scholarly journals Improving adherence to cholesterol lowering guidelines through an interactive digital tool

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Rashid ◽  
G A Suero-Abreu ◽  
M Tysarowki ◽  
H Um ◽  
Y Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Statins are the cornerstone of primary and secondary prevention of atheroscleoric cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Our previous retrospective analysis of 1042 consecutive patient encounters at a large urban academic institution found that one in five patients were not prescribed an appropriate statin therapy. These patients tended to be younger, of Black race, and met statin-eligibility solely via a 10-year ASCVD risk score ≥7.5%. Only one-third of patients had follow-up cholesterol levels ordered to monitor treatment efficacy. Purpose To improve adherence to cholesterol guidelines at our academic institution. Methods We implemented multiple interventions over a four-month period to support clinical decision making of guideline directed statin therapy: a) development of an online interactive tool, b) physician education on updated cholesterol guidelines and utilization of the tool, c) display of guideline summary in the workspace, and d) a documentation reminder in the electronic health record. We randomly selected encounter dates, from which 622 consecutive patient visits were analyzed. The primary outcome measures were: prescription rates of statins, documentation of a 10-year ASCVD risk score, and follow-up cholesterol levels ordered to monitor treatment efficacy. Results Out of the 622 patients, 232 met statin indication. In this post-intervention group, statin prescriptions rates improved when compared to the pre-intervention group (90.5% vs 82.3%, p=0.006). Among the patients who met statin indication solely via a 10-year ASCVD risk score ≥7.5%, there was an increase in documentation of the calculated 10-year ASCVD risk score (72.3% vs 57.8%; p=0.039) and in statin prescription rate (90.8% vs 67.6%; p<0.001). In addition, there was an increase in follow-up cholesterol levels ordered in all patients included in our study who met statin indication (64.1% vs 33.3%; p<0.001). Conclusion Our study showed higher rates of statin prescription, 10-year ASCVD risk score documentation, and treatment monitoring after multiple interventions, including an easily accessible online interactive tool, at a large urban academic institution. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Statin Prescription Rates

Author(s):  
Phoebe Ullrich ◽  
Christian Werner ◽  
Martin Bongartz ◽  
Tobias Eckert ◽  
Bastian Abel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Community-dwelling older persons with cognitive impairment (CI) following discharge from geriatric rehabilitation are at high risk of losing life-space mobility (LSM). Interventions to improve their LSM are, however, still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a CI-specific, home-based physical training and activity promotion program on LSM. Methods Older persons with mild-to-moderate CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 17–26 points) discharged home from rehabilitation were included in this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a 12-week intervention period and 12-week follow-up period. The intervention group received a CI-specific, home-based strength, balance, and walking training supported by tailored motivational strategies. The control group received a placebo activity. LSM was evaluated by the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment, including a composite score for LSM and 3 subscores for maximal, equipment-assisted, and independent life space. Mixed-model repeated-measures analyses were used. Results One hundred eighteen participants (82.3 ± 6.0 years) with CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 23.3 ± 2.4) were randomized. After the intervention, the home-based training program resulted in a significant benefit in the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment composite scores (b = 8.15; 95% confidence interval: 2.89–13.41; p = .003) and independent life-space subscores (b = 0.39; 95% confidence interval: 0.00–0.78; p = .048) in the intervention group (n = 63) compared to control group (n = 55). Other subscores and follow-up results were not significantly different. Conclusions The home-based training program improved LSM and independent life space significantly in this vulnerable population. Effects were not sustained over the follow-up. The program may represent a model for improved transition from rehabilitation to the community to prevent high risk of LSM restriction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Giacomelli ◽  
Federico Conti ◽  
Laura Pezzati ◽  
Letizia Oreni ◽  
Anna Lisa Ridolfo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background We aimed to assess the overall cardiovascular and metabolic effect of the switch to three different single tablet regimens (STRs) [tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine/rilpivirine (TAF/FTC/RPV), TAF/FTC/elvitegravir/cobi (TAF/FTC/EVG/cobi) and ABC/lamivudine/dolutegravir (ABC/3TC/DTG)] in a cohort of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) under effective ART. Methods All PLWH aged above 18 years on antiretroviral treatment with an HIV-RNA < 50 cp/mL at the time of the switch to TAF/FTC/RPV, TAF/FTC/EVG/cobi and ABC/3TC/DTG were retrospectively included in the analysis. Framingham risk score modification after 12 months from the switch such as lipid profile and body weight modification were assessed. The change from baseline to 12 months in mean cardiovascular risk and body weight in each of the STR’s group were assessed by means of Wilcoxon signed-rank test whereas a mixed regression model was used to assess variation in lipid levels. Results Five-hundred and sixty PLWH were switched to an STR regimen of whom 170 (30.4%) to TAF/FTC/EVG/cobi, 191 (34.1%) to TAF/FTC/RPV and 199 (35.5%) to ABC/3TC/DTG. No difference in the Framingham cardiovascular risk score was observed after 12 months from the switch in each of the STR’s groups. No significant overtime variation in mean total cholesterol levels from baseline to 12 months was observed for PLWH switched to ABC/3TC/DTG [200 (SD 38) mg/dl vs 201 (SD 35) mg/dl; p = 0.610] whereas a significant increment was observed in PLWH switched to TAF/FTC/EVG/cobi [192 (SD 34) mg/dl vs 208 (SD 40) mg/dl; p < 0.0001] and TAF/FTC/RPV [187 (SD 34) mg/dl vs 195 (SD 35) mg/dl; p = 0.027]. In addition, a significant variation in the mean body weight from baseline to 12 months was observed in PLWH switched to TAF/FTC/EVG/cobi [72.2 (SD 13.5) kilograms vs 74.6 (SD 14.3) kilograms; p < 0.0001] and TAF/FTC/RPV [73.4 (SD 11.6) kilograms vs 75.6 (SD 11.8) kilograms; p < 0.0001] whereas no difference was observed in those switched to ABC/3TC/DTG [71.5 (SD 12.8) kilograms vs 72.1 (SD 12.6) kilograms; p = 0.478]. Conclusion No difference in the cardiovascular risk after 1 year from the switch to these STRs were observed. PLWH switched to TAF/FTC/EVG/cobi and TAF/FTC/RPV showed an increase in total cholesterol levels and body weight 12 months after the switch.


Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Fauna Herawati ◽  
Yuni Megawati ◽  
Aslichah ◽  
Retnosari Andrajati ◽  
Rika Yulia

The long period of tuberculosis treatment causes patients to have a high risk of forgetting or stopping the medication altogether, which increases the risk of oral anti-tuberculosis drug resistance. The patient’s knowledge and perception of the disease affect the patient’s adherence to treatment. This research objective was to determine the impact of educational videos in the local language on the level of knowledge, perception, and adherence of tuberculosis patients in the Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Bangil. This quasi-experimental study design with a one-month follow-up allocated 62 respondents in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. The pre- and post-experiment levels of knowledge and perception were measured with a validated set of questions. Adherence was measured by pill counts. The results showed that the intervention increases the level of knowledge of the intervention group higher than that of the control group (p-value < 0.05) and remained high after one month of follow-up. The perceptions domains that changed after education using Javanese (Ngoko) language videos with the Community Based Interactive Approach (CBIA) method were the timeline, personal control, illness coherence, and emotional representations (p-value < 0.05). More than 95% of respondents in the intervention group take 95% of their pill compared to 58% of respondents in the control group (p-value < 0.05). Utilization of the local languages for design a community-based interactive approach to educate and communicate is important and effective.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Tzikas ◽  
A Samaras ◽  
A Kartas ◽  
D Vasdeki ◽  
G Fotos ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is paramount to effective thromboprophylaxis; yet adherence to OAC remains largely suboptimal in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Purpose We aimed to assess the impact of an educational, motivational intervention on the adherence to OAC in patients with non-valvular AF. Methods Hospitalised patients with non-valvular AF who received OAC were randomly assigned to usual medical care or a proactive intervention, comprising motivational interviewing and tailored counseling on medication adherence. The primary study outcome was adherence to OAC at 1-year, evaluated as Proportion of Days Covered (PDC) by OAC regimens and assessed through nationwide prescription registers. Secondary outcomes included the rate of persistence to OAC, gaps in treatment, proportion of VKA-takers with labile INR (defined as time to therapeutic range&lt;70%) and clinical events. Results A total of 1009 patients were randomised, 500 in the intervention group and 509 in the control group. At 1-year follow-up, 77.2% (386/500) of patients in the intervention group had good adherence (PDC&gt;80%), compared with 55% (280/509) in the control group (adjusted odds ratio 2.84, 95% confidence interval 2.14–3.75; p&lt;0.001). Mean PDC±SD was 0.85±0.26 and 0.75±0.31, respectively (p&lt;0.001). Patients that received the intervention were more likely to persist in their OAC therapy at 1 year, while usual medical care was associated with more major (≥3 months) treatment gaps [Figure]. Among 212 VKA-takers, patients in the intervention group were less likely to have labile INR compared with those in the control group [21/120 (17.1%) vs 34/92 (37.1%), OR 0.33 95% CI 1.15–0.72, p=0.005]. Clinical events over a median follow-up period of 2 years occurred at a numerically lower, yet non-significant, rate in the intervention group [Table]. Conclusions In patients receiving OAC therapy for non-valvular AF, a motivational intervention significantly improved patterns of medication adherence, without significantly affecting clinical outcomes. Primary and secondary outcomes Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kolossvary ◽  
E.K Fishman ◽  
G Gerstenblith ◽  
D.A Bluemke ◽  
R.N Mandler ◽  
...  

