bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inappropriate Prescribing and Health Outcomes in Elderly Veteran Outpatients
Authors: Schmader Kenneth E , Hanlon Joseph T , Landsman Pamela B , Samsa Gregory P , Lewis Ingrid K , Weinberger Morris 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of inappropriate prescribing in the elderly to health outcomes. SETTING: General Medical Clinic of the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. PATIENTS: A total of 208 veterans more than 65 years old who were each taking five or more drugs and participated in a pharmacist intervention trial. MEASUREMENTS: Prescribing appropriateness was assessed by a clinical pharmacist using the medication appropriateness index (MAI). A summed MAI score was calculated, with higher scores indicating less appropriate prescribing. The health outcomes were hospitalization, unscheduled ambulatory or emergency care visits, and blood pressure control. RESULTS: Bivariate analyses revealed that mean MAI scores at baseline were higher for those with hospital admissions (18.9 vs. 16.9, p = 0.07) and unscheduled ambulatory or emergency care visits (18.8 vs. 16.3, p = 0.05) over the subsequent 12 months than for those without admissions and emergency care visits. MAI scores for antihypertensive medications were higher for patients with inadequate blood pressure control (> 160/90 mm Hg) than for those whose blood pressure was controlled (4.7 vs. 3.1, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate prescribing appeared to be associated with adverse health outcomes. This finding needs to be confirmed in future studies that have larger samples and control for potential confounders.
Reliability of Drug Utilization Evaluation as an Assessment of Medication Appropriateness
Authors: Shelton Penny S , Hanlon Joseph T , Landsman Pamela B , Scott Mollie A , Lewis Ingrid K , Schmader Kenneth E , Samsa Gregory P , Weinberger Morris 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To test the reliability of drug utilization evaluation (DUE) applied to medications commonly used by the ambulatory elderly. METHODS: A DUE model was developed for four domains: (1) justification for use, (2) critical process indicators, (3) complications, and (4) clinical outcomes. DUE criteria specific to use in the elderly were developed for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and histamine2 (H2)-antagonists, and consensus was reached by an external expert panel. After pilot testing, two clinical pharmacists independently evaluated these medications, applying the DUE criteria and rating each item as appropriate or inappropriate. Interrater and intrarater reliability was assessed by using κ statistics. RESULTS: In a sample of 208 ambulatory elderly veterans, 42 (20.2%) were taking an ACE inhibitor and 56 (26.9%) an H2-antagonist. The interrater agreement for individual domains, represented by κ statistics, were 0.10–0.58 and 0–0.83 for ACE inhibitors and H2-antagonists, respectively. The κ statistic for overall agreement, which considered ratings from all criteria across all domains, was 0.24 for ACE inhibitors and 0.18 for H2-antagonists. Intrarater reliability was assessed 3 months later, and κ statistics were 0.61–0.65 (0.49 overall) and 0–0.96 (0.81 overall) for ACE inhibitors and H2-antagonists, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intrarater reliability for DUE was good to excellent. However, interrater reliability exhibited only marginal reproducibility, particularly where evaluators were required to use subjective judgment (i.e., complications, clinical outcomes). DUE may not be a suitable standard for assessing medication appropriateness in ambulatory elderly patients.
Development of an Intravenous-to-Oral Route Conversion Program for Antimicrobial Therapy at a Canadian Tertiary Care Health Facility
Authors: Zamin Monique T , Pitre Monique M , Conly John M 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effect of introducing a route conversion program on the prescribing of antimicrobials for the treatment of respiratory tract infections and skin/soft tissue infections in a sample population. DESIGN: Concurrent, pre- and postintervention study. SETTING: Four general internal medicine wards at The Toronto Hospital, a 1170-bed, tertiary care health center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Patients receiving antimicrobial therapy for respiratory tract infections and skin/soft tissue infections. INTERVENTION: Written guidelines and education sessions were presented to residents, interns, medical students, and pharmacists responsible for the care of patients admitted to four general internal medicine wards. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and laboratory parameters related to the status of the infection were monitored prospectively and compared with the course of drug therapy, with consideration of the patient's ability to meet the criteria established in the guidelines. The number of days of intravenous therapy prescribed despite appropriateness of oral therapy was tallied. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (28 infections) were identified for inclusion in the 7-week preliminary audit, and 30 patients (32 infections) were included in the audit after the program, which continued for 5 weeks. Following implementation of the program, the number of days that intravenous therapy was continued despite the appropriateness of oral therapy was reduced from 41% to 26% of the total days of intravenous therapy prescribed. CONCLUSIONS: The program had a positive influence on antimicrobial prescribing behavior in the population studied. Strategies to ensure continued benefit from the program have been developed.
