Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic isolation concerning physical activity and cardiovascular health / Impacto do isolamento da pandemia de COVID-19 na atividade física e na saúde cardiovascular

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) is essential for health maintenance and disease prevention. COV-ID-19 and its social isolation affected patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease. This is a scoping review aiming to map, analyze, and summarize the impacts caused by the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic concerning PA and CV health in adults. Methods: The review was based on PRISMA-ScR. PubMed, PubMed Central, BVS/BIREME, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, and SciELO databases were selected to search. Two search phases were performed: May 2021 and March 2022. English-language full-text papers were included. Initially, the titles and abstracts of the retrieved documents were read and screened based on the research question. A third reviewer resolved disagreement through consensus meetings. An assessment form was adapted for data extraction. The study was registered in the Open Science Framework platform under the DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/AH6P8. Results: 11 papers were included and demonstrated that regular PA could be challenging in social isolation environments. Most participants were moderately active and performed low-intensity PA. Confinement led to the limitation of everyday activities, nutritional disorders, and reduced PA, contributing to weight gain. Quarantine was associated with stress and depression, leading to an unhealthy diet (AU).

Introdução: A prática regular de atividade física (AF) é essencial para a manutenção da saúde e prevenção de doenças. A COVID-19 e seu isolamento social afetaram pacientes com doenças cardiovasculares (CV) na prática dessas atividades. Desta forma, realizou-se uma revisão de escopo com o objetivo de mapear, analisar e sintetizar os impactos causados pelo isolamento da pandemia de COVID-19 na realização de AF e na saúde CV em adultos. Métodos: A revisão foi baseada no PRISMA-ScR. Foram selecionadas para a pesquisa a PubMed, PubMed Central, BVS/BIREME, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações e bases de dados SciELO. Duas fases de busca foram realizadas: maio de 2021 e março de 2022. Foram incluídos artigos que possuíam texto completo em inglês. Inicialmente, os títulos e resumos dos documentos recuperados foram lidos e triados com base na questão de pesquisa. Um terceiro revisor foi utilizado para avaliar os desacordos por meio de reuniões de consenso. Um formulário de avaliação foi adaptado para extração de dados. O estudo foi registrado na plataforma Open Science Framework sob o DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/AH6P8. Resultados: 11 artigos foram incluídos neste estudo e demonstraram que a AF regular pode ser desafiadora em ambientes de isolamento social. A maioria dos participantes era moderadamente ativa e praticava AF de baixa intensidade. O confinamento levou à limitação das atividades cotidianas, distúrbios nutricionais e diminuição da AF, contribuindo para o ganho de peso. A quarentena foi associada ao estresse e à depressão, levando a uma dieta pouco saudável. Possíveis soluções apontam para a realização de AF domiciliar, considerando a saúde basal e o estado CV. Conclusão: A era pós-COVID-19 e suas consequências apontam para a necessidade de planejamento de estratégias que aumentem e mantenham a AF domiciliar como medida protetora para a população em geral, considerando saúde CV, recursos e espaço domiciliar (AU).

Questionários direcionados ao diabetes mellitus validados para o português do Brasil / Diabetes mellitus questionnaires validated in brazilian Portuguese

Modelo do estudo: Revisão de escopo recomendada pelo Instituto Joanna Briggs e PRISMA-ScR. Objetivo: Analisar e sintetizar as evidências científicas sobre questionários relacionados ao diabetes mellitus validados para língua portuguesa do Brasil. Método: Foram incluídos estudos com resumo disponível e que descreveram um questionário relacionado ao diabetes mellitus publicados em inglês, espanhol ou português em periódicos indexados no PubMed, Scopus, BVS e Web of Science e nos catálogos de dissertações/teses do Portal da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior entre 2011 e 2022. Os descritores utilizados foram: diabetes mellitus; diabetes; sur-veys and questionnaires; reproducibility of results; psychometrics; validation studies; validation studies as topic; Brazil; Brazilian. O protocolo do estudo foi registrado na plataforma Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/asb-jz/). Resultados: Integraram esta revisão 39 publicações cujos questionários selecionados abordaram os temas: autocuidado/autogestão/autogerenciamento/autoeficácia; qualidade de vida; cuidado com a pele, úlceras e lesões; plano alimentar; adesão medicamentosa; estresse emocional/psicológico; conhecimento sobre diabetes; risco para desenvolvimento do diabetes; satisfação da qualidade dos cuidados em diabetes; manejo do diabetes em escolas; atitudes de profissionais da saúde frente ao diabetes. Conclusão: A utilização de questionários validados pode contribuir para a medida das barreiras e dificuldades encontradas por pessoas com diabetes mellitus e direcionar para a construção de estratégias de intervenções que sejam mais assertiva (AU).

