Utilización de infusores elastoméricos de antibióticos en hospitalización a domicilio

[Abstract] Objective: To describe the avoided costs and to analyze the effectiveness of intravenous antibiotic treatment in continuous perfusion in patients at Hospital at Home Units (HHU) administered using elastomeric infusion pumps (EIP) prepared in a Hospital Pharmacy Service (HPS). Methods: Retrospective observational study of the number and type of EIP prepared in the HPS and of the treated patients. Study period: January 2017-December2018. Analyzed data: demographic data of patients, location of infection, responsible microorganism, medication and type of EIP, dose and duration of treatment and its effectiveness in terms of cure or non-cure or patient's death. Economic valuation considering: costs of EIP, nursing time needed for preparation and cost of HHU care. Results: A total of 1,688 EIP to treat 102 patients resulted in 106 episodes of outpatient treatment of parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) for 1,409 days, thereby avoiding 1,409 days of hospital admission. A total of 59.8% of the patients were men and the mean age was 70.5 ± 17 years. A 31.1% and 68.9% of the cases were empirical and pathogen-directed treatments, respectively. The most used antimicrobials were piperacillin/tazobactam (42.7%), ceftazidime (24.5%), meropenem (19.8%), ceftolozane/tazobactam (2.8%), and cloxacillin (1.9%). Mean duration of treatment was 13.29 ± 8.60 days. Location of infection: respiratory (42.5%), urinary (17.9%), skin and soft tissue (12.3%), bacteraemia (11.3%), osteomyelitis (7.5%), abdominal (3.8%) and 4.7% in other locations. The cure rate was 84%. Total avoided cost: 580,788.28€ in the 24 months studied. Conclusions: This program represents very important economic savings for the health system, and the effectiveness of the antibiotic treatment has not been compromised.[Resumen] Objetivo. Describir los costes evitados y analizar la efectividad del tratamiento con antibióticos por vía intravenosa en perfusión continua en pacientes en unidades de Hospitalización a Domicilio (HD) administrados con bombas de infusión elastoméricas (BIE) preparadas en un Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria (SFH). Método. Estudio observacional retrospectivo del número y tipo de BIE preparados en el SFH y pacientes tratados entre enero 2017 y diciembre 2018. Los datos analizados fueron: datos demográficos de pacientes, localización de la infección, microorganismo, medicación y tipo de BIE, dosis y duración del tratamiento y efectividad en términos de curación o no curación o muerte. Valoración económica: coste de BIE, tiempo de enfermería necesario para la preparación y coste de la atención en HD. Resultados. Se analizaron 1.688 BIE preparados para tratar 102 pacientes que resultaron en 106 episodios de tratamiento ambulatorio durante 1.409 días, evitando así 1.409 días de ingreso hospitalario. El 59,8% de los pacientes eran hombres y la edad media 70,5±17 años. El 31,1% de los tratamientos fueron empíricos versus 68,9% dirigidos por patógeno. Los antimicrobianos más empleados fueron piperacilina-tazobactam (42,7%), ceftazidima (24,5%), meropenem (19,8%), ceftolozano-tazobactam (2,8%) y cloxacilina (1,9%). La duración media del tratamiento fue de 13,29 ± 8,60 días. Localización de la infección: respiratorias (42,5%), urinarias (17,9%), piel y partes blandas (12,3%), bacteriemias (11,3%), osteomielitis (7,5%), abdominales (3,8%) y un 4,7% en otras localizaciones. La tasa de curación del 84%. El coste total evitado fue de 580.788,28€ durante los 24 meses de estudio. Conclusiones. Este programa representa un ahorro económico muy importante para el sistema de salud, y la efectividad del tratamiento con antibióticos no se ha visto comprometida

Late HIV Diagnosis but Earlier Antiretroviral Treatment Initiation in Northwest Spain: Impact of Current Treatment Guidelines

