy, and 67 (5.5%, 95% CI, 4.2-6.7) had major polypharmacy. Several factors were associated with polypharmacy such as type of antiretroviral treatment, presence of potential interactions, the use of several types of medications and the number of comorbidities. Treatment complexity was also a factor strongly associated with polypharmacy; for each point increase in the medication regimen complexity index (MRCI), the likelihood of polypharmacy increased 2.3-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy is frequent among PLWH in Spain and contributes to a relevant extent to treatment complexity.

Early versus late switch: How long should we extend the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in unresponsive diabetic macular edema patients?

PURPOSE: To compare the results of early versus late switch to the dexamethasone intravitreal implant Ozurdex® in patients with diabetic macular edema who had a poor response to vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors. METHODS: Retrospective and single-center study conducted, in a real setting, on consecutive diabetic macular edema patients who were switch to an intravitreal dexamethasone implant after a poor response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment. Study sample was divided into two groups: (1) early-switch group, included those eyes who received three anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections before switch and (2) late-switch group, included those eyes that received six or more anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections before switch. The primary end-point was the difference in mean change in best-corrected visual acuity and in central subfoveal thickness. RESULTS: A total of 69 (31 early-switch group and 38 late-switch group) eyes were included. In the early-switch group, median (25-75 quartile range) best-corrected visual acuity significantly increase from 0.2 (0.2-0.5) at baseline to 0.4 (0.3 -0.7) at month 24 (p = 0.0043). Whereas, in the late-switch group, best-corrected visual acuity did not increase (p = 0.8602). Central subfoveal thickness was significantly reduced in both early- and late-switch groups, p = 0.0002 and 0.0038, respectively. The proportion of eyes obtaining a central subfoveal thickness reduction ⩾ 10% was significantly greater in the early-switch group than in the late-switch group (71.0% vs 47.4%, respectively, p = 0.0498). Three (9.7%) and 10 (26.3%) eyes have developed ocular hypertension during the study in the early- and late-switch groups, respectively, p = 0.0816. CONCLUSION: Early switch to Ozurdex in patients who did not adequately respond to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy provided better functional and anatomical outcomes.

Determination of a cutoff value for medication regimen complexity index to predict polypharmacy in HIV+ older patient / Determinación del valor umbral del índice de complejidad de la farmacoterapia para predecir polifarmacia en pacientes VIH+

INTRODUCTION: HIV+ patients have increased their life expectancy with a parallel increase in age-associated co-morbidities and pharmacotherapeutic complexity. The aim of this study was to determine an optimal cutoff value for Medication regimen complexity index (MRCI) to predict polypharmacy in HIV+ older patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A transversal observational single cohort study was conducted at a tertiary Hospital in Spain, between January 1st up to December 31st, 2014. Patients included were HIV patients over 50 years of age on active antiretroviral treatment. Prevalence of polypharmacy and it pattern were analyzed. The pharmacotherapy complexity value was calculated through the MRCI. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) for the MRCI value medications to determine the best cutoff value for identifying outcomes including polypharmacy. Sensitivity and specificity were also calculated. RESULTS: A total of 223 patients were included. A 56.1% of patients had polypharmacy, being extreme polypharmacy in 9.4% of cases. Regarding the pattern of polypharmacy, 78.0% had a cardio-metabolic pattern, 12.0% depressive-psychogeriatric, 8.0% mixed and 2.0% mechanical-thyroidal. The ROC curve demonstrated that a value of medication complexity index of 11.25 point was the best cutoff for predict polypharmacy (AUC=0.931; sensitivity= 77.6%; specificity=91.8%). CONCLUSIONS: A cut-off value of 11.25 for MRCI is proposed to determine if a patient reaches the criterion of polypharmacy. In conclusion, the concept of polypharmacy should include not only the number of prescribed drugs but also the complexity of them

