Medication use in Italian nursing homes: preliminary results from the national monitoring system

Background: The aging population has increased concerns about the affordability, quality, and nature of long-term care for older people, emphasizing the role of nursing homes. Unlike acute hospital and primary care, there is a lack of drug consumption data in long-term care to understand regional or national healthcare policies. Objectives: This study aimed to describe medication consumption by older adults and expenditure in Italian nursing homes (NHs). Methods: Data on drug consumption and costs from the administrative medicine informational flows that detect medicines packages supplied to patients in health facilities and NHs were used. Data on the characteristics of the healthcare residence were from the Italian Health Ministry. Records for the year 2019, selecting the nursing homes exclusively providing elderly or mixed (elderly and disabled) were used. Results: In 2019, the total expenditure on medicines in NHs amounted to 25.38 million euros, the average cost to 1.30 and the expenditure per bed to 436.18 euros. Cardiovascular drugs were the highest-consuming therapeutic class (177.0 defined daily doses-DDDs/100 days of NH stay; 22.2% of total) followed by drugs acting on the alimentary tract and metabolism (167.6% and 21.0%) and blood drugs (160.4% and 20.1%). The treatment of hypertension and heart failure was widely the most frequently used, with the consumption being driven mainly by furosemide and ramipril. Antiulcer drugs were used on average in more than half of the days of NH stay (58.5 DDDs/100 days of NH stay), representing a therapeutic category for which deprescribing initiatives are recommended. On average, almost all patients received a dose of benzodiazepines, antipsychotics and antidepressants (37.6, 35.9, and 17.7 DDDs/100 days of NH stay, respectively), confirming the high prevalence of use for these medicines. Antibiotics reached 6.8 DDDs/100 days of NH stay. Conclusion: The availability of data in this specific setting allows the identification of the main interventions toward improving appropriateness and represents a challenge for drug utilization research. Data from this study suggest that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), benzodiazepines and antibacterials can be areas of improving prescribing appropriateness.

Previous psychiatric disorders and antipsychotic drugs in COVID-19 patients: early findings on possible worse outcome

Background

There are a range of traditional risk factors for COVID-19, but it is not well established if there are also psychiatric related risk factors. These factors could increase angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression and potentiate COVID-19 cell entry.

Purpose

We aimed to assess if psychiatric disorders and antipsychotic treatments represent risk factors for COVID-19 worst outcomes.

Methods

We describe the demographics, symptoms, therapeutic management, and survival outcomes of COVID-19 in the population who were admitted in a single academic hospital in Northern Italy between March 1 and June 30, 2020. Patients were determined to have COVID-19 if they had a positive SARS-CoV-19 swab. We used logistic regression analyses to control for confounding by concomitant risk factors for COVID-19 and for therapeutic management of comorbidities including psychiatric disorders and antipsychotic related drugs.

Results

Among 609 patients, in-hospital death occurred in 120 (19.7%). A psychiatric disorder in the previous years was overrepresented (p<0.0001) in non-survivors (35.5%) in comparison with survivors (22.1%). Age and a history of hypertension were as well, established (p<0.005) risk factors for COVID-19 adverse outcomes: 80.6±11.4 vs 68±17.4 years and 70% vs 52% of people with hypertension in non-survivors vs survivors. Various pre-existing conditions were also associated (p<0.001) with increased risk of death, such as stroke or transient ischemic attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (20% vs 8%, 35% vs 17%, and 24% vs 10%, respectively). We did not observe that prior use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers were more prevalent in non-survivors compared with survivors. On the opposite, prior use of aspirin, P2Y receptor antagonists, and antipsychotic drugs was more common (p<0.001) in non-survivors compared with their counterparts (36% vs 21%, 12% vs 5%, and 28% vs 10%, respectively). After multivariable adjustment, use of antipsychotic drugs was associated with higher risks of in-hospital death (OR: 2.27; 95% CI, 1.17–4.4). Other independent predictors of death were older age (OR: 2.8; 95% CI, 1.69–4.63), CKD (OR: 2.2; 95% CI, 1.21–4.03) and COPD (OR: 2.04; 95% CI, 1.22–3.42).

