ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to know the prevalence and severity of COVID-19 in patients treated with long-term macrolides and to describe the factors associated with worse outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Primary Care setting. Patients with macrolides dispensed continuously from 1 October 2019 to 31 March 2020, were considered. Main outcome: diagnosis of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Secondary outcomes: symptoms, severity, characteristics of patients, comorbidities, concomitant treatments. A total of 3057 patients met the inclusion criteria. Median age: 73 (64-81) years; 55% were men; 62% smokers/ex-smokers; 56% obese/overweight. Overall, 95% of patients had chronic respiratory diseases and four comorbidities as a median. Prevalence of COVID-19: 4.8%. This was in accordance with official data during the first wave of the pandemic. The most common symptoms were respiratory: shortness of breath, cough, and pneumonia. Additionally, 53% percent of patients had mild/moderate symptoms, 28% required hospital admission, and 19% died with COVID-19. The percentage of patients hospitalized and deaths were 2.6 and 5.8 times higher, respectively, in the COVID-19 group (p < 0.001). There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of long-term courses of macrolides in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection or the progression to worse outcomes in old patients with underlying chronic respiratory diseases and a high burden of comorbidity.
ABSTRACT
Introducción: Tras la reciente publicación de la alerta de la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) que advierte sobre la posible aparición de dificultades respiratorias en pacientes con fármacos gabapentinoides y factores de riesgo respiratorio, se plantea un estudio cuyo objetivo principal es conocer la prevalencia de patología respiratoria crónica en mayores de 75 años, en tratamiento concomitante con gabapentinoides y opioides potentes. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal descriptivo realizado en pacientes >75 años con prescripción concomitante de gabapentinoides y opioides potentes, y al menos 3 envases dispensados en un periodo de 6 meses (julio-diciembre 2019), en 40 centros de salud. Resultados: Tras realizar muestreo, se analizaron 57 pacientes. Edad media=84,1 (DE 5,0) años; 82,5%mujeres. Un 25,3% de la población presentaba patología respiratoria crónica asociada. El promedio del Índice de comorbilidad Charlson fue=6,4 (DE 1,88). La indicación para patología lumbar se detectó en el 50,9% de la prescripción con gabapentinoides y 47,3% con opioides. Un 68,4% tenían incluido en su tratamiento otro depresor. Conclusiones: Los resultados muestran una población mayor frágil, con una elevada carga de comorbilidad. Alrededor de un cuarto de la muestra analizada ya presentaba patología respiratoria crónica, con lo que en estos pacientes el riesgo se incrementa notablemente. El uso de gabapentinoides y de opioides fue para la indicación de dolor lumbar en casi la mitad de los pacientes. La evidencia disponible en esta indicación es cuestionable y limitada. Por otro lado, el abordaje de tratamiento para dolor de tipo lumbar es complejo, y requiere un planteamiento global.(AU)
Introduction: following the recent publication of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alert, which warns about the possible occurrence of respiratory depression in patients with gabapentinoid drugs and respiratory risk factors, we present a study whose main objective is to know the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in patients over 75 years in concomitant treatment with gabapentinoids and potent opioids. Material and methods: it was carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study in patients >75 years with concomitant prescription of gabapentinoids and potent opioids, and at least three dispensed containers over a 6-month period (July-December 2019), in 40 primary health-care centers. Results: after sampling, 57 patients were analyzed. Average age=84.1 (SD 5.0) years; 82.5% women. 25.3% of the population had associated chronic respiratory pathology. The average of Charlson Comorbidity Index was=6.4 (SD 1.88). The indication for lumbar pathology was detected in 50.9% of the gabapentinoid prescription and 47.3% of opioid. Another depressant was included in their treatment, in 68.4% of patients. Conclusions: the results show a fragile population with a high burden of comorbidity. About a quarter of the sample analyzed had chronic respiratory pathology, which increases the risk significantly in these patients. Gabapentinoids and opioids were used for the indication of lumbar pain in almost half of the patients. The evidence available in this indication is questionable and limited. On the other hand, the treatment approach for lumbar-type pain is complex, and requires a global management.(AU)
