Co-trimoxazole and sudden death in patients receiving inhibitors of renin-angiotensin system: population based study

Errors associated with co-names of medicines: The nomenclature of combination medicinal products

In comparison to the efforts required to bring a new drug or formulation to the clinic, bestowing a name on a medicine is relatively simple. However, if the name we choose causes confusion-by making its contents ambiguous or if it is too alike another drug-it can precipitate clinical errors. This prompted the World Health Organization to set up the International Nonproprietary Naming Committee in the 1970s to select unambiguous names for drugs. Unfortunately, multidrug products-which are becoming increasingly popular-do not fall under the remit of conventional International Non-proprietary Nomenclature. We have identified 26 combination formulations that have been historically named with the co-drug format in the United Kingdom. Most of them have also been prescribed in the United Kingdom in the past year, and although several of them are not prescribed very often, 11 were prescribed more than 2000 times. In this paper, we have explored the literature to identify prescribing errors with co-drug products and found several idiosyncrasies that have caused drug errors in the past. We advocate for a standard nomenclature (state the international nonproprietary name [INN] of each component followed by dose information in the x + y format) for these products on the box and in prescribing resources. We hope that this will enhance clarity and safety during prescribing and administration, particularly for high-volume drugs like paracetamol + codeine (co-codamol), amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) and trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole).

Occurrence and predictors of laboratory abnormalities during outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy - A multicenter cohort study to inform laboratory test monitoring

OBJECTIVES

Evidence on the optimal frequency of laboratory testing during outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is lacking. Therefore, we investigated how often and when laboratory abnormalities occur during OPAT and which factors are associated with these abnormalities.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter cohort study in four Dutch hospitals among adult patients receiving OPAT and collected routinely obtained laboratory test results. Incidence and incidence rates were calculated for various laboratory abnormalities. Survival analysis was performed to visualize the time to the first occurrence of laboratory abnormalities and Poisson regression analysis to compare the number of abnormalities in the first and second 30 OPAT days among patients receiving OPAT for ≥60 days. Predictors were identified using a multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model.

RESULTS

45.1% of 1152 included patients developed laboratory abnormalities, but only 2% led to OPAT discontinuation. Hepatotoxicity was most common (33.9 events/1000 OPAT days), with a time-dependent decrease in the occurrence of the first hepatotoxic event, while hypokalemia was rare (1.7 events/1000 OPAT days). In the subgroup of patients receiving ≥60 days of OPAT, nephrotoxicity was more common in days 31-60. We observed partly toxicity-specific associations between antibiotic type, concomitant medication, baseline laboratory values, patient characteristics, and the occurrence of laboratory abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

While laboratory abnormalities are frequently observed during OPAT, they rarely lead to discontinuation of OPAT. Specific patient, treatment and laboratory characteristics were associated with the occurrence of laboratory abnormalities. Based on our results, we recommend a more personalized laboratory monitoring policy with less blood sampling.

Deciphering the Intricate Interplay in the Framework of Antibiotic-Drug Interactions: A Narrative Review

Drug interactions are a significant and integral part of the concept of medication-related adverse events, whether referring to potential interactions or those currently observed in real-world conditions. The high global consumption of antibiotics and their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mechanisms make antibiotic-drug interactions a key element that requires continuous study due to their clinical relevance. In the present work, the current state of knowledge on antibiotic-drug interactions, which are less studied than other drug-drug interactions despite their frequent use in acute settings, has been consolidated and updated. The focus was on the interactions of the commonly used antibiotics in clinical practice, on the characteristics of the geriatric population susceptible to interactions, and on the impact of online drug interaction checkers. Additionally, strategies for optimizing the management of these interactions, including spacing out administrations, monitoring, or avoiding certain combinations, are suggested. Sustained research and careful monitoring are critical for improving antibiotic safety and efficacy, especially in susceptible populations, to enhance precision in managing antibiotic-drug interactions.

The evaluation of potential drug-drug interactions with antibiotics in hospitalized patients

OBJECTIVE

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) occur when one drug alters the effect of another drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) associated with the use of systemic antibiotics in hospitalized patients.

METHODS

The study included patients over the age of 18 who were hospitalized in our hospital on 12.07.2022 and were using at least two systemic drugs concurrently, with at least one being a systemic antibiotic. The study was conducted using the point prevalence method. The patients' medication was evaluated for pDDIs using the UpToDate®/Lexicomp® database system. According to this screening tool, pDDIs were classified into 4 groups according to their severity: B, C, D, and X, ranging from mild to severe.

RESULTS

Out of the 296 patients included in the study, at least one pDDI was detected in 190 patients (64.2%). One hundred seventy-seven patients (59.8%) had at least one pDDI with non-antibiotic drugs. Fifty-seven patients (19.3%) had at least one pDDI with antibiotics. One hundred and six patients (35.8%) had no drug interactions. Patients with pDDIs related to antibiotics had significantly higher age, number of comorbidities, total number of medications and number of antibiotics (p=0.010, p=0.004, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively) compared to patients without pDDIs related to antibiotics (n=239). For antibiotics, potential pDDIs were observed 25, 75, 6, and 6 times in groups B, C, D, and X, respectively. Out of the total of 398 antibiotics, penicillins (24.9%, n=99) and cephalosporins (24.4%, n=97) were the most frequently used. Respectively, eight and two pDDIs were detected with these drugs. While quinolones were used 47 times (11.8%), 74 pDDIs (59.7%) were identified with quinolones. Out of the 47 patients who used quinolones, 37 had pDDIs with antibiotics. The most frequent pDDI with antibiotics was associated with the use of quinolone systemic corticosteroids (15 patients). The second most prevalent interaction involves quinolone-angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin 2 receptor blockers (13 patients).

CONCLUSION

Antibiotics should be checked for pDDIs before being prescribed. While beta-lactam antibiotics are generally considered safer in terms of pDDIs, greater caution should be exercised, particularly when prescribing quinolones.

Eliciting Clinician Perspectives on Asymptomatic Bacteriuria to Identify Targets for Antimicrobial Stewardship Education and Decision Support

Background

The aim of this study was to elicit clinicians' perspectives to help reduce antibiotic prescribing for asymptomatic bacteriuria and improve a patient-centered educational brochure for older adults with urinary tract infections or asymptomatic bacteriuria.

Methods

Between October 2023 and April 2024, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews of clinicians who treat patients aged ≥65 years for urinary tract infections or bacteria in the urine, at infectious disease clinics, community senior living facilities, memory care clinics, and general practice. We developed an interview guide based on a behavior change framework and thematically analyzed written transcripts of audio-recorded interviews using inductive and deductive coding techniques.

Results

We identified several common themes surrounding management of asymptomatic bacteriuria from clinicians. These included an emphasis on ordering and interpreting urine tests, tension between guidelines and individual patient care for older adults, use of epidemiologic data to influence prescribing practices, pre-prepared communication talking points, and interest in educational materials for patients and clinical teams.

Conclusions

Education about the need for symptoms to supplement urine testing, data about the impact of overuse of antibiotics, and oral and written communication strategies should be addressed to reduce antibiotic prescribing for asymptomatic bacteriuria.

Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim-Induced Hyperkalemia in Hospitalized Patients Using Potassium-Sparing Drugs: An Observational Study

The objective of this analysis is to investigate the risk of hyperkalemia in hospitalized patients using sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Co-trimoxazole) and a potassium-sparing drug (potassium-sparing diuretic or renin-angiotensin system [RAS]-inhibitor). Researchers conducted a nested case control study within a cohort of hospitalized patients using a potassium-sparing diuretic and/or a RAS-inhibitor from the PHARMO Database Network. Researchers estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the risk of hyperkalemia in patients receiving both Co-trimoxazole and a potassium-sparing drug compared with patients only receiving a potassium-sparing drug. Among a cohort of 25,849 patients, researchers identified 2054 cases of hyperkalemia during hospitalization in patients also using a potassium-sparing drug. Using Co-trimoxazole in addition to a potassium-sparing drug was associated with an increased risk of hyperkalemia in hospitalized patients (ORadj = 1.65, 95% CI 1.26-2.16) compared with using only a potassium-sparing drug. There was a trend of a more pronounced association between hyperkalemia and the co-use of Co-trimoxazole and potassium-sparing drugs in patients with an estimated GFR of 15-29 mL/min (ORadj = 3.15, 95% CI 1.29-7.70). The number needed to harm for hyperkalemia induced by adding Co-trimoxazole to patients receiving a potassium-sparing drug is 19.5. Using the combination of Co-trimoxazole with a potassium-sparing drug in hospitalized patients increases the risk of hyperkalemia compared with using only a potassium-sparing drug. Physicians and other prescribers should be aware of hyperkalemia and routinely monitor serum potassium levels in hospitalized patients using this combination of drugs.