Study design: Scoping review following the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR. Objective: To analyze and synthesize scientific evidence on questionnaires related to diabetes mellitus validated in Brazilian Portuguese. Method: Studies with available abstracts and that described a questionnaire related to diabetes mellitus published in English, Spanish or Portuguese, in journals indexed in PubMed, Scopus, VHL and Web of Science and in the catalog of dissertations/theses of the Portal of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel, between 2011 and 2022 were included. The descriptors used were: diabetes mellitus; diabetes; surveys and questionnaires; reproducibility of results; psychometrics; validation studies; validation studies as topic; Brazil; and Brazilian. The study protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework platform (https://osf.io/asbjz/). Results: This review included 39 publications in which selected questionnaires addressed the themes: self-care/self-management/self-efficacy; quality of life; skin, ulcer and wound care; food plan; medication adherence; emotional/psychological stress; knowledge about diabetes; risk for developing diabetes; satisfaction with the quality of diabetes care; diabetes management in schools; and attitudes of healthcare professionals towards diabetes. Conclusion: The use of validated questionnaires can contribute to the measurement of barriers and difficulties encountered by people with diabetes mellitus and direct the construction of more assertive intervention strategies (AU).

Nursing Training for Early Clinical Deterioration Risk Assessment: Protocol for an Implementation Study.

BACKGROUND: During the hospitalization period, it is possible to observe considerable changes in the vital parameters of patients, which may require emergency interventions or intensive treatment. The alteration of signs and symptoms that lead to physiological instability that can worsen the clinical picture with progression to shock, respiratory failure, or cardiorespiratory arrest is currently defined as clinical deterioration. Identifying signs of clinical deterioration at an early stage can lead to substantial decreases in mortality rates, the need for emergency interventions, and unscheduled treatments in intensive care units. Identifying and appropriately referring patients who show signs of clinical deterioration can be facilitated by applying early warning systems that provide rapid responses. The nursing team is usually the first to identify clinical changes in patients. Although the literature demonstrates that early recognition of clinical deterioration is the key to early intervention and leads to better outcomes, we only sometimes pursue the most appropriate intervention. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to implement and evaluate an evidence-based professional training program designed for nurses and coordinated by a nurse using the "just-in-time" methodology and the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) to assess the risk of early clinical deterioration and appropriate referral in inpatient units of a public university hospital in southeastern Brazil. METHODS: This intervention protocol is structured according to the recommendations of the SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) Declaration 2013. The type of training to be offered, "Just-in-Time Training," consists of a teaching modality that facilitates the delivery of a time-based and work-based education, with greater emphasis on providing on-the-job learning as needed. A qualitative stage will also be conducted through focus groups and interviews with nurses to verify the factors that influence the professional practice related to the early evaluation of the clinic. A script of previously tested questions will guide and standardize the different groups. The data will define the intervention's elements: the strategy, the type of training, the location, the teaching methodology, and the teaching material. RESULTS: The study has received authorization from the ethics committee, and participants will be recruited in July 2023. Data collection should be completed in October of the same year. The results obtained at the end of this research will be shared with the participating nursing team through the presentation of reports. In addition, the research results will be submitted to scientific journals and presented at international scientific conferences. CONCLUSIONS: This study will support nurses and possibly other clinicians to improve their approach to early recognition of clinical deterioration in patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials RBR-5hq9y3k; https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-5hq9y3k. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/47293.

Implementation of Debriefing Services for Pharmacy Residents in a 24-Hour, In-House Clinical Pharmacy On-Call Program: A Pilot Study.

