Use of herbal therapies by adults seen in an ambulatory care research setting: an exploratory survey.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize patterns of use of herbal products among patients participating in selected research clinics. DESIGN: Survey of three National Institutes of Health (NIH) ambulatory care research clinics. SUBJECTS: Convenience sample of 490 adult patients (168 male, 322 female) attending rheumatology, liver, and endocrinology/metabolic research clinics. RESULTS: Of the patients surveyed, 16.7%: (n = 82) reported using herbs. There were no significant sociodemographic differences between herb and nonherb users. Indications for herb use differed among the disease groups; patients in the endocrine and rheumatology clinics were taking herbs predominantly for "energy" or "wellness"; those attending the liver clinic tended to use herbal therapies as treatment for their disease. Mean and median monthly expenditure for herbal products was $30 and $10, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between number of herbs used and use of other dietary supplements (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: One in six patients in ambulatory clinical research settings may be taking herbal products in addition to prescribed treatment. This figure is lower than in the general population, possibly because the patients may stop using herbs when participating in a research project. Although empirical evidence on the beneficial or adverse effects of herb therapy alone or in combination with drug therapies is limited, clinical researchers should be aware of the potential for confounding clinical trial results.

Documentation of clinical interventions by pharmacy faculty, residents, and students.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the influence of pharmacy faculty, residents, and students at a community hospital by documenting the number and types of interventions attributable to their involvement in patient-care activities. METHODS: Between September 1, 1997, and May 31, 1999, data were collected using a computerized documentation system to characterize the intervention type, significance, and value of services rendered by an education group composed of pharmacy faculty (n = 2), residents (n = 4), and students (n = 22). RESULTS: The number, nature, and outcome category for all interventions were documented using an existing computerized documentation system. The education group accounted for 13% (n = 2,873) of total clinical activities documented (n = 21,817). The most common activities reported were discharge counseling/education (31%), consultation by physicians and therapeutic recommendations (15%), and route conversion (6%). Interventions documented by the education group were classified as medium or high significance 50% of the time. Sixteen percent ($172,655) of the estimated cost avoidance documented by the pharmacy department was attributed to the education group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that educational activities by pharmacy faculty, residents, and students have a positive influence on patient care in a community hospital.

Vitamin K to reverse excessive anticoagulation: a review of the literature.

We conducted an extensive literature review to evaluate the appropriate use, route, and dose of vitamin K to reverse excessive anticoagulation. Issues such as sample size, study design, different patient populations, and various study end points confounded results. Of 18 studies published, 8 enrolled 229 patients to evaluate parenteral vitamin K administration. Nine studies with 288 patients evaluated oral administration, and only 2 retrospective studies (280 patients) compared routes of administration. Reductions in international normalized ratios at 24 hours ranged from 21-42%, 47-86%, 25-67%, and 40-75% for temporary warfarin discontinuation alone, and intravenous, subcutaneous, and oral routes of vitamin K administration, respectively. Methodologically weak studies and indeterminate results plague interpretation of the literature on vitamin K. In general, results of this review support current guidelines for reversing excessive warfarin anticoagulation. However, it is important to realize that the quality of literature on which these recommendations are based is poor and that optimal dose and route of vitamin K administration remain unclear. Large, well-designed, randomized, controlled trials are necessary to define optimum management strategies for excessively anticoagulated patients.

Hydroxyurea in two pregnant women with sickle cell anemia.

Hydroxyurea is classified as an S-phase antineoplastic agent (pregnancy category D). Two women became pregnant while taking hydroxyurea for sickle cell anemia and delivered live infants with no congenital anomalies. Although teratogenic effects of hydroxyurea were reported in animal studies, several case reports suggest the agent may have minimal teratogenic effects on the developing fetus. Fourteen cases of hydroxyurea therapy in pregnant patients with acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia, primary thrombocythemia, or sickle cell disease are reported in the literature. Three pregnancies were terminated by elective abortion; one woman developed eclampsia and delivered a phenotypically normal stillborn infant. All other patients delivered live, healthy infants without congenital anomalies. Further studies with larger numbers of patients receiving hydroxyurea during pregnancy, with longer follow-up of exposed children and more careful assessment of fetotoxic effects, are required before the agent can be promoted as safe in pregnancy.

Subcutaneous phytonadione for reversal of warfarin-induced elevation of the International Normalized Ratio.

The efficacy and safety of subcutaneous phytonadione in the treatment of patients with asymptomatic excessive International Normalized Ratio (INR) values secondary to warfarin therapy were evaluated. Patients at an outpatient anticoagulation clinic with an INR of 8 or more but less than 14 were given 1 mg of subcutaneous phytonadione, and patients with an INR of 14 or more but less than 20 received 2 mg. The patients were instructed to withhold warfarin therapy for the next 24 hours and to immediately report any bleeding complications. At subsequent visits, patients with an INR of 8 or more but less than 14 were given an additional 1 mg of subcutaneous phytonadione. Patients with an INR above 4.5 were instructed to withhold warfarin therapy for an additional 24 hours. Seventeen patients received the 1-mg dose (group 1), and four patients received the 2mg dose (group 2). In group 1, the mean INR reduction was 49% at 24 hours and 72% at 48 hours and the INR was below 4.5 in 93% of patients at 48 hours. In group 2, the mean INR reduction was 67% at 24 hours and 85% at 48 hours and the INR was below 4.5 in 100% of patients at 48 hours. In four group-1 patients and one group-2 patient, the INR fell below 2.0 at 48 hours. No patients reported hemorrhagic or thrombotic complications. Subcutaneous phytonadione safely lowered excessively high INR values caused by warfarin therapy.

Evaluation of primary care residents' knowledge of pharmacotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The study objective was to determine primary care residents' knowledge of pharmacotherapy. METHODS: Eighty primary care residents at five Family Medicine residencies completed a pharmacotherapy survey used to assess their knowledge of drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and new medications. Residents were asked whether they could benefit from more formal pharmacotherapy instruction. RESULTS: Seventy-seven residents (96%) completed the survey. Scores ranged from 11 to 43 (22% to 86%) out of a possible 50. Scores showed no significant difference on the basis of sex or residency. The only statistically significant difference was between first and third year residents' scores. Third year residents' mean score was 32.39 +/- 8.23 (64.8%). Ninety-one percent of residents believed they could benefit from more formal instruction in pharmacotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that primary care residents' pharmacotherapy knowledge may need improvement. Residents affirmed the need for formal instruction. Therefore, comprehensive pharmacotherapy curricula in primary care residencies should be considered.