Exploring variations in recommended first-choice therapy for complicated urinary tract infections in males: Insights from outpatient settings across age, race, and ethnicity

INTRODUCTION

There are known disparities in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, disparities in treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) are largely uninvestigated.

OBJECTIVES

We characterized UTI treatment among males in Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient settings by age, race, and ethnicity and identified demographic characteristics predictive of recommended first-choice antibiotic therapy.

METHODS

We conducted a national, retrospective cohort study of male VA patients diagnosed with a UTI and dispensed an outpatient antibiotic from January 2010 through December 2020. Recommended first-choice therapy for complicated UTI was defined as use of a recommended first-line antibiotic drug choice regardless of area of involvement (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, or sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) and a recommended duration of 7 to 10 days of therapy. Multivariable models were used to identify demographic predictors of recommended first-choice therapy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] > 1).

RESULTS

We identified a total of 157,898 males diagnosed and treated for a UTI in the outpatient setting. The average antibiotic duration was 9.4 days (±standard deviation [SD] 4.6), and 47.6% of patients were treated with ciprofloxacin, 25.1% with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, 7.6% with nitrofurantoin, and 6.6% with levofloxacin. Only half of the male patients (50.6%, n = 79,928) were treated with recommended first-choice therapy (first-line drug choice and appropriate duration); 77.6% (n = 122,590) were treated with a recommended antibiotic choice and 65.9% (n = 104,070) with a recommended duration. Age 18-49 years (aOR 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.11) versus age ≥65 years was the only demographic factor predictive of recommended first-choice therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly half of the patients included in this study did not receive recommended first-choice therapies; however, racial and ethnic disparities were not identified. Underutilization of recommended first-choice antibiotic therapy in complicated UTIs continues to be an area of focus for antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Older adults' and caregivers' perceptions about urinary tract infection and asymptomatic bacteriuria guidelines: a qualitative exploration

Objective

To explore older adults' and caregivers' knowledge and perceptions of guidelines for appropriate antibiotics use for bacteria in the urine.

Design

Semi-structured qualitative interviews.

Setting

Infectious disease clinics, community senior living facilities, memory care clinics, and general public.

Participants

Patients 65 years or older diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) in the past two years, or caregivers of such patients.

Methods

We conducted interviews between March and July 2023. We developed an interview guide based on the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation-behavior) behavior change framework. We thematically analyzed written transcripts of audio-recorded interviews using inductive and deductive coding techniques.

Results

Thirty participants (21 patients, 9 caregivers) enrolled. Most participants understood UTI symptoms such as pain during urination and frequent urination. However, communication with multiple clinicians, misinformation, and unclear symptoms that overlapped with other health issues clouded their understanding of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and UTIs. Some participants worried that clinicians would be dismissive of symptoms if they suggested a diagnosis of ASB without prescribing antibiotics. Many participants felt that the benefits of taking antibiotics for ASB outweighed harms, though some mentioned fears of personal antibiotic resistance if taking unnecessary antibiotics. No participants mentioned the public health impact of potential antibiotic resistance. Most participants trusted information from clinicians over brochures or websites but wanted to review information after clinical conversations.

Conclusion

Clinician-focused interventions to reduce antibiotic use for ASB should also address patient concerns during clinical visits, and provide standardized high-quality educational materials at the end of the visit.

Myocardial Cell Preservation from Potential Cardiotoxic Drugs: The Role of Nanotechnologies

Cardiotoxic therapies, whether chemotherapeutic or antibiotic, represent a burden for patients who may need to interrupt life-saving treatment because of serious complications. Cardiotoxicity is a broad term, spanning from forms of heart failure induction, particularly left ventricular systolic dysfunction, to induction of arrhythmias. Nanotechnologies emerged decades ago. They offer the possibility to modify the profiles of potentially toxic drugs and to abolish off-target side effects thanks to more favorable pharmacokinetics and dynamics. This relatively modern science encompasses nanocarriers (e.g., liposomes, niosomes, and dendrimers) and other delivery systems applicable to real-life clinical settings. We here review selected applications of nanotechnology to the fields of pharmacology and cardio-oncology. Heart tissue-sparing co-administration of nanocarriers bound to chemotherapeutics (such as anthracyclines and platinum agents) are discussed based on recent studies. Nanotechnology applications supporting the administration of potentially cardiotoxic oncological target therapies, antibiotics (especially macrolides and fluoroquinolones), or neuroactive agents are also summarized. The future of nanotechnologies includes studies to improve therapeutic safety and to encompass a broader range of pharmacological agents. The field merits investments and research, as testified by its exponential growth.

An Overview of Clinically Imperative and Pharmacodynamically Significant Drug Interactions of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) Blockers

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, resulting in premature death and disability. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) blockers, including Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs), are used as first-line antihypertensive therapy to treat hypertensive patients with comorbidities, including diabetes, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. The use of RAS blockers is associated with the risks, such as hyperkalemia, angioedema, etc. The drugs potentiating them interact pharmacodynamically, resulting in adverse consequences. This review article focuses on the clinically important drug interactions of RAAS blockers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The electronic databases, such as Medline/PubMed Central/PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Embase, and reference lists were searched to identify relevant articles.

RESULTS

The risk of hyperkalemia may be enhanced potentially in patients receiving a RAS blocker and potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, trimethoprim, adrenergic betablockers, antifungal agents, calcineurin inhibitors, pentamidine, heparins or an NSAID, concomitantly. The patients taking ACE inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors, DPP4 inhibitors, alteplase, or sacubitril/valsartan concurrently may be at increased risk of developing angioedema.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare practitioners should be accountable for medication safety. To avoid adverse implications, prescribers and pharmacists must be aware of the drugs that interact with RAAS blockers.

On the Treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia: Current Practice Based on Outdated Evidence

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a common opportunistic infection causing more than 400000 cases annually worldwide. Although antiretroviral therapy has reduced the burden of PCP in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), an increasing proportion of cases occur in other immunocompromised populations. In this review, we synthesize the available randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence base for PCP treatment. We identified 14 RCTs that were conducted 25-35 years ago, principally in 40-year-old men with HIV. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, at a dose of 15-20 mg/kg per day, is the treatment of choice based on historical practice rather than on quality comparative, dose-finding studies. Treatment duration is similarly based on historical practice and is not evidence based. Corticosteroids have a demonstrated role in hypoxemic patients with HIV but have yet to be studied in RCTs as an adjunctive therapy in non-HIV populations. The echinocandins are potential synergistic treatments in need of further investigation.

Selective Intestinal Decontamination as a Method for Preventing Infectious Complications (Review)

Infectious complications are the most common cause of death in patients with severe burns. To date, there is no generally accepted method for preventing such complications in burn injury. One of the possible prevention options is selective intestinal decontamination (SID). This method is based on the enteral administration of non-absorbable antimicrobial agents. The preventive effect of SID involves inhibition of intestinal microflora translocation through the mucous membranes, inasmuch as studies demonstrate that endogenous opportunistic microorganisms are a common cause of infectious complications in various critical conditions.

The SID method was originally developed in the Netherlands for patients suffering from mechanical injury. Antimicrobial drugs were selected based on their high activity in relation to the main endogenous opportunistic pathogens and minimal activity against normal intestinal microflora components. The combination of polymyxin (B or E), tobramycin, and amphotericin B with intravenous cefotaxime was chosen as the first SID regimen. Other regimens were proposed afterwards, and the application field of the method was expanded. In particular, it became the method of choice for prevention of infectious complications in patients with severe burn injury.