Conclusions

Antipsychotic drugs might be an independent risk factor for COVID-19 adverse outcomes. Although preliminary, our findings have implications for clinical services as they provide crucial information for understanding who is at greatest risk for COVID-19.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Pharmacovigilance of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors: What a clinician should know on disproportionality analysis of spontaneous reporting systems

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-Is) have consistently demonstrated a clinically significant reduction of cardiovascular mortality. However, their safety in clinical practice is still incompletely characterized, and post-marketing monitoring is required considering the expected increase in clinical use. Different analyses of international spontaneous reporting systems, known as disproportionality analyses (DAs), have highlighted the occurrence of ketoacidosis, amputations, acute renal failure and skin toxicity. In this viewpoint, we critically appraise these pharmacovigilance data on SGLT2-Is, with the aim of supporting clinicians in proper interpretation of these studies, and discussing their risk-benefit profile. To this aim, we offer a broad perspective on basic technical aspects subtending DAs of spontaneous reporting databases (describing peculiarities of the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System), their common and evolving uses, key pitfalls in presenting study results (in terms of "risk" or "association") and relevant strategies to account for major confounders. This will also facilitate reviewers and editors in proper evaluation of DAs, and prompt pharmacovigilance experts in converging towards a set of minimum requirements in standardization of design, performance and reporting of DAs. A consensus on quality assessment of DAs will finally establish their transferability to clinical practice. It is anticipated that DAs cannot be used per se as a standalone approach to assess a drug-related risk and cannot replace clinical judgment in the individual patient.

Adverse events with sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors: A global analysis of international spontaneous reporting systems

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We assessed post-marketing safety of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-Is) by analyzing adverse events (AEs) reported in international pharmacovigilance databases.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eudravigilance, WHO-Vigibase (as of Feb 25, 2017) and the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS, from 2004 to 2016 second quarter) were queried to extract AEs recording SGLT2-Is as suspect. Disproportionality analyses (case/non-case method) were performed in FAERS by calculating the reporting odds ratios (RORs) from System Organ Classes (SOCs) to Preferred Terms (PTs) (precise clinical entities). Potential signals were defined by statistically-significant ROR (lower limit of the 95% confidence interval - LL95%CI - >1) undetected by literature analysis (as of December 2016). SGLT2-Is were recorded in 7972, 19,775, 11,137 reports (Eudravigilance, WHO-Vigibase and FAERS, respectively); in FAERS, statistically significant ROR emerged for the following SOCs: "infections and infestations" (N = 2162; LL95%CI = 3.25), "metabolism and nutrition disorders" (2278; 1.36), "renal and urinary disorders" (1665; 2.31), "reproductive system and breast disorders" (471; 4.85), "skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders" (1136; 1.52). Skin toxicity emerged as potential signal (e.g., rash, photosensitivity, urticaria as PTs), both for SGLT2-Is as a class and as individual drugs. Severe adverse skin events (81 reports, 7% of the skin cases) mainly occurred in females aged 18-65 using SGLT2-Is as single antidiabetic regimen.

CONCLUSION

Among antidiabetics, SGLT2-Is are associated with higher reporting of infections, metabolism, renal and reproductive AEs, corroborating clinical trial evidence. Their large reporting patterns and the unexpected signal of skin toxicity justify active vigilance by clinicians and "real-time" monitoring by pharmacovigilance experts.

Pattern of drug use among preterm neonates: results from an Italian neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Drug use in preterm neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has been investigated, so far, in terms of unauthorized or off-label use; very little is known on the use of combinations of different active substances, which is frequently required in this population (prophylaxis of infections, treatment of concomitant diseases). The aim of this study was to describe the most common patterns of drug use in an Italian NICU, focusing on those with nephrotoxic potential.

METHODS

Medical records of preterm neonates (<37 weeks of gestational age) weighing less than 1,500 g at birth and admitted to an Italian NICU were scrutinized in a 3-year retrospective investigation. Analysis included drug exposure, duration of therapies, co-administration of drugs with potential renal side effects; also daily protein supplement was calculated from parenteral nutrition.

RESULTS

A cohort of 159 preterm neonates was selected; 68 were born weighing less than 1,000 g (extremely low birth weight infants, ELBW, Group A), 91 weighed between 1,000 and 1,500 g at birth (Group B). Compared to Group B, neonates of Group A were more likely to receive pharmacological treatments: the most used drugs were antibiotics (especially ampicillin and amikacin, p = .07 and p < .001, respectively), antifungals (especially fluconazole, p < .001), and diuretics (especially furosemide, p < .001). Analysis of co-administration of drugs with potential nephrotoxicity showed ampicillin and amikacin as the most reported combination (94.1% of Group A and 31.9% of Group B), the combination of furosemide with antibacterials (ampicillin or amikacin) was also frequently reported, with average period of combination shorter than 2 days.

