Outpatient pharmaceutical office: access to medicines in public health

Abstract We evaluated the implementation of the outpatient pharmaceutical office in a teaching hospital regarding the access to medicines available in the Unified Health System - SUS. This is a descriptive-analytical study, based on secondary data analysis of 735 appointments performed by the pharmacist from 2015 to 2017. Of the drugs prescribed to patients attended at the outpatient pharmacist office, 86.39% were listed in the National List of Essential Medicines - RENAME, of which 95.43% belonged to the Specialized Component of Pharmaceutical Assistance. Evaluating the patient's diagnosis against the inclusion criteria of the Clinical Protocols and Therapeutic Guidelines (PCDT), that the most frequent pharmaceutical interventions were: adequacy of the medication request documents (56.4%) and examination requests for pharmacotherapeutic follow up (28.5%). When the prescribed drugs were not included in RENAME/PCDT, the intervention was accepted in 90.3% of the proposals for exchange with available drug in SUS. Still, it was possible to refer the patient to primary care for renewal of continuity of treatment in 95.1% of cases. In conclusion, the role of the clinical pharmacist contributes to the resolution of untreated health problems by promoting access to medicines within the scope of SUS and their rational use in accordance with the PCDT.

Migraine with aura and stroke - the role of warning signs in the context of secondary headaches: case report / Enxaqueca com aura e acidente vascular cerebral ­ o papel dos sinais de alerta no contexto das cefaleias secundárias: relato de caso

Introduction: Headache is a very common complaint in doctors' offices, with primary causes being the majority in relation to secondary ones. Despite this, the identification of secondary headaches is very relevant in clinical practice, since these can be a life-threatening condition, functionality or even a reversible cause. However, imaging screening for all individuals with headache is costly and unrewarding. Therefore, it is important to know the warning signs that, together with the clinical context, lead to a more precise indication of these exams and early and well-targeted therapeutic interventions. Clinical case: This is a 60-year-old man, previously dyslipidemic and smoker, with migraine with aura reported since childhood, who underwent treatment with sodium valproate, with headache attack suppression. About 4 months before admission, he presented with an alteration in the pain pattern, amaurosis fugax in the right eye, dizziness and mild paresis and hypoesthesia in the left side of the body, primarily treated by him as migraine crises, without improvement with the use of triptans. A new outpatient investigation was carried out, which showed multiple small infarcts in the right hemisphere secondary to atheromatous plaque in the right carotid bulb with an obstruction of approximately 85%. Diagnostic and therapeutic arteriography was performed, with stent implantation, uneventfully. Conclusion: The differential diagnosis between migraine with aura and a cerebrovascular event has already been widely reported in the literature and constitutes a pitfall in the routine of headaches, since a serious and potentially disabling condition can be overlooked. The joint evaluation of the alarm signs with the global context becomes an important tool in the propaedeutics of these patients, with knowledge of this casuistry being something relevant within clinical practice.

Introdução: A cefaleia é uma queixa muito comum nos consultórios médicos, sendo as causas primárias majoritárias em relação às secundárias. Apesar disso, a identificação de cefaleias secundárias é muito relevante na prática clínica, uma vez que estas podem ser uma condição potencialmente fatal, funcional ou mesmo uma causa reversível. No entanto, o rastreio imagiológico para todos os indivíduos com cefaleias é dispendioso e pouco recompensador. Portanto, é importante conhecer os sinais de alerta que, juntamente com o contexto clínico, levam a uma indicação mais precisa destes exames e a intervenções terapêuticas precoces e bem direcionadas. Caso clínico: Trata-se de um homem de 60 anos, previamente dislipidémico e fumador, com queixa de enxaqueca com aura desde a infância, que realizou tratamento com valproato de sódio, com supressão das crises de cefaleia. Cerca de 4 meses antes da internação apresentou alteração do padrão álgico, amaurose fugaz em olho direito, tontura e leve paresia e hipoestesia no lado esquerdo do corpo, tratada por ele primariamente como crises de enxaqueca, sem melhora com o uso de triptanos. Foi realizada nova investigação ambulatorial que evidenciou múltiplos pequenos infartos no hemisfério direito secundários a placa de ateroma no bulbo carotídeo direito com obstrução de aproximadamente 85%. Foi realizada arteriografia diagnóstica e terapêutica, com implante de stent, sem intercorrências. Conclusão: O diagnóstico diferencial entre enxaqueca com aura e evento cerebrovascular já foi amplamente relatado na literatura e constitui uma armadilha na rotina das cefaleias, uma vez que uma condição grave e potencialmente incapacitante pode ser negligenciada. A avaliação conjunta dos sinais de alarme com o contexto global torna-se uma ferramenta importante na propedêutica destes pacientes, sendo o conhecimento desta casuística algo relevante dentro da prática clínica.