Background: This clinical pharmacy on-call program (CPOP) is a 24-hour, in-house service provided by pharmacy residents. During shifts, challenging situations may arise, which may correlate with depression, anxiety, and stress. Objective: This pilot study aims to describe the implementation of a debriefing program and characterize mental health patterns of residents in the CPOP. Methods: A structured debriefing process was developed to provide support to residents in the CPOP. Over a 1-year period, twelve outgoing pharmacy residents and ten incoming pharmacy residents completed a modified Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (mDASS-21) questionnaire and received a stress perception score (SPS) during debriefing. Data from first and final on-call shifts were compared via a paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Residents were referred to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) based on mDASS-21 and SPS results. Scores from final on-call shifts were compared between residency classes via a Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: Following successful implementation, 106 debriefing sessions were completed. Pharmacy residents responded to a median number of 38 events per shift. Significant reductions in anxiety and stress scores were observed from the first and final on-call shifts. Six residents were referred to EAP. A lower incidence of depression, anxiety, and stress was observed in pharmacy residents who received debriefing compared to previous residents. Conclusion: The debriefing program provided emotional support to pharmacy residents participating in the CPOP. Implementation of debriefing demonstrated a reduction of anxiety and stress from the beginning to the end of the academic year and in comparison to the previous year.

Avaliação do risco de deterioração clínica precoce em unidades de internação de um Hospital Universitário no Sudeste Paulista / Risk assessment of early clinical deterioration in inpatient units of a University Hospital in Southeast São Paulo

INTRODUÇÃO: A deterioração clínica precoce pode levar a um incremento do número de paradas cardiorrespiratórias, de admissões em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e óbitos. A deterioração clínica pode ser identificada precocemente através da alteração dos sinais vitais. Por meio da monitorização constante dos sinais vitais, é possível realizar uma intervenção precoce, aumentando a sobrevida dos pacientes. A equipe de enfermagem é a primeira a identificar alterações clínicas dos pacientes e seu papel é premente na monitorização dos sinais vitais; favorecendo o resultado de sobrevida e aumentando a segurança do paciente. Instrumentos validados são capazes de detectar precocemente parâmetros fisiológicos e predizer o risco de deterioração clínica, por meio de avaliações rotineiras pelos enfermeiros; com vistas a gerenciar o risco de deterioração clínica. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o risco de deterioração clínica precoce em unidades de internação (UI) de adultos de um hospital universitário público do sudeste do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Tratou-se de estudo transversal e exploratório em um hospital universitário do sudeste paulista. Fizeram parte desta pesquisa 251 leitos. Foi aplicada a escala National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) para cada paciente internado, por ocasião da admissão no setor, em até 24 horas de sua recepção. A meta era obter o diagnóstico situacional da instituição por meio de dados inéditos e preliminares sobre o risco de deterioração clínica precoce usual. O NEWS2 é baseado em um sistema de pontuação, no qual uma pontuação é alocada para medições fisiológicas, já registradas na prática de rotina hospitalar. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi caracterizada por maioria de mulheres (64,5%), com média de idade de 55 anos. O escore do NEWS2 evidenciou média de 2,9 unidades, o que sugere média ou moderada complexidade da atenção por parte da equipe de saúde; e foi maior entre os homens. Esse achado preconiza que a avaliação da enfermeira se repita no mínimo de 4 a 6 horas, monitorando o paciente, registrando eventual aumento dos parâmetros e oferecendo os cuidados necessários. CONCLUSÕES: O diagnóstico situacional evidenciou risco moderado de deterioração clínica precoce nas UI, com escores mais elevados entre os pacientes do sexo masculino. Espera-se, com o desenvolvimento dessa proposta, implementar de forma pioneira um sistema de alerta precoce junto ao referido serviço, com vistas a incrementar a qualidade do cuidado, melhorar os indicadores relacionados à segurança do paciente e diminuir a taxa de mortalidade hospitalar evitável.

The Clinical Conundrum of Cannabis: Current Practices and Recommendations for Transplant Clinicians: An Opinion of the Immunology/Transplantation PRN of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

Cannabis, or marijuana, comprises many compounds with varying effects. It has become a treatment option for chronic diseases and debilitating symptoms, and evidence suggests that it has immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory properties. Transplant centers are more frequently facing issues about cannabis, as indications and legalization expand. As of February 2020, 33 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical cannabis, and 14 have legalized recreational cannabis. Moreover, 8 states have passed legislation prohibiting the denial of transplant listing solely based on cannabis use. Studies demonstrate the potential for significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between cannabis and immunosuppression. Additionally, safety concerns include increased risk of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, tachyarrhythmias, malignancy, neurocognitive deficits, psychosis, other neuropsychiatric disorders, cannabis use disorder, respiratory symptoms, and infection. A recent retrospective database study found a negative association between documented cannabis use disorder and graft survival, but little additional evidence exists evaluating this relationship. In the absence of robust clinical data, transplant centers need a clear, reasoned, and systematic approach to cannabis. The results of our national survey, unfortunately, found little consensus among institutions. As both recreational and medicinal cannabis become more ubiquitous nationwide, transplant centers will need to develop comprehensive policies to address its use.