Clinical studies demonstrate efficacy of some SID regimens for preventing infectious complications in patients with thermal injury. Concomitant administration of SID and systemic preventive antibiotics and addition of oropharyngeal decontamination increases the method efficacy. SID is generally well-tolerated, but some studies show an increased risk of diarrhea with this preventive option. In addition, SID increases the risk of developing antibiotic resistance like any other antibiotic regimens.

Applying the Infectious Diseases Literature to People who Inject Drugs

People who inject drugs (PWID) presenting with injection drug use-associated infections are an understudied population excluded from most prospective infectious disease (ID) clinical trials. Careful application of the existing ID literature to PWID must consider their unique medical, psychological, and social challenges. Identification and treatment of the underlying substance use disorder are key underpinnings to any successful ID intervention.

Pattern of systemic antibiotic use and potential drug interactions: Evaluations through a point prevalence study in Ankara University Hospitals

Background/aim

Most of the hospitalized patients are on a number of drugs for comorbidities and/or to prevent nosocomial infections. This necessitates a careful consideration of drug interactions not only to avoid possible toxicities but also to reach the highest efficiency with drug treatment. We aimed to investigate drug interactions related to systemic antibiotic use and compare three different databases to check for drug interactions while characterizing the main differences between medical and surgical departments.

Materials and methods

This point prevalence study covered data on 927 orders for patients hospitalized between June 3 and 10, 2018 in Ankara University Hospitals. Systemic antibiotic use and related drug interactions were documented using UptoDate, Drugs, and Medscape and comparisons between the departments of medical and surgical sciences were made.

Results

The number of orders, or the number of drugs or antibiotics per order were not different between the medical and surgical sciences departments. A total of 1335 antibiotic-related drug interactions of all levels were reported by one, two, or all three databases. UptoDate reported all common and major interactions. Pantoprazole was the most commonly prescribed drug and appeared in 63% of all orders. Among 75 different molecules, ceftriaxone and meropenem were the two most prescribed antibiotics by the surgical and medical departments, respectively.

Conclusion

A dramatic variance existed amongst antibiotics prescribed by different departments. This indicated the requirement for a centralized role of an infectious diseases specialist. Especially for the hospitalized patient, prophylactic coverage with at least one antibiotic brought about a number of drug interactions. A precise evaluation of orders in terms of drug interactions by a clinical pharmacist (currently none on duty) will reduce possible drug-related hazards.

A novel data mining application to detect safety signals for newly approved medications in routine care of patients with diabetes

Background

Clinical trials are often underpowered to detect serious but rare adverse events of a new medication. We applied a novel data mining tool to detect potential adverse events of canagliflozin, the first sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2 inhibitor) in the United States, using real‐world data from shortly after its market entry and before public awareness of its potential safety concerns.

Methods

In a U. S. commercial claims dataset (29 March 2013–30 Sept 2015), two pairwise cohorts of patients over 18 years of age with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who were newly dispensed canagliflozin or an active comparator, that is a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor (DPP4) or a glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP1), were identified and propensity score‐matched. We used variable ratio matching with up to four people receiving a DPP4 or GLP1 for each person receiving canagliflozin. We identified potential safety signals using a hierarchical tree‐based scan statistic data mining method with the hierarchical outcome tree constructed based on international classification of disease coding. We screened for incident adverse events where there were more outcomes observed among canagliflozin vs. comparator initiators than expected by chance, after adjusting for multiple testing.

Results

We identified two pairwise propensity score variable ratio matched cohorts of 44,733 canagliflozin vs. 99,458 DPP4 initiators, and 55,974 canagliflozin vs. 74,727 GLP1 initiators. When we screened inpatient and emergency room diagnoses, diabetic ketoacidosis was the only severe adverse event associated with canagliflozin initiation with p < .05 in both cohorts. When outpatient diagnoses were also considered, signals for female and male genital infections emerged in both cohorts (p < .05).

Conclusions and relevance

In a large population‐based study, we identified known but no other adverse events associated with canagliflozin, providing reassurance on its safety among adult patients with T2D and suggesting the tree‐based scan statistic method is a useful post‐marketing safety monitoring tool for newly approved medications.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and the risk of heart failure: A nationwide cohort study of older adults with diabetes mellitus

AIMS

To analyse the rate of heart failure hospitalization for older adults prescribed a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study cohort included adults aged 66 years and older diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in Ontario, Canada, between July 2015 and March 2019, who received either an SGLT2 inhibitor or a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. The primary outcome was a composite of heart failure hospitalization and all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycaemia.

RESULTS

A total of 29 916 adults prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor were compared with 29 916 adults prescribed a DPP-4 inhibitor. The mean age was 72 years, 60% were men, the baseline glycated haemoglobin concentration was 8.2% and the baseline creatinine was 89 μmol/L. The incidence rate of the primary outcome was 19/1000 person-years for adults prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor compared to 38/1000 person-years in those prescribed a DPP-4 inhibitor. This resulted in a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.49 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45, 0.54) and a rate difference (RD) of 19 fewer events per 1000 person-years (RD -19 [95% CI -22, -17]). Patients prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor also had a lower rate of hypoglycaemia (HR 0.61 [95% CI 0.46, 0.81); RD -1.6 [95% CI -2.4, -0.8]), but a higher rate of diabetic ketoacidosis (HR 1.84 [95% CI 1.26, 2.70]; RD 1.0 [95% CI 0.4, 1.6]).

CONCLUSIONS

Older adults prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor had a lower rate of heart failure hospitalization or death, and a lower rate of hypoglycaemia, but an increased rate of diabetic ketoacidosis compared to older adults prescribed a DPP-4 inhibitor.

Cotrimoxazole-induced hyperkalaemia in a patient with known hypoaldosteronism

A70-year-old man, with established hypoadrenalism due to a previous bilateral adrenalectomy, was admitted with recurrent episodes of postural dizziness and presyncope. He had been discharged from hospital 3 weeks earlier on a 1-month course of cotrimoxazole following a diagnosis of prostatitis. His electrolytes on admission showed new onset hyponatraemia and hyperkalaemia.His usual glucocorticoid replacement dose was doubled in view of a presumed diagnosis of hypocortisolaemia. However, the hyperkalaemia persisted. On rereviewing his treatment, we suspected a possible diagnosis of cotrimoxazole-induced hyperkalaemia. Cotrimoxazole was stopped and ciprofloxacin started instead. His fludrocortisone replacement was doubled for 3 days after stopping treatment to decrease his postural symptoms. His postural symptoms improved, his serum potassium decreased to normal levels and he was safely discharged.It is essential to remember that cotrimoxazole, a commonly used antibiotic, can induce a potentially fatal hyperkalaemia especially in patients with known hypoadrenalism.

Incidence of Co-Trimoxazole-Induced Hyperkalemia in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background

Co-trimoxazole is a broad-spectrum antibiotic associated with hyperkalemia.

Objective

To determine the incidence of hyperkalemia and its risk factors in patients receiving co-trimoxazole.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective observational study involving all patients who received co-trimoxazole between 1 January 2012 and 1 January 2013 was conducted. Subjects were identified through a list generated from a computerized pharmacy system. The patients' demographic and clinical characteristics were retrieved from electronic medical records. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

One hundred sixty-one patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Of these, 46 (28.6%) experienced hyperkalemia. Around 35 (76%) of the patients who experienced hyperkalemia received co-administered medications that might induce hyperkalemia. The co-administration of co-trimoxazole with other medications that may induce hyperkalemia was found to be associated with higher incidence of hyperkalemia when compared to co-trimoxazole administration alone [adjusted OR 3.2, 95% CI (1.4-7.3), p=0.005]. Additionally, age > 60 years was associated with an increased risk of hyperkalemia when compared to younger age group 18-39 years [adjusted OR 6.5, 95% CI (2.1-19.7); p=0.001].

Conclusion

Co-trimoxazole use is associated with high incidence of hyperkalemia, especially among older patients and those receiving it in combination with other medications that might contribute to hyperkalemia development such as calcineurin inhibitors and β-blockers.