CONCLUSIONS

ELBW infants were exposed to a higher number of drugs compared to other neonates and were more likely to receive associations of drugs with nephrotoxic potential (e.g. furosemide and amikacin), though only for short cycles. Further studies should evaluate the safety profile (especially potential renal side effects) related to most commonly used combinations.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and heart failure: Analysis of spontaneous reports submitted to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We tested the possible association between dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4-I) use and heart failure (HF) occurrence by assessing the publicly available US-FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

METHODS

FAERS data reporting HF and DPP-4-Is use in the period from the fourth quarter of 2006 through 2013 were extracted, using the Standardized MedDRA Query "Cardiac failure". Disproportionality (case/non-case method) was implemented by calculating Reporting Odds Ratios (RORs) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI): (1) exploratory analysis on the entire FAERS (using rosiglitazone as positive control); (2) consolidated analyses by therapeutic area (within antidiabetics), correcting for event- and drug-related competition bias and adjusting for co-reported drugs as confounders.

RESULTS

HF during DPP4-I use was recorded in 390 reports (4.4% of total reports). In exploratory analysis, statistically significant ROR emerged for DPP-4-I as a class (ROR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.05-1.29), saxagliptin (1.68; 1.29-2.17), vildagliptin (2.39; 1.38-4.14), and rosiglitazone (13.98; 13.30-14.70). In consolidated analyses, the ROR for saxagliptin (2.60; 1.92-3.50) and vildagliptin (4.07; 2.28-7.27) increased, and became also significant for sitagliptin (1.61; 1.40-1.86). Concomitant drugs were reported in more than 50% of cases; the adjusted RORs of saxagliptin (2.30; 1.70-3.10), vildagliptin (3.15; 1.76-5.63), and sitagliptin (1.48; 1.28-1.71) were nonetheless significant.

CONCLUSION

FAERS data are consistent with clinical studies on a possible association between saxagliptin and HF. The disproportionate reporting of HF with sitagliptin, conflicting with a recent phase IV trial, suggests that cardiovascular safety requires close post-marketing vigilance by clinicians of individual DPP-4-I in the community until the issue of class effect is solved.

Adverse cardiovascular events associated with triptans and ergotamines for treatment of migraine: systematic review of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Apart from the underlying cardiovascular (CV) risk associated with migraine, both triptans and ergotamines can induce vasoconstriction and potentially increase the risk of serious ischemic events. Because of the low frequency of such events in eligible patients, randomized controlled trials are not exhaustive to assess the drug-related CV risk. Observational studies are, therefore, an essential source of information to clarify this matter of concern.

AIM

The aim of this study was to systematically review the available published observational studies investigating the risk of serious CV events in triptan or ergotamine users, as compared to unexposed migraineur controls.

METHODS

We systematically searched MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases for cohort or case-control studies up to December 1, 2013. Studies retrieved from CDSR, DARE and HTA databases of the Cochrane Library were used for snowballing. Studies investigating the risk of any CV outcome in patients with a migraine diagnosis and exposed to triptans or ergotamines were considered for inclusion. Selection of studies, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were computed using a random-effects model for studies and outcomes judged eligible for quantitative data synthesis.

RESULTS

From a total of 3370 citations retrieved, after duplicate removal and screening, only four studies met the inclusion criteria (three nested case-control analyses and one retrospective cohort study). These studies investigated the risk of different CV outcomes associated with either the recency or the intensity of exposure to the studied drugs. As for the intensity of use, the pooled OR of serious ischemic events was 2.28 (95% CI 1.18-4.41; I (2 )= 0%) for ergotamine use (two studies), whereas for triptans (three studies) it was 0.86 (95% CI 0.52-1.43; I (2 )= 24.5%). Recent use of ergotamines was not significantly associated with any CV outcome (only one available study). Two studies investigated the risk of stroke related to recent triptan use: the first study reported an OR of 0.90 (0.64-1.26), and the second one suggested an increased risk of 2.51 (1.10-5.71). In this case, because of the high degree of heterogeneity, results were not pooled.

CONCLUSIONS

To date, few comparative observational studies have investigated the CV safety of migraine-specific drugs in clinical practice. Evidence gathered here suggests that intense consumption of ergotamines may be associated with an increased risk of serious ischemic complications. As for triptans, available studies do not suggest strong CV safety issues, although no firm conclusions can be drawn. In particular, evidence on stroke risk is conflicting. However, if an increase of the absolute stroke risk in recently exposed patients does actually exist, it must be small. Overall, residual uncontrolled confounding factors reduce the confidence in the risk estimates collected from the included studies. Further investigations are needed to better define the risk for rare but serious CV events related to triptan and ergotamine use for treatment of migraine.

