scholarly journals Evaluating equality in prescribing Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) in England: The protocol of a Bayesian small area analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246253
Author(s):  
Ehsan Rezaei-Darzi ◽  
Parinaz Mehdipour ◽  
Mariachiara Di Cesare ◽  
Farshad Farzadfar ◽  
Shadi Rahimzadeh ◽  
...  

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting about 1.6% of the population in England. Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are approved AF treatments that reduce stroke risk. In this study, we estimate the equality in individual NOAC prescriptions with high spatial resolution in Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across England from 2014 to 2019. Methods A Bayesian spatio-temporal model will be used to estimate and predict the individual NOAC prescription trend on ‘prescription data’ as an indicator of health services utilisation, using a small area analysis methodology. The main dataset in this study is the “Practice Level Prescribing in England,” which contains four individual NOACs prescribed by all registered GP practices in England. We will use the defined daily dose (DDD) equivalent methodology, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), to compare across space and time. Four licensed NOACs datasets will be summed per 1,000 patients at the CCG-level over time. We will also adjust for CCG-level covariates, such as demographic data, Multiple Deprivation Index, and rural-urban classification. We aim to employ the extended BYM2 model (space-time model) using the RStan package. Discussion This study suggests a new statistical modelling approach to link prescription and socioeconomic data to model pharmacoepidemiologic data. Quantifying space and time differences will allow for the evaluation of inequalities in the prescription of NOACs. The methodology will help develop geographically targeted public health interventions, campaigns, audits, or guidelines to improve areas of low prescription. This approach can be used for other medications, especially those used for chronic diseases that must be monitored over time.

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 117739361770334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Lahiry ◽  
Avijit Kundu ◽  
Ayan Mukherjee ◽  
Shouvik Choudhury ◽  
Rajasree Sinha

Objective: To analyze drug utilization (DU) pattern of antidiabetes drug (ADD) prescription in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rural West Bengal based on 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) Index. Methods: This was a prospective observational study. Prescription data of 600 elderly patients (age > 60 years) attending outpatient clinic were screened over 12 months (January 2015 to January 2016) from 5 different rural hospitals in West Bengal. Pooled data were sorted and classified in accordance with 2016 ATC/DDD WHO Index. Direct cost associated and consumption of ADD were measured as DDD/1000 patients/day. The adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to antidiabetic medicines were monitored. Results: During the study period, mean age of patients recorded was 66.4 ± 5.0 years, with 66.6% (n = 396) having history of T2DM > 5 years. Follow-up encounters (n = 2328) revealed metformin (94.67%), sulfonylureas (SUs) (50.54%), pioglitazone (24.22%), voglibose (22.50%), insulin (9.75%), and acarbose (6.82%) to be more prevalent, constituting DU 90% (92.01%). Combination of metformin plus SU was recorded in most of the patients (56%). Insulin, however, was found to be an underutilized class ( P < .005). The DDD/1000 patients/day of metformin (2.918), glimepiride (1.577), and gliclazide (0.069) conformed to 2016 WHO ATC/DDD Index. The total ADD consumption during study period was 5.03 DDD/1000 patients/day. The average drug cost per encounter per day was Rs 11.24 ± 2.01. Nineteen ADRs were reported and their descriptions were found to be of hypoglycemia (n = 9), pedal edema (n = 2), and gastrointestinal upsets (n = 8). Target glycemic status was achieved in 40% monthly follow-up encounters. Low-store drug availability and poor compliance to treatment (>60%) were major determinants. Lack of regular aerobic exercises (>85%) and proper knowledge regarding medical nutrition therapy (MNT) (>80%) and low average consultation time (3.5 ± 0.6 minutes) were important contributing factors. Conclusions: The study exhibited increased utilization of 2 drug combinations of oral ADD and lower utilization of insulin during study period. Such inferences merit further exploration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Rohleder ◽  
Christian Stock ◽  
Kayvan Bozorgmehr