Interaction between Quinupristin/Dalfopristin and Cyclosporine
Authors: Stamatakis Mary K , Richards Joelyn G 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of a drug interaction between cyclosporine and quinupristin/dalfopristin (QND). CASE SUMMARY: A patient who had undergone a kidney transplant and was receiving chronic cyclosporine therapy was treated with the investigational streptogramin antibiotic QND. Baseline trough cyclosporine concentrations ranged from 80 to 105 ng/mL. Two and 3 days after initiation of QND therapy, trough cyclosporine concentrations increased to 261 and 291 ng/mL, respectively. Following discontinuation of QND, the cyclosporine blood concentration decreased and the dosage was subsequently increased to the previous regimen. DISCUSSION: A patient's cyclosporine blood concentration tripled 3 days after initiating therapy with QND. A one-third reduction in the cyclosporine dosage was required. QND was the most likely cause for the change in cyclosporine blood concentrations, probably due to inhibition of cyclosporine metabolism. This represents the first published case of an interaction between cyclosporine and QND. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent monitoring of cyclosporine concentrations with attention to the need for dosage modification is recommended when initiating or discontinuing QND therapy.
Combination of Low-Dose Niacin and Pravastatin Improves the Lipid Profile in Diabetic Patients without Compromising Glycemic Control
Authors: Gardner Stephanie F , Marx Michael A , White Laura M , Granberry Mark C , Skelton David R , Fonseca Vivian A 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and tolerability of the addition of low-dose niacin (1.5 g/d) in a diabetic hypercholesterolemic population who were unable to attain desired lipid control with low-dose (20 mg) pravastatin monotherapy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a prospective, open-label study conducted over a 14-week period. Twenty-three diabetic patients with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations of at least 150 mg/dL after dietary therapy were recruited from the outpatient diabetes clinic of a university teaching hospital. After 4 weeks of dietary stabilization and baseline determination of the lipid profile and glycemic control, patients received pravastatin 20 mg once daily for 4 weeks. Laboratory parameters were reassessed and niacin was added to the regimen in qualifying patients. Over 2 weeks, patients' regimens were titrated to a maximal dosage of 500 mg tid. Patients continued to receive the combination regimen for 4 weeks and were reassessed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sixteen patients (14 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 2 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) completed the study. Mean fasting blood sugar and fructosamine concentrations were unchanged throughout the study. Five patients required minor alterations (3 increased, 2 decreased) in their hypoglycemic regimens during the study. The addition of low-dose niacin to pravastatin therapy resulted in a significant lowering of LDL cholesterol compared with pravastatin monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose niacin is a promising addition to hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor therapy in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Assessment of the Enzymuria Resulting from Gentamicin Alone and Combinations of Gentamicin with Various β-Lactam Antibiotics
Authors: Nix David E , Thomas Jennifer K , Symonds William T , Spivey J Michael , Wilton John H , Gagliardi Nick C , Schentag Jerome J 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To determine the propensity of β-lactam antimicrobials to ameliorate or potentiate aminoglycoside-induced renal enzymuria. DESIGN: Two open, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group studies were conducted in young, healthy, male volunteer subjects. Using a common protocol, 24-hour urine collections were analyzed for the renal tubular enzymes alanine aminopeptidase (AAP) and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), as well as for creatinine. Antimicrobial combinations studied included gentamicin plus placebo and gentamicin plus ticarcillin/clavulanate (protocol 1); and gentamicin plus placebo, gentamicin plus piperacillin, and gentamicin plus ceftazidime (protocol 2). The antimicrobial regimens were administered for 7 days. Eight subjects completed each treatment group. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between treatment groups with regard to urine creatinine excretion or serum gentamicin concentrations in either protocol. Enzymuria (AAP [p = 0.039] and NAG [p = 0.337]) was decreased in the gentamicin plus ticarcillin/clavulanate treatment compared with that in the gentamicin plus placebo treatment. Increased enzymuria, as indicated by increased urine concentrations of AAP and NAG, was observed in the gentamicin plus ceftazidime treatment (p < 0.05) compared with the other two treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Based on relative enzymuria, ticarcillin/clavulanate may be renal protective. Piperacillin neither potentiated nor ameliorated aminoglycoside-induced enzymuria. Since acute elevations in AAP and NAG reflect insults to the kidney, these studies suggest that ceftazidime may enhance aminoglycoside- induced renal injury. Piperacillin had no effect on enzymuria and would appear not to enhance or protect against aminoglycoside- induced renal injury.
Isradipine Therapy in Hypertensive Pediatric Patients
Authors: Johnson Cary E , Jacobson Pamala A , Song Min H 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dosage and effectiveness of isradipine to control acute or chronic hypertension in pediatric patients. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Hospitalized pediatric patients aged 1 day to 16 years with hypertension treated with isradipine between January 1994 and March 1996. MEASURES: Patient age, gender, weight, disease states, current medications, isradipine dosage and formulation, pre- and postsystolic, and pre- and postdiastolic blood pressure measurements with each dose of isradipine. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with a mean age of 5.8 ± 4.0 years were evaluated. A mean change in the blood pressure measurements taken before the first dose of isradipine compared with the values recorded after the last dose or at discharge for all patients was −11.8% ± 12.5% and −17.4% ± 19.6%, respectively, for systolic and diastolic pressure. The mean dosage of isradipine in 46 patients who received regularly scheduled doses was 0.38 ± 0.22 mg/kg/d. Patients who demonstrated a response received a mean dosage of 0.40 ± 0.20 mg/kg/d. The total daily dosage was administered in one dose for 1 patient, two doses for 15 patients, three doses for 27 patients, and four doses for 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Isradipine was an effective antihypertensive agent to reduce the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure 10% or more compared with pretreatment measurements in 43 (81 %) of 53 pediatric patients. The mean dosage was 0.38 ± 0.22 mg/kg/d, most frequently administered in two or three equally divided doses, which is higher than the normal recommended dosage for adults.
The Use of Alternate-Day Lovastatin in Hypercholesterolemic Men
Authors: Dennis Vincent C , Britton Mark L , Sirmans Susan M , Letassy Nancy A , Freeman Dale A 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To quantitate the therapeutic effects of alternate-day lovastatin on serum lipoprotein values in a small group of men with primary hypercholesterolemia. DESIGN: Retrospective review of medical, pharmacy, and laboratory records. A paired Student's t-test was performed on absolute changes in lipoprotein values with an a priori p value less than or equal to 0.05 being statistically significant. SETTING: A lipid clinic within a tertiary care Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. PATIENTS: Twenty men (mean age 62.5 ± 8.3 y) with mean ± SD baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration of 161.3 ± 21.9 mg/dL and triglyceride concentrations below 400 mg/dL. INTERVENTION: All patients had been prescribed lovastatin 20 mg every other day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The mean absolute and percent changes in lipoprotein values from baseline for patients receiving lovastatin 20 mg every other day and the percentage of patients attaining a target mean LDL-C concentration as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Panel Adult Treatment Panel II guidelines. RESULTS: Mean ± SD total cholesterol and LDL-C were significantly reduced by 32.4 ± 17.8 (14.0% ± 7.8%) and 34.1 ± 14.6 mg/dL (21.5% ± 9.7%), respectively. No significant changes were seen in high- density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglycerides. Four of 20 patients (20%) attained a goal LDL-C concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Lovastatin 20 mg every other day may effectively lower LDL-C in some elderly men, and target LDL-C concentrations may be obtained in some patients.
Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole-Induced Hypoglycemia in a Patient with Acute Renal Failure
Authors: Lee Audrey J , Maddix Daniel S 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX)-induced hypoglycemia in a patient with acute renal failure. DATA SOURCES: English-language references identified via a MEDLINE search from January 1966 to August 1996 and a bibliographic review of pertinent articles. DATA SYNTHESIS: Similar to sulfonylureas, sulfonamides are thought to cause hypoglycemia by increasing pancreatic secretion of insulin. To date, nine cases of TMP/SMX-induced hypoglycemia have been reported in the literature. This case represents the second report in which a patient experienced TMP/SMX-induced hypoglycemia that resolved after the dosage was adjusted for the patient's decreased renal function. This case involved a 73-year-old comatose white man initiated on high-dose TMP/SMX for nosocomial pneumonia caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. After 5 days of therapy, the patient presented with severe hypoglycemia that persisted over 8 hours despite multiple intravenous bolus doses and infusions of dextrose. The patient had several risk factors that may have compounded his risk for hypoglycemia, including food deprivation and acute renal failure. After management with dextrose and dose adjustment of the patient's TMP/SMX regimen according to renal function, the hypoglycemia resolved. CONCLUSIONS: TMP/SMX may cause reversible hypoglycemia that may be prolonged (approximately 12 h), particularly in patients with risk factors for hypoglycemia. Common risk factors include compromised renal function, prolonged fasting conditions, malnutrition, and the use of excessive doses. Patients with these risk factors should be monitored closely and, more importantly, initiated on a dosing regimen adjusted for renal impairment.
Possible Toxic Encephalopathy following High-Dose Intravenous Haloperidol
Authors: Maxa Jan L , Taleghani Akram M , Ogu Chris C , Tanzi Mario 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of possible toxic encephalopathy in a surgical patient receiving high-dose intravenous haloperidol. CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old African-American man was admitted for spinal fusion. His medical history included bipolar disorder and a cerebrovascular accident. His recovery from surgery was complicated by the development of agitation, which was treated with increasing doses of intravenous haloperidol. An electroencephalogram was consistent with toxic encephalopathy. The patient's mental status returned to normal 8 days after discontinuation of haloperidol. DISCUSSION: High-dose intravenous haloperidol for severe agitation has been reported as an effective and safe treatment option for the hospitalized patient. We report the occurrence of toxic encephalopathy in a patient who received high-dose intravenous haloperidol. CONCLUSIONS: Caution should be used when high-dose intravenous haloperidol is used in an agitated patient. If the patient's clinical response is paradoxical to what is anticipated and the resulting agitation is mistakenly attributed to inadequate treatment, increasingly higher doses may only aid in the development of toxic encephalopathy.
Removal of Vancomycin during Plasmapheresis
Authors: McClellan Syble D , Whitaker Charles H , Friedberg Richard C 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To examine the removal of vancomycin during plasmapheresis, determine whether drug administration should be withheld prior to or a supplemental dose given after the procedure, and determine whether a redistribution phenomenon in vancomycin serum concentrations occurs after plasmapheresis. DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study. SETTING: An 800-bed, tertiary-care, teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Twelve patients receiving vancomycin as prescribed who were also undergoing therapeutic plasmapheresis. METHODS: Blood samples for determination of vancomycin concentrations were obtained from each patient immediately before, during, immediately after, and 2 hours after plasmapheresis. Vancomycin concentration in plasma removed by plasmapheresis and volume of plasma removed were measured. Patient-specific pharmacokinetic parameters were determined for each patient using serum concentration data and a one-compartment model. Percent of drug removed by plasmapheresis and percent increase in vancomycin total clearance secondary to plasmapheresis were calculated. RESULTS: A mean of 6.3% of the total body store of vancomycin was removed by plasmapheresis. Vancomycin clearance during plasmapheresis averaged 1.6 L/h, which was an average increase of 285% in the total clearance of vancomycin from the body. Nine of 10 patients had a higher observed vancomycin concentration 2 hours after plasmapheresis than that predicted by degrading the concentration observed immediately after the procedure, suggesting that redistribution in serum concentrations occurs after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: A single one-volume plasmapheresis does not remove a clinically important amount of vancomycin; therefore, supplemental dosing after the procedure is not necessary. A redistribution phenomenon in vancomycin concentrations appears to exist after plasmapheresis. Further study is needed to determine how long the redistribution phase lasts and when vancomycin concentrations should be measured after plasmapheresis.