[Abstract] Background: Current HIV treatment guidelines recommend antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation for all HIV-infected individuals regardless of CD4 count. This study evaluates the immunological and virological status and the clinical characteristics of patients who have started ART in the last 8 years in the Northwest of Spain. Methods: All HIV-infected patients who have started ART between January 2009 and December 2016 at a reference hospital in the Northwest of Spain were included in this retrospective observational study. Epidemiological, clinical, and immunovirological features and antiretroviral drugs used for initiation were recorded. A statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 19 software. Categorical and continuous variables were compared by the specific statistical tests, and a logistic regression model was used to identify time associated with Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categories change. Results: A high proportion of HIV-infected patients (66.7%) had initiated ART with CD4 counts <350 cells/mm3 in the last 8 years. From these, most of them (68.3%) had <350 CD4 counts at first contact with HIV specialist medical team, 12.2% had no indications for ART initiation in the last clinic visit before ART initiation according to the national guidelines at that moment, 11.0% were lost to follow-up because of lack of compliance with scheduled visits and 8.5% of patients refused treatment. A logistic regression model showed that a delay of one month since the first contact with HIV specialist medical team to ART initiation involves a risk of worsening in the CDC clinical category (odds ratio: 1.02 [95% confidence interval: 1.012-1.029]; P < .001). A trend towards an earlier start of ART was observed during 2015 and 2016, likely influenced by the last treatment guidelines recommendations. Conclusion: High proportion of HIV-infected patients (66.7%) had initiated ART with CD4 counts <350 cells/mm3 in the last 8 years. The main reasons for this problem were analyzed and an important rate of late diagnosis was identified. However, a trend towards an earlier start of ART was observed during 2015 and 2016, likely influenced by the last treatment guidelines recommendations. These findings highlight the need to promote and facilitate HIV testing to reduce the late diagnosis as well as counseling on HIV prevention, treatment, and linkage care

Application of RFID Technology in Patient Tracking and Medication Traceability in Emergency Care

[Abstract]: One of the most important factors that directly affects the quality of health care is patient safety. Minimize the occurrence of adverse events is one of the main challenges for health professionals. This requires continuous tracking of the patient by different areas and services, a process known as traceability and proper patient identification and medication prescribed. This article presents an information system for patient tracking and drugs developed for the Emergency Department of Hospital A Coruña. The systems use RFID technology to perform various tasks: (1) locate patients in different areas; (2) measure patient care times and waiting times; (3) identify unitary doses of medication; and (4) ensure the correct matching between the patient and the medication prescribed by the doctor. The hardware infrastructure as well as the optimal configuration of devices interconnected via a wireless network was determined by conducting a detailed coverage study. To support all the functionality needed, specific tools were designed and integrated with proprietary software applications. The RFID system was evaluated positively by staff from different professional profiles involved in its development or subsequent implementation.This project was financed by the Carlos III Health Institute, Spain (Project PI07/90351). The authors wish to thank the Hospital of A Coruña Pharmacy, Emergency and Informatics departments for their cooperation

Influence of drug–drug interactions on effectiveness and safety of direct-acting antivirals against hepatitis C virus

[Abstract] Objectives Direct-acting antivirals are the recommended treatment for hepatitis C-infected patients. Drug–drug interactions with concomitant treatments can cause lack of effectiveness and/or safety. The objective of this study is to characterise drug–drug interactions of direct-acting antivirals and to analyse their influence both on the effectiveness of antiviral treatment and on the overall safety of pharmacological treatment in hepatitis C-infected patients. Methods Observational and prospective cohort study for 3 years in the pharmaceutical care outpatient consultation of a general hospital, undertaking detection, evaluation and management of drug–drug interactions by clinical pharmacists and physicians. The main outcome measures were sustained virologic response at week 12 for effectiveness and serious drug-related adverse events for safety. Multivariate statistical analysis applied to: (a) patient basal characteristics related to presence of drug–drug interactions; (b) previous antiviral treatments, viral genotype, cirrhosis, decompensations and presence of drug–drug interactions related to the effectiveness of direct-acting antivirals. Results Of a total of 1092 patients, the majority of them were men, around 60 years old and HCV-genotype 1 mono-infected, with a high basal viral load, naive to antiviral treatment, treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and without cirrhosis. 24.5% had drug–drug interactions. Proton pump inhibitors were the concomitant drugs that caused the most drug–drug interactions. Age ≥65 years and direct-acting antivirals based on protease inhibitors were independently related to the presence of drug-drug interactions (p≤0.012). All (100%) of the therapeutic recommendations based on detected drug–drug interactions were implemented; 97.7% of patients with interactions versus 99.0% without them reached sustained virologic failure (p=0.109). The serious adverse events rates were 1.5% and 1.3% in patients with and without drug-drug interactions, respectively (p=0.841). Conclusions Drug–drug interactions are frequent among hepatitis C-infected patients receiving treatment with direct-acting antivirals. However, the collaboration between physicians and clinical pharmacists makes it possible to detect, evaluate, avoid or clinically manage these drug–drug interactions, in order to maintain whole treatment therapeutic safety and the effectiveness of direct-acting antivirals

