Evaluation of cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor use in patients admitted to a large teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: The heavy usage of coxibs in Australia far outstrips the predicted usage that was based on the treatment of patients with risk factors for upper gastro-intestinal adverse events from conventional anti-inflammatory agents. This raises questions regarding the appropriateness of prescribing. AIMS: To determine: (i) the relationship between prescriptions for cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors and objective evidence of inflammatory arthritis, (ii) prior experience with paracetamol and/or conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and (iii) contraindications to the use of NSAIDs. METHODS: Drug utilization evaluation and rheumatological assessment was conducted on 70 consecutive patients admitted on COX-2 inhibitors to a 480-bed metropolitan hospital. The main outcome measures were: the indication for COX-2 inhibitor; objective evidence of inflammatory arthritis; previous trial of paracetamol or conventional NSAIDs; and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Only 11 patients (16%) had symptoms or signs of an inflammatory arthropathy, and met Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule criteria for prescribing a COX-2 inhibitor. Fifty-nine patients (84%) had chronic osteoarthritis, degenerative spinal disease, injury or malignancy, without overt active inflammation. Fourteen patients (20%) had trialled regular paracetamol prior to using any NSAID treatment. Conventional NSAIDs had been previously used by 51 patients (73%). Eleven patients (16%) reported previous adverse gastrointestinal effects from conventional NSAIDs. On the basis of significant renal impairment (creatinine clearance <50 mL/min) or cardiac failure, cautions or contraindications applied to the use of any form of NSAID in 49% of patients. Fifteen patients (21%) had demonstrable worsening of their renal function after commencement of a COX-2 inhibitor. Thirty-one percent of patients considered the drug was effective (rated >5/10). CONCLUSIONS: Drug utilization data indicate that COX-2 inhibitors are frequently used first line for degenerative osteoarthritis in the absence of overt inflammation, without prior adequate trial of paracetamol and with disregard for the cautions and contraindications of these agents. These findings may explain the unprecedented Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule expenditure on COX-2 inhibitors in Australia.

Concordance between use of proton pump inhibitors and prescribing guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To determine (i) the relationship between prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and upper gastrointestinal conditions, and (ii) compliance with Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescribing guidelines for PPIs. DESIGN: Drug utilisation evaluation. SETTING: 800-bed metropolitan teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 253 patients dispensed PPIs from the hospital pharmacy over five consecutive weeks (11 January to 15 February 1999). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recorded gastrointestinal conditions; previous trial of H2-antagonist therapy; compliance with PBS criteria for prescribing PPIs. RESULTS: Seventy patients (27.7%) had no appropriate upper gastrointestinal tract investigations, and 62 patients (24%) did not receive an adequate trial of H2-antagonist therapy before the commencement of a PPI. The major indications for use of PPIs in investigated patients were gastro-oesophageal reflux in 99 (54%) and peptic ulcer disease in 30 (16.4%). In only 57 patients (22.5%) did PPI prescriptions comply with PBS prescribing guidelines. Clinical indications that failed to meet prescribing criteria included milder forms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, gastritis/duodenitis, and non-specific dyspepsia with normal endoscopy results. CONCLUSION: Drug utilisation data indicate widespread use of PPIs outside current prescribing guidelines. Many patients have not had relevant investigations and/or an adequate trial of H2-antagonist therapy. These findings explain the considerable hospital expenditure on PPIs.

Sertindole hydrochloride: a novel antipsychotic medication with a favorable side effect profile.

Forty percent of all long-term care hospitalization days are accounted for by patients with schizophrenia. New approaches to managing this disorder are needed, including improved efficacy and better tolerability to enhance compliance with treatment. Sertindole hydrochloride is a novel antipsychotic medication soon to be available in the United States and Canada. As part of multisite phase II and III studies, we studied effects of this medication in five patients with chronic schizophrenia and examined the side effect profile. With more than 30 patient-months of exposure, sertindole treatment was not associated with neurologic side effects and was well tolerated in all patients studied. No evidence of hematologic abnormalities was found. Serial electrocardiograms revealed slight increases in QTc that were not considered clinically significant and did not lead to discontinuance of treatment. While data from larger samples are needed, in this small population sertindol hydrochloride was tolerated well with no evidence of acute neurologic side effects associated with traditional treatments for schizophrenia. Individuals with schizophrenia may benefit from enhanced compliance with treatment and a possible reduction in hospitalizations in the future.

Endobronchial closure of a postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula.

Successful permanent endobronchial closure of a serious postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula is reported in a patient with a delayed diagnosis of Mycobacterium fortuitum-cheloni infection. Increasing experience, improved plugging agents, and a review of the literature suggest that in selected patients, this procedure can avoid complex repeat operations and reverse life-threatening situations. Although atypical mycobacterial infections occur with infrequency, they are difficult to treat and may lead, as in this patient, to a misdiagnosis. Operations on granulomatous tissues are prone to heal poorly, thus inviting tissue breakdown and chronic fistulas.

Unemployment rates: an alternative to the Jarman index?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the Jarman index with alternative deprivation measures with regard to its usefulness to district health authorities as an indicator of need at small area level. DESIGN: The Jarman index (UPA (8)), Townsend's index of material deprivation, the Scottish Development Department's index, the Department of the Environment's basic index, and unemployment rates were compared in respect of their correlation with measures of morbidity by electoral ward in a typical English district health authority. Measures of morbidity comprised standardised mortality ratios, admission rates (standardised and non-standardised), and permanent sickness rates. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were calculated for each combination of measures and were then ranked for each of the deprivation indices. SETTING: The 59 electoral wards of the Central Nottinghamshire Health Authority. RESULTS: The Jarman index consistently ranked lower in respect of its correlation with measures of morbidity than did the other deprivation measures. Current unemployment rates correlated well with morbidity measures, in particular with hospital admission rates, with correlations ranging from 0.669 to 0.830 for average and standardised all age admission rates. CONCLUSIONS: The Jarman index seems to be the least appropriate of these indices for health authority use. Unemployment rate merits further consideration as a simple, up to date marker for deprivation and consequent need for health service provision.