ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Respiratory distress protocols (RDPs) are protocolized prescriptions comprised of 3 medications (a benzodiazepine, an opioid, and an anticholinergic) administered simultaneously as an emergency treatment for respiratory distress in palliative care patients in the province of Quebec, Canada. However, data on appropriate use that justifies the combination of all 3 components is scarce and based on individual pharmacodynamic properties along with expert consensus. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to evaluate the conformity and the effectiveness of RDPs prescribed and administered to hospitalized adult patients. METHODS: This was a prospective and descriptive study conducted in a single center. Prescription and administration conformity were assessed based on predefined appropriateness criteria. RESULTS: A total of 467 adult patients were prescribed a RDP, 175 administrations were documented, and 78 patients received at least 1 RDP. Prescription conformity was assessed on 1473 separate occasions over the trial period. Overall prescription conformity was found to be 37% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 33.6-40.4), and administration conformity was 37.7% (95% CI: 26.2-50.7). Low administration conformity was primarily explained by incorrect indications for RDP use. Seemingly important determinants of higher conformity were prescriber's speciality in palliative care, use of preprinted orders, pharmacist involvement, and hospitalization in the palliative care unit. CONCLUSION: This study highlights important gaps in the use of RDPs in our institution. Health-care provider training appears necessary in order to ensure adequate conformity and allow for further evaluation of RDP effectiveness.
Subject(s)
Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Benzodiazepines/therapeutic use , Cholinergic Antagonists/therapeutic use , Palliative Care/standards , Prescription Drugs/standards , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/drug therapy , Tertiary Care Centers/standards , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Analgesics, Opioid/standards , Benzodiazepines/standards , Cholinergic Antagonists/standards , Female , Guideline Adherence/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Prospective Studies , Quebec , Tertiary Care Centers/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To develop a scale of anticholinergic activity drugs used in Brazil, to be applied in health care and pharmacoepidemiology research. METHODS: We performed a literature review on PubMed/MEDLINE® to identify previously published scales of anticholinergic drugs. This scale started with anticholinergic drugs, and those with known anticholinergic activity as per the 4th level, chemical-therapeutic subgroup, of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification. We also included drugs with high anticholinergic activity, as described in a list of potentially inappropriate medications for use in older adults, according to the 2015 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria. Drugs listed in at least two anticholinergic scales were added. Then we verified which drugs in the previous steps were marketed in Brazil. We assigned a score of 1, 2 and 3, based on their anticholinergic action. RESULTS: A total of 273 anticholinergic drugs were identified, of which 125 were included in the scale. We identified 45 (36.0%) drugs with a score of 3, 13 (10.4%) with a score of 2, and 67 (53.6%) with a score of 1. Drugs for the nervous and respiratory systems were the most frequent in the scale. Eight drugs were not present in previous scales. CONCLUSION: The methodology used for development of the Brazilian anticholinergic activity scale is simple, systematized, reproducible and easy to update. The scale allows evaluating the impact of anticholinergic burden on health outcomes, and can potentially contribute to pharmacoepidemiology research, leading to more accurate measurements of anticholinergic activity.
Subject(s)
Cholinergic Antagonists/pharmacology , Cholinergic Antagonists/standards , Aged , Brazil , Cholinergic Antagonists/classification , Humans , Pharmacoepidemiology , Reference Standards , Reproducibility of Results , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective To develop a scale of anticholinergic activity drugs used in Brazil, to be applied in health care and pharmacoepidemiology research. Methods We performed a literature review on PubMed/MEDLINE® to identify previously published scales of anticholinergic drugs. This scale started with anticholinergic drugs, and those with known anticholinergic activity as per the 4th level, chemical-therapeutic subgroup, of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification. We also included drugs with high anticholinergic activity, as described in a list of potentially inappropriate medications for use in older adults, according to the 2015 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria. Drugs listed in at least two anticholinergic scales were added. Then we verified which drugs in the previous steps were marketed in Brazil. We assigned a score of 1, 2 and 3, based on their anticholinergic action. Results A total of 273 anticholinergic drugs were identified, of which 125 were included in the scale. We identified 45 (36.0%) drugs with a score of 3, 13 (10.4%) with a score of 2, and 67 (53.6%) with a score of 1. Drugs for the nervous and respiratory systems were the most frequent in the scale. Eight drugs were not present in previous scales. Conclusion The methodology used for development of the Brazilian anticholinergic activity scale is simple, systematized, reproducible and easy to update. The scale allows evaluating the impact of anticholinergic burden on health outcomes, and can potentially contribute to pharmacoepidemiology research, leading to more accurate measurements of anticholinergic activity.
RESUMO Objetivo Desenvolver uma escala de atividade anticolinérgica abrangendo os medicamentos utilizados no Brasil, para aplicação no cuidado em saúde e em pesquisas farmacoepidemiológicas. Métodos Realizou-se revisão da literatura no PubMed/MEDLINE®para identificação das escalas de mensuração da atividade anticolinérgica. Iniciou-se a escala com os fármacos anticolinérgicos e aqueles com atividade anticolinérgica conhecida, relacionados segundo o nível 4, subgrupo químico, na classificação da Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical . Incluíram-se os fármacos com atividade anticolinérgica alta, descritos na lista de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos, segundo o 2015 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria . Adicionaram-se os medicamentos que constavam em, no mínimo, duas escalas anticolinérgicas. Em seguida, verificaram-se os medicamentos constantes nas etapas anteriores comercializados no Brasil. A magnitude da atividade anticolinérgica foi estabelecida em escores com os valores de 1, 2 e 3. Resultados Foram identificados 273 medicamentos com atividade anticolinérgica, sendo 125 incluídos na escala. Destes, 45 (36,0%) receberam pontuação 3, 13 (10,4%) tiveram pontuação 2, e 67 (53,6%) pontuação 1. A maioria dos medicamentos da escala atuava nos sistemas nervoso e respiratório. Oito fármacos não constavam em escalas prévias. Conclusão A metodologia de desenvolvimento da escala brasileira de atividade anticolinérgica é simples, sistematizada, reprodutível e de fácil atualização. A escala permite avaliar o impacto da carga anticolinérgica nos resultados em saúde e pode contribuir com as pesquisas farmacoepidemiológicas, propiciando mensurações mais exatas da atividade anticolinérgica.
