Usefulness of Community Pharmacy for Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment in Older People Using the IQ-CODE Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: People with cognitive impairment (CI) need to be identified early because of the risk of progression to dementia. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the study was to analyze the usefulness of the community pharmacy for early detection of CI in older people through their caregivers. As secondary objective the risk factors related to IQ-CODE classification of risk of CI were identified. DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study was designed. SETTING: Caregivers were selected by pharmacists from Spanish community pharmacies. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects with a close relationship to persons over 70 years of age who were not previously diagnosed with CI and who did not live in a nursing home or were hospitalized participated in the study. MEASUREMENTS: The proportion of older people who were classified as "at risk of CI" was assessed using the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQ-CODE), which was completed by the caregiver. RESULTS: A total of 197 pharmacists selected 910 caregivers with an average age of 53 years, 75.5% of whom were women. In 324 people over the age of 70 (38.5%), "risk of CI" was observed, increasing with age. The risk of CI was 4.3 times higher in older people who complained of memory loss (p<0.001), 2.5 times higher if they had had a stroke in the last two years (p=0.007), 1.9 times higher if they were smokers (p=0.045) and 1.6 times higher if they were diabetic (p=0.028). CONCLUSION: Detection of risk of CI from the community pharmacy showed prevalence figures consistent with the CI figures observed in the Spanish primary care setting, demonstrating the capacity of the community pharmacy to contribute to early detection of CI.

Estudio observacional para analizar las pautas de tratamiento de la disnea irruptiva en pacientes con cáncer en la práctica clínica / Observational study to analyze patterns of treatment of breakthrough dyspnea in cancer patients in clinical practice

INTRODUCCIÓN: Siendo la disnea irruptiva un síntoma muy frecuente en los pacientes oncológicos, no existen recomendaciones precisas para su tratamiento. El objetivo principal del estudio fue analizar qué tratamientos se utilizan en la práctica clínica diaria para el manejo de la disnea irruptiva en pacientes con cáncer en España. Los objetivos secundarios fueron describir las características de los pacientes oncológicos con disnea irruptiva y los atributos de esta alteración. MÉTODOS: Pacientes oncológicos mayores de 18 años, con disnea irruptiva y estado funcional Karnofsky mayor o igual a 30, atendidos en servicios de oncología. Se recogió el historial de tratamientos para la disnea irruptiva y las características de esta patología, variables antropométricas, índice de disnea de Mahler, escala de Borg, escala Edmonton Symptoms Assessment Scale, satisfacción del paciente con el tratamiento actual de la disnea irruptiva. RESULTADOS: La edad media de los 149 pacientes incluidos fue de 66 años (intervalo de confianza 95%: 64,3 a 67,9), siendo mujeres el 35,6% (53). La intensidad media de la disnea irruptiva fue de 5,85 (intervalo de confianza 95%: 5,48 a 6,22 Borg). El 55,1% de los tratamientos de primera opción fueron los opioides, seguidos del oxígeno (17,3%). El 79,9% de los pacientes (119) fueron tratados en monoterapia. En los casos que presentaban disnea basal se administró oxígeno en mayor proporción 21,1% versus 7,4% (p = 0,07). Si la disnea era predecible se administró en mayor proporción opioides, 70,9% versus 44,4% (p = 0,01). CONCLUSIONES: Los opioides constituyen el tratamiento de primera línea de la disnea irruptiva en la práctica clínica habitual; sin embargo, el grado de evidencia científica que justifique su uso es escasa. Se necesita más información procedente de ensayos clínicos controlados en los que se evalúe la eficacia comparativa de diferentes tratamientos.

