Spelling suggestions: "subject:"pharmacy -- apractice"" "subject:"pharmacy -- aspractice""
421 |
Beta Adrenergic Antagonists and Antianginal DrugsStever, Lindsey M., Foltanski, Lindsey, Moore, Mallory L., Anderson, Carrie, Nelson, Brooklyn 01 January 2020 (has links)
Beta adrenergic antagonists and antianginal drugs are used with the aim to ultimately decrease mortality and enable patients to lead an improved quality of life by avoidance of anginal episodes. Each class of medications used for this purpose has a variety of actual or potential side effects associated with their use. Side effects and drug interactions involving these medications are discussed in the following chapter. Evidence presented should be used in the context of the patient populations described and may aid clinical decision making through avoidance or identification of actual or potential side effects. This review includes literature published from January 2019 to January 2020 written in English.
|
422 |
Communication Experiences of DATA-Waivered Physicians with Community Pharmacists: A Qualitative StudyVentricelli, Daniel J., Mathis, Stephanie M., Foster, Kelly N., Pack, Robert P., Tudiver, Fred, Hagemeier, Nicholas E. 03 February 2020 (has links)
Background: Patients engaged in evidence-based opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment can obtain prescriptions for buprenorphine containing products from specially trained physicians that are subsequently dispensed by community pharmacists. Despite the involvement of physicians and community pharmacists in buprenorphine prescribing and dispensing, respectively, our understanding of their interactions in this context is limited.
Objective: To qualitatively describe the communication and collaborative experiences between Drug Addiction Treatment Act 2000 (DATA)-waivered physicians and community pharmacists from the perspective of the physician.
Methods: Ten key informant interviews were conducted with DATA-waivered physicians practicing in Northeast Tennessee. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore communication and collaborative experiences between the physicians and community pharmacists. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. A coding frame was developed using concepts from the scientific literature and emerging codes from physician interviews. Interviews were coded using NVivo 11, with the data subsequently organized and evaluated for themes.
Results: Four themes were identified: (1) mechanics of communication; (2) role specification and expectations; (3) education and understanding; and (4) climate of clinical practice. Physician-pharmacist communication primarily occurred indirectly through patients or staff and perceived challenges to collaboration included; lack of trust, stigma, and fear of regulatory oversight. Physicians also indicated the two professionals may lack clear roles and responsibilities as well as common expectations for treatment plans.
Conclusions: Communication between DATA-waivered physicians and community pharmacists is influenced by multiple factors. Further research is warranted to improve physician-community pharmacist collaboration (PCPC) in the context of OUD pharmacotherapy and addiction treatment.
|
423 |
A MULTIMETHOD APPROACH TO IDENTIFY FACTORS AND IMPROVE THE PROCESS OF DEPRESCRIBING ANTICHOLINERGICS IN OLDER ADULTS.Khalid Ahmed Alamer (15353419) 29 April 2023 (has links)
<p> </p>
<p>Polypharmacy in older adults presents several challenges, such as suboptimal therapeutic outcomes and increased adverse effects. Deprescribing, a clinically supervised process of decreasing dosage or stopping the medication when risks outweigh benefits, has emerged as one possible solution to these problems. However, the literature describing deprescribing intervention frameworks is heterogenous regarding targeted medications to deprescribe, population characteristics, clinical settings, and measured outcomes. This dissertation utilizes Linsky et al.'s deprescribing conceptual model, which details factors influencing decisions regarding initiating deprescribing interventions and their direct impact on the process. </p>
<p>This dissertation utilizes a multimethod approach to investigate factors that facilitate and improve the deprescribing of anticholinergic medications for older adults, addressing gaps in this population's anticholinergic medication use. The three studies included in this dissertation provide a comprehensive understanding of deprescribing anticholinergic medications for this population, each contributing unique insights and results. </p>