A study on diabetes-related self-care plan and its determinants among diabetes patients in a Warangal region, Telangana, India

Abstract The prevalence of epidemiological diseases, including diabetes, has continued to increase because of the adaption of Western culture and the lack of self-care activities among patients with diabetes. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess self-care plans and determinants among diabetes outpatients in Warangal. We conducted a prospective observational study among diabetes outpatient clinic in Warangal, India over 6 months from October 2019 to March 2020. We used the expanded Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire. A P value of less than < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Respondents (mean age, 52.3 (standard deviation (SD), 11.01) years) had an overall SDSCA score of 49.18 ± 3.57 (SD). Mean scores for the diet, physical activity, foot care, medication adherence, and blood sugar testing scales were 12.79 (SD, 1.61), 10.24 (SD, 1.77), 15.67 (SD, 1.5), 5.66 (SD, 1.17), and 4.80 (SD, 0.68), respectively. Patients' age, education, disease duration and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels of <7.5% (P < 0.001)) had significantly higher mean scores for blood sugar testing, diet, physical activity, and adherence (P < 0.001). The employment status is associated with all the domains of Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (P < 0.001). Taken together, our results revealed that patients with diabetes in Warangal had poor self-care planning, highlighting the need for strengthening initiatives that generate awareness regarding diabetes and improving related self-care practices

Perfil del paciente con cáncer gástrico del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer / Profile of the patient with gastric cancer of the National Cancer Institute / Perfil do paciente com câncer gástrico do Instituto Nacional do Câncer

OBJETIVO: Levantar y analizar el perfil de los pacientes con cáncer gástrico matriculados en el Instituto Nacional del Cáncer José de Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA), y los diagnósticos de Enfermería más prevalentes. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio seccional desarrollado en el Hospital de Cáncer I - INCA aprobado por el CEP-INCA, con muestra de datos secundarios de 649 pacientes admitidos entre el 1 de octubre de 2015 al 18 de abril de 2018. Los datos fueron analizados por el software R® - versión 3.4.4. En las pruebas Chi-cuadrado, Kruskal-Wallis y Wilcoxon. Se adoptó el nivel de significancia del 5%. RESULTADOS: El promedio de edad fue de 62.74 años, variando de 21 años hasta 96 años.35.29% de los pacientes presentaban enfermedad avanzada. El adenocarcinoma poco diferenciado fue el más prevalente (42.52%). Había células en anillo de sello en el 32.05% de los pacientes. Se destacó el tipo difuso (17.72%). Hubo predominio del compromiso del tercio medio del estómago (29.74%). Las pruebas de hipótesis demostraron que las variables de estadificación frente a la muerte y el color frente a la defunción mantienen una relación de dependencia. Las variables edad versus óbito y edad versus presencia de anillo de Sinete tienen distribución diferente entre sí, lo que significa que la primera variable puede influenciar la segunda. Los diagnósticos de enfermería más prevalentes estuvieron presentes en el 100% de la muestra y se encontraban en congruencia con el perfil de la clientela identificada. CONCLUSIÓN: El perfil epidemiológico de una población es de gran valor para orientar las políticas de salud de un país, para la planificación interna institucional y para orientar las acciones asistenciales de los equipos multiprofesionales

OBJECTIVE: Search and analyze the profile of patients with gastric cancer enrolled in the National Cancer Institute, José de Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA), and the most prevalent nursing diagnoses. METHODOLOGY: A sectional study developed at the Cancer Hospital I - INCA, approved by CEP-INCA, with a sample of secondary data from 649 patients admitted from October 1, 2015 to April 18, 2018. Data were analyzed by R® software - version 3.4 .4. In the Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. The level of significance of 5% was adopted. RESULTS: The average age was 62.74 years, ranging from 21 years to 96 years.35.29% of patients had advanced disease. Low adenocarcinoma was the most prevalent (42.52%). Signal ring cells were present in 32.05% of the patients. The diffuse type was highlighted (17.72%). There was predominance of involvement of the middle third of the stomach (29.74%). Hypothesis tests have shown that the staging versus death and color versus death variables maintain a relationship of dependence. The variables age versus death and age versus the presence of the Sinete ring present a distinct distribution among them, which means that the first variable can influence the second. The most prevalent nursing diagnoses were present in 100% of the sample and were in congruence with the profile of the clientele identified. CONCLUSION: The epidemiological profile of a population is of great value to guide the health policies of a country, to the internal institutional planning and to guide the assistance actions of the multiprofessional teams