Co-trimoxazole induced hyperkalemia and potassium monitoring in hospitalized patients

Background Co-trimoxazole is an antibiotic combination used for the treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, amongst others. Co-trimoxazole is known to increase serum potassium. For this reason, Dutch guidelines advise serum potassium monitoring in high-risk patients. Objective This study aimed to determine average serum potassium rise after administration of intravenous co-trimoxazole in hospitalized patients, compared to intravenous ceftriaxone. This study also aimed to determine adherence to Dutch guidelines by measuring the incidence of serum potassium monitoring in these patients. Setting Data was collected retrospectively from patients in five departments of the Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, a teaching hospital in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Method Data was collected and compared from patients that received intravenous co-trimoxazole (n = 66) and intravenous ceftriaxone (n = 132) in the period of November 2008-November 2017. For each patient using co-trimoxazole, two patients using ceftriaxone were included in a paired fashion. Baseline and follow-up potassium were collected, if available. Additionally, it was tested if serum potassium was measured around the initiation of antibiotic therapy. Main outcome measure Changes in serum potassium where obtainable in 30 patients using cotrimoxazole and 40 patients using ceftriaxone. When compared to ceftriaxone, administration of intravenous co-trimoxazole was associated with a significant mean increase in serum potassium (+0.55 mmol/l, 95% CI 0.29-0.80, p < 0.001). After correction for confounders (baseline potassium, estimated glomerular filtration rate 30 ≤ 60, the presence of haematological malignancies and the usage of corticosteroids), this effect shrunk noticeably, but remained significant (+0.28 mmol/l, 95% CI 0.03-0.53, p = 0.031). Results The incidence of hyperkalemia at follow-up was 20% in the cotrimoxazole group, compared to 5% in the ceftriaxone group. Despite this, serum potassium was often not measured in patients using intravenous cotrimoxazole, being 76% at baseline and 55% in the period of 48-120 h after antibiotic therapy initiation, compared to 87% and 34% in the ceftriaxone group respectively. Conclusion Adherence to Dutch guidelines was poor as serum potassium monitoring was often not performed. As intravenous co-trimoxazole usage is associated with a significant increase in mean serum potassium, monitoring is strongly recommended.

[Recommendations for Drug Treatment in Patients with Multimorbidity]

Applying guidelines in patients with multimorbidity can result in dangerous or contraindicated drug-drug and drug-disease-interactions. A representative working group of medical scientific associations identifies such therapeutic conflicts and develops management strategies that will be published as a formally consensus based (S2K) guideline. Rational, aims and methods used are described, as well as evaluation and updating of recommendations.

Co-trimoxazole induced hyperkalemia and potassium monitoring in hospitalized patients

Background Co-trimoxazole is an antibiotic combination used for the treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, amongst others. Co-trimoxazole is known to increase serum potassium. For this reason, Dutch guidelines advise serum potassium monitoring in high-risk patients. Objective This study aimed to determine average serum potassium rise after administration of intravenous co-trimoxazole in hospitalized patients, compared to intravenous ceftriaxone. This study also aimed to determine adherence to Dutch guidelines by measuring the incidence of serum potassium monitoring in these patients. Setting Five departments of the Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, a teaching hospital in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Method Data was collected and compared from patients that received intravenous co-trimoxazole (n = 66) and intravenous ceftriaxone (n = 132) in the period of November 2008–November 2017. For each patient using co-trimoxazole, two patients using ceftriaxone were included in a paired fashion. Baseline and follow-up potassium were collected, if available. Additionally, it was tested if serum potassium was measured around the initiation of antibiotic therapy. Main outcome measure Changes in serum potassium where obtainable in 30 patients using cotrimoxazole and 40 patients using ceftriaxone. When compared to ceftriaxone, administration of intravenous co-trimoxazole was associated with a significant mean increase in serum potassium (+ 0.55 mmol/l, 95% CI 0.29–0.80, p < 0.001). After correction for confounders (baseline potassium, estimated glomerular filtration rate 30 to < 60, the presence of haematological malignancies and the usage of corticosteroids), this effect shrunk noticeably, but remained significant (+ 0.28 mmol/l, 95% CI 0.03–0.53, p = 0.031). Results The incidence of hyperkalemia at follow-up was 20% in the cotrimoxazole group, compared to 5% in the ceftriaxone group. Despite this, serum potassium was often not measured in patients using intravenous cotrimoxazole, being 76% at baseline and 55% in the period of 48–120 h after antibiotic therapy initiation, compared to 87% and 34% in the ceftriaxone group respectively. Conclusion Adherence to Dutch guidelines was poor as serum potassium monitoring was often not performed. As intravenous co-trimoxazole usage is associated with a significant increase in mean serum potassium, monitoring is strongly recommended.

Heart Failure: A Palliative Medicine Review of Disease, Therapies, and Medications With a Focus on Symptoms, Function, and Quality of Life

Despite significant advances in heart failure (HF) treatment, HF remains a progressive, extremely symptomatic, and terminal disease with a median survival of 2.1 years after diagnosis. HF often leads to a constellation of symptoms, including dyspnea, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, pain, and worsened cognitive function. Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their caregivers facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness and therefore is well suited to support these patients. However, historically, palliative care has often focused on supporting patients with malignant disease, rather than a progressive chronic disease such as HF. Predicting mortality in patients with HF is challenging. The lack of obvious transition points in disease progression also raises challenges to primary care providers and specialists to know at what point to integrate palliative care during a patient's disease trajectory. Although therapies for HF often result in functional and symptomatic improvements including health-related quality of life (HRQL), some patients with HF do not demonstrate these benefits, including those patients with a preserved ejection fraction. Provision of palliative care for patients with HF requires an understanding of HF pathogenesis and common medications used for these patients, as well as an approach to balancing life-prolonging and HRQL care strategies. This review describes HF and current targeted therapies and their effects on symptoms, hospital admission rates, exercise performance, HRQL, and survival. Pharmacological interactions with and precautions related to commonly used palliative care medications are reviewed. The goal of this review is to equip palliative care clinicians with information to make evidence-based decisions while managing the balance between optimal disease management and patient quality of life.

Hyponatremia Associated with Prophylactic Low-Dose Trimethoprim during Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy for AQP4-Positive Optic Neuritis in a Diabetic Patient

Hyponatremia associated with low-dose trimethoprim in patients on concomitant systemic corticosteroid therapy has rarely been reported. Here, we describe a 57-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension treated with telmisartan, who presented with progressive visual impairment of the left eye due to anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-positive optic neuritis. The patient received pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisolone at 30 mg/day and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis (160 mg and 800 mg daily). Her serum sodium level steadily decreased, and the potassium level was slightly elevated despite well-preserved renal function. This state persisted even after telmisartan discontinuation. In addition to hypotonic hyponatremia (125 mEq/L) with natriuresis, hyperkalemic renal tubular acidosis was diagnosed based on normal anion gap metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia with low urinary potassium excretion. After trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole cessation, electrolytes and acid-base imbalances swiftly recovered. We can conclude that caution must be exercised when treating such patients, because even low-dose trimethoprim may cause hyponatremia concomitant with hyperkalemic renal tubular acidosis, despite the mineralocorticoid effects of systemic corticosteroids.

Evaluating the risk of hyperkalaemia and acute kidney injury with cotrimoxazole: a retrospective observational study

OBJECTIVES

Increasing antimicrobial resistance has renewed interest in older, less used antimicrobials. Cotrimoxazole shows promise; however, hyperkalaemia and acute kidney injury (AKI) are potential complications. Identifying risk factors for and quantification of these events is required for safe use. This study aimed to evaluate predictors of cotrimoxazole-associated AKI and hyperkalaemia in a clinical setting.