<p>The first study explores the feasibility of in-person and remote Home Medication Inventory Method (HMIM) approaches to evaluate over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medication possession and use, including anticholinergics. Results demonstrate that both methods can accurately assess anticholinergic medication usage patterns, providing healthcare providers with reproducible methods and detailed medication profiles to make informed deprescribing decisions based on complete medication lists.</p>
<p>The second study examined the intertwined roles of social determinants of health and health beliefs in predicting older adults' self-reported deprescribing behaviors, proposing the Deprescribing Health Belief Model (DeRx-HBM) framework that can be utilized for these efforts. These results emphasize the importance of considering these elements when creating a patient-centric and culturally sensitive intervention since they significantly shape deprescribing behaviors.</p>
<p>In the third study, we explored the use of a symptom-specific scale for measuring the symptom burden in older adults during the deprescribing of anticholinergic medications prescribed for urinary incontinence, depression, and pain management. This research introduces a validated scale for assessing anticholinergic symptom burden prior to, throughout, and following the deprescribing attempt. The implementation of this scale has the potential to enhance the reproducibility and standardization of deprescribing decisions. Furthermore, it can improve communication between healthcare professionals and patients, as well as monitor the effectiveness of interventions during and after the deprescribing process.</p>
<p>Collectively, these studies provide invaluable insights into factors influencing deprescribing decisions, obstacles to implementing deprescribing practices, and potential strategies to optimize medication management in older adults. The major takeaway from these studies is that addressing these factors leads to more informed decisions among healthcare professionals and patients - potentially leading to improved patient outcomes, ensure the ongoing effectiveness of deprescribing initiatives among older adults, and the promotion of health equity throughout the deprescribing process.</p>
|
424 |
Primary Care Physicians' Opioid-Related Prevention Behaviors and Intentions: A Descriptive AnalysisMelton, Tyler C., Hagemeier, Nicholas E., Tudiver, Fred G., Foster, Kelly N., Arnold, Jessie, Brooks, Bill, Alamian, Arsham, Pack, Robert P. 01 January 2022 (has links)
OBJECTIVE: Primary care physicians (PCPs) are positioned to mitigate opioid morbidity and mortality, but their engagement in primary, secondary, and tertiary opioid-related prevention behaviors is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate Tennessee PCPs' engagement in and intention to engage in multiple opioid-related prevention behaviors. METHODS: A survey instrument was developed, pretested, and pilot tested with practicing PCPs. Thereafter, a census of eligible Tennessee PCPs was conducted using a modified, four-wave tailored design method approach. Three patient scenarios were employed to assess physician intention to engage in 10 primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention behaviors. Respondents were asked to report, given 10 similar scenarios, the number of times (0-10) they would engage in prevention behaviors. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS version 25. RESULTS: A total of 296 usable responses were received. Physician intention to engage in prevention behaviors varied across the 10 behaviors studied. Physicians reported frequently communicating risks associated with prescription opioids to patients (8.9 ± 2.8 out of 10 patients), infrequently utilizing brief questionnaires to assess for risk of opioid misuse (1.7 ± 3.3 out of 10 patients), and screening for current opioid misuse (3.1 ± 4.3 out of 10 patients). Physicians reported seldomly co-prescribing naloxone for overdose reversal and frequently discharging from practice patients presenting with an opioid use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This study noted strengths and opportunities to increase engagement in prevention behaviors. Understanding PCPs' engagement in opioid-related prevention behaviors is important to effectively target and implement morbidity and mortality reducing interventions.