Incidence and Clinical Significance of Hyperkalemia Following Heart Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hyperkalemia (HK) is a life-threatening complication following solid organ transplantation, and patients often need potassium-chelating agents and deviations from standard posttransplant protocols. This is the first study to report the incidence and clinical impact of hyperkalemia following heart transplantation. METHODS: We retrospectively included patients who underwent heart transplantation at our institution between April 2014 and December 2018. Patients with multiorgan transplantation were excluded. Clinical outcomes of patients who had serum potassium >5.5 mEq/L in the first year posttransplant (HK group) were compared to patients who did not have serum potassium >5.5 mEq/L in the first year posttransplant (non-HK group). RESULTS: A total of 143 patients were included in this study. During the first year posttransplant, cumulative incidence of serum potassium >5.0, >5.5, and >6.0 mEq/L was 96%, 63%, and 24%, respectively. Fifty-five percent of patients required treatment with potassium-chelating agents. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim was discontinued because of HK in 39% of patients. Overall survival of patients in the HK group (n = 89) was comparable to that of patients in the non-HK group (n = 54, 91% vs 98% at 1 year, P = .19), whereas infection-free survival was significantly lower in the HK group (34% vs 53% at 1 year, P = .010). Multivariate analysis revealed pretransplant renal dysfunction (odds ratio = 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-5.80; P = .018) and use of mechanical circulatory support (odds ratio = 2.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-7.76; P = .035) as significant predictors of posttransplant hyperkalemia. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of HK following heart transplantation was high, with more than half of patients requiring any therapeutic interventions, and HK was related to an increase in infection events.

Implications for body weight extremes in solid organ transplantation.

The pharmacokinetic profiles of medications are altered in overweight and underweight patients, but few studies have described these differences in patients with body mass index extremes. As solid organ transplant programs expand their candidate selection criteria to accommodate a growing population of patients with weight extremes, it has become imperative to understand and evaluate the impact weight extremes have on the pharmacokinetics of life-sustaining immunosuppression in this population. This review will describe pharmacokinetic and dosing considerations for weight extremes in solid organ transplant recipients, including changes following bariatric surgeries, non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic management strategies for weight loss and gain, and potential drug-drug interactions with popular weight management products.

A multicenter case series documenting Medicare Part D plan denials of immunosuppressant drug coverage for organ transplant recipients.

Medicare Part D plans make coverage decisions according to FDA-labeled indications and off-label uses endorsed by two CMS-recognized compendia. Patients who rely on Medicare Part D for immunosuppressive drug coverage are at risk for denied coverage when these medications are prescribed off-label. The purpose of this multicenter collaboration was to assemble a case series documenting situations where immunosuppressive therapies prescribed for transplant patients were denied by Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. This case series documents 66 instances in 39 patients where immunosuppressive drug claims were denied coverage due to off-label use not endorsed by the compendia. Patients were recipients of lung (n = 28, 72%), heart (n = 7, 18%), or liver (n = 4, 10%) transplants. Denied claims were for mycophenolate mofetil (n = 22, 33%), azathioprine (n = 18, 27%), sirolimus (n = 15, 23%), mycophenolate sodium (n = 5, 8%), everolimus (n = 5, 8%), and belatacept (n = 1, 1%). Most denials were upheld across all the levels of attempted appeal, including those escalated to a Medicare Administrative Law Judge. This case series demonstrates a critical flaw in the construct of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. The currently referenced compendia are not up to date and do not reflect best practices in organ transplantation.

Heart transplantation in patients with localized prostate cancer-Are we denying a life-saving therapy due to an indolent tumor?