INTRODUCTION: Although breakthrough dyspnea is very frequent in cancer patients, there are no precise recommendations for treating it. The main objective of this study was to analyze what treatments are used in clinical practice for the management of breakthrough dyspnea in cancer patients in Spain and the secondary objectives were to describe the characteristics of cancer patients with breakthrough dyspnea and the attributes of the disorder. METHODS: Cancer patients over 18 years of age, with breakthrough dyspnea and a Karnofsky performance score of ≥30, who were treated at departments of oncology in institutes across Spain were included in this cross-sectional observational study. The characteristics of breakthrough dyspnea, history of treatment, anthropometric variables, Mahler dyspnea index, Borg scale, Edmonton Symptoms Assessment Scale, and patient satisfaction with current breakthrough dyspnea treatment were assessed. RESULTS: The mean age of the 149 included patients was 66 years (95% confidence interval: 64.3 to 67.9), and 53 were females (35.6%). The mean breakthrough dyspnea intensity was 5.85 (95% confidence interval 5.48 to 6.22, Borg scale). A total of 55.1% of the first-choice treatments consisted of opioids, followed by oxygen (17.3%). A total of 119 patients (79.9%) received monotherapy for breakthrough dyspnea. Patients presenting with basal dyspnea received oxygen in a greater proportion of cases (21.1% vs 7.4%; p = 0.07). Patients with predictable dyspnea received a greater proportion of opioids (70.9% vs 44.4%; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Opioids constitute first-line therapy for breakthrough dyspnea in routine clinical practice, though the scientific evidence supporting their use is scarce. Further information derived from controlled clinical trials is needed regarding the comparative efficacy of the different treatments in order to justify their use.

Control de los síntomas en pacientes terminales: efectividad del tratamiento de la disnea irruptiva con opioides / Symptoms control in terminally ill patients: effectiveness of opioid treatment for breakthrough dyspnea

Introducción y objetivo: La disnea irruptiva (DI) se observa con mucha frecuencia en pacientes terminales. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue valorar el grado de control de los síntomas de los pacientes que acuden a nuestra unidad, con especial interés en la evaluación de la efectividad del tratamiento de la DI en pacientes terminales. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional sobre los datos de un registro de pacientes de una unidad de hospitalización domiciliaria. Se seleccionaron pacientes con enfermedad terminal con DI que fueron tratados con un opioide. La intensidad de la DI se valoró mediante la escala de Borg antes y después del tratamiento. Se evaluó la intensidad de otros síntomas mediante la escala ESAS (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System). Resultados: Se incluyeron 100 pacientes en el análisis. El 65 % de los pacientes eran hombres, siendo un 55 % pacientes oncológicos. Se administró fentanilo sublingual (71 %), fentanilo intranasal (18 %), fentanilo oral (1 %) y morfina subcutánea (10 %). El 94 % respondieron al tratamiento con mejoría de dos o más puntos en la escala de Borg. El perfil de seguridad fue aceptable en todos los casos. Conclusiones: A pesar de que en la primera línea de tratamiento de la DI se recomiendan los opioides, no existe suficiente grado de evidencia científica que justifique su uso. Se observó en el estudio que el tratamiento con fentanilo puede ser una opción terapéutica eficaz y segura para el control de la disnea irruptiva en pacientes terminales (AU)

Introduction and objective: Breakthrough dyspnea (BD) is frequently suffered by in terminally ill patients. The main objective of the study was to assess the degree of symptom control for patients admitted to our unit specially the effectiveness of BD therapy in terminally ill patients. Patients and methods: An observational study of a registry of patients was completed and performed at a Spanish hospice care unit. Terminally ill patients presenting with BD and having undergone opioid treatment were selected. BD’s intensity was measured prior to and after treatment using the Borg scale. The intensity of other symptoms was evaluated using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) scale. Results: One hundred patients were included in the analysis. Males comprised 65 % of the sample, being 55 % oncological patients. Sublingual fentanyl (71 %), intranasal fentanyl (18 %), oral fentanyl (1 %) and subcutaneous morphine (10 %) were administered. Treatment response was observed in 94 % of patients with improvements of two or more points on the Borg Scale for BD, with no differences between treatments. The safety profile was acceptable in all cases. Conclusions: Although opioids are recommended in the first line of treatment of ID, there is not enough scientific evidence to justify its use. It was observed in the study that fentanyl may be an effective and safe therapeutic option for the control of breakthrough dyspnea in terminally ill patients (AU)