OBJETIVO: Levantar e analisar o perfil dos pacientes com câncer gástrico matriculados no Instituto Nacional de Câncer José de Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA), e os diagnósticos de Enfermagem mais prevalentes. METODOLOGIA: Estudo seccional desenvolvido no Hospital de Câncer I - INCA aprovado pelo CEP-INCA, com amostra de dados secundários de 649 pacientes admitidos entre 01 de outubro de 2015 à 18 de abril de 2018. Os dados foram analisados pelo software R® - versão 3.4.4. Nos testes Qui-quadrado, Kruskal-Wallis e Wilcoxon. Foi adotado o nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi de 62.74 anos, variando de 21 anos até 96 anos.35.29% dos pacientes apresentavam doença avançada. O adenocarcinoma pouco diferenciado foi o mais prevalente (42.52%). Havia células em anel de sinete em 32.05% dos pacientes. Destacou-se o tipo difuso (17.72%). Houve predomínio do comprometimento do terço médio do estômago (29.74%). Os testes de hipóteses demostraram que as variáveis estadiamento versus óbito e cor versus óbito mantêm uma relação de dependência. As variáveis idade versus óbito e idade versus presença de anel de Sinete tem distribuição diferentes entre si, o que significa que a primeira variável pode influenciar a segunda. Os diagnósticos de enfermagem mais prevalentes estiveram presentes em 100% da amostra e encontravam-se em congruência com o perfil da clientela identificada. CONCLUSÃO: O perfil epidemiológico de uma população é de grande valia para orientar as políticas de saúde de um país, para o planejamento interno institucional e para nortear as ações assistenciais das equipes multiprofissionais

Pharmacovigilance of thalidomide in the Brazilian Health System and patient safety

In Brazil, thalidomide is manufactured by a public laboratory, distributed by the Unified Health System (SUS), and regulated by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). Despite the concerns regarding the adverse effects of thalidomide, few drug utilization studies have been conducted to describe processes and outcomes related to this drug. The aim of this study was to elucidate the issues related to the utilization and control of thalidomide, and patient safety within the scope of SUS. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the articulation between an outpatient dermatology service of a referral hospital in infectology, the manufacturer, and Anvisa. Four data sources were used: i) interviews with health professionals; ii) data from the Customer Service of the manufacturer, iii) data on adverse events reported to Anvisa, and iv) adverse events identified in outpatient service. Most health professionals interviewed knew the major thalidomide-related adverse effects. None of them ever reported adverse events to Anvisa or contacted the Customer Service. For over three years, there were 330 calls concerning thalidomide at Customer Service, 7% of which were related to adverse events. During a period of six years, Anvisa was notified of only 15 adverse events. Health professionals were aware of the adverse events associated with thalidomide, but not the necessity to report them. The low number of notifications recorded by Anvisa and the information obtained from Customer Service show that pharmacovigilance remains incipient. A pharmacovigilance system that integrates all the services associated with thalidomide is required to strengthen this activity within the SUS to improve patient safety.

Use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Generic-30 Set for the characterization of outpatients: Italian Society of Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine Residents Section Project.

BACKGROUND: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Generic-30 Set (previously referred to as Rehabilitation Set) is a minimal set of ICF categories for reporting and assessing functioning and disability in clinical populations with different health conditions along the continuum of care. Recently, the Italian Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (SIMFER) developed an Italian modification of the simple and intuitive descriptions (SID) of these categories. This study was the first one to implement the use of the SID in practice. AIM: The main aims of this study are: 1) to implement the use of the ICF in clinical practice and research among Italian Residents in PRM, and 2) to verify if the SID made the application of ICF Generic 30 Set more user-friendly than the original descriptions; 3) to examine the prevalence of functioning problems of patients accessing Rehabilitation Services to serve as reference for the development of an ICF-based clinical data collection tool. DESIGN: Multicenter cross-sectional study. SETTING: Italian Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PRM) outpatient rehabilitation services. POPULATION: Patients referring to Italian PRM outpatient rehabilitation services and Italian Residents in PRM. METHODS: Each School of Specialization involved, randomly, received the ICF Generic-30 Set with the original descriptions or with the SID. Residents collected over a 4-month period (April-July 2016) patients data related to the ICF Generic-30 Set categories. Moreover, the residents self-assessed their difficulty in using the ICF Generic-30 Set with the original descriptions or with the SID, through a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). RESULTS: Ninety-three residents collected functioning data of 864 patients (mean aged 57.7±19.3) with ICF Generic-30 Set: 304 with the original descriptions and 560 with SID. The difficulty in using the ICF Generic-30 Set with SID was rated as lower than using the original descriptions (NRS 2.8±2.5 vs. 3.5±3.1; P<0.001). The most common disease was the back pain (9.6%) and the most common altered ICF categories were b280 (76.3%) and b710 (72.9%). CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter cross-sectional study shown that the ICF Generic-30 Set is a valuable instrument for reporting and assessing functioning and disability in clinical populations with different health conditions and along the continuum of care and that SID facilitate the understanding of the ICF categories and therefore their use in clinical practice. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: By increasing the knowledge of ICF among Italian PRM residents, this national survey makes an important step towards the system-wide implementation of ICF in the Italian healthcare system.