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common non-cutaneous cancer in men. Approximately 90% of these cancers are localized (LPC) with a cancer-specific survival rate of 99% at 10 years. Some heart transplant centers (HTCs) regard PC as an absolute contraindication to heart transplantation (HT). This study aims to understand the current status of HT in patients with advanced heart failure (AHF) and concurrent LPC in the United States. METHODS: Adult HTCs in the United States were asked to fill out an email questionnaire addressing their current approach to HT in AHF patients with concurrent LPC. RESULTS: Fifty of the 90 HTCs that received the questionnaire responded. Only 16% of HTCs had a formal policy regarding HT in patients with LPC, while only 10% had patients with LPC on the HT waitlist at the time of the survey. Overall, 84% of the HTCs had never performed HT in a patient with LPC in the history of their transplant program. CONCLUSION: An overwhelming majority of HTCs in the United States do not consider HT an option for AHF patients with concurrent LPC and lack a formal policy regarding the same.

Hypogammaglobulinemia following heart transplantation: Prevalence, predictors, and clinical importance.

Hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) can occur following solid organ transplantation. However, there are limited data describing the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes associated with HGG following heart transplantation. We retrospectively reviewed data of 132 patients who had undergone heart transplantation at our institution between April 2014 and December 2018. We classified patients into three groups based on the lowest serum IgG level post-transplant: normal (≥700 mg/dL), mild HGG (≥450 and <700 mg/dL), and severe HGG (<450 mg/dL). We compared clinical outcomes from the date of the lowest IgG level. Mean age was 57 (47, 64) years, and 94 (71%) patients were male. Prevalence of severe HGG was the highest (27%) at 3-6 months following heart transplantation and then decreased to 5% after 1 year. Multivariate analysis showed that older age and Caucasian race were independent risk factors for HGG. Overall survival was comparable between the groups; however, survival free of infection was 73%, 60%, and 45% at 1 year in the normal, mild HGG, and severe HGG groups, respectively (P = .013). In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of HGG in the early post-heart transplant period that decreases over time. HGG is associated with an increased incidence of infection.

Early experience of COVID-19 in 2 heart transplant recipients: Case reports and review of treatment options.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses special challenges to immunocompromised transplant patients. Given the paucity of proven data in treating COVID-19, management of these patients is difficult, rapidly evolving, and mainly based on anecdotal experience. We report 2 cases of heart transplant (HT) recipients with COVID-19. The first is a 59-year-old female with HT in 2012 who presented on March 20, 2020 with fever, hypoxia, and ground-glass opacities on chest X-ray. She quickly progressed to acute hypoxic respiratory failure and vasoplegic shock. Despite reduction in immunosuppression and treatment with tocilizumab, intravenous immunoglobulin, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, and broad-spectrum antibiotics, she ultimately died from multiorgan failure. The second case is a 75-year-old man with HT in 2000 who presented on April 2, 2020 after curbside testing revealed positive COVID-19. Given a milder presentation compared to the first patient, antimetabolite was discontinued and only hydroxychloroquine was started. Because of a lack of clinical improvement several days later, tocilizumab, methylprednisolone, and therapeutic anticoagulation were initiated. The patient clinically improved with decreasing oxygen requirements and was discharged home. These 2 cases highlight the wide range of different presentations of COVID-19 in HT recipients and the rapidity with which the management of these patients is evolving.

Increase in short-term risk of rejection in heart transplant patients receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

BACKGROUND: Neutropenia is a significant adverse event after heart transplantation (HT) and increases infection risk. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is commonly used in patients with neutropenia. In this work, we assessed the adverse effects of G-CSF treatment in the setting of a university hospital. METHODS: Data on HT patients from January 2008 to July 2016 were reviewed. Patients who received G-CSF were identified and compared with patients without a history of therapy. Baseline characteristics, rejection episodes, and outcomes were collected. Data were analyzed by incidence rates, time to rejection and survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves, and odds ratios were generated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-two HT patients were studied and 40 (18%) received G-CSF for a total of 85 total neutropenic events (0.79 event/patient year). There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. In the 3 months after G-CSF, the incidence rate of rejection was 0.067 event/month. In all other time periods considered free of G-CSF effect, the incidence rate was 0.011 event/month. This rate was similar to the overall incidence rate in the non-GCSF group, which was 0.010 event/month. There was a significant difference between the incidence rates in the G-CSF group at 0 to 3 months after G-CSF administration and the non-GCSF group (p = 0.04), but not for the other time periods (p = 0.5). Freedom from rejection in the 3 months after G-CSF administration was 87.5% compared with 97.5% in the non-GCSF group (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: G-CSF administration was found to be associated with significant short-term risk of rejection. This suggests the need for increased surveillance during this time period.

Accepting Hearts From Hepatitis C-Positive Donor: Can We Expand the Donor Pool?