METHODS

Patients prescribed cotrimoxazole were identified using electronic healthcare records over 3 years (1 April 2016 to 31 March 2019). Individual risk factors were recognized. Serum creatinine and potassium trends were analysed over the subsequent 21 days. AKI and patients with hyperkalaemia were classified using Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) and laboratory criteria. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Among 214 patients prescribed cotrimoxazole, 42 (19.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 14.6-25.7) met AKI criteria and 33 (15.4%, 95% CI 11.0-21.1) developed hyperkalaemia. Low baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (<60 mL/min/1.73 m², odds ratio (OR) 7.78, 95% CI 3.57-16.13, p < 0.0001) and cardiac disorders (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.17-4.82, p 0.011) predicted AKI, while low baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (<60 mL/min/1.73 m², OR 6.80, 95% CI 3.09-15.06, p < 0.0001) and higher baseline serum potassium (p 0.001) predicted hyperkalaemia. Low-dose cotrimoxazole (<1920 mg/d) was associated with lower AKI and hyperkalaemia risk (p 0.007 and 0.019 respectively). Early (within the first 2-4 days of therapy) serum creatinine changes predicted AKI (OR 3.65, 95% CI 1.73-7.41, p 0.001), and early serum potassium changes predicted hyperkalaemia (>0.6 mmol/L, OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.14-5.27, p 0.0236).

CONCLUSIONS

Cotrimoxazole-associated AKI and hyperkalaemia is frequent and dose dependent. Renal function, serum potassium and preexisting cardiac disorders should be evaluated before prescribing cotrimoxazole. Serum creatinine and potassium monitoring within first 2 to 4 days of treatment to identify susceptible patients is recommended, and the lowest effective dose ought to be prescribed.

Design and rationale of a multi-center, pragmatic, open-label randomized trial of antimicrobial therapy - the study of clinical efficacy of antimicrobial therapy strategy using pragmatic design in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (CleanUP-IPF) clinical trial

Abstract

Compelling data have linked disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with lung dysbiosis and the resulting dysregulated local and systemic immune response. Moreover, prior therapeutic trials have suggested improved outcomes in these patients treated with either sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim or doxycycline. These trials have been limited by methodological concerns. This trial addresses the primary hypothesis that long-term treatment with antimicrobial therapy increases the time-to-event endpoint of respiratory hospitalization or all-cause mortality compared to usual care treatment in patients with IPF. We invoke numerous innovative features to achieve this goal, including: 1) utilizing a pragmatic randomized trial design; 2) collecting targeted biological samples to allow future exploration of ‘personalized’ therapy; and 3) developing a strong partnership between the NHLBI, a broad range of investigators, industry, and philanthropic organizations. The trial will randomize approximately 500 individuals in a 1:1 ratio to either antimicrobial therapy or usual care. The site principal investigator will declare their preferred initial antimicrobial treatment strategy (trimethoprim 160 mg/ sulfamethoxazole 800 mg twice a day plus folic acid 5 mg daily or doxycycline 100 mg once daily if body weight is < 50 kg or 100 mg twice daily if ≥50 kg) for the participant prior to randomization. Participants randomized to antimicrobial therapy will receive a voucher to help cover the additional prescription drug costs. Additionally, those participants will have 4–5 scheduled blood draws over the initial 24 months of therapy for safety monitoring. Blood sampling for DNA sequencing and genome wide transcriptomics will be collected before therapy. Blood sampling for transcriptomics and oral and fecal swabs for determination of the microbiome communities will be collected before and after study completion. As a pragmatic study, participants in both treatment arms will have limited in-person visits with the enrolling clinical center. Visits are limited to assessments of lung function and other clinical parameters at time points prior to randomization and at months 12, 24, and 36. All participants will be followed until the study completion for the assessment of clinical endpoints related to hospitalization and mortality events.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02759120.

Association of Concussion With the Risk of Suicide: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Concussion is the most common form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). While most patients fully recover within 1 week of injury, a subset of patients might be at a higher risk of suicide.

Objective

To assess the risk of suicide after concussion.

Data Sources

We performed a systematic search of Medline (PubMed), Embase, PsycINFO, and Published International Literature on Traumatic Stress (PILOTS) from 1963 to May 1, 2017. We also searched Google Scholar and conference proceedings and contacted experts in the field to seek additional studies.

Study Selection

Studies that quantified the risk of suicide, suicide attempt, or suicidal ideation after a concussion and/or mild TBI were included. Studies that included children and adults, including military and nonmilitary personnel, were included. Two authors independently reviewed all titles and abstracts to determine study eligibility.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Study characteristics were extracted independently by 2 trained investigators. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Study data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary exposure was concussion and/or mild TBI, and the primary outcome was suicide. Secondary outcomes were suicide attempt and suicidal ideation.

Results

Data were extracted from 10 cohort studies (n = 713 706 individuals diagnosed and 6 236 010 individuals not diagnosed with concussion and/or mild TBI), 5 cross-sectional studies (n = 4420 individuals diagnosed and 11 275 individuals not diagnosed with concussion and/or mild TBI), and 2 case-control studies (n = 446 individuals diagnosed and 8267 individuals not diagnosed with concussion and/or mild TBI). Experiencing concussion and/or mild TBI was associated with a 2-fold higher risk of suicide (relative risk, 2.03 [95% CI, 1.47-2.80]; I2 = 96%; P < .001). In 2 studies that provided estimates with a median follow-up of approximately 4 years, 1664 of 333 118 individuals (0.50%) and 750 of 126 114 individuals (0.59%) diagnosed with concussion and/or mild TBI died by suicide. Concussion was also associated with a higher risk of suicide attempt and suicide ideation. The heightened risk of suicide outcomes after concussion was evident in studies with and without military personnel.

Conclusions and Relevance

Experiencing concussion and/or mild TBI was associated with a higher risk of suicide. Future studies are needed to identify and develop strategies to decrease this risk.

Kidney transplantation for the primary care provider

Advancement in kidney transplantation has led to prolonged survival in our population with kidney disease. Newer agents of immunosuppression have made this possible with less rejections and lesser opportunistic infections and transplant related deaths. Preventative care like timely vaccines, cancer screenings, aggressive blood pressure, blood sugar, lipid control, timely referral to consultants is required in these patient population to provide quality care and to prolong their survival. Primary care physicians are the best advocate for our transplant populations. To care for these complex transplant patients, it is vital for primary care physicians to be familiar with the overall approach on our patients.

Countrywide prevalence of critical drug interactions in Hungarian outpatients: a retrospective analysis of pharmacy dispensing data

Background

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) present a significant source of adverse drug reactions. Despite being one of the commonly cited risks to patient safety, prevention of DDIs still poses a challenge to healthcare systems. The prevalence of DDIs can be used as a quality indicator for the safety of prescribing. With the analysis of drug utilization databases, real-world data on critical DDIs can be obtained. The aim of this study was to establish a list of critical DDIs and estimate their prevalence in the Hungarian outpatient population.

Methods

Since there is no conclusive and generally accepted repository of high-risk DDIs, a systematic search of the literature for consensus-based lists was performed. Based on these results and their analysis with 5 interaction compendia, we propose a simple methodology to identify critical combinations. Present study focused on DDIs which are (1) of high clinical importance thus being most likely to cause significant harm if not detected, (2) well-supported by available evidence and (3) affect drugs which are routinely dispensed in the community pharmacy setting. A retrospective analysis of prescriptions filled between 2013 and 2016 was performed. The source of drug utilization data was the IQVIA’s national prescription fill database. The number of interacting drug pairs dispensed at the same time to the same patient was established.

Results

After excluding drugs with low dispensing rates, the analysis covered 39 DDIs. The distribution of risk categories of the analysed DDIs was inconsistent among different drug interaction compendia. The total number of prescriptions filled varied between 173924449 and 176368468 per year. The prevalence of the selected potential DDIs ranged from 0.00 to 355.89 per 100000 prescriptions per year. There was significant variation between how the number of cases had changed for each DDI throughout the study period, no general tendency could have been described.

Conclusions

There were 1.8 million cases of co-dispensing each year, where prescribers’ and community pharmacists’ role in recognizing and managing potentially serious interactions was or would have been critical. The method presented to identify high-risk DDIs can serve as a starting point for the much-needed improvement of routine interaction screening.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40360-019-0311-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Evaluation of community pharmacists' knowledge about drug-drug interaction in Central Saudi Arabia

Introduction

Although all implemented and ongoing initiatives, drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are still a global problem. Most published studies about DDIs in Saudi Arabia are carried out in hospital settings. In addition, assessing the knowledge of drug interactions in Saudi Arabia is limited. The aim of our study is to evaluate the knowledge of potential common drug-drug interactions among community pharmacists particularly in Saudi Arabia.

