Hypocalcemia in Patients With Osteoporosis and Normal Renal Function, Treated With Denosumab, a Retrospective Analysis.

Objective: The reported hypocalcemia in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who received Denosumab was low (0.05%-1.7% to 7.4%). The major prediction factors were vitamin D and calcium levels and renal function. The objective is to evaluate the incidence of hypocalcemia in patients with osteoporosis, normal renal function, and vitamin D who received Denosumab. Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the medical records (2022-2023). We looked for hypocalcemia (albumin-adjusted calcium lower than 2.2 mmol/L). Results: Two hundred one postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis and received denosumab treatment were included. All patients received vitamin D3 capsules and calcium supplementation. The mean age of the patient was 75.7 ± 7.0 years (56-91 years). Hypocalcemia was observed in 46 (23%) patients following a subcutaneous dose of Denosumab 60 mg. Median calcium was 2.25 mmol/L (minimum: 0.890 mmol/L, maximum: 2.6 mmol/L). Fourteen (30.4%) patients had severe hypocalcemia (<1.8 mmol/L) and required parenteral correction. A comparison between hypocalcemia and patients with normal calcium indicated that the significant predictor of hypocalcemia was pretreatment parathyroid hormone levels (9.9 ± 11.8vs 7.6 ± 2.56 pmol/L, respectively; P < .005). The prognostic role of parathyroid hormone for the denosumab-associated hypocalcemia was assessed using ROC curve analysis. For the cut-off value of Parathyroid hormone = 6.8 pmol/L, giving serum parathyroid measurement an AUC of 0.668 (0.599-0.737) - P = .0007; sensitivity 85%; specificity 52%. Conclusion: Hypocalcemia induced by the denosumab treatment is more prevalent than previously shown in patients with osteoporosis receiving adequate calcium and vitamin D supplements. An elevated parathyroid hormone predicts hypocalcemia related to denosumab therapy in patients with normal calcium and vitamin D levels.

Effectiveness, safety, and cost of vancomycin and linezolid in Kuwait: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: The effectiveness, safety, and cost of vancomycin and linezolid for managing gram-positive bacterial infections in Kuwait are unknown. This study assessed the effectiveness, safety, and cost of vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid for managing gram-positive bacterial infections in Kuwait. Research design and methods: This retrospective study included adult patients who were prescribed antibiotics (vancomycin, teicoplanin, and linezolid) for the treatment of gram-positive infections at five hospitals in Kuwait. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the effectiveness and safety outcomes. A cost analysis was performed on the patients hospitalised for gram-positive infections. Results: Among 116 patients, 42.2 % (n = 49) received glycopeptides (vancomycin [n = 45] and teicoplanin [n = 4]) or linezolid (n = 67). Clinical cure was achieved in 100 patients without significant intergroup differences (p = 0.34). Thrombocytopenia and acute kidney injury occurred in 19 and 20 patients (p = 0.82 and 0.96), respectively, and their incidence was similar with all the studied agents. The average cost per patient was USD 983.70. The estimated total direct medical costs were USD 894,570.6, the cost was highest for linezolid (USD 469,682.30) and vancomycin (USD 370,342.5), and lowest for teicoplanin (USD 20,799.9). Conclusions: Glycopeptides and linezolid were highly effective. Linezolid was the most frequently prescribed agent; its effectiveness and safety were similar according to the antibiotic class. However, treatment with linezolid and vancomycin were associated with considerable costs.

Transforming pharmacy practice in Kuwait.

In the last few decades, pharmacy services have expanded to fulfil the need for more complex health needs from population worldwide. Moving from 'product-centred' to a 'patient-centred' profession, pharmacists are required to master more professional competencies to deliver high quality pharmaceutical services to their patients and community. In Kuwait pharmacy practice has long been identified as a sector yet to be developed. With the announcement of the 'new Kuwait vision 2035' planning for pharmacy practice and workforce development and improvement has become imperative. Academic, professional, and regulatory bodies have collaborated to shape the future of pharmacy profession in the country. The approach described here reflects the initial steps for transforming and advancing the pharmacy profession in Kuwait.

Antipsychotic drugs may contribute to venous thromboembolism - a case report and review literature.

Use of antipsychotic drugs has been associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism in several observational studies with unclear mechanism. We present a case of a patient who experienced a significant event of venous thromboembolism after a few months exposure to atypical antipsychotic drug for his bipolar mood disorders.

Use of Midodrine in Heart Failure: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature.

Hypotension in patients with heart failure is much more frequent in daily clinical practice than the 10-15% reported in clinical trials. In patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), hypotension frequently limits the initiation and up-titration of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Midodrine is a peripheral alpha-1 agonist and a vasopressor anti-hypotensive agent approved for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension. We describe two cases where midodrine was prescribed in patients with HFrEF and hypotension. LEARNING POINTS: Hypotension in patients with systolic heart failure is a frequent presentation and can limit the initiation and optimization of guideline-directed medical therapy.Midodrine is a peripheral alpha-1 agonist and anti-hypotensive agent approved for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension.Midodrine may be used off-label in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and symptomatic hypotension to allow optimization of medical therapy.

Multiorgan Ultrasonography for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism.

The main ultrasound criterion for diagnosing pulmonary infarction is the presence of triangular/wedge-shaped or rounded, hypoechogenic, homogeneous, pleura-based lesions. When used in point-of-care, ultrasonography of several organs can facilitate the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in a patient presenting with chest pain. We describe a case of chest pain which we thought was due to angina, but point-of-care ultrasonography directed us to a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. LEARNING POINTS: Point-of-care ultrasonography can help the clinician make a rapid diagnosis in patients with acute respiratory failure.The main ultrasound criterion for diagnosing pulmonary infarction is the presence of triangular/wedge-shaped or rounded, hypoechogenic, pleura-based lesions.