BACKGROUND: Until recently, transplantation from hepatitis C-positive donors was relatively contraindicated as eradication of active hepatitis C previously required an interferon-based regimen that has been associated with rejection in solid organ transplantation. New interferon-free treatment regimens for hepatitis C have fewer adverse events and higher cure rates than interferon-based regimens. Interferon-free regimens have been shown to be safe in the liver transplantation literature, but little is known about the safety and efficacy of treatment in heart transplantation. CASE DESCRIPTION AND DISCUSSION: Here we report a case of successful eradication of hepatitis C with a non-interferon-based regimen using ledipasvir-sofosbuvir following combined orthotopic heart and liver transplantation. Based on the prevalence of hepatitis C in the general population, inclusion of hepatitis C-positive donors for heart transplantation can expand this component of the donor pool 3- to 6-fold. CONCLUSIONS: In carefully selected patients and recipients, inclusion of hepatitis C-positive donors may allow for expansion of the donor pool.

Automatic Errors: A Case Series on the Errors Inherent in Electronic Prescribing.

The adoption of electronic prescribing is on the rise, as it reduces medication errors compared to handwritten orders. The inadvertent dispensing of discontinued medications is a type of medication error that is less well described, but one that can lead to adverse events. Software for electronic prescriptions transmits orders for refills or new prescriptions, but not discontinuations, to the pharmacy. Medications that have been stopped are displayed only at the prescribing facility's electronic medical record (EMR). This report describes five cases in which the pharmacy dispensed electronically discontinued medications, two of which contributed to adverse outcomes.

Quality of life of coronary artery disease patients after the implementation of planning strategies for medication adherence.

OBJECTIVE: to compare the general and specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between the Intervention (IG) and Control (CG) groups of coronary artery disease patients after the implementation of Action Planning and Coping Planning strategies for medication adherence and to verify the relationship between adherence and HRQoL. METHOD: this was a controlled and randomized study. RESULTS: the sample (n=115) was randomized into two groups, IG (n=59) and CG (n=56). Measures of medication adherence and general and specific HRQoL were obtained in the baseline and after two months of monitoring. CONCLUSION: the findings showed that the combination of intervention strategies - Action Planning and Coping Planning for medication adherence did not affect the HRQoL of coronary artery disease patients in outpatient monitoring.

Quality of life of coronary artery disease patients after the implementation of planning strategies for medication adherence / Qualidade de vida de coronariopatas após implementação de estratégias de planejamento para adesão medicamentosa / Calidad de vida de pacientes con enfermedad coronaria después de implementación de estrategias de planificación para adherencia a medicamentos

OBJECTIVE: to compare the general and specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between the Intervention (IG) and Control (CG) groups of coronary artery disease patients after the implementation of Action Planning and Coping Planning strategies for medication adherence and to verify the relationship between adherence and HRQoL. METHOD: this was a controlled and randomized study. RESULTS: the sample (n=115) was randomized into two groups, IG (n=59) and CG (n=56). Measures of medication adherence and general and specific HRQoL were obtained in the baseline and after two months of monitoring. CONCLUSION: the findings showed that the combination of intervention strategies - Action Planning and Coping Planning for medication adherence did not affect the HRQoL of coronary artery disease patients in outpatient monitoring. .

OBJETIVO: comparar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde - geral e específica - de pacientes coronariopatas entre os grupos Intervenção e Controle, após a implementação das estratégias de Planejamento de Ação e de Enfrentamento de Obstáculos para adesão medicamentosa e verificar a relação entre adesão e qualidade de vida, relacionada à saúde. MÉTODO: trata-se de estudo controlado e randomizado. RESULTADOS: a amostra (n=115) foi aleatorizada nos grupos Intervenção (n=59) e Controle (n=56). Foram obtidas medidas de adesão medicamentosa e de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde geral e específica, na fase inicial do estudo e após dois meses de seguimento. CONCLUSÃO: os achados evidenciaram que a combinação de estratégias de intervenção - Planejamento de Ação e de Enfrentamento de Obstáculos para adesão medicamentosa não influenciou a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de pacientes coronariopatas em seguimento ambulatorial. .