INTRODUCCIÓN: La esperanza de vida de los pacientes VIH+ se ha incrementado. De forma paralela han aumentado las comorbilidades asociadas a la edad y la complejidad farmacoterapéutica. El objetivo del estudio es estimar el valor umbral del índice de complejidad de la farmacoterapia (MRCI) para la determinación del criterio de polifarmacia en pacientes VIH+ mayores de 50 años. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, trasversal, unicéntrico. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes VIH+ mayores de 50 años, en tratamiento antirretroviral activo entre el 1 enero y 31 diciembre-2015. Se determinó la presencia de polifarmacia y los patrones asociados. La complejidad del tratamiento se calculó con la herramienta MRCI (Universidad de Colorado). Se analizó el índice de complejidad total como marcador cuantitativo de polifarmacia mediante la realización de una curva ROC y el cálculo de su área bajo la curva. Se calculó la sensibilidad y la especificidad de la misma. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 223 pacientes. El 56,1% presentó polifarmacia, siendo extrema en el 9,4% de los casos. En relación con el patrón de polifarmacia, el 78,0% presentaron un patrón cardio-metabólico, el 12,0% psico geriátrico-depresivo, el 8,0% mixto y el 2,0% mecánico tiroideo . Se determinó un valor de área bajo la curva ROC de 0,931 con límites entre (0,901-0,962) y p< 0,001. El valor 11,25 de índice de complejidad total de la farmacoterapia proporcionó un valor de especificidad del 92% y una sensibilidad del 78%. CONCLUSIÓN: El valor de 11,25 de índice de complejidad es un buen indicador para conocer los pacientes con polifarmacia. El concepto de polifarmacia no solo debe incluir el número de fármacos que toma el paciente sino incluir también la complejidad del tratamiento

Efectividad de una estrategia de intervención en el patrón de prescripción del biosimilar glargina en atención primaria / Effectiveness of an intervention strategy in the biosimilar glargine prescription pattern in primary care

Objetivos: Evaluar el impacto de una estrategia de intervención en el patrón de prescripción de la insulina glargina biosimilar (IGBio) respecto al compuesto de referencia y analizar la influencia del perfil del prescriptor y su repercusión económica. Diseño: Estudio cuasiexperimental de tipo antes/después, con un grupo control. Emplazamiento: Dos áreas de gestión sanitaria (AGS) de Sevilla: AGS Sur (área intervención) y AGS Osuna (área control). Participantes: La totalidad de los médicos de atención primaria de cada área: 220 y 100, respectivamente. Intervención: Se realizaron sesiones formativas, se envió un boletín farmacoterapéutico e informes de retroalimentación mensual durante los 6meses tras la intervención formativa. El estudio fue llevado a cabo desde la comercialización del biosimilar, en octubre de 2015, hasta febrero de 2016 (pre-intervención) y desde febrero hasta agosto de 2016 (intervención). Mediciones principales: Los indicadores analizados han sido porcentaje de pacientes y porcentaje de dosis diaria definida (DDD) con IGBio respecto al total y el coste. Los médicos han sido analizados por subgrupos de edad, sexo, formación, tipo de contrato, años de experiencia y cupo. Resultados principales: Ambos indicadores aumentan al mismo nivel en ambas áreas antes de la intervención. Sin embargo, después de la intervención fueron significativamente diferentes entre las áreas (p < 0,0005), intervalo de confianza al 95% (2,5-4,7). La razón del porcentaje de incremento relativo acumulado de ambas variables entre áreas fue 3,73 veces mayor tras la intervención. En el área intervención no se encontraron diferencias para los subgrupos de médicos evaluados. Conclusiones: Estrategias encaminadas a la formación/información, así como el seguimiento a los profesionales sanitarios, inciden en el patrón de prescripción y pueden tener una repercusión económica. Nuestros resultados no se han visto influenciados por el perfil del prescriptor