Clinical experience with the integrase inhibitors Dolutegravir and Elvitegravir in HIV-infected patients: efficacy, safety and tolerance

[Abstract] Two integrase inhibitors (INSTIs), dolutegravir (DTG) and elvitegravir/cobicistat (EVG/COBI), have joined recently the pharmacotherapy arsenal against HIV. This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of these INSTIs in the last two years. A retrospective observational study in patients who started DTG or EVG/COBI from January 2015 to January 2017 at a reference hospital in north-western Spain was done. Epidemiological, clinical and immunovirological data were recorded. A statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software. A total of 542 DTG (n = 275)- or EVG/COBI (n = 267)-based therapies were initiated during the study period. Overall, more than 90% of naïve and pre-treated patients had virological suppression in both groups after 48 weeks of initiation of treatment per-protocol snapshot analysis. During follow-up, 10.2% of patients were treated with DTG and 4.5% of those treated with EVG discontinued due to adverse events (AE). In the case of DTG mainly related to neuropsychiatric disturbances (70.4%) and for EVG/COBI with gastrointestinal discomfort (50%). Female sex [HR 2.255 (95%CI 1.121–4.535), p = 0.023] and DTG treatment [HR 2.453 (95%CI 1.221–4.931), p = 0.012] were associated with AE discontinuations. Specifically for neuropsychiatric events, DTG treatment [HR 5.906 (95%CI 1.954–17.846), p = 0.002] and receiving abacavir/lamivudine/DTG [HR 4.380 (95%CI 1.348–14.233), p = 0.014] were identified as predictive risk factors for treatment discontinuations in two different multivariate analyses. A high percentage of AE discontinuations not previously described in clinical trials has been observed, especially with DTG. Female gender and DTG treatment were identified as risk factors for AE discontinuation. DTG-based therapies, especially in combination with abacavir/lamivudine, were associated with an increased risk of treatment discontinuation due to neuropsychiatric AE.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CPII14/00014Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI10/02166Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI13/02266Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CM13/00328Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CM15/00233Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI16/0215

Treatment with tenofovir alafenamide fumarate worsens the lipid profile of HIV‐infected patients versus treatment with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, each coformulated with elvitegravir, cobicistat, and emtricitabine

[Abstract] Two elvitegravir/cobicistat‐based therapies combined with emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (EVG/c/FTC/TDF) or emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (EVG/c/FTC/TAF) are currently available for HIV patients. This study evaluated the modifications in the lipid profile of patients who received these treatments in the last three years at our institution. A retrospective observational study in HIV‐infected patients who received EVG/c/FTC/TDF or EVG/c/FTC/TAF from January 2015 to January 2018 at a reference hospital in northwestern Spain was carried out. Epidemiological, clinical and immunovirological data were recorded. A statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. A total of 384 EVG/c‐based therapies were initiated during the study period, 151 EVG/c/FTC/TDF and 233 EVG/c/FTC/TAF. A significantly negative influence in all the lipid profile parameters in experienced patients and total cholesterol (TC), and LDL‐C in naïve patients were observed after 48 weeks of treatment with EVG/c/FTC/TAF, while these parameters remained stable in the EVG/c/FTC/TDF group. During follow‐up, a greater proportion of patients had lipid levels above the normal range (63.1% TC, 56.2% LDL‐C) and new lipid‐modifying drugs were prescribed (11.9%) in the EVG/c/FTC/TAF group. The number of cardiovascular risk factors (OR 1.66 [95% CI 1.01‐2.72]; P = 0.043) was recognised as an independent predictor of lipid‐lowering prescription for patients treated with both EVG/c/FTC/TDF and EVG/c/FTC/TAF. For patients treated with EVG/c/FTC/TAF, the mean total cholesterol to HDL ratio in the first 48 weeks of the study treatment was associated with a higher likelihood of lipid‐lowering prescription in multivariate analysis (OR 1.6 [95% CI 1.12‐2.52]; P = 0.011). Significant changes in lipid profile have been observed in patients who have received EVG/c/FTC/TAF. It was necessary to prescribe almost twice the number of lipid‐lowering drugs to patients who received EVG/c/FTC/TAF (11.9%) vs EVG/c/FTC/TDF (4.7%)

Efectividad y seguridad de daclatasvir/ sofosbuvir con o sin ribavirina en pacientes infectados por el genotipo 3 del virus de la hepatitis C: resultados en práctica clínica real