Methodology

A crosses-sectional study utilizing a self- administered questionnaire was conducted among community pharmacy in Riyadh city Saudi Arabia. DDIs' knowledge was assessed by 26 drug pairs. Community pharmacists were asked to select the DDIs as “contraindication”, “may be used together with monitoring”, “no interaction” and “not sure”.

Results

A total of 283 of community pharmacists completed the survey with response rate of 80.9%. Among the 26 drug pairs only 5 of them were identified correctly by most of the participants. To add more 3 out of the 5 pairs had a cutoff of less than 10% between the correct and wrong answer, meaning there still a majority that couldn't identify the correct answer. All the 26 pairs had a statistically significant difference between the correct and incorrect answer.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that knowledge of community pharmacists about DDIs was inadequate. Community pharmacist should have specific courses in drug interactions to cover the most possible interactions that can be seen in this setting.

Risk of adverse outcomes following urinary tract infection in older people with renal impairment: Retrospective cohort study using linked health record data

BACKGROUND

Few studies have investigated the risk of adverse outcomes in older people with renal impairment presenting to primary care with a urinary tract infection (UTI). The aim of this study was to determine the risk of adverse outcomes in patients aged ≥65 years presenting to primary care with a UTI, by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and empirical prescription of nitrofurantoin versus trimethoprim.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

This was a retrospective cohort study using linked health record data from 795,484 patients from 393 general practices in England, who were aged ≥65 years between 2010 and 2016. Patients were entered into the cohort if they presented with a UTI and had a creatinine measurement in the 24 months prior to presentation. We calculated an eGFR to estimate risk of adverse outcomes by renal function, and propensity-score matched patients with eGFRs <60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 to estimate risk of adverse outcomes between those prescribed trimethoprim and nitrofurantoin. Outcomes were 14-day risk of reconsultation for urinary symptoms and same-day antibiotic prescription (proxy for treatment nonresponse), hospitalisation for UTI, sepsis, or acute kidney injury (AKI), and 28-day risk of death. Of 123,607 eligible patients with a UTI, we calculated an eGFR for 116,945 (95%). Median age was 76 (IQR, 70-83) years and 32,428 (28%) were male. Compared to an eGFR of >60 mL/minute/1.73 m2, patients with an eGFR of <60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 had greater odds of hospitalisation for UTI (adjusted odds ratios [ORs] ranged from 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.28, p = 0.028], for eGFRs of 45-59, to 1.68 [95% CI 1.01-2.82, p < 0.001] for eGFRs <15) and AKI (adjusted ORs ranged from 1.57 [95% CI 1.29-1.91, p < 0.001], for eGFRs of 45-59, to 4.53 [95% CI 2.52-8.17, p < 0.001] for eGFRs <15). Compared to an eGFR of >60 mL/minute/1.73 m2, patients with an eGFR <45 had significantly greater odds of hospitalisation for sepsis, and those with an eGFR <30 had significantly greater odds of death. Compared to trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin prescribing was associated with lower odds of hospitalisation for AKI (ORs ranged from 0.62 [95% CI 0.40-0.94, p = 0.025], for eGFRs of 45-59, to 0.45 [95% CI 0.25-0.81, p = 0.008] for eGFRs <30). Nitrofurantoin was not associated with greater odds of any adverse outcome. Our study lacked data on urine microbiology and antibiotic-related adverse events. Despite our design, residual confounding may still have affected some of our findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Older patients with renal impairment presenting to primary care with a UTI had an increased risk of UTI-related hospitalisation and death, suggesting a need for interventions that reduce the risk of these adverse outcomes. Nitrofurantoin prescribing was not associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients with an eGFR <60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 and could be used more widely in this population.

Macrolides, Digoxin Toxicity and the Risk of Sudden Death: A Population-Based Study

INTRODUCTION

Digoxin is commonly prescribed to elderly patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, and macrolide antibiotics markedly increase the risk of digoxin toxicity.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to determine whether, in older patients receiving digoxin, macrolide antibiotics are associated with sudden death.

METHODS

We used a population-based, nested, case-control design from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2012 in a cohort of Ontario residents aged 66 years or older prescribed digoxin. The primary outcome was the risk of sudden death within 14 days of exposure to one of three antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, or azithromycin), relative to cefuroxime.

RESULTS

Among 39,072 Ontarians who died suddenly while receiving digoxin, 586 died within 14 days of receiving a study antibiotic. Relative to cefuroxime, we found no statistically significant increase in the risk of sudden death following treatment with erythromycin [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65-1.48], clarithromycin (aOR 1.25; 95% CI 0.94-1.65), or azithromycin (aOR 1.07; 95% CI 0.75-1.53).

CONCLUSION

This finding reinforces the cardiovascular safety of macrolide antibiotics in a high-risk population.

Lipophilic Statins and the Risk of Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Ischemic Stroke: A Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Statins are commonly prescribed for the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke, but there is conflicting evidence as to whether they increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. Lipophilic statins cross the blood-brain barrier more freely than hydrophilic statins and may therefore increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether, in older patients following ischemic stroke, receipt of lipophilic statins was associated with differences in the risk of intracranial hemorrhage.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based nested case-control study linking multiple healthcare databases between 1 April, 2001 and 31 March, 2015 in Ontario, Canada. Cases were Ontarians aged 66 years or older receiving a statin within 100 days preceding the development of intracranial hemorrhage within 1 year following ischemic stroke. Each case was matched with up to four controls who experienced ischemic stroke not complicated by intracranial hemorrhage but who also received a statin. We classified statins as lipophilic (atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, and cerivastatin) or hydrophilic (pravastatin and rosuvastatin) based on their octanol/water partition coefficients. We calculated the odds ratio for the association between intracranial hemorrhage and receipt of lipophilic statins, with hydrophilic statins as the reference group.

RESULTS

We identified 2766 individuals who experienced intracranial hemorrhage during statin therapy after ischemic stroke and 11,060 matched controls. Relative to hydrophilic statins, lipophilic statins were not associated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio 1.07; 95% confidence interval 0.97-1.19).

CONCLUSION

Among patients treated with a statin following ischemic stroke, the risk of intracranial hemorrhage is not influenced by statin lipophilicity.

Trimethoprim use for urinary tract infection and risk of adverse outcomes in older patients: cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To determine if trimethoprim use for urinary tract infection (UTI) is associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury, hyperkalaemia, or sudden death in the general population.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

SETTING

UK electronic primary care records from practices contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to the Hospital Episode Statistics database.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged 65 and over with a prescription for trimethoprim, amoxicillin, cefalexin, ciprofloxacin, or nitrofurantoin prescribed up to three days after a primary care diagnosis of UTI between April 1997 and September 2015.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The outcomes were acute kidney injury, hyperkalaemia, and death within 14 days of a UTI treated with antibiotics.

RESULTS

Among a cohort of 1 191 905 patients aged 65 and over, 178 238 individuals were identified with at least one UTI treated with antibiotics, comprising a total of 422 514 episodes of UTIs treated with antibiotics. The odds of acute kidney injury in the 14 days following antibiotic initiation were higher following trimethoprim (adjusted odds ratio 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.31 to 2.24) and ciprofloxacin (1.48, 1.03 to 2.13) compared with amoxicillin. The odds of hyperkalaemia in the 14 days following antibiotic initiation were only higher following trimethoprim (2.27, 1.49 to 3.45) compared with amoxicillin. However, the odds of death within the 14 days following antibiotic initiation were not higher with trimethoprim than with amoxicillin: in the whole population the adjusted odds ratio was 0.90 (95% confidence interval 0.76 to 1.07) while among users of renin-angiotensin system blockers the odds of death within 14 days of antibiotic initiation was 1.12 (0.80 to 1.57). The results suggest that, for 1000 UTIs treated with antibiotics among people 65 and over, treatment with trimethoprim instead of amoxicillin would result in one to two additional cases of hyperkalaemia and two admissions with acute kidney injury, regardless of renin-angiotensin system blockade. However, for people taking renin-angiotensin system blockers and spironolactone treatment with trimethoprim instead of amoxicillin there were 18 additional cases of hyperkalaemia and 11 admissions with acute kidney injury.