Objectives: To examine the effects of specific interventions on biosimilar glargine insulin (BGI) prescribing in general practices and to analyse the influence of prescriber and economic impact. Design: Non randomized controlled study. Setting: General practices in 2 health areas of Seville, intervention and control group. Participants: 220 general practices (intervention group) and 100 general practices (control group). Intervention: Intervention group received educational seminars on biosimilar drugs, pharmacotherapeutic bulletin and prescribing feedback. The study was carried out from the biosimilar commercialization, October-2015, to February-2016 (pre-intervention) and from February to August 2016 (intervention). Main measurements: Percentage of patients and DDD with BGI respect to total glargine before and during intervention for both areas were analysed. Physicians have been analysed by subgroups of age, sex, training, type of contract, years of experience and quota. Main results: Both indicators for intervention group were significantly greater than for control group (P < .0005), with a 95% confidence interval (2.5-4.7). The ratio of the percentage of cumulative increase of both variables between areas was 3.73 times higher after the intervention. No differences were found for the evaluated categories of physicians in the intervention group. Conclusions: Intervention strategies aimed at training and information, as well as monitoring health professionals, influence the pattern of prescription and can have an economic impact. Our results have not been influenced by the profile of the prescriber

Influence of pharmacist intervention, based on CMO model, to improve activation in HIV patients / Influencia de un programa de intervención farmacéutica, basado en el modelo CMO, para la mejora de la activación de pacientes VIH+

Objectives: The aim of study was to evaluate the influence of pharmacist intervention based on "CMO model", to improve activation in HIV-patients. Material and methods: Longitudinal, prospective, single-center study. Eligible patients were HIV-infected, taking antiretroviral treatment. The collected data included demographic characteristics, clinical and HIV-related and pharmacotherapeutic variables. The primary outcome was the variation of patient activation measured by Spanish adapted patient activation measure questionnaire. This questionnaire assesses people's knowledge, skills and confidence in managing their own health care. The assessment was performed at the beginning and 6 months after the program start, which consisted of individualized interventions planned in the stratification model, a motivational interview and a specific pharmacotherapeutic follow-up. Results: A total of 140 patients were included. The most common regimens prescribed were based on non-nucleoside plus nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (44.0%) and more than half of the patients had chronic concomitant medication. The patients who achieved the highest activation level increased from 28.1% to 68.3% (p<0.0005). The relationship between this increase in patient activation and the stratification level that occurs in largest increases in patients with a low need level, where it was observed an improvement in the percentage of patients with high activation from 28.3% to 74.3% (p<0.001) after intervention. The percentage of patients with adequate adherence to concomitant treatment increased by 18.4% (p = 0.035). Baseline PAM values showed high activation for 28.6% (40 patients), intermediate for 43.6% (61) and low for 27.9% (39). Conclusion: CMO model has an important role for patient activation, improving adherence and health outcomes for HIV+ patients

Objetivo: Evaluar la influencia de un programa de intervenciones basadas en el nuevo modelo CMO para pacientes VIH+ en la mejora de su activación con su tratamiento. Material y métodos: Estudio longitudinal, prospectivo, unicéntrico. Se incluyeron pacientes VIH adultos en tratamiento antirretroviral activo. Se recogieron variables demográficas, clínicas y relacionadas con el VIH y variables farmacoterapéuticas. La variable principal fue la variación del nivel de Activación de los pacientes medidos por el cuestionario "patient activation measure" (PAM). Este cuestionario valora el conocimiento, las habilidades y la confianza de los pacientes para ser responsable de su propio cuidado. El cuestionario se facilitó a los pacientes en la visita de inicio y a los 6 meses del inicio del programa que consistió en aplicar las intervenciones diseñadas en el modelo de estratificación junto con una entrevista motivacional y un seguimiento farmacoterapéutico específico fuera de las consultas habituales. Resultados: Se incluyeron 140 pacientes. El 44% de los pacientes estaba en tratamiento con un régimen compuesto por 2ITIAN+ITINN y más del 50% presentaban medicación concomitante crónica. En relación a la variable principal, la evolución del número de pacientes que alcanzaron el nivel más alto de activación pasó de un 28,1% a un 68,3% (p<0,0005). El análisis de esta relación determinó que los mayores incrementos se producen en los pacientes con un nivel de necesidad de Atención Farmacéutica bajo, donde se observó un incremento del porcentaje de pacientes con activación alta de un 28,3% a un 74,3% (p<0,001). El porcentaje de pacientes con buena adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral se incrementó un 18,4% al tratamiento concomitante (p=0,035). Los valores de PAM basales recogidos incluyeron una alta activación para el 28,6% (40 pacientes), medio para el 43,6% (61) y bajo para el 27,9% (39). Conclusión: El programa de intervenciones basado en el modelo CMO influye en la activación de los pacientes y puede mejorar la adherencia y otros resultados en salud en los pacientes VIH+