Manual de Tratamento e Reabilitação Nutricional: 0 aos 14 anos / Manual for Treatment and Rehabilitation Nutrition - Volume I

A manutenção de um estado nutricional adequado é um direito humano fundamental, sendo também um pré-requisito para o desenvolvimento económico de um País. Em Moçambique, 43% das crianças menores de cinco anos de idade sofrem de desnutrição crónica, e 6% sofrem de desnutrição aguda.1 A desnutrição é um problema de saúde sério e aumenta os riscos de desenvolvimento de outras complicações, contribuindo para o aumento da mortalidade infanto-juvenil no nosso País. Dados recentes indicam que desnutrição é um fator que leva a aproximadamente um terço de 8 milhões de mortes em crianças menores de 5 anos (WHO 2013).

Desenvolvimento e validação de indicadores para avaliação da qualidade do acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico / Development and validation of indicators for quality assessment of medication management

Um dos elementos para melhoria da qualidade dos serviços farmacêuticos clínicos é medir a qualidade do cuidado prestado e os indicadores podem ser usados nesta avaliação. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos identificar estudos sobre indicadores de qualidade para serviços farmacêuticos clínicos e desenvolver e validar um instrumento de indicadores para avaliação dos serviços de acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico prestados para pacientes ambulatoriais. Para tanto, uma busca abrangente da literatura foi conduzida nas bases de dados PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Lilacs e DOAJ por esses estudos. Os instrumentos apresentados pelos estudos foram avaliados em relação à qualidade das propriedades psicométricas. A seguir, foi desenvolvido um instrumento de indicadores-chave de desempenho. O grupo de pesquisa estabeleceu sete indicadores possíveis para avaliação de especialistas da área através de duas rodadas da técnica Delphi para validação de conteúdo. Ainda, farmacêuticos foram convidados a participar por meio de um questionário para validação de construto e confiabilidade do instrumento. A busca bibliográfica identificou 3.276 registros, dos quais 12 estudos completaram os critérios de inclusão. No geral, o maior número de estudos foi baseado em pesquisas para avaliar a satisfação dos pacientes e usou a revisão da literatura combinada com opinião de especialistas para o desenvolvimento do instrumento. Todos os estudos apresentaram algumas propriedades psicométricas do instrumento. A consistência interna e a validade de conteúdo foram os critérios mais relatados dos estudos, e nenhum deles apresentou o critério de estabilidade. Onze (68,8%) especialistas participaram da primeira rodada da técnica Delphi e nove (81,8%) especialistas completaram as 2 rodadas. Um novo indicador foi desenvolvido após a avaliação do painel de especialistas na primeira rodada. No geral, a validade de conteúdo e construto foi alcançada para o instrumento final. Os resultados desta tese apontam que os instrumentos dos estudos identificados na revisão sistemática apresentaram propriedades psicométricas, porém de forma incompleta ou não satisfatória. Ainda, um instrumento com seis indicadores foi desenvolvido e validado para o Serviço de Acompanhamento Farmacoterapêutico prestado para pacientes ambulatoriais

One of the elements of quality improvement of medication management services is measuring the quality of care and key performance indicators (KPIs) can be used in this assessment. The study is aimed to identify quality indicators instruments in pharmaceutical care services and to develop and validate KPI instrument for medication management services provided for outpatients. For this, comprehensive literature search was performed in databases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Lilacs. The psychometric quality of the instruments was determined. In addition, a key performance indicators instrument was developed. A working group established 7 possible KPIs for assessment of the expert panel through an internet based 2-round Delphi approach. An internet questionnaire was developed for pharmacists in order to construct validity and reliability of the instrument. The literature search yielded 3,276 records, of which 12 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Overall, the greatest number of studies were based surveys to assess patients' satisfaction and used literature review combined with expert's opinion for the instrument development. All studies presented some psychometrics properties of the instrument. Internal consistency and content validity were the most reported criteria of the studies and none of them presented stability. Eleven (68.8%) experts participated in the Delphi round 1 and nine (81.8%) experts completed the 2 Delphi rounds. A new KPI was develop after expert panel assessment in the first round. Overall, content and construct validity were reached for final instrument. The results of this thesis point out that instrument of the studies identified in the systematic review presented some psychometrics properties, but did not describe them satisfactorily. In addition, a set of six key performance indicators was developed and validated for medication management services provided for outpatients

Markov Model of the Outpatient Classification System Morbidity Related Groups (MRG).

BACKGROUND: Benchmarking and guidance of outpatient physicians in Germany are almost always based on one year data. This also holds true for morbidity related groups, a classification system applied in northern Germany since 2017. A study of the markov properties of prescription based grouping algorithms is reported here. RESULTS: There is a strongly connected graph for almost all components and the resulting markov chain has a unique stationary solution. CONCLUSIONS: Target values based on the status quo of prescription behavior can provide stable guidelines for outpatient physicians. Every set of partitions converging like MRG should be considered for controlling measures.

