Bibliometric Assessment of the Global Scientific Production of Nitazoxanide.

INTRODUCTION: Nitazoxanide is a member of a new class of drug, thiazolides, and it was discovered in 1984 with antimicrobial activity effect against anaerobic bacteria, Hepatitis virus, protozoa, and helminths. METHODS: A bibliometric study on four databases (1984-2016) - Medline, Scopus, LILACS, and SciELO - characterizing the global scientific production of nitazoxanide. We determined the quantity, quality (number of citations), and types of studies developed by each country, characterizing them by years, international cooperation, development, place of publication, authors (with its H-index), and groups with higher impact. RESULTS: There were 512 articles in Medline - the higher scientific production is from the USA (19.71%), Switzerland (7.51%), and Mexico (7.27%). There were 1,440 articles in Scopus - from the USA (8.98%), Mexico (2.13%), and India (1.65%). There were 405 articles in LILACS - from Mexico (4.69%), the USA (4.2%), and Peru (2.47%). There were 47 articles in SciELO - from Brazil (34.04%), Venezuela (21.28%), and Colombia (14.89%). The H-index of nitazoxanide is 75 - the USA (26), Egypt (12), and Canada (10) were the countries contributing more with that. CONCLUSIONS: Nitazoxanide research has been highly important. Nevertheless, it is relatively limited when compared with other drugs. Its research has been led by the USA, as revealed in this bibliometric assessment. Although some developing countries, where it is used especially for protozoa and helminths, probably have its influence, and this explains the fact that Mexico and India, among others, are the top countries in the scientific production of this anti-infective agent. This bibliometric study evidenced a relatively low number of publications, however, it has been increased in recent years.

Prevalencia de potenciales interacciones farmacológicas de Azitromicina en Colombia, 2012-2013 / Prevalence of potential drug interactions with azithromycin in Colombia, 2012-2013

Objetivos Determinar la prevalencia de potenciales interacciones farmacológicas entre azitromicina y diferentes antiarrítmicos del grupo IA y III en una base de datos de prescripción de medicamentos a nivel nacional durante el año 2012-2013. Métodos Estudio retrospectivo a partir de una base de datos poblacional de dispensación de medicamentos. Se extrajeron datos de los pacientes que recibieron azitromicina desde 1 de enero de 2012 a 30 junio de 2013, al igual que pacientes que recibieron este antibiótico en combinación a otros medicamentos con demostrado riesgo de provocar arritmias cardíacas al usarse concomitantemente. Se establecieron frecuencias y proporciones. Resultados Se identificaron 13 859 pacientes que recibieron azitromicina sola o en combinación con otros medicamentos. El tiempo promedio de uso fue 4,5±0,9 días; Un total de 702 pacientes (5,1 %) recibieron azitromicina más otros 19 fármacos de potencial riesgo. Los más frecuentemente asociados fueron: loratadina (77,1 %), difenhidramina (16,5 %) y amitriptilina (8,1 %). Las combinaciones con un solo medicamento fueron las más frecuentes (n=533, 75,9 %), con predominio de azitromicina+loratadina. El máximo número de fármacos combinados fue seis (n=2, 0,3 %). Conclusiones La identificación mediante bases de datos poblacionales la prescripción de medicamentos, es una manera eficaz de encontrar potenciales interacciones entre estos. La frecuencia de potenciales interacciones entre azitromicina y otros fármacos es común en pacientes colombianos. Se debe estimar el riesgo de ocurrencia de eventos cardiacos adversos.(AU)

Objective To determine the prevalence of potential drug interactions between azithromycin and different IA and III antiarrhythmic groups in a national database of drug prescriptions in 2012-2013. Methods Retrospective study based on a population database of medicine dispensation. Data from patients who received azithromycin between January 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 were extracted along with data from patients who received azithromycin in combination with other medications shown to cause heart arrhythmias when used concomitantly. Frequencies and proportions were established. Results 13 859 patients receiving azithromycin alone or in combination with other drugs were identified. The average time of use was 4.5 ± 0.9 days. A total of 702 patients (5.1 %) received azithromycin plus 19 other potentially risky drugs. The most frequently associated were loratadine (77.1 %), diphenhydramine (16.5 %) and amitriptyline (8.1 %). Combinations with a single drug were the most frequent (n=533, 75.9 %), predominantly azithromycin+loratadine. The maximum number of combined drugs was six (n=2, 0.3 %). Conclusions Identification of drug prescriptions through population databases is an effective way to find potential drug interactions. The frequency of potential interactions between azithromycin and other drugs is common in Colombian patients. Future research should assess the risk of occurrence of adverse cardiac events.(AU)

[Prevalence of potential drug interactions with azithromycin in Colombia, 2012-2013]. / Prevalencia de potenciales interacciones farmacológicas de Azitromicina en Colombia, 2012-2013.