|
425 |
Impact of State Legislation in Tennessee on Opioid Prescribing Practices of Orthopedic SurgeonsGuidry, Corey, Dema, Blerim, Allen, Corinne, Stewart, David 01 March 2022 (has links)
OBJECTIVE: Post-operative patients are at increased risk of becoming chronic users of opioids, and overprescribing can lead to abuse and diversion. Though data have shown a decrease in opioid prescriptions nationally, limited studies have specifically evaluated the influence of state legislation on this trend. This study aimed to assess the impact of legislation in the state of Tennessee on opioid prescribing amongst orthopedic surgeons. DESIGN: This retrospective cohort analysis evaluated patients who received opioids post-orthopedic surgery before and after the state legislation was passed. SETTING: A community teaching hospital. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and three post-orthopedic surgery patients were included, with 101 in the preleg-islation and 102 in the post-legislation groups. INTERVENTIONS: State legislation in Tennessee limiting amounts of prescribed opioids went into effect in July 2018. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary outcome was total morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) prescribed, with secondary outcomes of days' supply, dosage units, and MME per day. RESULTS: Orthopedic surgery patients in the post-legislation arm were prescribed significantly fewer MME than those in the prelegislation arm (median MME 375 vs. 562.5; p < 0.001). Prescription days' supply, number of dosage units, and MME per day were also significant lower in the post-legislation group. CONCLUSIONS: After orthopedic surgery, patients in the post-legislation arm were prescribed a median 187.5 MME less than those in the prelegislation arm. Our findings suggest that state opioid legislation is associated with a reduction in the amount of opioids prescribed in certain orthopedic surgery patients, though further studies evaluating adequacy of pain control are warranted.
|
426 |
Mechanisms of microRNA-mediated regulation of the rapid delayed rectifier potassium current, IKr, during sustained beta-adrenergic receptor stimulationEnoch Amarh (17598138) 12 December 2023 (has links)
<p dir="ltr"><b>Background</b></p><p dir="ltr">Heart failure (HF) is a chronic clinical syndrome characterized by symptoms including breathlessness, fatigue, swelling of the ankles, and signs such as edema pulmonary crackles etc. During HF, pathogenic mechanisms including hemodynamic overload, ventricular remodeling, aberrant calcium handling, excessive neurohormonal stimulation contribute to the worsening and progression of the condition. Ventricular arrhythmias are the common cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in HF patients.</p><p dir="ltr">Hyperactivation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), a characteristic of HF, causes an increase in circulating catecholamines which becomes detrimental to-adrenergic receptors (-AR) leading to signaling dysfunction, and decrease in contractility and the ionotropic reserve. Expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), a downstream effector of-AR and a key regulator of calcium homeostasis, has been shown to be enhanced in HF. CaMKII-mediated mechanisms have been demonstrated to contribute to cardiac remodeling, arrhythmias by pathological regulation of ion channels, and contractile dysfunction.</p><p dir="ltr">The human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) encodes the pore-forming subunit of the voltage-gated potassium channel that conduct the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current, <i>I</i><sub>Kr</sub>. The gating kinetics of <i>I</i><sub>Kr </sub>makes it a crucial determinant of the duration of the plateau phase of atrial and ventricular action potential (AP). Reduced <i>I</i><sub>Kr</sub> density due to loss-of-function mutations or pharmacological blockage of hERG channels precipitate arrhythmias. Downregulation of <i>I</i><sub>Kr</sub> density and protein have been reported in HF. Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in pathological downregulation of hERG.</p><p dir="ltr">miRNA are small non-coding RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides in length that function as gene expression regulatory elements by repression translation. Aberrant miRNA expression has associated with cancer, cardiovascular, autoimmune, and inflammatory disorders.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Objective</b></p><p dir="ltr">The overarching objective of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of CaMKII-mediated regulation of hERG function, including assessment of an interplay with miR-362-3p during sustained β-AR stimulation. In Specific Aim 1, the effect of CaMKII activation through sustained β-AR stimulation on hERG function and miR-362-3p expression will be assessed. The mechanism of miR-362-3p upregulation will be evaluated in Specific Aim 2, and in Specific Aim 3, the interactome of miR-362-3p and binding sites will be characterized and predicted, respectively.