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About 2.3 billion individuals worldwide are still deprived of the amenity of handwashing with antimicrobial agents. The progress of handwashing with antimicrobial agents in Bangladesh is relatively slower than in many developing countries. The objective of this study was to capture the inequality of the prevalence of handwashing with antimicrobial agents and to identify the factors that are potentially contributing to socio-economic inequalities of handwashing practice in Bangladesh. Cross-sectional study. The present study used the nationally representative cross-sectional data from the latest Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017–18. A total of 19,457 households were included in the analysis of this study. A regression-based decomposition method was applied to assess the socio-economic contributors of inequality. This study showed that only 38% of Bangladeshi households wash their hands with antimicrobial agents while a pro-rich socio-economic inequality was observed. Household's wealth index was responsible for about 46% of the overall inequality of handwashing with antimicrobial agents while the type of place for handwashing variable contributed 38% of total inequalities. Hygienic toilet facilities (12%) and exposure to mass media (7.4%) are other determinants of total inequalities of handwashing with antimicrobial agents. Despite recent declines in attributable mortality, handwashing with antimicrobial agents remains an important determinant of public health problems in many developing countries like Bangladesh. The regular programs aimed at promoting best hand hygiene practices and ensuring the availability of the necessary infrastructure at the community level will be important measures to eliminate this inequality at the population level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may benefit from medication to treat a diverse array of behaviors and health conditions common in this population including co-occurring conditions associated with ASD, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety. However, prescribing guidelines are lacking and research providing national estimates of medication use in youth with ASD is scant. We examined a nationally representative sample of children and youth ages 6 to 17 with a current diagnosis of ASD to estimate the prevalence and correlates of psychotropic medication. This study used data from the 2016 and 2017 National Survey of Children's Health. We estimated unadjusted prevalence rates and used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the odds of medication use in children and youth across 3 groups: those with ASD-only, those with ASD and ADHD, and those with ADHD-only. Two thirds of children ages 6 to 11 and three quarters of youth ages 12 to 17 with ASD and ADHD were taking medication, similar to children (73%) and youth with ADHD-only (70%) and more than children (13%) and youth with ASD-only (22%). There were no correlates of medication use that were consistent across group and medication type. Youth with ASD and ADHD were more likely to be taking medication for emotion, concentration, or behavior than youth with ADHD-only, and nearly half took ASD-specific medication. This study adds to the literature on medication use in children and youth with ASD, presenting recent, nationally representative estimates of high prevalence of psychotropic drug use among children with ASD and ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the prospective drug utilization review (DUR) system introduced in Korea in December 2010 as a real-time method to improve patient safety, in terms of changes in prescribing practices, adverse drug events (ADEs), and ADE-related healthcare expenditure, using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and their common ADEs as a guide. Study design We used an interrupted time-series study design using generalized estimating equations to evaluate changes in prescription rate and ADE-related healthcare expenditure. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the probability of NSAID-associated ADEs. Methods A total of 154,585 outpatients with musculoskeletal or connective tissue disorders, without pre-existing gastric bleeding or ulcers were included in this study. The primary outcome was the level and trend change in prescription rate, drug–drug interactions, coprescribed gastro-protective drugs, and defined daily dose (DDD) of NSAIDs. The secondary outcome was the probability of ADEs and changes in ADE-related healthcare expenditure. Results There was a significant trend change after introducing the DUR system in terms of drug–drug interactions (−3.6%) and coprescribed gastro-protective drugs (+0.6%). The mean DDD of NSAIDs increased by 0.2. The probability of ADEs decreased overall (−1.7%) and in the high-risk group (age ≥65 years; −9.6%); however, only the latter was significant. There was no significant trend or level change in ADE-related health expenditure. Conclusions The introduction of the DUR system was associated with more efficient prescribing, including a reduction in drug–drug interactions and an increase in the use of gastro-protective drugs. The system had a positive effect on patient outcome but was not associated with reduced ADE-related costs. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of the DUR system in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Epilepsy affects 150,000 people in Peru, with a prevalence of 16.6/1000 and a treatment gap of 75%. Herbal medicine (HM) is widely used in this country. Aim of the study We aimed to assess the use of plants in a rural community in northern Peru as part of therapeutic strategies for people with epilepsy (PWE). Materials and methods The study was a cross-sectional observational and descriptive study. The inclusion criteria for people with epilepsy were 2 years of age and over, having lived in the study area for at least 3 months and a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy by a neurologist. The information was gathered through structured interviews using a survey questionnaire. Botanical species used by people with epilepsy or traditional healers were collected and identified. Results Out of the 228 people with epilepsy included, 60.0% had used herbal remedies and 54.8% both herbal medicine and anti-epileptic drugs. The traditional healer was the first practitioner consulted by 45.2% of people with epilepsy. Sixty-six species have been mentioned by the people with epilepsy and traditional healers on the treatment of epilepsy. Carbamazepine was the most prescribed anti-epileptic drug with 33.2% of prescriptions. Conclusions This study was the first to measure a percentage of use of herbal medicine for epilepsy in Peru. It would be interesting to conduct a pharmacological evaluation of the most commonly used species on epileptic models to validate and secure their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare opioid use patterns among Veterans who were discharged to a skilled care facility vs home after orthopedic surgery at a VA hospital. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Veterans who had orthopedic surgery at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center (VAMC) between January 2018 and December 2021 and were followed by a transitional pain service. The principal outcome of interest was the time to stop opioid use after discharge from the hospital. Veterans not already on chronic opioid therapy who had orthopedic surgery at the Salt Lake City VAMC and were followed by a transitional pain service. 448 patients were included in the study, of which 371 (83%) were discharged to home and 77 (17%) were discharged to a skilled care facility. Median days to opioid cessation were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method with 95% CIs and compared with discharge disposition using a log-rank test. Time to opioid cessation following hospital discharge was compared to baseline characteristics using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Patients who were discharged to a skilled care facility used opioids for twice as long as those who were discharged home [median days (interquartile range)]: 22 (19, 26) vs 11 (10, 12), P <.001, respectively. When controlling for baseline characteristics in the multivariable analysis, discharge to a skilled care facility was significantly associated with continued opioid use at all time points [hazard ratio 0.63 (95% CI 0.44, 0.89), P =.009]. Veterans discharged to a skilled care facility after orthopedic surgery used opioids for twice as long as those who were discharged to home. As postsurgical pain management guidelines change to focus on nonopioid pain modalities and opioid reduction, skilled care providers should adapt those strategies for their facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To use a nationwide survey to assess changes in antipsychotic utilization patterns and usage policies in nursing homes (NHs) in the United States since the introduction of the black box warning by the FDA. Design/Setting/Participants: A survey was distributed online and was completed by 250 directors of nursing of NH. The directors of nursing answered questions concerning policies about and use of antipsychotic medications. Measurements/Results: The most commonly reported intervention to manage symptoms in residents with dementia since the black box warning was to lower doses of antipsychotics. Over half of facilities report obtaining more frequent psychiatry/psychology consults. One-hundred seven facilities have a policy regarding informing family members of residents about the black box warning. Most facilities (63.6%) with a policy require family to sign consent. In the NH setting, the presence or absence of a policy did not correlate with the reported change in use of antipsychotics or types of alternative interventions. Conclusion: Notably, a large number of NH facilities have policies regarding informed consent on the use of antipsychotics. However, in our study, the rate of use of antipsychotics did not change in many facilities since the black box warning. In addition, having a policy did not correlate with decreased antipsychotic use or with use of alternate agents or nonpharmacologic methods to address symptoms. The results of this survey suggest that NH administrators should worry less about the legal exposure of using antipsychotics and focus on actions that result in improved patient care. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Adherence to treatment for chronic illnesses, including HIV disease, is a complex process, and needs practical interventions in poorly resourced clinic settings. Methods: This study tested the feasibility of an adherence intervention in 73 HIV-infected individuals in a Deep South public clinic based on Fisher & Fisher''s Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model. Results: There was high baseline adherence and unexpectedly high clinic attrition, and 27% of the intervention group received less than one-quarter of the planned intervention contacts. Refill rate was the adherence measure that correlated best with HIV viral load and CD4 count, and there was poor use of electronic adherence monitoring (MEMS). Interviewed individuals expressed positive feelings about audio-supported computer-assisted survey instruments (ACASI) and the intervention support. Conclusions: This process evaluation showed feasible study components in this population and setting. Lessons learned included: (1) clinic retention is an important part of adherence; (2) telephone interventions may need to add additional technology and flexibility to maximize dose; (3) ongoing fidelity monitoring is important with motivational interviewing; (4) refill rate was the most accurate adherence assessment; (5) MEMS was not well-accepted; (6) ACASI was easily used in this population; and (7) individuals appreciated adherence support from a consistent caring individual. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To develop and validate a comprehensive Appropriateness of Prescribing Evaluation Questionnaire (APEQ) suitable for human and computer use. Study Design and Setting: This study was part of an ongoing research program examining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of computerized prescribing decision support for providers, patients, and drug policy. A nominal group consensus process involved physicians, both primary care physicians and specialists, pharmacists, drug plan managers, patients, patient advocates, and pharmaceutical industry. Structured case scenarios of musculoskeletal problems were used to evaluate APEQ''s validity and responsiveness. Results: Seventeen panelists evaluated 72 patient scenarios in two rounds. Their ratings of appropriateness, assessed by ANOVA, showed significant agreement with the experts'' scores in the two rounds, which evaluated appropriateness and responsiveness, respectively. Interrater and intrarater agreement was moderate to good. Conclusion: This formal assessment suggests that APEQ has reasonable validity, reliability, and responsiveness. Such tools could be very useful in e-prescribing and e-claims reimbursement environments and should be further explored. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This commentary examines the drug policy context of drug consumption rooms (DCRs) in the UK and describe the conclusions of an Independent Working Group (IWG) that was set up to evaluate the evidence of need in the UK, the international evaluation literature and legal, political and ethical concerns. Having considered this evidence, the IWG produced its report in May 2006, recommending a trial of DCRs in the UK, on the basis that DCRs offer a unique and promising way to work with problematic drug users in order to reduce the risk of overdose, improve their health and lessen the damage and costs to society. However, despite support for the idea from a number of quarters, the UK Government has rejected this recommendation, citing previously deployed arguments that do not appear to be carry much weight in 2007. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article describes the development of the first ion pair solid phase extraction technique (IPSPE), which has been applied to the extraction of metformin from plasma samples. In addition an ion pair chromatographic method was developed for the specific HPLC determination of metformin. Several extraction and HPLC methods have been described previously for metformin, however, most of them did not solve the problems associated with the high polarity of this drug. Drug recovery in the developed method was found to be more than 98%. The limit of detection and limit of quantification was 3 and 5 ng/ml, respectively. The intraday and interday precision (measured by coefficient of variation, CV%) was always less than 9%. The accuracy (measured by relative error, R.E.%) was always less than 6.9%. Stability analysis showed that metformin is stable for at least 3 months when stored at −70 °C. The method has been applied to 150 patient samples as part of a medication adherence study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Objectives In addition to routinely administered long-term medication, complex drug regimens of nursing home residents often include as needed or pro re nata (PRN) medication. However, there has been no systematic evaluation of the frequency and concomitants of PRN medication in nursing homes. The main objective of this systematic review was to provide a current assessment of PRN drug use in nursing homes. Design A systematic literature search was performed. Data were identified from 4 electronic bibliographic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus. Studies were included if they reported quantitative data on PRN drug use in nursing home residents. Results Our search strategy resulted in 484 hits, of which 27 articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. The mean number of PRN drugs ranged between 0.4 and 4.9 per resident with a median of 2.5. The proportion of residents prescribed at least 1 PRN drug was between 48.4% and 97.4% (median = 74.9). Administration of prescribed PRN medication was rather low as the proportion of residents with administered PRN drugs ranged from 28% to 55%. Frequently prescribed PRN drugs were analgesics, laxatives, and sedatives. Advanced age, dementia, a higher number of regularly scheduled medications, and length of stay in the nursing home were associated with higher use of PRN drugs. Conclusions/Implications Although not regularly administered, PRN drug use in nursing home residents should be taken into account as part of complex drug regimens. In that sense, there seems to be an inadequate number of studies reporting on it. When screening tools like the Beers Criteria are adapted, PRN drugs should be included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pharmacovigilance is an essential element of any drug treatment and considering the history of adverse events due to products used to treat inherited bleeding disorders, it should be an integral component of modern haemophilia treatment. Because inherited bleeding disorders and adverse events are rare, a multicentre, preferably multinational, adverse event reporting scheme for all clotting factor products is required. EUHASS is a European, prospective, multicentre adverse event reporting scheme in the field of inherited bleeding disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]