Prevalence of medicine use among Brazilian adults: a systematic review. / Prevalência do consumo de medicamentos em adultos brasileiros: uma revisão sistemática.

The use of medicine in adults has been assessed by some population-based studies in Brazil, but to date there has been no overall estimate of the prevalence of drug consumption. We therefore aimed to estimate the prevalence of medicine use as measured in previously reported cross-sectional studies among Brazilian adults. We conducted a systematic review of the literature, searching in MEDLINE, Embase among others to a date ending January 2017. Two researchers selected the studies, extracted data and assessed methodological quality of those chosen for inclusion. The consumption prevalence were combined in meta-analyses, the heterogeneity measured by I2 and investigated by subgroup analyses and meta-regression. The search identified 4,005 publications, of which 14 were ultimately included in the study. Most studies (12/14) measured the consumption over the previous 15 days, finding a consumption prevalence of 49.1% (95% CI: 48.5-49.6%, I2 = 100%). The recall period explains part of the heterogeneity found (R2 = 23%, p = 0.048), however the subgroup analysis did not allow for more homogeneous results. The use of medications occurs among almost half of all Brazilian adults. Appropriate pharmaceutical assistance and care are necessary to ensure the rational use of these technologies.

Prevalência do consumo de medicamentos em adultos brasileiros: uma revisão sistemática / Prevalence of medicine use among Brazilian adults: a systematic review

Resumo O uso de medicamentos em adultos foi avaliado por alguns estudos de base populacional no Brasil, mas não há estimativa geral da prevalência desse consumo disponível. Nosso objetivo foi estimar a prevalência do uso de medicamentos avaliada em estudos transversais entre adultos brasileiros. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura por meio de busca no Medline, Embase, Scopus, Lilacs, SciELO, banco de teses da Capes até janeiro de 2017. Duas revisoras selecionaram as pesquisas, extraíram os dados e avaliaram a qualidade metodológica daquelas incluídas. As prevalências de consumo foram combinadas em meta-análises, a heterogeneidade foi medida pelo I2 e investigada por análises de subgrupo e metarregressão. A busca identificou 4.005 publicações, das quais 14 foram incluídas no estudo. A maioria dos estudos (12/14) mediu o consumo nos últimos 15 dias, encontrando prevalência de consumo de 49,1% (IC95%: 48,5-49,6%; I2 =100%). O período recordatório explica parte da heterogeneidade encontrada (R2= 23%; p = 0,048), mas a análise de subgrupos não possibilitou encontrar resultados mais homogêneos. O uso de medicamentos é realizado por quase metade dos adultos brasileiros. Ações adequadas de assistência e atenção farmacêutica são necessárias para assegurar o uso racional dessas tecnologias.

Abstract The use of medicine in adults has been assessed by some population-based studies in Brazil, but to date there has been no overall estimate of the prevalence of drug consumption. We therefore aimed to estimate the prevalence of medicine use as measured in previously reported cross-sectional studies among Brazilian adults. We conducted a systematic review of the literature, searching in MEDLINE, Embase among others to a date ending January 2017. Two researchers selected the studies, extracted data and assessed methodological quality of those chosen for inclusion. The consumption prevalence were combined in meta-analyses, the heterogeneity measured by I2 and investigated by subgroup analyses and meta-regression. The search identified 4,005 publications, of which 14 were ultimately included in the study. Most studies (12/14) measured the consumption over the previous 15 days, finding a consumption prevalence of 49.1% (95% CI: 48.5-49.6%, I2 = 100%). The recall period explains part of the heterogeneity found (R2 = 23%, p = 0.048), however the subgroup analysis did not allow for more homogeneous results. The use of medications occurs among almost half of all Brazilian adults. Appropriate pharmaceutical assistance and care are necessary to ensure the rational use of these technologies.