Objective To determine the prevalence of potential drug interactions between azithromycin and different IA and III antiarrhythmic groups in a national database of drug prescriptions in 2012-2013. Methods Retrospective study based on a population database of medicine dispensation. Data from patients who received azithromycin between January 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 were extracted along with data from patients who received azithromycin in combination with other medications shown to cause heart arrhythmias when used concomitantly. Frequencies and proportions were established. Results 13 859 patients receiving azithromycin alone or in combination with other drugs were identified. The average time of use was 4.5 ± 0.9 days. A total of 702 patients (5.1 %) received azithromycin plus 19 other potentially risky drugs. The most frequently associated were loratadine (77.1 %), diphenhydramine (16.5 %) and amitriptyline (8.1 %). Combinations with a single drug were the most frequent (n=533, 75.9 %), predominantly azithromycin+loratadine. The maximum number of combined drugs was six (n=2, 0.3 %). Conclusions Identification of drug prescriptions through population databases is an effective way to find potential drug interactions. The frequency of potential interactions between azithromycin and other drugs is common in Colombian patients. Future research should assess the risk of occurrence of adverse cardiac events.

Scientific research in malaria: bibliometric assessment of the Latin-American contributions.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a parasitic disease of high global impact in public health, including Latin America. There should be more researched, particularly in this region. A bibliometric assessment of the Latin American contributions about malaria was done. METHODS: Bibliometric study at SCI (1980-2013), MEDLINE/ GOPUBMED (1802-2013), Scopus (1959-2013), SCIELO (2004-2013), LILACS (1980-2013). The studies were characterized by study type, year of publication, city/country of origin, journals and more productive authors, citations and H index. RESULTS: At SCI, 2,806 articles were retrieved (5.13% of the total). Brazil was the highest producer (31.41%), followed by Colombia (14.3%) and Mexico (9.5%). The region received 39,894 citations, 32.2% from Brazil (H index=51), 12.75% Mexico (H index=38), 11.2% Colombia (H index=33). At Scopus, there are 4,150 articles (4.9% of the total), 33.0% Brazil, 11.3% Colombia and 8.8% Mexico; 17% in Brazil were from Universidad de São Paulo; 23.6% of Colombia from Universidad de Antioquia; 15.4% of Mexico from Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública. At Medline there were 4,278 records (36.8% Brazil). At SciELO there are 792 records (45.3% Brazil). At LILACS there were 1744 records (34.3% Brazil). CONCLUSIONS: Brazil has the highest output of the region, as Venezuela the scientific production in Malaria was related with the burden of disease. This was not the case for Colombia. Scientific production at bibliographical databases, particularly regionals, is low, compared to the high incidence of this disease that requires more research and control.

Study of the scientific production on leishmaniasis in Latin America.

UNLABELLED: Leishmaniasis is a highly relevant neglected tropical disease. It has important consequences in affected populations, including a high fatality rate in its visceral form. It is present in Latin America, then it is necessary to promote more research on it. A bibliometric assessment of the Latin American scientific production in leishmaniasis was done. METHODS: Bibliometric study at SCI (1980-2013), MEDLINE/GOPUBMED (1802-2013), Scopus (1959-2013), SCIELO (2004-2013), LILACS (1980-2013). Different study types, characterized by years, city/country of origin, journals and more productive authors, by country, cites and H index. RESULTS: At SCI, 2857 articles were found (17.7% of the total). Brazil was the highest producer (58.1%), followed by Colombia (9.9%) and Venezuela (5.6%); the region received 41186 citations, 54.2% of Brazil (H index=62), 12.1% Colombia (H index=30) and 4.5% of Venezuela (H index=25). At Scopus, there are 3681 (14.7% of the total), 53.2% Brazil, 6.8% Colombia and 6.0% Venezuela; 38.46% at Brazil were from Fundação Oswaldo Cruz; 30.6% of Colombia corresponded to Universidad de Antioquia; 31.34% at Venezuela were from Universidad Central de Venezuela. At Medline there are 4525 records (60.6% of Brazil). At SciELO there are 1068 records (67.5% Brazil). At LILACS, there are 1740 records (56.0% Brazil). CONCLUSIONS: Scientific production of Brazil predominates in the region, with one single institution generating more articles than Colombia and Venezuela together. Scientific production in bibliographical data bases, particularly regional, is still relatively low, and the disease neglected when compared to other tropical conditions such as dengue and malaria.