Morbidity Related Groups (MRG) for Epidemiological Analysis in Outpatient Treatment.

Each patient in outpatient treatment is assigned per quarter and corresponding physician to a case group that is strongly related to the morbidity (Morbidity Related Group, MRG). MRG is defined by the drug group on a four character level in the international anatomic-therapeutic-chemical (ATC) classification with the largest costs as an indicator for the severity of the drug treatment. Using severity levels we get a risk adjustment with respect to age and polypharmacy as an indicator for multimorbidity and treatment intensity. By application of MRG groups we generate a patient type classification in relation to physicians and a distance structure of the medical disciplines.

Prescribing pattern of antihypertensive drugs in diabetic patients of Southern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia / El patrón de prescripción de los fármacos antihipertensivos en los pacientes diabéticos de la Provincia del Sur, Reino de Arabia Saudita

Background. Hypertension is extremely prevalent in patients with diabetes. Limited data exist on utilization patterns of antihypertensive in this population are consistent with evidence-based practice guidelines. Objective. To evaluate utilization patterns of antihypertensive agents among diabetic patients with hypertension. Design. retrospective descriptive cross sectional. Patients / Participants. 149 patients with diabetes and hypertension from outpatient department at Family Medicine Hospital, Ahaderfieda. Khamis Mushait, K.S.A. Results. Over 43% of patients were receiving calcium channel blockers (CCB), 36.2 % of received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), followed by angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (34.9%), diuretics (34.2%) and Beta-blockers (16.2%). Patients on monotherapy were mostly receiving CCB (34.3%) and ACEI (29.9%). The majority (55.03%) of treated patients were on multidrug regimens. In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), a diuretic with ACEI (25%) and calcium hannel blocker with angiotensin receptor blocker (25%) was most commonly prescribed. Conclusions. Patterns of antihypertensive therapy were generally consistent with international guidelines. Areas of improvement include increasing ACEI/ARB and diuretic use, decreasing the number of untreated patients, and increasing the proportion of patients with controlled BP in this population

Antecedentes. La hipertensión es muy frecuente en los pacientes con diabetes. Existen datos limitados sobre los patrones de utilización de antihipertensivos en esta población consistentes con las guías de práctica basadas en la evidencia. Objetivo. Evaluar los patrones de utilización de antihipertensivos en los pacientes diabéticos con hipertensión Diseño. Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo transversal. Pacientes / Participantes. 149 pacientes con diabetes e hipertensión, del departamento de pacientes ambulatorios en el Hospital de Medicina Familiar, Ahaderfieda. Khamis Mushait, K.S.A. Resultados. Más del 43% de los pacientes estaban recibiendo bloqueadores del canal de calcio (CCB), el 36,2% recibían inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina (IECA), seguido de los bloqueadores de los receptores de angiotensina (BRA) (34,9%), diuréticos (34,2%) y bloqueadores β (16,2 %). Los pacientes en monoterapia fueron la mayoría recibiendo CCB (34,3%) e IECA (29,9%). La mayoría (55,03%) de los pacientes tratados se encontraban en regímenes de múltiples fármacos. En los pacientes con enfermedad de la arteria coronaria (CAD), se les prescribió con mayor frecuencia diurético con IECA (25%) y bloqueador de canales de calcio con bloqueador del receptor de angiotensina (25%). Conclusiones. Los patrones de utilización de antihipertensivos fueron generalmente consistentes con las directrices internacionales. Las áreas de mejora incluyen el aumento de IECA / ARB y el uso de diuréticos, disminuyendo el número de pacientes no tratados, y el aumento de la proporción de pacientes con PA controlada en esta población

Evaluación funcional para personas no ambulantes afectas de atrofia muscular espinal y distrofia muscular de Duchenne. Traducción y validación de la escala Egen Klassifikation 2 para la población española / Functional assessment for people unable to walk due to spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Translation and validation of the Egen Klassifikation 2 scale for the Spanish population

Introducción. La escala Egen Klassifikation 2 (EK2), ampliación de la escala EK, evalúa la capacidad funcional de personas con atrofia muscular espinal (AME) y distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD) que están en fase de silla de ruedas. Esta versión es más específica para la AME que su antecesora. Objetivo. Analizar la validez y fiabilidad de la versión española de dicha escala como instrumento de medición de la capacidad funcional en pacientes afectos de AME y DMD que están en silla de ruedas. Pacientes y métodos. Primeramente se realizó una traducción-retrotraducción al español de la versión en inglés de la EK2 y, posteriormente, se estudió la fiabilidad de la versión traducida. Para ello, se seleccionaron 39 pacientes, de edades comprendidas entre 4 y 60 años, que fueron valorados por dos observadores. Para evaluar la concordancia intraobservador se realizaron dos evaluaciones por un mismo observador, y para la interobservador, se realizó una tercera evaluación por un segundo observador. Resultados. Los valores obtenidos referidos a la puntuación total de los ítems de la escala (suma EK2) reflejan una fiabilidad intra e interobservador excelente, de 0,993 y 0,988, respectivamente. Asimismo, para cada uno de los ítems, la fiabilidad fue excelente, a excepción de un ítem, en el que fue buena. Conclusiones. La versión española de la escala EK2 es un instrumento válido y fiable para la población española como herramienta de medición de la capacidad funcional en pacientes con AME y DMD que están en silla de ruedas (AU)