Off-label and unlicensed utilization of drugs in a Brazilian pediatric hospital / Utilización de medicamentos off-label y sin licencia en un hospital pediátrico de Brasil

Aim: To describe the off-label and unlicensed utilization patterns of drugs in a Brazilian pediatric hospital. Methods: The research consisted of a descriptive, prospective and cross-sectional study. Results: A total of 1,158 medicines were prescribed for 320 patients, accounting for 65 different drugs. Regarding the classification of drug utilization, the majority of the drugs were prescribed as in-label (57.2%), followed by off-label (36.4%) and by unlicensed (6.3%). The prevalences of unlicensed and off-label utilization of drugs in the studied population were 20.9 and 77.8%, respectively. Polypharmacy was highly associated to both off-label and unlicensed regimen (OR 12.9; 95% CI 3.07-54.2 and OR 3.68; 95% CI 2.02-6.69, respectively) whereas preschool children were less prone to unlicensed prescription (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.19-0.79). Sex and length of hospitalization were not related to these outcomes. Conclusions: Further studies are necessary to verify the impact of this pattern on the occurrence of adverse drug events (AU)

Objetivo: Describir los patrones de utilización de medicamentos off-label y sin licencia en un hospital pediátrico de Brasil. Métodos: La investigación consistió en un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y de corte transversal. Resultados: Un total de 1.158 medicamentos fueron prescritos para 320 pacientes, que representan 65 fármacos diferentes. En cuanto a la clasificación de la utilización de medicamentos, la mayoría de los medicamentos fueron prescritos como en la ficha técnica (57,2%), seguido off-label (36,4%) y por sin licencia (6,3%). Las prevalencias de uso sin licencia y off-label de drogas en la población estudiada fueron 20,9 y 77,8%, respectivamente. La polifarmacia fue muy asociada a ambos off-label y el régimen sin licencia (OR 12,9; IC del 95%: 3,07 a 54,2 y OR 3,68; IC del 95%: 2,02 a 6,69, respectivamente), mientras que los niños en edad preescolar fueron menos propensos a prescripción sin licencia (OR 0,39; 95% CI 0,19-,79). El sexo y la duración de la hospitalización no estaban relacionadas con estos resultados. Conclusiones: Son necesarios más estudios para verificar el impacto de este patrón en la ocurrencia de eventos adversos en los medicamentos (AU)

Resistência à realização do exame preventivo de câncer de colo uterino em mulheres de bairro de baixa renda em Itajubá-MG / Resistance to carry out the pap test in women of a poor suburb in Itajuba-MG

Objetivo: O objetivo deste artigo é identificar a resistência das mulheres de bairro de baixa renda a submeter-se ao exame preventivo do câncer de colo uterino. Métodos: O estudo foi realizado em Itajuba (MG), bairro de baixa renda, onde as mulheres com vida sexual ativa foram convidadas a responder a um questionário e a se submeter à coleta de material para a realização da citologia exfoliativa cérvico-vaginal. Resultados: 727 mulheres responderam ao questionário e 140 quiseram se submeter ao exame preventivo de câncer do colo uterino. A renda média das famílias do bairro é de 2.73 salários mínimos. Cerca de 37% das mulheres referiram nunca ter feito o exame, 24% responderam tê-lo feito há mais de dois anos e 38% disseram tê-lo há menos de dois anos. Em 3,5% das mulheres que se submeteram ao exame foram encontradas lesões precursoras do câncer de colo uterino. Conclusões: Existe forte resistência das mulheres em bairro de baixa renda à realização do exame preventivo de câncer de colo uterino.

Aim: To evaluate the resistance to carry out the Papanicolau (PAP) test in women living in a poor suburb, Itajubá, MG. Methods: Sexually active women were invited to answer several questions and to submit to the PAP Results: 727 women answered the questions and 140 were submitted to the PAP test. The mean income of the families was 2.73 minimum wage. Regarding the PAP test, 37% of women were never submitted to it, 24% were submited to it more than 2 years ago, and 38% were submitted to it in the last 2 years. In 3,5% of the women, intraepithelial lesions were found. Conclusions: There is a strong resistance of women in poor areas to submit to the PAP test.