[Abstract] OBJECTIVE: Direct-acting antivirals have shown high efficacy in all hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes, but genotype 3 (G3) treatments continue to be a challenge, mainly in cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study is to analyse effectiveness and safety of daclatasvir associated with sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin in G3-HCV infected patients in real clinical practice. METHODS: An observational, prospective, cohort study over 2.5 years, in G3-HCV infected adult patients, in all fibrosis stages including patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Treatment was a combination of sofosbuvir 400 mg/day + daclatasvir 60 mg/day, with or without a weight-adjusted dosing of ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response rates 12 weeks after therapy (SVR12). The primary safety endpoint was treatment withdrawal rates secondary to severe adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients were enrolled, 32.4% cirrhotics and 29.9% treatment-experienced. The global SVR12 rate was 94.6%, while the SVR12 rate in F3-4 fibrosis stage patients was 90.8% versus 100% in patients with F0-2 fibrosis (p=0.03). In cirrhotic patients, SVR12 was 100% versus 40% depending on whether ribavirin was added or not to daclatasvir/sofosbuvir (p=0.001). No other patient or treatment basal variables influenced the treatment effectiveness. No patient treatment withdrawal secondary to severe adverse events was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Daclatasvir/sofosbuvir ± ribavirin is highly effective in G3-HCV infected patients. Advanced degrees of fibrosis significantly decrease the effectiveness of this treatment, which motivates the need for the addition of ribavirin in cirrhotic patients. The regimen was safe and well tolerated.[Resumen] OBJETIVOS: Los antivirales de acción directa han demostrado una alta eficacia en todos los genotipos del virus de la hepatitis C (VHC), pero los tratamientos para el genotipo 3 (G3) siguen siendo un desafío, principalmente en pacientes cirróticos. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la efectividad y la seguridad del daclatasvir asociado con sofosbuvir con o sin ribavirina en pacientes infectados por G3-VHC en la práctica clínica real. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, prospectivo, de cohorte de más de 2,5 años, en pacientes adultos infectados con G3-VHC, en todos los estadios de fibrosis, incluidos los pacientes con cirrosis descompensada. El tratamiento fue una combinación de sofosbuvir 400 mg / día + daclatasvir 60 mg / día, con o sin una dosis de ribavirina ajustada por peso durante 12 o 24 semanas. El criterio de valoración principal de eficacia fue la tasa de respuesta virológica sostenida 12 semanas después del tratamiento (RVS12). La variable principal de seguridad fue la tasa de suspensiones de tratamiento secundaria a eventos adversos graves. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 111 pacientes, 32.4% cirróticos y 29.9% con experiencia previa de tratamiento antiviral. La tasa global de RVS12 fue del 94,6%, mientras que la tasa de RVS12 en pacientes con estadio de fibrosis F3-4 fue del 90,8% frente al 100% en pacientes con fibrosis F0-2 (p = 0,03). En pacientes cirróticos, la RVS12 fue del 100% en comparación con el 40%, dependiendo de si se agregó o no ribavirina a daclatasvir / sofosbuvir (p = 0,001). Ninguna otra variable basal del paciente o del tratamiento influyó en la efectividad del tratamiento. No se observó ninguna suspensión del tratamiento secundario a eventos adversos graves. CONCLUSIONES: Daclatasvir / sofosbuvir ± ribavirina es altamente efectivo en pacientes infectados por G3-VHC. Los grados avanzados de fibrosis disminuyen significativamente la efectividad de este tratamiento, lo que motiva la necesidad de la adición de ribavirina en pacientes cirróticos. El régimen fue seguro y bien tolerado

Teleconsultation for the pharmaceutical care of HIV outpatients in receipt of home antiretrovirals delivery: clinical, economic, and patient-perceived quality analysis

Observational study[Abstract] Background/Introduction: Pharmacist teleconsultations, combined with home drug delivery or mail-order pharmacy (MOP), can help hospital outpatients with difficulties accessing treatment. The objectives of this study are to describe a teleconsultation protocol and to evaluate clinical, economic, and patient-perceived quality results. Materials and Methods: A cohort observational study was carried out for 3 years on HIV outpatients. Clinical variables were adherence, plasma HIV-RNA, and CD4+ levels. A pharmacoeconomic analysis was carried out through a cost-minimization study. Patient-perceived quality was assessed through a satisfaction survey. Simple random sampling was performed for 95% safety, accuracy ±1%, and losses ±20%. Results: The 38 participants (sample size) consisted of 82% male patients, aged 44.7 ± 8.4 years. There were 854 teleconsultations and 100% treatment adherence. All HIV outpatients kept virally suppressed (p = 1.00) and maintained a controlled immunological level (p = 0.87). The economic evaluation revealed 137 ± 23 € patient/year costs-saved and 18.5 ± 7.2 h/patient/year working time gained. Patient-perceived quality average score was >9.4 out of 10 in all items; the most valued factors were the saving of direct costs and reconciliation with work commitments (45%) and the least valued attributes were making the payment for the shipment and having to adjust to a telephone appointment (41%). Discussion/Conclusions: A teleconsultation protocol associated with home antiretrovirals delivery or MOP obtains a high degree of satisfaction from the HIV hospital outpatients receiving treatment, without repercussions on the therapeutic objectives and with the saving of important direct costs for the patient and indirect costs in relation to labor productivity

