Resumo Este estudo pretende identificar a prevalência de interações medicamentosas potenciais (IMP) em idosos institucionalizados e seus fatores associados. Realizamos um estudo observacional, multicêntrico e transversal, durante o último trimestre de 2010. Selecionamos uma amostra de 275 sujeitos (≥ 65 anos) de 10 instituições para idosos de Murcia (Espanha) mediante amostragem aleatória complexa em duas etapas. As IMP foram identificadas usando a base de dados do College of Pharmacists. Estimamos a prevalência de IMP de relevância clínica e analisamos os fatores associados com análise de regressão uni e multinível. Identificamos 210 IMP, das quais 120 foram consideradas clinicamente relevantes (57,1%) e afetaram 70 idosos (25,8%). Oito grupos farmacológicos constituíram 70,2% das IMP clinicamente relevantes. A prevalência de IMP esteve associada à multimorbidade (OR = 2,3; IC 95% = 1,4-4,5) e tomar dez ou mais medicamentos diariamente (OR = 9,6; IC95% = 4,8-19,1) e uso de medicamentos anti-inflamatórios (OR = 3,9; IC 95% = 1,4-10,4). Este estudo revela que as IMP clinicamente relevantes são muito comuns em idosos institucionalizados e que os serviços devem melhorar seus processos para reduzir a prevalência deste fenômeno.

Abstract This study purposes to determine the prevalence of potential and clinical relevant Drug-Drug-Interactions (pDDIs) in institutionalized older adults and to identify the pertinent factors associated. We conduct an observational, multicenter and cross-sectional study during the last quarter of 2010. We selected a sample of 275 subjects (aged ≥ 65 years) from 10 nursing homes of Murcia (Spain) by a two-stage complex sampling. pDDIs were identified using the College of Pharmacists Database. We only considered pDDIs of clinical relevance, and thereafter the relevant factors were identified through uni-level and multi-level regression analyses. A total of 210 pDDIs were identified, 120 of which were considered clinically relevant (57.1%), affecting a total of 70 elderly (25.8%). Eight pharmacological groups made up 70.2% of the clinically relevant pDDIs. More clinically relevant DDIs were found in people suffering several pathologies (OR = 2.3; 95%CI = 1.4-4.5), and also in people who take ten or more drugs daily (OR = 9.6; 95%CI = 4.8-19.1), and people who take anti-inflammatory drugs (OR = 3.9; 95%CI = 1.4-10.4). This study reveals that clinically relevant pDDIs are very common in institutionalized elderly people, and that caregivers should aim at improving their practice in order to reduce the prevalence of this phenomenon.

Resumo Este estudo pretende identificar a prevalência de interações medicamentosas potenciais (IMP) em idosos institucionalizados e seus fatores associados. Realizamos um estudo observacional, multicêntrico e transversal, durante o último trimestre de 2010. Selecionamos uma amostra de 275 sujeitos (≥ 65 anos) de 10 instituições para idosos de Murcia (Espanha) mediante amostragem aleatória complexa em duas etapas. As IMP foram identificadas usando a base de dados do College of Pharmacists. Estimamos a prevalência de IMP de relevância clínica e analisamos os fatores associados com análise de regressão uni e multinível. Identificamos 210 IMP, das quais 120 foram consideradas clinicamente relevantes (57,1%) e afetaram 70 idosos (25,8%). Oito grupos farmacológicos constituíram 70,2% das IMP clinicamente relevantes. A prevalência de IMP esteve associada à multimorbidade (OR = 2,3; IC 95% = 1,4-4,5) e tomar dez ou mais medicamentos diariamente (OR = 9,6; IC95% = 4,8-19,1) e uso de medicamentos anti-inflamatórios (OR = 3,9; IC 95% = 1,4-10,4). Este estudo revela que as IMP clinicamente relevantes são muito comuns em idosos institucionalizados e que os serviços devem melhorar seus processos para reduzir a prevalência deste fenômeno.

Abstract This study purposes to determine the prevalence of potential and clinical relevant Drug-Drug-Interactions (pDDIs) in institutionalized older adults and to identify the pertinent factors associated. We conduct an observational, multicenter and cross-sectional study during the last quarter of 2010. We selected a sample of 275 subjects (aged ≥ 65 years) from 10 nursing homes of Murcia (Spain) by a two-stage complex sampling. pDDIs were identified using the College of Pharmacists Database. We only considered pDDIs of clinical relevance, and thereafter the relevant factors were identified through uni-level and multi-level regression analyses. A total of 210 pDDIs were identified, 120 of which were considered clinically relevant (57.1%), affecting a total of 70 elderly (25.8%). Eight pharmacological groups made up 70.2% of the clinically relevant pDDIs. More clinically relevant DDIs were found in people suffering several pathologies (OR = 2.3; 95%CI = 1.4-4.5), and also in people who take ten or more drugs daily (OR = 9.6; 95%CI = 4.8-19.1), and people who take anti-inflammatory drugs (OR = 3.9; 95%CI = 1.4-10.4). This study reveals that clinically relevant pDDIs are very common in institutionalized elderly people, and that caregivers should aim at improving their practice in order to reduce the prevalence of this phenomenon.

