Comparative measurements of bone mineral density and bone contrast values in canine femora using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and conventional digital radiography.

BACKGROUND: Aseptic loosening due to bone remodelling processes after total hip replacement is one common cause for revision surgery. In human medicine, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the gold standard for quantitative evaluation of bone mineral density, whereas in veterinary medicine conventional radiography is used for follow-up studies. Recently, a method has been described using digital X-ray images for quantitative assessment of grey scale values of bone contrast. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation of bone mineral density (BMD) measured by DEXA with grey scale values (GV) measured in digital X-ray images (RX50, RX66) ex vivo. RESULTS: The measured GV in the chosen X-ray settings showed on average a good correlation (r = 0.61) to the measured BMD with DEXA. Correlation between the two X-ray settings was very good (r = 0.81). For comparisons among regions of interests (ROIs) a difference of 8.2% was found to be statistically significant, whereas in the case of RX50 and RX66 differences of 5.3% and 4.1% were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that measuring absolute changes in bone mineral density might be possible using digital radiography. Not all significant differences between ROIs detectable with DEXA can be displayed in the X-ray images because of the lower sensitivity of the radiographs. However, direct comparison of grey scale values of the periprosthetic femur in one individual patient during the follow-up period, in order to predict bone remodelling processes, should be possible, but with a lesser sensitivity than with DEXA. It is important that the same X-ray settings are chosen for each patient for follow-up studies.

Estudio de prescripción-indicación en pacientes que reciben antiepilépticos en Colombia / Drug utilisation study in patients receiving antiepileptic drugs in Colombia

Introducción: Determinar las indicaciones por las cuales se prescriben y utilizan antiepilépticos en una población de pacientes afiliados al Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSSS) de Colombia. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de corte transversal. A partir de todos los individuos que utilizaron antiepilépticos entre el 18 de julio de 2013 y el 31 de agosto de 2014 en 34 ciudades colombianas durante un periodo no inferior a 12 meses, se realizó un muestreo aleatorizado estratificado por ciudades. Se analizaron variables sociodemográficas, farmacológicas y comorbilidades. Se compararon variables continuas y categóricas, y se realizaron modelos de regresión logística. Resultados: De un total de 373 sujetos, se hallaron 197 mujeres (52,1%); el promedio de edad fue de 41,9 ± 21,7 años; predominó la monoterapia en el 65,% de los pacientes. Los medicamentos más utilizados fueron ácido valproico (53,1%) y carbamazepina (33,2%). La epilepsia fue la indicación más frecuente (n = 178; 47,7%); sin embargo, en el 52,3% de pacientes se utilizaron para indicaciones diferentes, especialmente dolor neuropático (26,8%), trastornos afectivos (14,2%) y profilaxis de migraña (12,3%). Un total de 81 pacientes con epilepsia (46,6%) estaban en control sintomático, mientras otros 25 casos (14,4%) presentaban epilepsia resistente a fármacos. En el análisis multivariado la adherencia al tratamiento se asoció con menor riesgo de fracaso terapéutico en pacientes con epilepsia (OR: 0,27; IC 95%: 0,11-0,67). Conclusiones: Los fármacos antiepilépticos en Colombia se están utilizando en indicaciones diferentes para las que fueron inicialmente diseñados. La monoterapia es la estrategia terapéutica más empleada, al igual que el uso de medicamentos clásicos dentro del grupo

Introduction: This study examines the indications according to which antiepileptic drugs are prescribed and used in a population of patients enrolled in the Colombian national health system (SGSSS). Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. From the pool of individuals in 34 Colombian cities who used antiepileptic drugs between 18 July, 2013 and 31 August, 2014 during a period of no less than 12 months, we obtained a random sample stratified by city. Socio-demographic, pharmacological and comorbidity variables were analysed. Continuous and categorical variables were compared, and logistic regression models were used. Results: Our patient total was 373 patients, with 197 women (52.1%) and a mean age of 41.9 ± 21.7 years; 65.4% of the patients were treated with monotherapy. The most frequently used drugs were valproic acid (53.1%) and carbamazepine (33.2%). Epilepsy was the most frequent indication (n = 178; 47.7%); however, 52.3% of the patients were prescribed antiepileptics for different indications, especially neuropathic pain (26.8%), affective disorders (14.2%) and migraine prophylaxis (12.3%). A total of 81 patients with epilepsy (46.6%) displayed good seizure control while another 25 (14.4%) had drug-resistant epilepsy. In the multivariate analysis, medication adherence was associated with a lower risk of treatment failure in patients with epilepsy (OR: 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11-0.67). Conclusions: In Colombia, antiepileptic drugs are being used for indications other than those originally intended. Monotherapy is the most commonly used treatment approach, together with the use of classic antiepileptic drugs

Drug utilisation study in patients receiving antiepileptic drugs in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the indications according to which antiepileptic drugs are prescribed and used in a population of patients enrolled in the Colombian national health system (SGSSS). METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study. From the pool of individuals in 34 Colombian cities who used antiepileptic drugs between 18 July, 2013 and 31 August, 2014 during a period of no less than 12 months, we obtained a random sample stratified by city. Socio-demographic, pharmacological and comorbidity variables were analysed. Continuous and categorical variables were compared, and logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: Our patient total was 373 patients, with 197 women (52.1%) and a mean age of 41.9 ± 21.7 years; 65.4% of the patients were treated with monotherapy. The most frequently used drugs were valproic acid (53.1%) and carbamazepine (33.2%). Epilepsy was the most frequent indication (n=178; 47.7%); however, 52.3% of the patients were prescribed antiepileptics for different indications, especially neuropathic pain (26.8%), affective disorders (14.2%) and migraine prophylaxis (12.3%). A total of 81 patients with epilepsy (46.6%) displayed good seizure control while another 25 (14.4%) had drug-resistant epilepsy. In the multivariate analysis, medication adherence was associated with a lower risk of treatment failure in patients with epilepsy (OR: 0.27; 95%CI, 0.11-0.67). CONCLUSIONS: In Colombia, antiepileptic drugs are being used for indications other than those originally intended. Monotherapy is the most commonly used treatment approach, together with the use of classic antiepileptic drugs.