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Methods</b></p><p dir="ltr">Whole-cell, voltage clamp electrophysiology experiments were performed in HEK 293 cells stably expressing hERG (hERG-HEK) and both hERG and wild-type CaMKIIδ<br>(hERG/CaMKII-HEK) following treatment with isoproterenol for 48 hours, and after transfection with miR-362-3p. The effect of CaMKII activation on miR-362-3p was assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Total RNA was isolated 48 hours after isoproterenol treatment and the TaqMan assay was used to reverse transcribe and analyze miR-362-3p expression. Cells were transfected with cJun siRNA and precursor miR-362-3p to assess the role of cJun miR-362-3p upregulation during sustained β-AR stimulation with isoproterenol. The interactome of miR-362-3p was assessed in both cell lines using enhanced crosslinking immunoprecipitation (eCLIP) assay. miR-362-3p binding sites were predicted using RNAStructure Duplexfold after identification of miR-362-3p chimeric molecules from eCLIP experiment. Interaction analysis was performed using GeneMania in Cytoscape to identify genes that were potentially downregulated by miR-362-3p and been reported to interact with hERG.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Results</b></p><p dir="ltr">In Specific Aim 1, the effect of sustained β-AR stimulation on hERG currents and endogenous miR-362-3p was assessed in hERG-HEK and hERG/CaMKII-HEK cells. Using whole-cell voltage clamp electrophysiology, we demonstrated that 48 hours treatment with 100 nM isoproterenol reduced hERG currents in hERG/CaMKII-HEK cells (p = 0.032) but had no effect on the voltage dependence of activation (p = 0.61) relative to control vehicle. Isoproterenol treatment for 48 hours, however, had no effect on hERG currents (p = 0.58) and the voltage dependence of activation (p = 0.99) in hERG-HEK cells. The effect of sustained isoproterenol treatment on miR-362-3p was also assessed using RT-qPCR. In hERG/CaMKII cells, 48 hours isoproterenol treatment increased miR-362-3p expression (2.3 folds; p = 0.038) relative to control vehicle. hERG/CaMKII-HEK cells were also treated with 500 nM KN-93 or its inactive analogue, KN-92, in an attempt to reverse CaMKII effect on miR-362-3p expression. Treatment with KN-93 decreased miR-362-3p expression (0.5-fold; p = 0.002) relative KN-92 treatment. Isoproterenol treatment had no effect on miR-362-3p expression in hERG-HEK cells (p = 0.38).</p><p dir="ltr">The regulatory mechanism of miR-362-3p expression was evaluated in Specific Aim 2. The role of an activator protein-1 (AP-1)-like sequence located at 98 base pairs upstream of miR-362-3p transcription start site was probed using siRNA inhibition of cJun, a central protein of the AP-1 complex, and deletion of the site sequence. The effect of exogenous miR-362-3p on hERG currents were first assessed. Precursor miR-362-3p decreased hERG currents (p = 0.003) compared to control plasmid. The effect of CaMKII overexpression was also assessed on exogenous miR-363-3p expression. Isoproterenol treatment in hERG/CaMKII-HEK cells transfected with precursor miR-362-3p increased mature miR-362-3p expression (0.029) compared to control vehicle treatment. Inhibition of cJun inhibition with cJun-specific siRNA decreased mature miR-362-3p expression (0.5-fold; p = 0.027) compared to scramble siRNA in hERG-HEK cells. In hERG-HEK cells transfected with mutated precursor miR-362-3p (AP-1-like site deleted), cJun inhibition with siRNA had no effect on miR-362-3p expression (p = 0.40).</p><p dir="ltr">The focus of Specific Aim 3 was to characterize the interactome of miR-362-3p as well as predict the miRNA response element (MRE) of its target mRNAs using enhanced crosslinking immunoprecipitation. A network analysis was also performed to identify miR-362-3p targets that have been reported to interact with hERG. Approximately 23% of miR-362-3p mRNA targets from the eCLIP assay have also been catalogued in miRNA database, TargetScanHuman, as miR-362-3p targets. miR-362-3p chimeric molecules with 853 unique targets, of which 75 were identified to interact with hERG through the network analysis. Four unique chimeric molecules between miR-362-3p and hERG mRNA were identified, but the interactions were non-canonical (located in the coding sequence of hERG and outside the seed region of miR-362-3p). Thirty five of the 75 miR-362-3p targets that were identified to interact had a chimeric read ≥ 3, a cutoff number indicating non-random chimeric formation. Using RNAStructure DuplexFold, miR-362-3p was predicted to form canonical binding with 12 of 35 mRNA targets. HSPA4, a heat shock protein involved in the maturation and trafficking of hERG, was identified in a canonical interaction (8-mer) with miR-362-3p.