María Rosa Cantudo-Cuenca

Background/Objectives: Real-world data on the effectiveness, safety, and utilization of topical ruxolitinib in non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) remain limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of ruxolitinib cream in patients with NSV, characterize real-world treatment utilization based on pharmacy dispensing data, and explore its association with disease severity and clinical improvement. Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients with NSV treated with ruxolitinib cream for at least 24 weeks. Disease severity was assessed at baseline and after 12 and 24 weeks using total and facial body surface area (T-BSA and F-BSA) and Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (T-VASI and F-VASI). Treatment utilization was estimated from monthly pharmacy dispensing data. Results: Forty-one patients were included. Mean age was 48.3 years and 65.9% of patients were female. The mean amount of ruxolitinib cream dispensed was 151 ± 134 g/month. Significant reductions were observed in F-BSA and F-VASI (both p < 0.001), T-BSA (p = 0.02), and T-VASI (p < 0.001). No statistically significant association was detected between monthly dispensed quantity and baseline disease severity or clinical improvement at 12 or 24 weeks (all p > 0.50). Adverse events were mild and predominantly local. Conclusions: Ruxolitinib cream was associated with significant clinical improvement in real-world NSV, particularly in facial involvement. No statistically significant association was detected between dispensed quantity and clinical improvement.

Methods A prospective quasi-experimental study to implement an ASP in a LTCF. Antibiotic prescriptions for suspected infections initiated in any setting for LTCF residents were included. We assessed appropriateness and prospective audits and feedback of each inappropriate antimicrobial prescription were carried out. Associations of variables with appropriate antibiotic prescribing were estimated using logistic regression. Results A total of 416 antibiotic prescriptions were included. The mean consumption of antibiotics was reduced from 63.2 defined daily doses per 1000 residents days (DRD) in the preintervention period to 22.8 in the intervention period (− 63.8%), with a significant drop in fluoroquinolones (81.4%). Overall, 46.6% of antibiotic prescriptions were judged inappropriate, mainly because of a use not recommended in treatment guidelines (63.2%). Multivariable analysis showed that empirical therapy, some classes of antibiotics (cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, fosfomycin calcium, macrolides) and prescription initiation in the emergency department were independent predictors of antimicrobial inappropriateness. Conclusions Pharmacist-led ASP in a LTCF has being effective in reducing consumption of antibiotics by improving appropriateness of treatment decisions. However, ASP should include interventions in the emergency department because of the high inappropriate use in this setting.

Pharmacists may be tasked to lead antibiotic stewardship programmes (ASP) implementation in small hospitals in absence of infectious diseases (ID) physicians. The objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led ASP in a hospital without ID physician support, with special focus on indicators of the hospital use of antimicrobial agents based on consumption and asess the potential clinical and economic impact of pharmacist interventions (PIs) through the CLEO tool. A prospective quasi-experimental study to implement an ASP in a 194-bed hospital. We evaluated changes in antimicrobial use measured as mean defined daily doses per 1000 patient-days (AUD) for intervention versus preintervention period. A total of 847 antimicrobial PIs were proposed, being 88.3% accepted. Discontinuation due to excessive duration was the most frequently performed PI (23.4%). Most of PIs was classified as major or moderate clinical impact, 41.7% and 37.8% respectively. The global consumption of antimicrobial was reduced from 907.1 to 693.8 AUD, with a signifcant drop in carbapenems and quinolones. Direct expenditure of antibiotics decreased significantly. Pharmacist-led ASP has being effective in reducing consumption of antibiotics. In the absence of ID physician´s support and oversight, pharmacists could lead the improvement of the use of antimicrobials.

Antimicrobials are the most frequently prescribed drugs in long-term care facilities (LTCF). Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) are coordinated interventions promoting the responsible use of antibiotics to improve patient outcomes and reduce antibiotic resistant bacterias. The objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led ASP in a LTCF, to characterise antibiotic therapy and assess the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions. A prospective quasi-experimental study to implement an ASP in a LTCF. Antibiotic prescriptions for suspected infections initiated in any setting for LTCF residents were included. We assessed appropriateness and prospective audits and feedback of each inappropriate antimicrobial prescription were carried out. Associations of variables with appropriate antibiotic prescribing were estimated using logistic regression. A total of 416 antibiotic prescriptions were included. The mean consumption of antibiotics was reduced from 63.2 defined daily doses per 1000 residents-days (DRD) in the preintervention period to 22.8 in the intervention period (− 63.8%), with a signifcant drop in fluoroquinolones (81.4%). Overall, 46.6% of antibiotic prescriptions were judged inappropriate, mainly because of a use not recommended in treatment guidelines (63.2%). Multivariable analysis showed that empirical therapy, some classes of antibiotics (cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, fosfomycin calcium, macrolides) and prescription initiation in the emergency department were independent predictors of antimicrobial inappropriateness. Pharmacist-led ASP in a LTCF has being effective in reducing consumption of antibiotics by improving appropriateness of treatment decisions. However, ASP should include interventions in the emergency department because of the high inappropriate use in this setting.

RESUMEN La inhibición dirigida de BRAF con vemurafenib y dabrafenib ha demostrado ser una opción de tratamiento del melanoma metastásico con mutación BRAF-V600E. Sin embargo, los eventos adversos cutáneos son frecuentes con los inhibidores de BRAF, siendo la psoriasis una complicación rara. Presentamos un caso de psoriasis pustulosa palmoplantar en un hombre adulto con melanoma metastásico tratado con ambos inhibidores de BRAF, de forma secuencial. Fue incluso necesario el tratamiento con corticoides sistémicos y apremilast para controlar la sintomatología. Hasta la fecha, sólo se ha descrito en la literatura un caso de psoriasis asociada a dabrafenib. Postulamos que la elevación del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-a) y la activación paradójica de la vía de la proteína quinasa activada por mitógenos (MAPK) debido a la inhibición de BRAF pueden ser responsables de este caso. Se necesitan más estudios para dilucidar más a fondo los mecanismos inmunopatógenos detrás de este evento adverso.

A high percentage of teriparatide prescriptions is unsuitable in our health care management area, but it has decreased after pharmacist intervention.

BACKGROUND: The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced morbidity and mortality, thus increasing life expectancy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals, transforming HIV into a chronic disease. Accordingly, there has been an increase in the number of comorbidities concomitantly present in these individuals and also an increased use of comedications, which may negatively impact antiretroviral therapy adherence. These factors can affect adherence to antiretroviral therapy. The role of the HIV clinical pharmacist is essential to achieve therapeutic objectives and enhance adherence. OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of the comorbidities and comedications on antiretroviral therapy adherence among HIV-infected patients receiving services from a clinical pharmacist. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study that included HIV-infected outpatients who attended the pharmaceutical care office of a hospital pharmacy service, which initiated antiretro...