Evolución del estrés familiar en niños con trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad / Evolution of stress in families of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Introducción: El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la evolución del estrés en las familias de niños o adolescentes que comienzan tratamiento psicofarmacológico, tras ser diagnosticados de un trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH), y la capacidad de detección de este cambio mediante el cuestionario Family Strain Index (FSI). Metodología: Cuarenta y ocho especialistas en psiquiatría infanto-juvenil o neuropediatría incluyeron 429 familias de niños diagnosticados de TDAH, representadas por el padre, la madre o el tutor del niño. En la visita basal, a los 2 y 4 meses, se evaluó la intensidad de los síntomas del TDAH mediante la escala de Conners abreviada, y el estrés familiar mediante el cuestionario FSI. Resultados: Se observó: a) mejoría en la puntuación global del FSI y en todas sus dimensiones (p<0,001); b) mejoría en la intensidad de los síntomas de hiperactividad (Conners, p<0,0001);c) una buena concordancia entre las 2 escalas, a los 2 meses (R-intraclase 0,825, p<0,0001) y a los 4 meses de seguimiento (R-intraclase 0,784, p<0,0001). El 97,9% de los niños (420) recibieron tratamiento con metilfenidato de liberación modificada. Conclusiones: Se observó una correlación significativa entre la evolución positiva de los síntomas de los niños con TDAH y la reducción del estrés familiar evaluado mediante el cuestionario FSI, tras la instauración del tratamiento psicofarmacológico. Este estudio demostró una gran sensibilidad al cambio de la situación clínica de los pacientes con TDAH evaluado a través del estrés producido sobre sus familias. Se recomienda el uso de este cuestionario como medida indirecta de la repercusión del trastorno sobre el entorno del niño con TDAH en términos de estrés familiar (AU)

Introduction. The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of stress in families of children and adolescents who start psychopharmacological treatment after being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the ability to detect this change using the FSI (Family Strain Index) questionnaire. Methodology: Forty eight (48) specialists in child-adolescent psychiatry or neuropediatrics included 429 families of children diagnosed with ADHD, represented by the father, mother or guardian of the child. In the baseline visit, and at two and four months, the intensity of the symptoms of ADHD was evaluated using the abbreviated Conners scale, and family stress was evaluated using the FSI questionnaire. Results: The following was observed: a) an improvement in the overall FSI score and in all its dimensions (P<.001); b) an improvement in the intensity of the symptoms of hyperactivity (Conners, P<.0001); c) good agreement between these two scales at two months (R-intraclass 0.825, P<.0001) and at four months of follow-up (R-intraclass 0.784, P<.0001). Ninety seven point nine percent (97.9%) of the children or adolescents (420) received treatment with modified-release methylphenidate. Conclusions: There was a significant relationship between the positive evolution of symptoms in children with ADHD and the reduction of family stress, as evaluated by the FSI questionnaire, after starting psychopharmacological treatment. This study showed a great sensitivity to change in the clinical situation of patients with ADHD, evaluated through the stress it produces on its families. It is recommended to use this questionnaire as an indirect measurement of the repercussions of the disorder on the environment of the child with ADHD in terms of family stress (AU)

[Evolution of stress in families of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]. / Evolución del estrés familiar en niños con trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of stress in families of children and adolescents who start psychopharmacological treatment after being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the ability to detect this change using the FSI (Family Strain Index) questionnaire. METHODOLOGY: Forty eight (48) specialists in child-adolescent psychiatry or neuropediatrics included 429 families of children diagnosed with ADHD, represented by the father, mother or guardian of the child. In the baseline visit, and at two and four months, the intensity of the symptoms of ADHD was evaluated using the abbreviated Conners scale, and family stress was evaluated using the FSI questionnaire. RESULTS: The following was observed: a) an improvement in the overall FSI score and in all its dimensions (P<.001); b) an improvement in the intensity of the symptoms of hyperactivity (Conners, P<.0001); c) good agreement between these two scales at two months (R-intraclass 0.825, P<.0001) and at four months of follow-up (R-intraclass 0.784, P<.0001). Ninety seven point nine percent (97.9%) of the children or adolescents (420) received treatment with modified-release methylphenidate. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant relationship between the positive evolution of symptoms in children with ADHD and the reduction of family stress, as evaluated by the FSI questionnaire, after starting psychopharmacological treatment. This study showed a great sensitivity to change in the clinical situation of patients with ADHD, evaluated through the stress it produces on its families. It is recommended to use this questionnaire as an indirect measurement of the repercussions of the disorder on the environment of the child with ADHD in terms of family stress.

[Cost-analysis of viscosupplementation treatment with hyaluronic acid in candidate knee replacement patients with osteoarhritis]. / Análisis de costes del tratamiento con viscosuplementación con ácido hialurónico estabilizado en pacientes con artrosis de rodilla candidatos a implantación de prótesis.