CONCLUSION

Trimethoprim is associated with a greater risk of acute kidney injury and hyperkalaemia compared with other antibiotics used to treat UTIs, but not a greater risk of death. The relative risk increase is similar across population groups, but the higher baseline risk among those taking renin-angiotensin system blockers and potassium-sparing diuretics translates into higher absolute risks of acute kidney injury and hyperkalaemia in these groups.

The Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation of Treating Idiopathic Pulmonary fibrosis with the Addition of Co-trimoxazole (EME-TIPAC): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

We hypothesise, based upon the findings from our previous trial, that the addition of co-trimoxazole to standard therapy is beneficial to patients with moderate to severe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We aim to investigate this by assessing unplanned hospitalisation-free survival (defined as time from randomisation to first non-elective hospitalisation, lung transplant or death) and to determine whether any effect relates to changes in infection and/or markers of disease control and neutrophil activity.

METHODS/DESIGN

The EME-TIPAC trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, multicentre clinical trial. A total of 330 symptomatic patients, aged 40 years old or older, with IPF diagnosed by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) according to international guidelines and a FVC ≤ 75% predicted will be enrolled. Patients are randomised equally to receive either two tablets of co-trimoxazole 480 mg or two placebo tablets twice daily over a median treatment period of 27 (range 12-42) months. All patients receive folic acid 5 mg daily whilst on the trial IMP to reduce the risk of bone marrow depression. The primary outcome for the trial is a composite endpoint consisting of the time to death, transplant or first non-elective hospital admission and will be determined from adverse event reporting, hospital databases and the Office of National Statistics with active tracing of patients missing appointments. Secondary outcomes include the individual components of the primary outcome, (1) King's Brief Interstitial Lung Disease Questionnaire, (2) MRC Dyspnoea Score, (3) EQ5D, (4) spirometry, (5) total lung-diffusing capacity and (6) routine sputum microbiology. Blood will be taken for cell count, biochemistry and analysis of biomarkers including C-reactive protein and markers of disease. The trial will last for 4 years. Recruitment will take place in a network of approximately 40 sites throughout the UK (see Table 1 for a full list of participating sites). We expect recruitment for 30 months, follow-up for 12 months and trial analysis and reporting to take 4 months.

DISCUSSION

The trial is designed to test the hypothesis that treating IPF patients with co-trimoxazole will increase the time to death (all causes), lung transplant or first non-elective hospital admission compared to standard care ( https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg163 ), in patients with moderate to severe disease. The mechanistic aims are to investigate the effect on lung microbiota and other measures of infection, markers of epithelial injury and markers of neutrophil activity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number (ISRCTN) Registry, ID: 17464641 . Registered on 29 January 2015.

A decade of outpatient antimicrobial use in older adults in Ontario: a descriptive study

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobials are frequently prescribed to community-dwelling older adults. Our aim was to examine the prevalence, quantity and indications of antimicrobial prescriptions to older residents of Ontario.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based analysis of outpatient antimicrobial prescriptions to residents of Ontario aged 65 years or more from 2006 to 2015. Antimicrobial prescriptions, infectious disease diagnoses and prescriber information were determined from linked health care databases. Our analyses were primarily focused on antibiotics, which account for most antimicrobial use.

RESULTS

We identified 2 879 779 unique Ontario residents aged 65 years or more over our study period. On average, 40.7% (range 40.1%-41.5%) of older adult outpatients in any given year received 1 or more antibiotic prescriptions. Antibiotic use remained stable over the study period, averaging 25.1 (range 24.1-25.6) defined daily doses per 1000 person-days per year. Selection of antibiotics evolved, with increasing use of penicillins and decreasing use of fluoroquinolones and macrolides. For 65.7% of prescriptions, no infectious disease diagnoses were identified within 7 days of the prescription. Among prescriptions with an associated diagnosis, upper respiratory tract infection was most common (18.9%), followed by urinary tract infection (6.2%), skin/soft-tissue infection (4.3%), lower respiratory tract infection (4.2%) and other infection (1.2%). Most antibiotics were prescribed by family physicians.

INTERPRETATION

Antibiotic use among older adult outpatients in Ontario remained stable between 2006 and 2015. Current methods of measuring use are not capable of accurately determining indication, and, thus, additional data sources to monitor the appropriateness of community antimicrobial use are needed.

Explicit definitions of potentially inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics in older patients: a compilation derived from a systematic review

Potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) of antibiotics (antibiotic-PIPs) are generally detected by applying implicit definitions based on expert opinion. Explicit definitions are less frequently used, even though this approach would enable the automated detection of antibiotic-PIPs in electronic health records. Here, explicit definitions of antibiotic-PIPs used in studies of older adults were systematically reviewed. The MEDLINE^®, Scopus^® and Web of Science^TM core collection databases were searched with a combination of three terms and their synonyms: 'potentially inappropriate prescription' AND 'antibiotic treatment' AND 'older patients'. Following standardised selection of publications, explicit definitions of antibiotic-PIPs were extracted and were classified into infectious diseases domains and subdomains. A total of 600 search queries identified 4270 records, 93 of which were selected for review. A total of 160 mentions of antibiotic-PIPs were found, corresponding to 62 distinct definitions in 19 infectious diseases domains. Nearly one-half of the definitions were related to upper respiratory tract infections (n = 11 definitions; 17.7%), lower respiratory tract infections (n = 8; 12.9%) and drug-drug interactions (n = 11; 17.7%). Almost 75% of definitions (n = 46) were mentioned in a single study only. Only three definitions concerned critically important antibiotics such as third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. This systematic review identified 62 explicit definitions of antibiotic-PIPs. Most of the definitions were not found in more than one study and they varied in the degree of precision. We advocate the implementation of an expert consensus on explicit definitions of antibiotic-PIPs that correspond to today's challenges in public health.

Potassium: friend or foe?

The kidney plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis of ion concentrations in the blood. Because the concentration gradient of potassium across the cell membrane is a key determinant of the membrane potential of cells, even small deviations in serum potassium level from the normal setpoint can lead to severe muscle dysfunction, resulting in respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Less severe hypo- and hyperkalemia are also associated with morbidity and mortality across various patient populations. In addition, deficiencies in potassium intake have been associated with hypertension and adverse cardiovascular and renal outcomes, likely due in part to the interrelated handling of sodium and potassium by the kidney. Here, data on the beneficial effects of potassium on blood pressure and cardiovascular and renal outcomes will be reviewed, along with the physiological basis for these effects. In some patient populations, however, potassium excess is deleterious. Risk factors for the development of hyperkalemia will be reviewed, as well as the risks and benefits of existing and emerging therapies for hyperkalemia.

Long-term antibiotics for prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials

OBJECTIVE

To address clinical uncertainties about the effectiveness and safety of long-term antibiotic therapy for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older adults.

DESIGN

Systematic review andmeta-analysis of randomised trials.

METHOD

We searched Medline, Embase, The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature(CINAHL), and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials from inception to August 2016. Eligible studies compared long-term antibiotic therapy with non-antibiotic therapy or placebo in men or women aged over 65, or in postmenopausal women, with recurrent UTIs.

RESULTS

We did not identify any studies that included older men. Three randomised controlled trials compared long-term antibiotics with vaginal oestrogens (n=150), oral lactobacilli (n=238) and D-mannose powder (n=94) in postmenopausal women. Long-term antibiotics reduced the risk of UTI recurrence by 24% (three trials, n=482; pooled risk ratio (RR) 0.76; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.95, number needed to treat=8.5). There was no statistically significant increase in risk of adverse events (mild adverse events: pooled RR 1.52; 95% CI 0.76 to 3.03; serious adverse events: pooled RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.31 to 2.66). One trial showed 90% of urinary and faecal Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole after 1 month of prophylaxis.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from three small trials with relatively short follow-up periods suggest long-term antibiotic therapy reduces the risk of recurrence in postmenopausal women with recurrent UTI. We did not identify any evidence to inform several clinically important scenarios including, benefits and harms in older men or frail care home residents, optimal duration of prophylaxis, recurrence rates once prophylaxis stops and effects on urinary antibiotic resistance.