Objetive: to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in patients aged 65 years or more at admission and factors associated with its presence. Analyze excess hospital stay (EHS), economic impact and premature readmission rate associated with hospital malnutrition in elderly patient. Material and method: retrospective study conducted at the University Hospital Reina Sofía. All patients aged 65 years or older admitted to internal medicine in 2011. The sample size was calculated taking into account the income of the previous year, and considering a prevalence of malnutrition of 50% with a 95% and included error of 5%. To define the degree of malnutrition nutritional control tool (CONUT), which establishes a score based on albumin, total cholesterol and lymphocyte determination was used. To determine the factors associated with the presence of moderate to severe malnutrition analysis of multivariate logistic regression was performed. For each patient the EHS, premature readmissions and the associated cost to EHS was calculated. A threshold of statistical significance of 0.05 was used for all analyzes and were performed with SPSS v15.0. Results: 310 patients, of whom 54.2% were women were included, the mean age was 80.1 years (SD: 6.8), ranging between 65 and 95 years. Regarding diagnosis at admission 27.4% were respiratory diseases, 22.6% of the circulatory and digestive 11.6%. The median Charlson index was 2.0, found that 36.8% of patients had high comorbidity. The most prevalent chronic diseases were diabetes mellitus (44.2%), chronic kidney disease (25.2%) and dementia (10.6). Regarding the CONUT, 75.8% of patients met the criteria of malnutrition: 42.6% mild, 28.7% moderate and severe 4.5%, of which only 46.6% had some nutritional support during admission. Factors associated with the presence of moderate to severe malnutrition were female gender (OR: 1.7; 95%: 1.1 - 2.8), age over 80 years (OR: 2.0, IC 95%: 1.2 - 3.5), and dementia (OR: 2.4; IC 95%:1.2 - 5.2). No association with comorbidity or with other chronic diseases was found. Regarding the EHS (days) differences between patients with moderate to severe malnutrition (4.7; IC 95%: 2.3 - 7.1) and normally nourished (-0.1; IC 95%: -1.4 - 1.2) (p = 0.001) were found, but were not for cases of mild malnutrition (1.6, 95%: 0.5-2.8) (p = 0.07).Regarding the rate of premature readmission in malnourished patients was 28/235 (11.9%). The cost associated with EHS / 100 patients was € 195 479.4 for moderate malnutrition, mild malnutrition € 73 484.8, and normally nourished patients represented a saving of € 12 353. Conclusions: hospital malnutrition in elderly patients remains an unsolved problem, given the high prevalence found, associated to an excess of hospital stay and increased hospital costs, especially in patients with moderate to severe malnutrition. The CONUT is a nutritional screening tool very useful for the speed and validity of their results, and allows detecting patients at risk or nutritional alert without lead to increased costs.

Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de desnutrición en pacientes con edad igual o superior a 65 años al ingreso hospitalario y los factores asociados a su presencia. Analizar el exceso de estancia hospitalaria (EEH), el impacto económico y la tasa de reingresos prematuros asociados a la desnutrición hospitalaria en pacientes de edad avanzada. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo realizado en el Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con edad igual o mayor a 65 años que ingresaron en Medicina Interna durante 2011. Se calculó el tamaño muestral teniendo en cuenta los ingresos del año anterior, y considerando una prevalencia de desnutrición del 50% con un IC 95% y un error del 5%. Para definir el grado de desnutrición se empleó la herramienta Control Nutricional (CONUT), que establece una puntuación basada en la determinación de albúmina, colesterol total y linfocitos. Para determinar los factores asociados a la presencia de desnutrición moderada-grave se realizó un análisis de regresión logística multivariante. Para cada paciente se calculó el EEH, los reingresos prematuros y el coste asociado al EEH. Para todos los análisis se utilizó un dintel de significación estadística de 0,05 y se realizaron con el paquete estadístico SPSS v15.0. Resultados: se incluyeron 310 pacientes, de los cuales el 54,2% fueron mujeres, la edad media fue de 80,1 años (DE: 6,8), con un rango entre 65 y 95 años. En cuanto al diagnóstico al ingreso, el 27,4% correspondían a enfermedades del aparato respiratorio, 22,6% del circulatorio y 11,6% del digestivo. La mediana del Índice de Charlson fue de 2,0, encontrando que el 36,8% de los pacientes presentaban una comorbilidad alta. Las patologías crónicas más prevalentes fueron la diabetes mellitus (44,2%), la enfermedad renal crónica (25,2%) y la demencia (10,6). En relación con el CONUT, el 75,8% de los pacientes presentaban criterios de desnutrición: el 42,6% leve, el 28,7% moderada y el 4,5% grave, de estos, solo un 46,6% tuvo algún tipo de soporte nutricional durante el ingreso. Los factores asociados a la presencia de desnutrición moderada-grave fueron el sexo femenino (OR: 1,7; IC 95%: 1,1 - 2,8), edad mayor de 80 años (OR: 2,0, IC 95%: 1,2 - 3,5), y la demencia (OR: 2,4; IC 95%:1,2 - 5,2). No se encontró asociación con la comorbilidad ni con otras patologías crónicas. Respecto al EEH (días), se encontraron diferencias entre los pacientes con desnutrición moderada-grave (4,7; IC 95%: 2,3 - 7,1) y normonutridos (-0,1; IC 95%: -1,4 - 1,2) (p = 0,001), no siendo así para los casos de desnutrición leve (1,6; IC 95%: 0,5-2,8) (p = 0,07). En relación a la tasa de reingresos prematuros en pacientes desnutridos fue de 28/235 (11,9%). El coste asociado al EEH/100 pacientes fue de 195.479,4 € para la desnutrición grave-moderada, 73.484,8 € desnutrición leve, mientras que en los pacientes normonutridos supuso un ahorro de 12.353 €. Conclusiones: la desnutrición hospitalaria en el paciente anciano sigue siendo un problema sin resolver, dada la elevada prevalencia encontrada, asociándose a un exceso de estancia hospitalaria y a un aumento del gasto hospitalario, especialmente en pacientes con desnutrición moderada- severa. El CONUT es una herramienta de cribado nutricional de gran utilidad por la rapidez y validez de sus resultados, y permite detectar pacientes con riesgo o alerta nutricional, sin suponer un incremento de costes.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of prescription drugs, previously selected, that should be monitored by their analytical test, and the rate of alteration in these tests, with the aim of establishing priorities to facilitate monitoring. Method: Prospective observational study in the Internal Medicine department of a referral hospital of 350 beds. In a first phase, we selected some drugs which analytical monitoring is recommended for the medical literature, and after that, we reviewed the pharmacological treatment of all patients admitted with any of these drugs. The study was conducted in the last two month of 2011. Results: We included 271 patients, 128 (47%) were women. The mean age was 74.5 ± 14.4 years and the average stay of 7 ± 5.8 days. These patients accounted for 83% of all patients admitted to Internal Medicine during the study period. There were 828 drugs that must be monitored; each patient had an average of 3.1 ± 2.3. We reviewed 1837 analytical test, of which 401 (22%) were altered and 154 patients (57%) were affected for it. The pairs drug-analytical test altered most frequently found were creatinine increased and nephrotoxic drugs, hypokalemia in patients taking high efficiency diuretics and thrombocytopenia in patients treated with low molecular weight heparins. Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of monitoring laboratory test associated with some drugs from the pharmacy department, as it demonstrates a high incidence of warning results. Our proposal for selection of drugs makes monitoring easier, and reaches large numbers of patients.

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia con la que se prescriben una serie de fármacos, previamente seleccionados, sobre los que existen recomendaciones de monitorización mediante parámetros analíticos, y la prevalencia de analíticas alteradas con el fin de establecer prioridades para facilitar su seguimiento. Método: Estudio prospectivo observacional realizado en el servicio de Medicina Interna de un hospital de referencia de área de 350 camas. En una primera fase se realizó una selección de fármacos cuya monitorización analítica está recomendada en la bibliografía, y posteriormente se realizó un seguimiento de los pacientes ingresados con alguno de estos fármacos en su tratamiento. El estudio se llevó a cabo en el último bimestre de 2011. Resultados: Se incluyeron 271 pacientes, de los cuales 128 (47%) fueron mujeres. La edad media fue de 74,5±14,4 años y la estancia media de 7±5,8 días. Estos pacientes representaron el 83% de todos los pacientes ingresados en el servicio de Medicina Interna durante el periodo de estudio. Se registraron 828 medicamentos susceptibles de monitorización; cada paciente tuvo una media de 3,1±2,3. Se revisaron 1837 analíticas, de las cuales 401 (22%) estaban alteradas y afectaron a 154 pacientes (57%). Los binomios fármaco-parámetro analítico alterado más frecuentemente encontrados fueron incremento de creatinina-fármacos nefrotóxicos, hipopotasemia en pacientes tratados con diuréticos de alta eficacia y trombocitopenia en pacientes tratados con heparinas de bajo peso molecular. Conclusiones: En nuestro estudio se pone de manifiesto la importancia de vigilar desde el servicio de Farmacia ciertos parámetros analíticos relacionados con determinados fármacos, ya que se demuestra una elevada incidencia de resultados alertantes. Nuestra propuesta de selección de fármacos facilita el seguimiento y alcanza a gran cantidad de pacientes.