Background Although measles is endemic throughout the World Health Organization European Region, few studies have analysed socioeconomic inequalities and spatiotemporal variations in the disease’s incidence. Aim To study the association between socioeconomic deprivation and measles incidence in Germany, while considering relevant demographic, spatial and temporal factors. Methods We conducted a longitudinal small-area analysis using nationally representative linked data in 401 districts (2001–2017). We used spatiotemporal Bayesian regression models to assess the potential effect of area deprivation on measles incidence, adjusted for demographic and geographical factors, as well as spatial and temporal effects. We estimated risk ratios (RR) for deprivation quintiles (Q1–Q5), and district-specific adjusted relative risks (ARR) to assess the area-level risk profile of measles in Germany. Results The risk of measles incidence in areas with lowest deprivation quintile (Q1) was 1.58 times higher (95% credible interval (CrI): 1.32–2.00) than in those with highest deprivation (Q5). Areas with medium-low (Q2), medium (Q3) and medium-high deprivation (Q4) had higher adjusted risks of measles relative to areas with highest deprivation (Q5) (RR: 1.23, 95%CrI: 0.99–1.51; 1.05, 95%CrI: 0.87–1.26 and 1.23, 95%CrI: 1.05–1.43, respectively). We identified 54 districts at medium-high risk for measles (ARR > 2) in Germany, of which 22 were at high risk (ARR > 3). Conclusion Socioeconomic deprivation in Germany, one of Europe’s most populated countries, is inversely associated with measles incidence. This association persists after demographic and spatiotemporal factors are considered. The social, spatial and temporal patterns of elevated risk require targeted public health action and policy to address the complexity underlying measles epidemiology.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 1173-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Gelbricht ◽  
Christina Koehler ◽  
Sebastian Werth ◽  
Ulrike Haensel ◽  
Thomas Schreier ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1173 Background: Among other side effects, hair loss is a frequent complaint in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy with Vitamin-K antagonists (VKA) and sometimes also found in patients receiving low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) such as apixaban, dabigatran or rivaroxaban have been tested in large prospective phase-III trials including over 100.000 patients. Furthermore, after approval more than one million patients have been treated with these novel drugs in daily care. So far, hair loss has not been reported as a side effect of NOAC therapy. Using data from a large monocentric prospective NOAC registry, we evaluated incidence and risk profile of newly reported hair loss in patients receiving dabigatran or rivaroxaban therapy. Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of newly reported hair loss as a potential side effect of NOAC therapy in daily care. Patients and methods: In the district of Saxony, Germany, a network of 200 physicians from private practice and hospitals enrol patients in the prospective NOAC registry. Inclusion criteria are: 1) indication for NOAC anticoagulation >3 month; 2) age > 18 years; 3) written informed consent; 4) availability for follow-up. No Exclusion criteria apply. In the registry, up to 2000 patients will receive prospective follow up (FU) by phone visits at day 30 day and quarterly thereafter to collect efficacy and safety data. Results: Until July 31th 2012, 938 patients were registered. Of these, 730 patients received rivaroxaban for atrial fibrillation (AF) or venous thromboembolism (demographic data in table 1) and 208 received dabigatran for AF. For these patients, current follow up data cumulate to 270.8 patient years of NOAC treatment. During follow-up visits, twelve patients spontaneously reported new hair loss (nine with rivaroxaban, 3 with dabigatran; demographic data in table 1). Therefore, total incidence of newly reported hair loss in our registry is 4.4 per 100 patient years. The mean time between start of NOAC and first report of hair loss was 68±76 days. Despite the fact that all twelve patients were female, uni- and multivariate analysis did not detect any correlation to baseline data including demographic data, co-morbidity or co-medication. Conclusion: In patients receiving long-term NOAC therapy, the incidence of hair loss as a spontaneously reported side effect is around 4.4 per 100 patient years. Before treatment initiation, patients should be informed about this potential side effect. Further data in larger cohorts are necessary to evaluate potential risk factors for hair loss with novel oral anticoagulants. Disclosures: Werth: Bayer Healthcare: Honoraria. Beyer-Westendorf:Bayer Healthcare: Bayer provided a grant to support the NOAC registry in part Other, Honoraria; Boehringer Ingelheim: Boehringer provided a grant to support the NOAC registry in part, Boehringer provided a grant to support the NOAC registry in part Other, Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria.


2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 242-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genc Burazeri ◽  
Jolanda Hyska ◽  
Iris Mone ◽  
Enver Roshi

Abstract.Aim: To assess the association of breakfast skipping with overweight and obesity among children in Albania, a post-communist country in the Western Balkans, which is undergoing a long and difficult political and socioeconomic transition towards a market-oriented economy. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was carried out in Albania in 2013 including a representative sample of 5810 children aged 7.0 – 9.9 years (49.5% girls aged 8.4 ± 0.6 years and 51.5% boys aged 8.5 ± 0.6 years; overall response rate: 97%). Children were measured for height and weight, and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Cut-off BMI values of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were used to define overweight and obesity in children. Demographic data were also collected. Results: Upon adjustment for age, sex, and place of residence, breakfast skipping was positively related to obesity (WHO criteria: OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.3–1.9; IOTF criteria: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4–2.5), but not overweight (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.3 and OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.4, respectively). Furthermore, breakfast skipping was associated with a higher BMI (multivariable-adjusted OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07). Conclusions: Our findings point to a strong and consistent positive relationship between breakfast skipping and obesity, but not overweight, among children in this transitional southeastern European population. Future studies in Albania and other transitional settings should prospectively examine the causal role of breakfast skipping in the development of overweight and obesity.