Effectiveness and Safety of Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir ± Ribavirin vs Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir in Genotype 3 Hepatitis C Virus Infected Patients

[Abstract] Objectives. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir±ribavirin (SOF/VEL±RBV) and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) are the drug combinations of choice for treating individuals with genotype 3 hepatitis C virus (G3-HCV) infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of SOF/VEL±RBV compared with GLE/PIB for treating G3-HCV infection under routine clinical practice conditions. Methods. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of individuals with G3-HCV infection who initiated treatment with SOF/VEL +/-RBV or GLE/PIB between April 2017 and July 2018. Prisoners and children were excluded. The outcome variable of effectiveness was sustained virological response 12 weeks after completing treatment (SVR12). The safety variable was withdrawal secondary to severe adverse events (SAEs). Covariates included sex, age, HIV co-infection, previous liver transplant, cirrhosis, hepatic fibrosis and previous antiviral treatment. Statistical significance was calculated using Fisher’s exact test or the Mann–Whitney U-test. Results. A total of 76 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 46 were treated with SOF/VEL±RBV and 30 were treated with GLE/PIB. No baseline differences were observed between treatment groups with respect to age, sex, HIV co-infection, fibrosis stage, cirrhosis and previous antiviral treatment. Of the patients treated with SOF/VEL±RBV and GLE/PIB, 95.7% and 96.7% reached SVR12, respectively (P=0.7). Of patients with and without cirrhosis, 83.3% and 98.4% reached SVR12, respectively (P=0.09). Of the patients with low-grade hepatic fibrosis (F0-2) and advanced fibrosis (F3-4), 100% and 85.7% reached SVR12, respectively (P=0.03). In treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients, 95.7% and 100% reached SVR12, respectively (P=0.57), without significant differences independent of the treatment group (P=0.28 for SOF/VEL±RBV; P=0.18 for GLE/PIB). The incidence of AEs was 21.1% (95% CI 11.3% to 30.9%). None of the patients developed an SAE or required antiviral treatment withdrawal. Conclusions. SOF/VEL±RBV or GLE/PIB are safe and effective for treating G3-HCV-infections, with a lower effectiveness in patients with advanced fibrosis F3-4

Biologic Therapy for Moderate to Severe Psoriasis. Real-World Follow-up of Patients Who Initiated Biologic Therapy at Least 10 Years Ago

[Abstract] Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate response and drug survival of biologic therapy in patients with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis who initiated biologic therapy at least 10 years ago, in a real-world setting. Methods: This was an observational retrospective follow-up study that included patients with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis who initiated biologic therapy between October 2006 and December 2009. Efficacy was expressed as the percentage of patients achieving a 50, 75 and 90% reduction from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 50, PASI 75, PASI 90, respectively) every 3 months during the first year of therapy and then every 12 months up to the end of follow-up or withdrawal from the study. Results: A total of 56 patients were included in the study, representing 140 treatment lines (median 2, range 1-8); of these patients, 53 were still receiving biologic therapy at the end of the study. The mean duration of biologic therapy was 140.4 (range 47.6-175.4) months. Etanercept was used in 98.2% of patients, followed by efalizumab (42.9%), adalimumab (41.1%), ustekinumab (33.9%) and infliximab (16.1%). Treatment lines were switched in 62.1% of treatments: 24.3% due to secondary failure, 20.7% due to primary failure and 3.6% due to side effects. No patient treated with anti-interleukins had to discontinue treatment due to side effects. Ustekinumab had the highest drug survival. Conclusions: This study in the real-world-setting shows maintenance of long-term efficacy and safety of biologic therapy in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in daily practice who initiated biologic therapy 10 years ago.The journal’s Rapid Service Fee was paid for by Fundación Profesor Novoa Santos (A Coruña. Spain