Introduction. The Egen Klassifikation 2 Scale (EK2), expansion of the EK scale, assesses the functional capacity of people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) that are in wheelchair phase. This version is more specific for SMA than its EK predecessor. Aim. To examine the validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the scale as a tool for measuring the functional capacity in patients with DMD and SMA who are in wheelchairs. Patients and methods. First, a translation-back-translation into Spanish of the English version of the EK2 was performed; later, we studied the reliability of the translated version. For this, 39 patients, aged between 4 and 60, who were evaluated by two observers, were recruited. To evaluate the intra-observer consistency, two assessments by the same observer were performed, and the inter-observer third assessment was performed by a second observer. Results. The obtained values based on the total score of the scale items (sum EK2) reflect excellent intra- and inter-observer reliability, 0.993 and 0.988 respectively. Also, for each of the items, reliability was excellent except for one item in which it was good. Conclusions. The Spanish version of the EK2 scale is a valid and reliable instrument for the Spanish population as a tool for measuring the functional capacity in patients with SMA and DMD who are in wheelchairs (AU)

Grado de conocimiento del antibiótico prescrito en pacientes ambulatorios / Level of knowledge of antibiotics prescribed in outpatients

INTRODUCCIÓN: El escaso conocimiento de los pacientes sobre sus medicamentos es considerado una de las principales causas de su uso inadecuado. OBJETIVO: El presente estudio mide el grado de conocimiento de los pacientes sobre el antibiótico prescrito y describe algunos de los factores asociados al mismo. DISEÑO: Estudio observacional descriptivo transversal con componente analítico. Emplazamiento: Se realizó en una farmacia comunitaria de Murcia. MÉTODO: El estudio se ofertó a todos los pacientes que acudían a la farmacia a retirar un antibiótico durante el periodo de estudio. El instrumento usado para determinar el grado de conocimiento fue un cuestionario validado. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 126 pacientes, la mayoría eran mujeres (67,5%), con una media de edad de 44,6 años (DE: 17,9, mín.41,5, máx.47,8). La mitad de la población de estudio, 53,2% (IC 95%, 44,06-62,28) no tenía un conocimiento que le permitiera asegurar un correcto proceso de uso del antibiótico que utilizaba. El «proceso de uso» del medicamento fue la dimensión más conocida por la población, seguida del «objetivo terapéutico». La dimensión relacionada con la «seguridad» del medicamento fue la que obtuvo valores más bajos. Tras la regresión logística, se encontró asociación entre el conocimiento del antibiótico y las variables «conoce nombre del antibiótico» (p = 0,05; r = 2,15) y «número de medicamentos que toma el paciente» (p = 0,02; r = 0,30). CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto que existen ciertas carencias de información respecto al uso de antibióticos en la muestra estudiada. Estos resultados podrían permitir orientar futuras intervenciones, dirigidas a cubrir las necesidades de información concretas detectadas

INTRODUCTION: The lack of patient knowledge about their medication is considered to be one of the main reasons for an inappropriate use. OBJECTIVE: This study the level of knowledge in patients about their prescribed antibiotic, and describes some of the factors related to this. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study with an analytical component. Site: A community pharmacy in Murcia. METHODS: The study form was offered to all customers who arrived to obtain antibiotics while the study was taking place. A validated form was used to determined the level of knowledge was a validated form. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients, most of them women, with an average age of 44.6 years were included. Half of the study population had no knowledge which could ensure the correct use of the antibiotic they were taking. The «process of use» of the medication was the best known dimension by the study population, followed by the «therapeutic aim». The dimension related to the «safety» of the medication was the one with the lowest values. After a logistic regression, a link between the knowledge of the antibiotic and the «know the name of the antibiotic» (p = .05; r = 2.15) and the «number of antibiotic the patient takes» (p = .02; r = 0.30) variables. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that there is a certain lack of information on the use of antibiotics by the study sample. Thes results could help to show the way to follow in future studies, targeted to meet the need of information

Recomendaciones de pruebas preoperatorias en el paciente adulto para procedimientos en régimen de cirugía ambulatoria / Preoperative tests recommendations in adult patients for ambulatory surgery