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Conclusion</b>:</p><p dir="ltr">Sustained β-AR stimulation increases miR-362-3p expression and decreases hERG currents in CaMKII overexpressing cells. cJun mediates miR-362-3p upregulation by interacting with an AP-1-like sequence upstream of miR-362-3p transcription start site. Pathological regulation of <i>I</i><sub>Kr</sub> by CaMKII mediated by miR-362-3p during sustained-AR may contribute to increased risk of arrhythmias in states of increase catecholaminergic activity, such as HF.</p>
|
427 |
<b>A Co-design Approach to Support Oral Anticancer Medication Use in Breast Cancer</b>Yejin Seo (16046216) 27 April 2024 (has links)
<p dir="ltr"><b>Background</b></p><p dir="ltr">Recent developments in cancer therapeutics have allowed increased use of Oral Anticancer Medications (OAMs), including in the treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. Patients with breast cancer may face key barriers in managing their OAMs at home. These challenges can lead to sub-optimal adherence and lower the overall quality of life. Designing interventions that enhance the patient experience with use of OAMs requires a deeper understanding of barriers faced by patients as they navigate their cancer care journey. The objective of this study was to identify the unmet medication management needs of patients with breast cancer who are receiving OAMs and co-design an early prototype intervention with patients to support medication management needs of patients with breast cancer.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Methods</b></p><p dir="ltr">Two phases comprise this study. Phase 1 involved patient-journey mapping to characterize the longitudinal experience of OAMs use among patients diagnosed with breast cancer. In phase 2, we conducted participatory design (PD) workshops to develop a prototype tool to address OAM needs identified in phase 1. All participants were recruited from an outpatient breast cancer clinic in Indianapolis. Eligible participants were: 18 years of age or older, diagnosed with breast cancer, and currently receiving an OAM. All participants completed a brief sociodemographic and health information questionnaire. In phase 1, enrolled persons participated in a journey mapping exercise through semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted either in-person or remotely via Zoom, based on participant preference. For each interview, two researchers and the participant collaborated to create individual patient journey maps to generate a concise visual storyboard focused on medication use experiences related to OAMs. The journey maps helped capture treatment timelines, key markers of medication use, and specific barriers faced by patients. Individual journey maps were consolidated to generate personas representing groups of patients with related characteristics, treatment types, goals, and unmet needs. In phase 2, three rounds of PD workshops were conducted using the focus group format to develop an early prototype intervention. In round one (inspiration stage), participants defined the problem space and prioritized a list of challenges amenable to solutions; in round two (ideation stage), participants generated multiple possible solutions and design ideas; and in round three (convergence stage), two design concepts were selected and evaluated by participants.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Results</b></p><p dir="ltr">In phase 1, 12 interviews (11 females and 1 male) were completed. The median age of participants was 65.5 years (range, 37-75). Participants were divided into two groups based on their prescribed medication types: (1) specialty medication (palbociclib or ribociclib; n=4 patients) and (2) traditional medication (tamoxifen, anastrozole, or exemestane; n=8 patients). We defined ‘Specialty’ medications as those that require specialty pharmacies and ‘traditional’ medications as those obtainable in local community pharmacies. To represent participants across these two broad categories of medications, two personas were created. Participants who had been prescribed specialty medication reported difficulty navigating the insurance process during medication fills, while participants who prescribed traditional medication did not. Notably, the word “prior authorization” was not used by participants to explain the issues they experienced. While all participants reported having side effects from their medications, sub-optimal adherence (n=2) was reported among the traditional