The association of pancreatitis with antidiabetic drug use: gaining insight through the FDA pharmacovigilance database

In patients with diabetes, disease per se, co-morbidities and drugs, including novel agents acting on the incretin system, have all been associated with pancreatitis with controversial data. We investigated the publicly available FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FDA_AERS) database to gain insight into the possible association between antidiabetic agents and pancreatitis. To this aim, a case/non-case method was retrospectively performed on the FDA_AERS database (2004-2009 period). Cases were defined as reports of pancreatitis according to the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) terminology. All other reports associated with antidiabetics were considered non-cases. The Reporting Odds Ratio (RORs), with corresponding 95% confidential interval (CI) and Mantel-Haenszel corrected P value, was calculated as a measure of disproportionality, with subsequent time-trend analysis. We retrieved 86,938 reports related to antidiabetics, corresponding to 159,226 drug-report combinations: 2,625 cases and 156,601 non-cases. Disproportionality was found only for exenatide (number of cases, 709; ROR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.61-1.92; P MH < 0.001) and sitagliptin (128; 1.86; 1.54-2.24; <0.001). For exenatide, significant disproportionality appeared in the first quarter of 2008 (ROR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10-1.40; P MH < 0.001), soon after the FDA alert; for sitagliptin in the second quarter of 2008 (1.41; 1.05-1.90; 0.021). This temporal analysis found a striking influence of relevant FDA warnings on reporting of pancreatitis (the so-called notoriety bias) and is, therefore, recommended to avoid transforming a pharmacovigilance signal of alert automatically into an alarm. The precise quantification of the risk of pancreatitis associated with antidiabetics deserves assessment through specific disease-based registries.

Review article: clinical implications of enteric and central D2 receptor blockade by antidopaminergic gastrointestinal prokinetics

Antidopaminergic gastrointestinal prokinetics (bromopride, clebopride, domperidone, levosulpiride and metoclopramide) have been exploited clinically for the management of motor disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including functional dyspepsia, gastric stasis of various origins and emesis. The prokinetic effect of these drugs is mediated through the blockade of enteric (neuronal and muscular) inhibitory D2 receptors. The pharmacological profiles of the marketed compounds differ in terms of their molecular structure, affinity at D2 receptors, ability to interact with other receptor systems [5-hydroxytryptamine-3 (5-HT3) and 5-HT4 receptors for metoclopramide; 5-HT4 receptors for levosulpiride) and ability to permeate the blood-brain barrier (compared with the other compounds, domperidone does not easily cross the barrier). It has been suggested that the serotonergic (5-HT4) component of some antidopaminergic prokinetics may enhance their therapeutic efficacy in gastrointestinal disorders, such as functional dyspepsia and diabetic gastroparesis. The antagonism of central D2 receptors may lead to both therapeutic (e.g. anti-emetic effect due to D2 receptor blockade in the area postrema) and adverse (including hyperprolactinaemia and extrapyramidal dystonic reactions) effects. As the pituitary (as well as the area postrema) is outside the blood-brain barrier, hyperprolactinaemia is a side-effect occurring with all antidopaminergic prokinetics, although to different extents. Extrapyramidal reactions are most commonly observed with compounds crossing the blood-brain barrier, although with some differences amongst the various agents. Prokinetics with a high dissociation constant compared with that of dopamine at the D2 receptor (i.e. compounds that bind loosely to D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway) elicit fewer extrapyramidal signs and symptoms. A knowledge of central and peripheral D2 receptor pharmacology can help the clinician to choose between the antidopaminergic prokinetics to obtain a more favourable risk/benefit ratio.

Use of anti-asthmatic drugs in Italy: analysis of prescriptions in general practice in the light of guidelines for asthma treatment

Our aim was to analyse anti-asthmatic drug utilisation in primary health care in a Northern Italian region in the light of guidelines for asthma treatment.

METHODS

We collected all prescriptions for anti-asthmatic agents reimbursed in 1998 in six local health authorities (overall population: 1,909,192 inhabitants) of Emilia Romagna (Northern Italy). The asthmatic cohort was defined as the population of subjects aged 20-44 years receiving at least one prescription of an anti-asthmatic agent devoid of indications for transient respiratory diseases. In order to include routine users, the asthmatic cohort was restricted to those subjects with at least one prescription in the first quarter of 1998. Anti-asthmatic agents were classified according to their therapeutic role as follows: maintenance therapy for mild-moderate asthma (Mm); maintenance therapy for severe asthma (Ms); quick relief for mild attack (Qm) and quick relief for severe attack (Qs).

