Pharmacotherapy
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Dexmedetomidine Alleviates Postpartum Depressive Symptoms following Cesarean Section in Chinese Women: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.
Few studies have investigated the prophylactic efficacy of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS). A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted to investigate whether the administration of DEX, immediately after delivery and for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA), can attenuate PDS. ⋯ The application of DEX in the early postpartum period can significantly attenuate the incidence of postpartum depressive disorders.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A Randomized Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Every 8-Hour and 12-Hour Dosing Strategies of Vancomycin and Cefepime in Neurocritically ill Patients.
Neurocritically ill patients have clinically significant alterations in pharmacokinetic parameters of renally eliminated medications that may result in subtherapeutic plasma and cerebrospinal fluid antibiotic concentrations. ⋯ This study demonstrated that more frequent dosing of vancomycin and cefepime is required to achieve optimal PD targets in adult neurocritically ill patients. The need for increased total daily doses is potentially secondary to the development of augmented renal clearance.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A Pharmacist-Led Program to Evaluate and Reduce Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing in Older HIV-Positive Patients.
The goal of this pharmacist-led study was to utilize two validated instruments, Beers Criteria and Screening Tool of Older Persons' Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP), to assess potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) in older patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and evaluate pharmacist interventions. ⋯ Results suggest that targeting individuals with 11 or more chronic medications would have the highest yield and greatest impact. Pharmacist-led review of medication prescribing using Beers and STOPP criteria revealed a large number of PIP, many amenable to immediate clinical pharmacist intervention.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A Randomized Noninferiority Trial of Intravenous Iron Isomaltoside versus Oral Iron Sulfate in Patients with Nonmyeloid Malignancies and Anemia Receiving Chemotherapy: The PROFOUND Trial.
A safe alternative to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to treat anemia is warranted in patients with cancer and anemia; thus the objective of this trial was to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) iron isomaltoside with oral iron in patients with cancer and anemia by testing the noninferiority of IV versus oral iron. ⋯ This trial demonstrated comparable sustained increases in hemoglobin concentration over time with both iron isomaltoside and oral iron. Iron isomaltoside was better tolerated than oral iron, and fatigue was significantly decreased with iron isomaltoside. Low rates of clinically insignificant hypophosphatemia were reported in patients receiving both treatments.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Evaluation of Pharmacists' Work in a Physician-Pharmacist Collaborative Model for the Management of Hypertension.
Physician-pharmacist collaborative models have been shown to improve the care of patients with numerous chronic medical conditions. Team-based health care using integrated clinical pharmacists provides one opportunity to improve quality in health care systems that use population-based financing. In November 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requested that the relative value of pharmacists' work in team-based care needs to be established. Thus the objective of this study was to describe the components of pharmacists' work in the management of hypertension with a physician-pharmacist collaborative model. ⋯ Pharmacists provided extensive interventions to patients with hypertension. This analysis provides a framework for health systems, provider groups, and payers to measure pharmacists' work in value-based financing and population management.