medication group only. Other participants taking traditional medications either found their own ways to manage side effects or simply reported: “dealing with side effects as I don’t want cancer.” Participants expressed coping with side effects by enduring them. Participants had few strategies to manage their side effects, often stating that “they didn’t think of reaching out to the doctor,” when asked. Additionally, participants mentioned needing more financial and emotional support during their treatment journey. In phase 2, each PD session was conducted with 4-5 participants and 2 researchers (the design panel). Participants identified key challenges including difficulties navigating resources and information as well as managing medication side effects. The design panel prioritized two design concepts, which were subsequently developed into two prototypes: 1) a physical breast cancer handbook; and 2) an interactive treatment navigation app for use on tablet and smartphone devices. Our team plans to consolidate, further develop, and evaluate these prototypes in subsequent work as a follow up to this pilot study.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Conclusion</b></p><p dir="ltr">This study provides insight into the patient experience with OAMs. The personas created can be applied in designing interventions tailored to breast cancer patients’ needs and goals, while the consolidated journey maps identify potential areas for improvement. Adequate patient education and enhanced tools and processes are necessary to manage medication side effects effectively, ultimately leading to improved medication outcomes and assisting patients in navigating their treatment. The two design concepts require further revision prior to implementation and pilot testing.</p>
|
428 |
Use and Misuse of Cognitive Enhancers by Students at an Academic Health Science CenterBossaer, John B., Gray, Jeffrey A., Miller, Stacy E., Enck, Gavin, Gaddipati, Vamsi C., Enck, Robert E. 01 January 2013 (has links)
Purpose: Prescription stimulant use as "cognitive enhancers" has been described among undergraduate college students. However, the use of prescription stimulants among future health care professionals is not well characterized. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of prescription stimulant misuse among students at an academic health sciences center.
Method: Electronic surveys were e-mailed to 621 medical, pharmacy, and respiratory therapy students at East Tennessee State University for four consecutive weeks in fall 2011. Completing the survey was voluntary and anonymous. Surveys asked about reasons for, frequency of, and side effects of nonprescription misuse of prescription stimulants. Given the sensitive material, an opportunity to win one of ten $50 gift cards was used as an incentive.
Results: Three hundred seventy-two (59.9%) students completed the survey from three disciplines (47.6% medical, 70.5% pharmacy, and 57.6% respiratory therapy). Overall, 11.3% of responders admitted to misusing prescription stimulants. There was more misuse by respiratory therapy students, although this was not statistically significant (10.9% medicine, 9.7% pharmacy, 26.3% respiratory therapy; P = .087). Reasons for prescription stimulant misuse included to enhance alertness/energy (65.9%), to improve academic performance (56.7%), to experiment (18.2%), and to use recreationally/get high (4.5%).
Conclusions: Prescription stimulant misuse was prevalent among participating students, but further research is needed to describe prevalence among future health care workers more generally. The implications and consequences of such misuse require further study across professions with emphasis on investigating issues of academic dishonesty (e.g., "cognitive enhancement"), educational quality, and patient safety or health care quality.
|
429 |
Prescription Drug Abuse: A Comparison of Prescriber and Pharmacist PerspectivesHagemeier, Nicholas E., Gray, Jeffrey A., Pack, Robert P. 06 June 2013 (has links)
This study compared perceptions of prescribers and pharmacists (N = 89) regarding multiple aspects of prescription drug abuse. Questionnaires were developed to assess perceptions regarding the prevalence of prescription drug abuse, self-perceived communication competence, and additional communication and prescription drug abuse domains. Pharmacists perceived a larger percentage of patients (41%) to be abusing opioid pain relievers as compared with their prescriber colleagues (17%). Both prescribers and pharmacists indicated improvements in prescriber–pharmacist communication would serve to deter prescription drug abuse. Self-efficacy beliefs for detecting and discussing prescription drug abuse with patients were low for both cohorts. Implications and limitations are noted.