1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (01) ◽  
pp. 035-040 ◽  
Author(s):  
A M H P van den Besselaar ◽  
R M Bertina

SummaryFour thromboplastin reagents were tested by 18 laboratories in Europe, North-America, and Australasia, according to a detailed protocol. One thromboplastin was the International Reference Preparation for ox brain thromboplastin combined with adsorbed bovine plasma (coded OBT/79), and the second was a certified reference material for rabbit brain thromboplastin, plain (coded CRM 149R). The other two thromboplastin reagents were another rabbit plain brain thromboplastin (RP) with a lower ISI than CRM 149R and a rabbit brain thromboplastin combined with adsorbed bovine plasma (RC). Calibration of the latter two reagents was performed according to methods recommended by the World Health Organization (W. H. O.).The purpose of this study was to answer the following questions: 1) Is the calibration of the RC reagent more precise against the bovine/combined (OBT/79) than against the rabbit/plain reagent (CRM 149R)? 2) Is the precision of calibration influenced by the magnitude of the International Sensitivity Index (ISI)?The lowest inter-laboratory variation of ISI was observed in the calibration of the rabbit/plain reagent (RP) against the other rabbit/plain reagent (CRM 149R) (CV 1.6%). The highest interlaboratory variation was obtained in the calibration of rabbit/plain (RP) against bovine/combined (OBT/79) (CV 5.1%). In the calibration of the rabbit/combined (RC) reagent, there was no difference in precision between OBT/79 (CV 4.3%) and CRM 149R (CV 4.2%). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the precision of the ISI of RC obtained with CRM 149R (ISI = 1.343) and the rabbit/plain (RP) reagent with ISI = 1.14. In conclusion, the calibration of RC could be performed with similar precision with either OBT/79 or CRM 149R, or RP.The mean ISI values calculated with OBT/79 and CRM 149R were practically identical, indicating that there is no bias in the ISI of these reference preparations and that these reference preparations have been stable since their original calibration studies in 1979 and 1987, respectively.International Normalized Ratio (INR) equivalents were calculated for a lyophilized control plasma derived from patients treated with oral anticoagulants. There were small but significant differences in the mean INR equivalents between the bovine and rabbit thromboplastins. There were no differences in the interlaboratory variation of the INR equivalents, when the four thromboplastins were compared.


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1438-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sorin Berbece ◽  
Dan Iliescu ◽  
Valeriu Ardeleanu ◽  
Alexandru Nicolau ◽  
Radu Cristian Jecan

Obesity represents a global health problem. According to the latest studies released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1.7 billion currently in excess of normal weight individuals, of which approx. 75% are overweight (body mass index - BMI 25 to 30). The common form of excess adipose tissue manifestation in overweight individuals is localized fat deposits with high (abdominal) or low (buttocks and thighs) disposition. Although the overweight can be corrected relatively easy by changing behavioral habits or food, a constant physical exercises program or following a diet food are not accessible to all through the efforts of will, financial and time involved. Several methods have been studied and tested over time to eliminate more or less invasive fat deposits with varying efficacy and adverse effects. Chemical lipolysis using phosphatidylcholine as the basic substance was initially used in hypercholesterolemia and its complications and was rapidly adopted in mesotherapy techniques for the treatment of fat deposits. This study reveals the results obtained using Dermastabilon on a sample of 16 patients, the time allocated to treatment and discomfort being minimal, and rapid and notable results. There were no side effects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (38) ◽  
pp. 4511-4515 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Koutsoumpelis ◽  
C. Argyriou ◽  
K.M. Tasopoulou ◽  
E.I. Georgakarakos ◽  
G.S. Georgiadis

Background: Peripheral artery disease is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis which strongly correlates to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition, the progression of peripheral artery disease leads to an increased risk of limb loss. In order to reduce these events, the benchmark of treatment and research over the last years has been the antiplatelet therapy which aims at inhibition of platelet aggregation. Over the last years, new studies combining antiplatelet agents in different therapeutic schemes have been proven efficacious. Unfortunately, patients remain still at high risk of CV events. Novel Oral Anticoagulants have been introduced as alternatives to warfarin, in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. The rationale of using medication which acts on platelet activation and the coagulation pathway of thrombosis has led investigators to examine the role of Noac's in preventing CV events in patients with peripheral artery disease, stable or unstable. Methods: The aim of this study is to review the current evidence with respect to recently published studies concerning the use of Novel anticoagulants in peripheral artery disease. Results: The Compass trial has shown that a combination of rivaroxaban with traditional therapy may produce promising results in reducing amputation rates, stroke, cardiac events, and mortality, however, there are still safety issues with bleeding requiring acute care. The ePAD study has provided us with insight concerning safety and efficacy after peripheral angioplasty or stenting and actually the need for further research. The Voyager Pad study, following the steps of Compass, is studying the effect and safety of the addition of rivaroxaban to traditional therapy in the highest risk population aka patients undergoing peripheral revascularization. The evidence concerning patients with concomitant atrial fibrillation appears to be insufficient, however, recent guidelines propose the use of novel oral anticoagulants. Conclusion: For the time being, novel oral anticoagulants in combination with aspirin may provide an alternative treatment in PAD, however, it is deemed necessary to identify patient subgroups who will benefit the most.


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