Debbie Rigby rounds up the latest in research news
Comparative Efficacy of Interventions for Aggressive and Agitated Behaviors in Dementia
Results of this systematic review and network meta-analysis show nonpharmacologic interventions seem to be more efficacious than pharmacologic interventions for reducing aggression and agitation in adults with dementia. nonpharmacologic interventions include multidisciplinary care, massage and touch therapy, and music combined with massage and touch therapy.
Ann Intern Med, 2019.
Australian pharmacists’ perspectives on physician-assisted suicide
This study investigated Australian pharmacists’ views about their role in physician-assisted suicide (PAS), their ethical and legal concerns and overall thoughts about PAS in pharmacy. It revealed current concerns of practising pharmacists in Australia, including previously undocumented perspectives on the pharmacoeconomic impact of and barriers relating to PAS. The need for training of all healthcare professionals involved, the provision of clear guidelines, including regulation around storage, administration and disposal of medicines dispensed for PAS and the updating of current therapeutic guidelines around end-of-life care were all identified issues.
BMJ Open 2019;9:e028868.
Inhaled corticosteroids in COPD and onset of type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis
This matched cohort study used two large UK databases to study patients (≥ 40 years old) with COPD. For patients prescribed ICS, compared to long-acting bronchodilators, the risk of diabetes onset was significantly increased, with no overall increase in risk of diabetes progression or osteoporosis onset. However, long-term ICS therapy for COPD at mean daily exposure of ≥ 500 µg fluticasone propionate (or equivalent) was associated with an increased risk of diabetes, diabetes progression, and osteoporosis.
npj Prim Care Respir Med 2019;29:38.
Prescribed heart failure pharmacotherapy: How closely do GPs adhere to treatment guidelines
This retrospective study examined HMR reports of 30 patients with heart failure between 2015 and 2018. Out of these, 13 patients were not on an ACEI and 23 were not on an AR2B; seven patients were neither on ACEI nor AR2B. Nine patients were not on any beta-blocker, and 4 patients were recommended to commence a beta-blocker. Most patients were on suboptimal doses of their heart failure medicines, for which dose up-titrations were recommended.
Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 2019.
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