Tradicionalmente, la valoración anestésica ha incluido una serie de pruebas de laboratorio con la intención de detectar patologías no diagnosticadas y garantizar que el paciente concurre a la cirugía bajo unos criterios de seguridad. Estas pruebas sin una indicación clínica específica suponen un gasto innecesario, de cuestionable valor diagnóstico y son en general inútiles. En el contexto de la cirugía sin ingreso, recientes evidencias sugieren que los pacientes de cualquier edad y sin comorbilidad importante, estado físico ASA I y II, no necesitan pruebas preoperatorias complementarias de forma rutinaria. El objetivo de estas recomendaciones es determinar las indicaciones generales de las pruebas a realizar antes de la cirugía en el paciente adulto ASA I y II que se va a intervenir en cirugía ambulatoria (AU)

Anesthetic assessment traditionally included a series of laboratory tests intended to detect undiagnosed diseases, and to ensure that the patient undergoes surgery following safety criteria. These tests, without a specific clinical indication, are expensive, of questionable diagnostic value and often useless. In the context of outpatient surgery, recent evidence suggests that patients of any age without significant comorbidity, ASA physical status grade i and grade ii, do not need additional preoperative tests routinely. The aim of the present recommendations is to determine the general indications in which these tests should be performed in ASA grade i and grade ii patients undergoing ambulatory surgery (AU)

Axial low back pain: one painful area--many perceptions and mechanisms.

Axial low back pain can be considered as a syndrome with both nociceptive and neuropathic pain components (mixed-pain). Especially neuropathic pain comprises a therapeutic challenge in practical experience and may explain why pharmacotherapy in back pain is often disappointing for both the patient and the therapist. This survey uses epidemiological and clinical data on the symptomatology of 1083 patients with axial low back pain from a cross sectional survey (painDETECT). Objectives were (1) to estimate whether neuropathic pain contributes to axial low back pain and if so to what extent. (2) To detect subgroups of patients with typical sensory symptom profiles and to analyse their demographic data and co-morbidities. (3) To compare patients with and without prior intervertebral disc surgery (IVD). Neuropathic pain components could be detected in 12% of the entire cohort. Cluster analyses of these patients revealed five distinct subgroups of patients showing a characteristic sensory profile, i.e. a typical constellation and combination of symptoms. All subgroups occurred in relevant numbers and some showed distinct neuropathic characteristics while others showed nociceptive features. Post-IVD-surgery patients showed a tendency to score more "neuropathic" than patients without surgery (not statistically significant). Axial low back pain has a high prevalence of co-morbidities with implication on therapeutic aspects. From these data it can be concluded that sensory profiles based on descriptor severity may serve as a better predictor for therapy assessment than pain intensity or sole diagnosis alone. Standardized phenotyping of pain symptoms with easy tools may help to develop an individualized therapy leading to a higher success rate in pharmacotherapy of axial low back pain.

Role of two clusters of male alcoholics in treatment retention.

AIMS: This study aimed to classify alcohol-dependent outpatients on the basis of clinical factors and to verify if the resulting types show different treatment retention. METHODS: The sample comprised 332 alcoholics that were enrolled in three different pharmacological trials carried out at São Paulo University, Brazil. Based on four clinical factors - problem drinking onset age, familial alcoholism, alcohol dependence severity, and depression - K-means cluster analysis was performed by using the average silhouette width to determine the number of clusters. A direct logistic regression was performed to analyze the influence of clusters, medication groups, and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) attendance in treatment retention. RESULTS: Two clusters were delineated. The cluster characterized by earlier onset age, more familial alcoholism, higher alcoholism severity, and less depression symptoms showed a higher chance of discontinuing the treatment, independently of medications used and AA attendance. Participation in AA was significantly related to treatment retention. DISCUSSION: Health services should broaden the scope of services offered to meet heterogeneous needs of clients, and identify treatment practices and therapists which improve retention. Information about patients' characteristics linked to dropout should be used to make treatment programs more responsive and attractive, combining pharmacological agents with more intensive and diversified psychosocial interventions.

Relationship between urinary tract infection categorization and pathogens' antimicrobial susceptibilities.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be hard to treat and treatment plans need to include accurate categorization such as uncomplicated or complicated UTI, or catheterized or uncatheterized UTI. We investigated the antibiotic susceptibilities of representative uropathogens in UTI categories. METHODS: We isolated uropathogens and analyzed their antimicrobial susceptibilities according to UTI categorization such as: (1) urology outpatients, urology inpatients, or other department inpatients; (2) uncomplicated or complicated UTIs; (3) upper or lower UTIs, and (4) non-catheterized or catheterized UTIs. RESULTS: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were representative uropathogens. Susceptibilities to levofloxacin (LVFX) in E. coli in urology outpatients (p = 0.0179), those to ceftadizime in E. coli in other department inpatients (p = 0.0327), and those to LVFX in E. faecalis in complicated UTI (p = 0.0137) significantly decreased in these 3 years compared with the previous 3 years. Susceptibilities of upper UTI to LVFX in E. coli were significantly lower in the recent 4 years compared to lower UTI (p = 0.0452) and those of catheterized UTI to LVFX in E. faecalis were significantly lower than in non-catheterized UTI (p = 0.0153). CONCLUSIONS: Data demonstrated different tendencies of uropathogens' antibiotic susceptibilities according to UTI categorizations and they could be useful for planning UTI treatments.