A high percentage of knee osteoarthritis finally need a knee replacement. Previous treatments used including viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid can delay the knee replacement. The objective of this study was to estimate the economic impact in the short, medium and long term of the knee replacement delay, by conducting a budget impact analysis of the incorporation of viscosupplementation to the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. From the data of patients treated at a specialized Knee Osteoarthritis Unit we built a discrete event simulation model that reproduced the progress of patients, as it could represent changes in the health status of an individual and their interaction with the system. The model allowed the number of prostheses and replacements performed each year to be calculated in a population including 1,000 patients each year according to the use of viscosupplementation. The budget impact analysis was estimated for 10 years by adding the cost of each treatment. A total of 224 patient candidates to receive a knee replacement were studied. The viscosupplementation use delayed the need to perform the knee replacement by 2.67 years The budgetary impact would lead to net savings during the 10 years. However, it is much greater in the earlier years. The sum of the savings in the first three years would be 36 million euros. The study concludes that the use of viscosupplementation reduced the economic burden of knee osteoarthritis in the health system as a result of delayed knee replacement. The simulation model enabled the economic impact in both the short and long term to be analysed.

Análisis de costes del tratamiento con viscosuplementación con ácido hialurónico estabilizado en pacientes con artrosis de rodilla candidatos a implantación de prótesis / Cost-analysis of viscosuplementation treatment with hyaluronic acid in candidate knee replacement patients with osteoarhritis

Una gran parte de los pacientes con artrosis de rodilla acaban siendo intervenidos de una prótesis. Los tratamientos previos utilizados, entre ellos la viscosuplementación con ácido hialurónico pueden permitir retrasar esta evolución, lo que conlleva un impacto económico a corto, medio y largo plazo. El objetivo de este estudio es estimar el análisis del impacto presupuestario de la incorporación de la viscosuplementación. A partir de un estudio retrospectivo de pacientes tratados con viscosuplementación se construyó un modelo de simulación de eventos discretos que reprodujo la evolución de los pacientes, ya que permite representar cambios en el estado de salud de un individuo y su interacción con el sistema. El modelo permitió calcular el número de prótesis y recambios efectuados cada año, en una población que cada año incorpora 1.000 pacientes. Añadiendo los costes de cada uno de los tratamientos aplicados se estimó el análisis del impacto presupuestario. Se estudiaron 224 pacientes. El uso de viscosuplementación retrasó 2,67 años la necesidad de implantación de la prótesis. Al analizar el impacto presupuestario se estimó un ahorro continuado a lo largo del tiempo, que es mucho mayor en los primeros años. Los ahorros de los primeros 3 años fueron de 36 de millones de euros. El uso de la viscosuplementación redujo la carga económica de la artrosis de rodilla en el sistema sanitario como consecuencia del retraso de la implantación de la prótesis. El modelo de simulación permitió analizar conjuntamente el impacto económico a corto y largo plazo (AU)

A high percentage of knee osteoarthritis finally need a knee replacement. Previous treatments used including viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid can delay the knee replacement. The objective of this study was to estimate the economic impact in the short, medium and long term of the knee replacement delay, by conducting a budget impact analysis of the incorporation of viscosupplementation to the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. From the data of patients treated at a specialized Knee Osteoarthritis Unit we built a discrete event simulation model that reproduced the progress of patients, as it could represent changes in the health status of an individual and their interaction with the system. The model allowed the number of prostheses and replacements performed each year to be calculated in a population including 1,000 patients each year according to the use of viscosupplementation. The budget impact analysis was estimated for 10 years by adding the cost of each treatment. A total of 224 patient candidates to receive a knee replacement were studied. The viscosupplementation use delayed the need to perform the knee replacement by 2.67 years The budgetary impact would lead to net savings during the 10 years. However, it is much greater in the earlier years. The sum of the savings in the first three years would be 36 million euros. The study concludes that the use of viscosupplementation reduced the economic burden of knee osteoarthritis in the health system as a result of delayed knee replacement. The simulation model enabled the economic impact in both the short and long term to be analysed (AU)

[Evaluation of the diagnosis and treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Spain using the Achievable Benchmarks of Care (ABC) technique]. / Evaluación del diagnóstico y tratamiento de los niños con trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad en España mediante la técnica Achievable Benchmarks of Care (ABC).