|
430 |
Pharmacist interventions in depressed patientsRubio Valera, Maria 09 November 2012 (has links)
1) Objectives:
- To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacist care compared with usual care (UC) on improving adherence to antidepressants in depressed outpatients.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of a community pharmacist intervention (CPI) compared to UC in the improvement of adherence to antidepressants and patient wellbeing in a primary care population initiating treatment with antidepressants.
2) Methods:
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the impact of pharmacist interventions on improving adherence to antidepressants was conducted. RCTs were identified through electronic databases and manual search. Methodological quality was assessed and methodological details and outcomes were extracted in duplicate.
A RCT comparing patients with depressive disorder receiving a low intensity CPI (87) with patients receiving UC (92) was performed in Barcelona. The intervention consisted of an educational programme focused on improving knowledge about medication, improving patients’ compliance and reducing stigma. Measurements took place at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Adherence was continuously registered from the computerized pharmacy records. Secondary outcomes included clinical severity of depression (PHQ‐9), health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) (EuroQol‐5D) and satisfaction with the treatment received.
Direct and indirect costs were assessed using the Client Service Receipt Inventory. Unit costs were derived from official local sources. Quality‐Adjusted Life‐Years (QALYs) were calculated using the EuroQol‐5D Spanish tariffs.
3) Results:
Six RCTs were identified in the systematic review; most of them were conducted in the USA. A total of 887 depressed patients who were initiating or maintaining treatment with antidepressants and who received pharmacist care (459 patients) or UC (428 patients) were included in the review. The most commonly reported interventions were patient education and monitoring, monitoring and management of toxicity and side effects and compliance promotion. Overall, no statistical heterogeneity or publication bias was detected. The pooled odds ratio was 1.64 (95% CI 1.24‐2.17). Subgroup analysis showed no statistically significant differences in results.
Results from the RCT showed that patients in the CPI group were more likely to remain adherent at 3 and 6‐month follow‐up but the difference was not statistically significant. No statistically significant differences were observed in clinical symptoms or satisfaction with the pharmacy service. However, patients in the CPI group showed greater statistically significant improvement in HRQOL compared to UC patients, both in the ITT and PP analyses.
Overall costs were higher in the CPI group than in UC patients, mainly because of differences in productivity losses. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in QALYs. From the societal perspective, the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) for CPI compared with UC was €9,335 per extra adherent patient. The incremental cost‐utility ratio (ICUR) was €38,896 per QALY gained. If willingness to pay (WTP) is €50,000 per one extra adherent patient, per extra remission of symptoms or per QALY, the probability of the CPI being cost‐effective was 0.71, 0.52 and 0.56, respectively.
From the healthcare perspective, the ICER was €862 per extra adherent patient. ICUR was €3,542. The probability of the intervention being cost‐effective was 0.75 if WTP is €12,000 for an extra adherent patient and €40,000 for QALY gained. The probability of the CPI being cost‐effective in remission of depressive symptoms was 0.55 for a WTP of €50,000.
4) Conclusions:
A pharmacist intervention could be a good strategy to improve patients’ adherence to antidepressants in primary care but evidence supporting the pharmacist intervention in depressed patients is still limited, especially in community pharmacies and outside the USA.
A low intensity CPI proved to be ineffective in improving patients’ adherence to antidepressants or clinical symptomatology. However, it was effective in improving the patient’s HRQOL. The CPI was not cost‐effective in comparison with UC in the improvement of adherence, depressive symptoms and QALYs.
|
Page generated in 0.1442 seconds