Predicting patient deterioration in youth mental health services: community mental health vs. managed care settings.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences across a community mental health system and a private managed care system in the accuracy of a warning system designed to identify youth at risk for deterioration in mental health services. DESIGN: Longitudinal outcome data from the Youth Outcome Questionnaire (Y-OQ) were examined using multilevel modeling for 2,310 youth ages 4-17 who received outpatient treatment. RESULTS: The warning system correctly identified 69% of cases that ultimately ended in deterioration in the community mental health setting, compared to 61% in the managed care setting. The overall hit rate (overall accuracy in classifying cases as deteriorators/non-deteriorators) was the same in the two settings (75%). CONCLUSIONS: Results are consistent with previous research demonstrating that patient-focused warning systems can be reasonably accurate in identifying youth cases at risk for treatment failure.

The comorbidity of anger symptoms with personality disorders in psychiatric outpatients.

OBJECTIVES: Although many psychiatric disorders are "emotional" disorders, no disorders exist for which dysfunctional anger is a necessary feature. This study examined whether dysfunctional anger could be considered a diagnosis independent from Personality Disorders. DESIGN: We analyzed data on 1,158 psychiatric outpatients who underwent a semi-structured interview for Axis II disorders and ascertained the co-occurrence of dysfunctional anger and Personality Disorders. RESULTS: The overlap between dysfunctional anger and all Personality Disorders was low. Data analyses showed dysfunctional anger was not well accounted for by Axis II diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Dysfunctional anger can be viewed by researchers and clinicians as an independent diagnostic entity. The implications of these results for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with anger symptoms is discussed.

Reduction of cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic syndrome in a community health center after a pharmaceutical care program of pharmacotherapy follow-up

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of a pharmaceutical care (PC) program in a sample of public outpatients with metabolic syndrome (MS) who were being treated in Brazil's health system; the patients were randomized into PC or standard care. The pharmacotherapy follow-up (PF) was performed in a total of 120 patients with type 2 diabetes for 6 months. Adherence to treatment (measured with the Morisky test), negative outcomes associated with medication (NOM) and anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured before and after PF. The Framingham scoring method was used to estimate changes in 10-year coronary heart disease risk scores in all patients. Ninety-six of 120 patients had characteristics of MS and were randomized into two groups (G): the control group (CG: 36) and the intervention group (IG: 38). Among the MS patients, 100% were taking a glucose-lowering drug; many were also taking anti-hypertensive drugs (CG: 72%; IG: 73%), and some patients were also taking hypolipemic drugs (CG: 12.0%; IG: 14.7%). Only 20.7% of the IG patients were considered adherent to their prescribed drugs. In the CG, an increase of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk (22±2 to 26±3; p<0.05) was observed, while in the IG, there was a reduction in CHD risk (22±2 to 14±2%; p<0.01). The PC program administered to patients with MS monitored through the primary healthcare services of the Brazilian public health system improved patient health, resulting in clinical improvements and a decrease in cardiovascular risk in IG patients over a period of ten years.

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de determinar o impacto de um Programa de atenção Farmacêutica (AF) em uma amostra de pacientes ambulatoriais de Sistema Público de Saúde do Brasil portadores de Síndrome Metabólica, randomizados em AF ou atenção à saúde usual. Realizou-se o seguimento farmacoterapêutico com 120 pacientes com diabetes tipo 2 durante seis meses. Avaliou-se o nível de aderência ao tratamento (teste Morisky), resultados clínicos negativos associados a medicamentos (RNM), parâmetros bioquímicos e antropométricos, antes e após o seguimento. O método de Framingham foi usado para calcular as variações no risco de doenças coronarianas em 10 anos em todos os pacientes. Dos 120 pacientes, 96 tiveram características de SM e foram então randomizados em dois grupos (G): Controle (GC: 36) e Intervenção (GI: 38). Entre os pacientes com SM, 100% faziam uso de medicamentos para diminuir a glicose, anti-hipertensivos (GC: 72%; GI: 73%) e hipoglicemiantes (GC: 12.0%; GI: 14.7%). Apenas 20,7% do GI foram considerados aderentes aos fármacos prescritos. No GC foi observado aumento do risco de Doença Arterial Coronariana (DAC) (22±2 para 26±3; p<0,05), enquanto no GI foi observado redução (22±2 para 14±2%; p<0,01). O Programa de AF para pacientes com SM monitorados na atenção primária do Sistema de Saúde Pública brasileiro melhora o funcionamento do serviço resultando na melhoria clínica dos pacientes com redução do risco de doença cardiovascular em um período de dez anos.