Abstract Background/Introduction Cross-sectional studies are inconsistent on the potential independent adverse effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection on coronary artery disease (CAD). Furthermore, there is no information on the potential effects of HIV-infection on plaque volumes. Also, only the independent effects of HIV-infection on CAD have been investigated. Purpose In a prospective longitudinal observational cohort, we wished to assess whether HIV-infection accelerates CAD independently, or by acting in synergistic fashion with conventional and nonconventional cardiovascular risk factors to accelerate disease progression as assessed by clinical and volumetric parameters of CAD on coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Methods Overall, 300 asymptomatic individuals without cardiovascular symptoms but with CCTA-confirmed coronary plaques (210 males, age: 48.0±7.2 years) with or without HIV (226 HIV-infected) prospectively underwent CCTA at two time points (mean follow-up: 4.0±2.3 years). Agatston-score, number of coronary plaques, segment stenosis score were calculated, and we also segmented the coronary plaques to enumerate total, noncalcified (−100–350HU) and calcified (≥351HU) plaque volumes. Linear mixed models were used to assess the effects of HIV-infection, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, years of cocaine use and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein on CCTA markers of CAD. Results In univariate analysis, there was no significant difference in CAD characteristics between HIV-infected and -uninfected, neither at baseline nor at follow-up (p&gt;0.05 for all). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in annual progression rates between the two groups (p&gt;0.05 for all). By multivariate analysis, HIV was not associated with any CAD parameter (p&gt;0.05 for all). However, among HIV-infected individuals, each year of cocaine use significantly increased all CAD parameters (p&lt;0.05 for all), while ASCVD risk score was significantly associated with CAD parameters except for Agatston-score (p&lt;0.05). These associations were only present among HIV-infected individuals. Conclusion(s) Instead of directly worsening CAD, HIV may promote CAD through increased susceptibility to conventional and nonconventional cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, aggressive management of both conventional and nonconventional cardiovascular risk factors is needed to reduce cardiovascular burden of HIV-infection. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse


2021 ◽  
pp. jech-2020-214358
Author(s):  
Pekka Martikainen ◽  
Kaarina Korhonen ◽  
Aline Jelenkovic ◽  
Hannu Lahtinen ◽  
Aki Havulinna ◽  
...  

BackgroundGenetic vulnerability to coronary heart disease (CHD) is well established, but little is known whether these effects are mediated or modified by equally well-established social determinants of CHD. We estimate the joint associations of the polygenetic risk score (PRS) for CHD and education on CHD events.MethodsThe data are from the 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012 surveys of the population-based FINRISK Study including measures of social, behavioural and metabolic factors and genome-wide genotypes (N=26 203). Follow-up of fatal and non-fatal incident CHD events (N=2063) was based on nationwide registers.ResultsAllowing for age, sex, study year, region of residence, study batch and principal components, those in the highest quartile of PRS for CHD had strongly increased risk of CHD events compared with the lowest quartile (HR=2.26; 95% CI: 1.97 to 2.59); associations were also observed for low education (HR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.32 to 1.89). These effects were largely independent of each other. Adjustment for baseline smoking, alcohol use, body mass index, igh-density lipoprotein (HDL) and total cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes attenuated the PRS associations by 10% and the education associations by 50%. We do not find strong evidence of interactions between PRS and education.ConclusionsPRS and education predict CHD events, and these associations are independent of each other. Both can improve CHD prediction beyond behavioural risks. The results imply that observational studies that do not have information on genetic risk factors for CHD do not provide confounded estimates for the association between education and CHD.


2021 ◽  
pp. 001857872110323
Author(s):  
Preeyaporn Sarangarm ◽  
Timothy A. Huerena ◽  
Tatsuya Norii ◽  
Carla J. Walraven