[Effectiveness of an intervention strategy in the biosimilar glargine prescription pattern in primary care]. / Efectividad de una estrategia de intervención en el patrón de prescripción del biosimilar glargina en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of specific interventions on biosimilar glargine insulin (BGI) prescribing in general practices and to analyse the influence of prescriber and economic impact. DESIGN: Non randomized controlled study. SETTING: General practices in 2 health areas of Seville, intervention and control group. PARTICIPANTS: 220 general practices (intervention group) and 100 general practices (control group). INTERVENTION: Intervention group received educational seminars on biosimilar drugs, pharmacotherapeutic bulletin and prescribing feedback. The study was carried out from the biosimilar commercialization, October-2015, to February-2016 (pre-intervention) and from February to August 2016 (intervention). MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Percentage of patients and DDD with BGI respect to total glargine before and during intervention for both areas were analysed. Physicians have been analysed by subgroups of age, sex, training, type of contract, years of experience and quota. MAIN RESULTS: Both indicators for intervention group were significantly greater than for control group (P<.0005), with a 95% confidence interval (2.5-4.7). The ratio of the percentage of cumulative increase of both variables between areas was 3.73 times higher after the intervention. No differences were found for the evaluated categories of physicians in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention strategies aimed at training and information, as well as monitoring health professionals, influence the pattern of prescription and can have an economic impact. Our results have not been influenced by the profile of the prescriber.

Increased Incidence of Stroke, but Not Coronary Heart Disease, in Elderly Patients With Sleep Apnea.

Background and Purpose- The influence of age on the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the incidence of hard cardiovascular events remains controversial. We sought to analyze the relationship between OSA and the incidence of stroke and coronary heart disease in a large cohort of elderly patients, as well as to investigate the role of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in these associations. Methods- Post hoc analysis of a prospective observational study of consecutive patients ≥65 years studied for OSA suspicion at 2 Spanish University Hospitals. Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) <15 were the reference group. OSA was defined by an AHI ≥15 and classified as untreated (CPAP not prescribed or compliance <4 hours/day), mild-moderate (AHI 15-29), untreated severe (AHI ≥30), and CPAP-treated (AHI ≥15 and CPAP compliance ≥4 hours/day). Results- 859 and 794 elderly patients were included in the stroke and coronary heart disease analyses, respectively. The median (interquartile range) follow-up was 72 (50-88.5) and 71 (51.5-89) months, respectively. Compared with the reference group, the fully adjusted hazard ratios for the incidence of stroke were 3.42 (95% CI, 1.37-8.52), 1.02 (95% CI, 0.41-2.56), and 1.76 (95% CI, 0.62-4.97) for the untreated severe OSA group, CPAP-treated group, and untreated mild-moderate OSA group, respectively. No associations were shown between any of the different OSA groups and coronary heart disease incidence. Conclusions- The incidence of stroke, but not coronary heart disease, is increased in elderly patients with untreated severe OSA. Adequate CPAP treatment may reduce this risk.