Study of prescription-indication of methylphenidate in adults in a Healthcare Management Area / Estudio de prescripción-indicación de metilfenidato en adultos en un Área de Gestión Sanitaria

Introduction: Even though in Spain methylphenidate is approved for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children older than 6 years, there are prescriptions in adult patients both for the treatment of ADHD and in other indications. The objective of this study is to analyse the adequacy of the prescription of methylphenidate in adult patients in the South of Seville Healthcare Management Area (SSHMA).Methodology: Retrospective observational prescription-indication study of the use of methylphenidate of all adult patients (>18 years) who had active methylphenidate prescriptions in September 2018.Results: We included 91 adult patients on treatment with methylphenidate with a mean age of 21 years (range 18-90 years). 67.03% were men. The diagnosis that most frequently motivated the prescription of methylphenidate was ADHD, which is the indication for which it is authorized. 36.26% of the patients presented indications not included in the technical data sheet. The mean daily dose prescribed was 36 mg (range 5-108 mg). 7 patients had prescribed doses higher than the maximum recommended. Conclusions: This study demonstrates different prescription patterns of methylphenidate in adults. Draws attention, the duration of treatment and non-suspension during adulthood. In addition, it is observed that the use of methylphenidate outside indications of technical data sheet is a common practice in adults. (AU)

Introducción: A pesar de que en España el metilfenidato está aprobado para el trastorno por déficit de atención-hiperactividad (TDAH) en niños mayores de 6 años, existen prescripciones en pacientes adultos tanto para el tratamiento del TDAH como en otras indicaciones. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la adecuación de la prescripción de metilfenidato en pacientes adultos en el Área de Gestión Sanitaria Sur de Sevilla. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo y de corte transversal de utilización de medicamentos de tipo prescripción-indicación de todos los pacientes adultos (>18 años) que tenían activas prescripciones de metilfenidato en septiembre de 2018. Resultados: Se incluyeron 91 pacientes adultos en tratamiento con metilfenidato con una mediana de edad de 21 años (rango 18-90 años). Un 67,03% eran hombres. El diagnóstico que más frecuentemente motivó la prescripción del metilfenidato fue el TDAH, que es la indicación para la cual está autorizada. Un 36,26% de los pacientes presentaron indicaciones no incluidas en ficha técnica. La mediana de dosis diaria prescrita fue de 36 mg (rango 5-108 mg). 7 pacientes tenían prescritas dosis superiores a la máxima recomendada. Conclusiones: Este estudio demuestra diferentes patrones de prescripción de metilfenidato en adultos. Destacan la duración del tratamiento y la no suspensión durante la edad adulta. Además, se observa que el uso del metilfenidato fuera de indicaciones de ficha técnica es una práctica habitual en adultos. (AU)

[Suitability of strontium ranelate in a health care management area after drug surveillance alerts]. / Adecuación de ranelato de estroncio tras alertas de farmacovigilancia en un área de gestión sanitaria.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the impact of a strategy on the suitability of strontium ranelate, and its level of acceptance, after issuing recommendations based on drug surveillance alerts issued by the Spanish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency. DESIGN: A prospective interventional study conducted from April 2012 to November 2014. SETTING: South Seville Health Management Area. PARTICIPANTS: Patients currently prescribed with strontium ranelate. INTERVENTIONS: The study consisted of four phases linked to the issue of drug surveillance alerts on strontium ranelate by the Spanish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, listed by patients and suitability recommendations. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Suitability of strontium ranelate treatment and the level of acceptance by physicians. RESULTS: There was a reduction of 87.9% in prescriptions from the beginning of the study, with 182 patients included, until the review of the suitability of the drug began. The prescribing of strontium ranelate was unsuitable in 16 out of the 22 patients remaining; 11 of which were due not meeting the treatment criteria, 3 for not having had previous treatments with other drugs for the prevention of fractures, and 2 due to contraindications. The level of acceptance of the recommendations was 87.5%, leading to the stopping of strontium ranelate in 10 patients, and the changing to alendronate or alendronate/cholecalciferol in another four patients. CONCLUSIONS: The number of patients prescribed strontium ranelate has decreased considerably. The interventions directed at reviewing the suitability of this treatment, based on the drug surveillance alerts, have been effective.