Debilitating Reaction following the Initial Dose of Tramadol
Authors: Gleason Patrick P , Frye Reginald F , O'Toole Thomas 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To describe a debilitating reaction following a single oral dose of tramadol. CASE SUMMARY: A 32-year-old white man with no prior medical problems, allergies, or previous medication reactions experienced ataxia, dilation of the pupils, numbness in his arms and legs, tremulousness, and dysphoria lasting approximately 4 hours following an initial tramadol dose (100 mg). The patient recovered with no sequelae. DISCUSSION: Central nervous system (CNS) stimulation during therapy with tramadol was reported in 7% of patients in clinical trials. These reactions are usually mild and transient. This report describes a debilitating CNS-mediated reaction to an initial dose of tramadol in an otherwise healthy adult. The patient was phenotyped for CYP2D6 activity, the major metabolic pathway for tramadol elimination, and was determined to be an extensive metabolizer with very high CYP2D6 activity. CONCLUSIONS: The exact mechanism of the adverse response is not known; however, based on phenotyping results, we suspect that it may be related to high concentrations of the active O-desmethyl metabolite of tramadol.
Primary Stroke Prevention in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Implementing the Clinical Trial Findings
Authors: Howard Patricia A , Duncan Pamela W 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical trials evaluating warfarin for primary stroke prophylaxis in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), to discuss the relative benefits and risks of warfarin versus aspirin therapy, and to review the clinical practice guidelines and identify potential barriers to their implementation in clinical practice. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE literature search was performed to identify clinical trials of antithrombotic therapy for NVAF, clinical practice guidelines, studies evaluating physician practices and attitudes, cost-effectiveness studies, and pertinent review articles. Key search terms included atrial fibrillation, stroke, antithrombotic, warfarin, aspirin, and cost-effectiveness. DATA EXTRACTION: Prospective, randomized clinical trials were selected for analysis. Clinical practice guidelines from recognized panels of experts were reviewed. Comprehensive review articles were selected. DATA SYNTHESIS: NVAF is a common arrhythmia that is associated with a substantial risk for stroke. Seven prospective, randomized, clinical trials have conclusively demonstrated the efficacy of warfarin for stroke prevention. The greatest benefits are achieved in older patients and those with comorbidities that increase their risk for stroke. The potential benefits of preventing a devastating stroke, however, must be weighed against the potential for bleeding complications. Warfarin has been shown to be cost-effective in high-risk patients, provided the rate of complications is minimized. Nonetheless, many physicians remain hesitant to implement warfarin therapy in older, high-risk patients. The clinical data on aspirin are less consistent than those observed with warfarin. Aspirin appears to be most effective in younger individuals or those considered to be at low risk for stroke. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NVAF, the personal, social, and economic consequences of stroke are often devastating. Clinical trials have provided definitive proof that the risks of stroke can be significantly reduced through the use of appropriate antithrombotic therapy. Despite this evidence and the recommendations of a number of clinical practice guidelines, variations in care exist that continue to place patients at risk. Additional outcomes research is needed to evaluate the impact of the clinical trial findings and practice guidelines on clinical practice and to develop methods for overcoming barriers to implementation.