Background: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis is the most common bacterial cause of acute pharyngitis and is often over treated with unnecessary antibiotics. The purpose was to evaluate if implementation of a rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for GAS would reduce the number of inappropriately prescribed antibiotics for adult patients presenting with symptoms of pharyngitis. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult urgent care clinic patients pre- and post-implementation of a GAS RADT. We included patients who had a diagnosis of GAS identified via ICD-10 codes and either a throat culture, GAS RADT, or antibiotic prescribed for GAS. Antibiotic prescribing was assessed as appropriate or inappropriate based on testing and IDSA guideline recommendations. Thirty-day follow-up visits related to pharyngitis or the prescribed antibiotics was also evaluated. Results: A total of 1734 patients were included; 912 and 822 in the pre- and post-implementation groups, respectively. Following implementation of the GAS RADT, there was an increase in the number of antibiotics prescribed for GAS (43.4% vs 59.1%, P < .001) as well as an increase in appropriate prescribing (67.6% vs 77.5%, P < .001). More 30-day pharyngitis-related follow-up visits were seen in the pre-intervention group (12.5% vs 9.3%, P = .03). Conclusion: Implementation of a RADT for GAS pharyngitis was associated with an increase in both the overall number of antibiotic prescriptions for GAS and the proportion of appropriately prescribed antibiotics. There was also a reduction in follow up visits related to GAS pharyngitis, however educational efforts to further increase appropriate prescribing is needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Núria Mallorquí-Bagué ◽  
María Lozano-Madrid ◽  
Cristina Vintró-Alcaraz ◽  
Laura Forcano ◽  
Andrés Díaz-López ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study examines if overweight/obesity are related to higher impulsivity, food addiction and depressive symptoms, and if these variables could be modified after 1 year of a multimodal intervention (diet, physical activity, psychosocial support). 342 adults (55–75 years) with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) from the PREDIMED-Plus Cognition study were randomized to the intervention or to the control group (lifestyle recommendations). Cognitive and psychopathological assessments were performed at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. At baseline, higher impulsivity was linked to higher food addiction and depressive symptoms, but not to body mass index (BMI). Food addiction not only predicted higher BMI and depressive symptoms, but also achieved a mediational role between impulsivity and BMI/depressive symptoms. After 1 year, patients in both groups reported significant decreases in BMI, food addiction and impulsivity. BMI reduction and impulsivity improvements were higher in the intervention group. Higher BMI decrease was achieved in individuals with lower impulsivity. Higher scores in food addiction were also related to greater post-treatment impulsivity. To conclude, overweight/obesity are related to higher impulsivity, food addiction and depressive symptoms in mid/old age individuals with MetS. Our results also highlight the modifiable nature of the studied variables and the interest of promoting multimodal interventions within this population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janhavi R. Raut ◽  
Ben Schöttker ◽  
Bernd Holleczek ◽  
Feng Guo ◽  
Megha Bhardwaj ◽  
...  

AbstractCirculating microRNAs (miRNAs) could improve colorectal cancer (CRC) risk prediction. Here, we derive a blood-based miRNA panel and evaluate its ability to predict CRC occurrence in a population-based cohort of adults aged 50–75 years. Forty-one miRNAs are preselected from independent studies and measured by quantitative-real-time-polymerase-chain-reaction in serum collected at baseline of 198 participants who develop CRC during 14 years of follow-up and 178 randomly selected controls. A 7-miRNA score is derived by logistic regression. Its predictive ability, quantified by the optimism-corrected area-under-the-receiver-operating-characteristic-curve (AUC) using .632+ bootstrap is 0.794. Predictive ability is compared to that of an environmental risk score (ERS) based on known risk factors and a polygenic risk score (PRS) based on 140 previously identified single-nucleotide-polymorphisms. In participants with all scores available, optimism-corrected-AUC is 0.802 for the 7-miRNA score, while AUC (95% CI) is 0.557 (0.498–0.616) for the ERS and 0.622 (0.564–0.681) for the PRS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamis R. Karaoui ◽  
Elsy Ramia ◽  
Hanine Mansour ◽  
Nisrine Haddad ◽  
Nibal Chamoun

Abstract Background There is limited published data in Lebanon evaluating the impact of supplemental education for anticoagulants use, especially DOACs, on clinical outcomes such as bleeding. The study aims to assess the impact of pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education and follow-up on bleeding and readmission rates. Methods This study was a randomized, non-blinded interventional study conducted between August 2017 and July 2019 in a tertiary care teaching Lebanese hospital. Participants were inpatients ≥18 years discharged on an oral anticoagulant for treatment. Block randomization was used. The control group received the standard nursing counseling while the intervention group additionally received pharmacy counseling. Phone call follow-ups were done on day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Primary outcomes included readmission rates and any bleeding event at day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Secondary outcomes included documented elements of education in the medical records and reported mortality upon day 30 post-discharge. Results Two hundred patients were recruited in the study (100 patients in each study arm) with a mean age of 73.9 years. In the pharmacist-counseled group, more patients contacted their physician within 3 days (14% versus 4%; p = 0.010), received explicit elements of education (p < 0.001) and documentation in the chart was better (p < 0.05). In the standard of care group, patients were more aware of their next physician appointment date (52% versus 31%, p < 0.001). No difference in bleeding rates at day 3 and 30 post-discharge was observed between the groups. Conclusions Although pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education did not appear to reduce bleeding or readmission rates at day 30, pharmacist education significantly increased patient communication with their providers in the early days post-discharge. Trial registration Lebanon Clinical Trial Registry LBCTR2020033424. Retrospectively registered. Date of registration: 06/03/2020.


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