Current medical research and opinion
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Observational Study
Decreased antibiotic exposure using a procalcitonin protocol for respiratory infections and sepsis in US community hospitals (ProCommunity).
Antibiotic overuse leading to antimicrobial resistance is a global public health concern. Clinical trials have demonstrated that procalcitonin-based decision-making for antibiotic therapy can safely decrease inappropriate antibiotic use in patients with respiratory infections and sepsis, but real-world data are scarce. This study sought to assess the impact of a procalcitonin-based antibiotic stewardship program (protocol plus education) on antibiotic use in community hospitals. ⋯ Patients with respiratory infections and sepsis in hospitals utilizing a procalcitonin-based protocol coupled with education received fewer days of antibiotic therapy.
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To translate the English version of general medication adherence scale (GMAS) into a Chinese version and test its reliability and validity in Chinese patients with chronic diseases. ⋯ The GMAS-C demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity. This scale can be a clinically useful tool to identify the levels of medication adherence and possible barriers for adherence of the medication regime in patients with chronic diseases.
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Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the pattern of comorbidities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of the IQVIA Commercial Data Delivery database. Patients were ≥18 years on their last encounter between 1 October 2014 and 30 September 2015 and had either a type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis or a prescription for an oral diabetes medication. ⋯ Thus, the frequencies of hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, and congestive heart failure were notably higher in patients with cardiovascular disease. This trend held true for patients grouped by sex, age, and race. Conclusions: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease have different rates of certain comorbidities compared to those without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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This post-authorization safety study (EU PAS Register Number: EUPAS16088) was designed to compare the incidence of cancer outcomes in patients treated with mirabegron versus antimuscarinic medications. ⋯ The results suggest no association between mirabegron use and risk of cancer, compared with antimuscarinic medications, in either men or women. Registration: EU PAS Register Number: EUPAS16088.