RESULTS

The asthmatic cohort included 11,518 subjects; of these, 47% received only one prescription in 1998. The most frequent regimens were Mm+Qm (25%) and Qm alone (23%). Some regimens appeared not to be in accordance with international recommendations. The main reasons were lack of drugs for quick relief (36%), use of long-term beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonists (Ms drugs) without quick-relief or anti-inflammatory agents (10% of the cohort and 56% of the recipients of Ms drugs) and presence of fixed-dose combinations (27%). In 76% of the patients treated with Mm drugs (mainly inhaled steroids), the total amount of drugs prescribed over the 1-year period covered less than 150 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of anti-asthmatic drugs in general practice in Italy does not seem to comply with the international recommendations especially with regard to the use of quick-relief agents. Active interventions to implement guidelines and monitor the choice of drug regimens are warranted.

Organising evidence on QT prolongation and occurrence of Torsades de Pointes with non-antiarrhythmic drugs: a call for consensus

BACKGROUND

The growing list of non-antiarrhythmic drugs associated with QT prolongation and the relevant regulatory interventions have generated concern for two reasons. First, QT prolongation is sometimes viewed as an intrinsic effect of a whole therapeutic class (for example, antihistamines), whereas, in many cases, it is displayed only by some compounds within a given class of non-antiarrhythmic drugs because of an effect on cardiac repolarisation. Second, drug-induced Torsades de Pointes are still considered idiosyncratic, totally unpredictable adverse drug reactions, whereas a number of risk factors for their occurrence is now recognised.

OBJECTIVES

In order to increase awareness among prescribing physicians that many non-antiarrhythmic drugs can affect cardiac repolarisation, we would like to propose a comprehensive and updated list of QT-prolonging drugs that should be a starting point to maintain a "consensus list" to be periodically updated.

METHODS

The drug list was generated by performing a Medline search, by using published lists as starting points to retrieve the relevant references quoted in each article and by considering the International Registry for Drug-induced Arrhythmias maintained by the Georgetown University and mainly based on the FDA approved labelling.

RESULTS

The drug list presented in this paper: (1) includes virtually all non-antiarrhythmic drugs with QT-prolonging potential, (2) organises the available information on each drug at different levels of clinical relevance and (3) is as up-to-date as possible in order to provide a fast track for the clinical pharmacologist to retrieve the original publications.

CONCLUSIONS

This list should be considered as a starting point to call for consensus on: (1) the criteria used to generate the list, (2) possible ways to implement the use of this list as a quick reference for clinicians, for instance by providing a "proarrhythmic score" for each drug, and (3) inclusion/exclusion of a given agent into the list on the basis of evidence that may not be available to us.

QT-interval prolongation by non-cardiac drugs: lessons to be learned from recent experience

BACKGROUND

Evidence has accrued that several non-cardiac drugs may prolong cardiac repolarisation (hence, the QT interval of the surface electrocardiogram) to such a degree that potentially life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (e.g. torsades de pointes) may occur, especially in case of overdosage or pharmacokinetic interactions.

DISCUSSION

This has fostered discussion on the molecular mechanisms underlying the class-III antiarrhythmic effect shared by apparently disparate classes of drugs, on the clinical relevance of this side effect and on possible guidelines to be followed by drug companies, ethics committees and regulatory agencies in the risk-benefit assessment of new and licensed drugs. This review provides an update on the different classes of non-cardiac drugs reported to prolong the QT interval (e.g. histamine H1-receptor antagonists, antipsychotics, antidepressants and macrolides), on the possible underlying molecular mechanisms and on the clinical relevance of the QT prolonging effect. Identification and widespread knowledge of risk factors that may precipitate prolongation of the QT interval into life-threatening arrhythmias becomes an important issue. Risk factors include congenital long QT syndrome, clinically significant bradycardia or heart disease, electrolyte imbalance (especially hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia), impaired hepatic/renal function and concomitant treatment with other drugs with known potential for pharmacokinetic/ pharmacodynamic interactions (e.g. azole antifungals, macrolide antibacterials and class-I or -III antiarrhythmic agents). Future perspectives for drug research and development are also briefly outlined.