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is currently of great interest to the public and the diagnostic process, evaluation of the follow-up and therapeutic strategies in these patients are the subject of a fierce debate. In this study we assess compliance with the ADHD diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines in Spain, in relation to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, and it is measured using the Achievable Benchmarks of Care (ABC) technique. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study involved 215 specialists, 138 child and youth psychiatrists, and 77 neuropaediatricians. Questions were selected to elicit responses on compliance with the AAP diagnostic (1 to 5) and therapeutic (1 to 5) guidelines. The ABC technique, developed at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA, was applied for the analysis. RESULTS: The degree of compliance with the diagnostic guidelines was: guideline 2, 63.1% (ABC 100%), guidelines 3 and 4, 65.8% (ABC 100%) and guideline 5, 87% (ABC 100%); and in the treatment guidelines: guideline 2, 87.1% (ABC 100%) and guideline 3, 71.2% (ABC 100%). CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with the AAP guidelines for treating patients with ADHD is higher than observance of the diagnostic guidelines. In 10% of the best centres (ABC) compliance reaches 100% of all the guidelines, a high degree of adherence to the US guidelines, although compliance with them is not mandatory in our clinical area.

Evaluación del diagnóstico y tratamiento de los niños con trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad en España mediante la técnica Achievable Benchmarks of Care (ABC) / Evaluation of the diadnosis and treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Spain using the achievable benchmark of care (ABD) technique

Introducción y objetivos. Observamos un gran interés público hacia el trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad (TDAH) con un intenso debate sobre el proceso diagnóstico, la evaluación del seguimiento y las estrategias terapéuticasen estos pacientes. En este estudio valoramos el cumplimiento de las recomendaciones diagnósticas y terapéuticas en el TDAH en España, en relación con las recomendaciones de la Academia Americana de Pediatría (AAP), y lo cuantificamos mediante la técnica Achievable Benchmarks of Care (ABC). Sujetos y métodos. Participaron en el estudio 215 especialistas, 138 psiquiatras infantojuveniles y 77 neuropediatras. Las preguntas fueron seleccionadas para responder al cumplimiento de las recomendaciones para el diagnóstico (1 a 5) y tratamiento (1 a 5) de la AAP. Se aplicó para el análisis la técnica ABC, de la Universidad de Alabama, Birmingham, EE. UU. Resultados. El grado de cumplimiento de las recomendaciones diagnósticas fue: recomendación 2, 63,1% (ABC 100%), recomendaciones 3 y 4, 65,8% (ABC 100%), y recomendación 5, 87% (ABC 100%); y en las recomendaciones de tratamiento: recomendación 2, 87,1% (ABC 100%), y recomendación 3, 71,2% (ABC 100%). Conclusiones. El seguimiento de las recomendaciones de la AAP para el tratamiento de los pacientescon TDAH es mayor que el seguimiento de las recomendaciones diagnósticas. En el 10% de los mejores centros (ABC) se alcanza un cumplimiento de un 100% de todas las recomendaciones, un elevado grado de adherencia a las recomendaciones estadounidenses, aun no siendo de obligado cumplimiento en nuestro ámbito clínico

Introduction and aims. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is currently of great interest to the public and the diagnostic process, evaluation of the follow-up and therapeutic strategies in these patients are the subject of a fierce debate. In this study we assess compliance with the ADHD diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines in Spain, in relation to theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, and it is measured using the Achievable Benchmarks of Care (ABC)technique. Subjects and methods. The study involved 215 specialists, 138 child and youth psychiatrists, and 77 neuropaediatricians. Questions were selected to elicit responses on compliance with the AAP diagnostic (1 to 5) and therapeutic (1 to 5) guidelines. The ABC technique, developed at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA, was applied for the analysis. Results. The degree of compliance with the diagnostic guidelines was: guideline 2, 63.1% (ABC 100%), guidelines 3 and 4, 65.8% (ABC 100%) and guideline 5, 87% (ABC 100%); and in the treatment guidelines: guideline 2, 87.1% (ABC 100%) and guideline 3, 71.2% (ABC 100%). Conclusions. Compliance with the AAP guidelines for treating patients with ADHD is higher than observance of the diagnostic guidelines. In 10% of the best centres (ABC) compliance reaches 100% of all the guidelines, a high degree of adherence to the US guidelines, although compliance with them is not mandatory in our clinical area