Common Drug Side Effects and Drug-Drug Interactions in Elderly Adults in Primary Care

Prescribing medications, recognizing and managing medication side effects and drug interactions, and avoiding polypharmacy are all essential skills in the care of older adults in primary care. Important side effects of medications commonly prescribed in older adults (statins, proton pump inhibitors, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, zolpidem, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors) were reviewed. Important drug interactions with four agents or classes (statins, warfarin, factor Xa inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers) are discussed.

The effect of co-trimoxazole on serum potassium concentration: safety evaluation of a randomized controlled trial

AIMS

Co-trimoxazole maintains a well-established role in the treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii and Toxoplasma gondii, as well as urinary tract infections. Observational studies report hyperkalaemia to be associated with co-trimoxazole, which may stem from an amiloride-like potassium-sparing effect. The current study investigated changes in serum potassium in patients without acute infections, and the influence of concomitant antikaliuretic drugs on this effect.

METHODS

A post hoc analysis was carried out of a randomized controlled trial in patients with interstitial lung disease who were assigned to placebo or 960 mg co-trimoxazole twice daily. Serum potassium and creatinine were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 6, 9 and 12 months. The primary outcome was the difference in mean serum potassium concentrations between co-trimoxazole and placebo at 6 weeks.

RESULTS

Mean serum potassium levels were similar at baseline: 4.24 (± 0.44) mmol l^-1 in the 87 co-trimoxazole group participants and 4.25 (± 0.39) mmol l^-1 in the 83 control participants. Co-trimoxazole significantly increased mean serum potassium levels at 6 weeks, with a difference between means compared with placebo of 0.21 mmol l^-1 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09, 0.34; P = 0.001). This significant increase in serum potassium was detectable even after exclusion of patients on antikaliuretic drugs, with a difference between means for co-trimoxazole compared with placebo of 0.23 mmol l^-1 (95% CI 0.09, 0.38; P = 0.002). There were 5/87 (5.7%) patients on co-trimoxazole whose serum potassium concentrations reached ≥5.5 mmol l^-1 during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-trimoxazole significantly increases serum potassium concentration, even in participants not using antikaliuretic drugs. While the magnitude of increase was often minor, a small proportion in our outpatient cohort developed hyperkalaemia of clinical importance.

Association between statin use and ischemic stroke or major hemorrhage in patients taking dabigatran for atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Dabigatran etexilate is a prodrug whose absorption is opposed by intestinal P-glycoprotein and which is converted by carboxylesterase to its active form, dabigatran. Unlike other statins, simvastatin and lovastatin are potent inhibitors of P-glycoprotein and carboxylesterase, and might either increase the risk of hemorrhage with dabigatran etexilate or decrease its effectiveness.

METHODS

We conducted 2 population-based, nested case-control studies involving Ontario residents 66 years of age and older who started dabigatran etexilate between May 1, 2012, and Mar. 31, 2014. In the first study, cases were patients with ischemic stroke; in the second, cases were patients with major hemorrhage. Each case was matched with up to 4 controls by age and sex. All cases and controls received a single statin in the 60 days preceding the index date. We determined the association between each outcome and the use of simvastatin or lovastatin, relative to other statins.

RESULTS

Among 45 991 patients taking dabigatran etexilate, we identified 397 cases with ischemic stroke and 1117 cases with major hemorrhage. After multivariable adjustment, use of simvastatin or lovastatin was not associated with an increased risk of stroke (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88 to 2.01). In contrast, use of simvastatin and lovastatin were associated with a higher risk of major hemorrhage (adjusted OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.82).

INTERPRETATION

In patients receiving dabigatran etexilate, simvastatin and lovastatin were associated with a higher risk of major hemorrhage relative to other statins. Preferential use of the other statins should be considered in these patients.

An update on the management of urinary tract infections in the era of antimicrobial resistance

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are a growing concern due to limited therapeutic options. Gram-negative bacteria, specifically Enterobacteriaceae, are common causes of both community-acquired and hospital acquired UTIs. These organisms can acquire genes that encode for multiple antibiotic resistance mechanisms, including extended-spectrum-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC- β -lactamase, and carbapenemases. The assessment of suspected UTI includes identification of characteristic symptoms or signs, urinalysis, dipstick or microscopic tests, and urine culture if indicated. UTIs are categorized according to location (upper versus lower urinary tract) and severity (uncomplicated versus complicated). Increasing rates of antibiotic resistance necessitate judicious use of antibiotics through the application of antimicrobial stewardship principles. Knowledge of the common causative pathogens of UTIs including local susceptibility patterns are essential in determining appropriate empiric therapy. The recommended first-line empiric therapies for acute uncomplicated bacterial cystitis in otherwise healthy adult nonpregnant females is a 5-day course of nitrofurantion or a 3-g single dose of fosfomycin tromethamine. Second-line options include fluoroquinolones and β-lactams, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate. Current treatment options for UTIs due to AmpC- β -lactamase-producing organisms include fosfomycin, nitrofurantion, fluoroquinolones, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam and carbapenems. In addition, treatment options for UTIs due to ESBLs-producing Enterobacteriaceae include nitrofurantion, fosfomycin, fluoroquinolones, cefoxitin, piperacillin-tazobactam, carbapenems, ceftazidime-avibactam, ceftolozane-tazobactam, and aminoglycosides. Based on identification and susceptibility results, alternatives to carbapenems may be used to treat mild-moderate UTIs caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Ceftazidime-avibactam, colistin, polymixin B, fosfomycin, aztreonam, aminoglycosides, and tigecycline are treatment options for UTIs caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Treatment options for UTIs caused by multidrug resistant (MDR)-Pseudomonas spp. include fluoroquinolones, ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, carbapenems, aminoglycosides, colistin, ceftazidime-avibactam, and ceftolozane-tazobactam. The use of fluoroquinolones for empiric treatment of UTIs should be restricted due to increased rates of resistance. Aminoglycosides, colistin, and tigecycline are considered alternatives in the setting of MDR Gram-negative infections in patients with limited therapeutic options.

Varenicline and Risk of Self-Harm: A Nested Case-Control Study

Background

Smoking remains a serious public health concern. Pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, including bupropion and varenicline, are proven means to increase quit rates. Post-marketing reports describing suicidal behaviours have raised concerns about the safety of varenicline. However, whether varenicline imparts a higher risk of suicide relative to bupropion remains uncertain.

Methods

A population-based nested case-control study in Ontario, Canada, from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2015 was conducted. Subjects were residents of Ontario aged 18 years and older with publicly funded drug coverage receiving either bupropion or varenicline for smoking cessation. We defined cases were those with a hospitalization or emergency department visit for suicide or non-fatal self-harm within 90 days of treatment. For each case, we identified up to fifty controls from the same cohort matched on age, sex, history of self-harm, use of selected psychotropic medications, alcohol abuse and prior admission to a mental health unit. Adjusted odds ratio were used to compare the risk of suicide/self-harm of varenicline to bupropion.

Results

We identified 331 cases and 5,346 matched-controls. Following adjustment for potential confounders, we found that varenicline was not associated with an increased risk of suicide/self-harm relative to bupropion (adjusted odds ratio 1.15; 95% confidence interval 0.71 to 1.87).

Interpretation

Treatment with varenicline does not appear to significantly increase the risk of suicide or self-harm relative to bupropion.

[Rational use of antibiotics]

International and national campaigns draw attention worldwide to the rational use of the available antibiotics. This has been stimulated by the high prevalence rates of drug-resistant pathogens, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), a threatening spread of development of resistance in Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria and the selection of Clostridium difficile with a simultaneous clear reduction in the development of new antibiotics. The implementation of antibiotic stewardship programs aims to maintain their effectiveness by a rational use of the available antibiotics. The essential target of therapy with antibiotics is successful treatment of individual patients with bacterial infections. The optimal clinical treatment results can only be achieved when the toxicity, selection of pathogens and development of resistance are minimized. This article presents the principles of a rational antibiotic therapy.