OBJETIVO: comparar la calidad de vida relacionada a la salud (CVRS) - general y específica de pacientes con enfermedad coronaria entre los grupos Intervención y Control después de la implementación de las estrategias de Planificación de Acción y de Enfrentamiento de Obstáculos para adherencia a medicamentos y verificar la relación entre adherencia y CVRS. MÉTODO: se trata de estudio controlado y aleatorio. RESULTADOS: la muestra (n=115) fue del tipo aleatorio en los grupos GI (n=59) y GC (n=56). Fueron obtenidas medidas de adherencia a medicamentos y de CVRS general y específica, en la fase inicial del estudio y después de dos meses de seguimiento. CONCLUSIÓN: los hallazgos evidenciaron que la combinación de estrategias de intervención - Planificación de Acción y de Enfrentamiento de Obstáculos para adherencia a medicamentos no influenció la CVRS de pacientes con enfermedad coronaria en seguimiento en ambulatorio. .

A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of planning strategies in the adherence to medication for coronary artery disease.

AIM: To examine the effect of action and coping planning strategies in the adherence to medication among outpatients with coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND: Action and coping planning strategies are based on implementation intention, which requires self-regulation by the individual, to prioritize intentionally planned responses over learned or habitual ones, from daily routines to stressful situations. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Participants (n = 115) were randomized into intervention (use of action and coping planning strategies, n = 59) or control (usual care, n = 56) groups. The study was conducted between June 2010-May 2011 in two in-person visits: baseline and 2-month follow-up. Participants in the intervention group received telephone reinforcement between baseline and 2-month follow-up. Adherence to medication for cardioprotection and symptoms relief was evaluated by proportion of adherence, global measure of adherence evaluation and Morisky Self-Reported Measure of Medication Adherence Scale at both baseline and 2-month follow-up. FINDINGS: When using the measure of global measure of adherence, participants in the intervention group reported adherence to therapy more often than controls (odds ratio = 5.3), but no statistically significant change was observed in the other two outcome measures. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that individuals who use action and coping planning report higher adherence to drug treatment, when measured by the global adherence evaluation. Further studies with longer follow-ups are needed to assess if the effect of planning strategies has long-term duration.

Intellectual functioning in children with epilepsy: frontal lobe epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy and benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study is to describe intellectual functioning in three common childhood epilepsy syndromes - frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE), childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) and benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS). And also to determine the influence of epilepsy related variables, type of epilepsy, age at epilepsy onset, duration and frequency of epilepsy, and treatment on the scores. METHODS: Intellectual functioning was examined in a group of 90 children with epilepsy (30 FLE, 30 CAE, 30 BECTS), aged 6-15 years, and compared with a control group (30). All subjects obtained a Full Scale IQ ≥ 70 and they were receiving no more than two antiepileptic medications. Participants completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Third Edition. The impact of epilepsy related variables (type of epilepsy, age at epilepsy onset, duration of epilepsy, seizure frequency and anti-epileptic drugs) on intellectual functioning was examined. RESULTS: Children with FLE scored significantly worse than controls on WISC-III Verbal IQ, Full Scale IQ and Processing Speed Index. There was a trend for children with FLE to have lower intelligence scores than CAE and BECTS groups. Linear regression analysis showed no effect for age at onset, frequency of seizures and treatment. Type of epilepsy and duration of epilepsy were the best indicators of intellectual functioning. CONCLUSION: It is crucial that children with FLE and those with a longer active duration of epilepsy are closely monitored to allow the early identification and evaluation of cognitive problems, in order to establish adequate and timely school intervention plans.

Abuse-deterrent and tamper-resistant opioids: how valuable are novel formulations in thwarting non-medical use?

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, attention has been given to the development of abuse-deterrent and tamper-resistant opioid formulations in light of concern over the growing misuse and abuse of opioids prescribed for the treatment of chronic pain. AREAS COVERED: This critical review discusses abuse-deterrent and tamper-resistant formulations, which may help to overcome concerns of misuse in using opioids for pain management. The role and utility of these novel formulations in clinical practice are outlined, as well as the risks and benefits associated with formulations that are currently available or under development. EXPERT OPINION: Numerous concerns with the integration of these formulations into clinical practice remain, as no product is intended or capable of addressing all types of misuse or abuse. As a result, these formulations should not necessarily be considered preferred agents once available in clinical practice. Moreover, before initiating therapy with abuse-deterrent and tamper-resistant formulations, proper patient assessment to identify risk factors for misuse and abuse should be implemented and optimized. With screening and monitoring in place, it would then be sensible to consider these formulations in patients who appear to be at high risk of misuse, abuse and/or diversion.