scholarly journals A foodborne outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by Norovirus and Bacillus cereus at a university in the Shunyi District of Beijing, China 2018

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongwan Chen ◽  
Yongjin Li ◽  
Jinchang Lv ◽  
Xiufeng Liu ◽  
Peng Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Cereus ◽  
Rice Flour ◽  
High Rate ◽  
School Students ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
School Canteen ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Beijing China

Abstract Background On 4 September 2018, a boarding school in the Shunyi District of Beijing, China reported an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis. At least 209 affected students developed the symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. Investigations were conducted to identify the agent and source of this outbreak, and to implement controls to prevent further transmission. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the school students and staff in order to test hypothesis that food served at the school canteen. We collected information on demographics, refectory records at the canteen and contact to ill persons or vomit, using a uniform epidemiological questionnaire. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Stool specimens of cases and canteen employees, food served, water, and environmental swabs were investigated by laboratory analysis. Results We identified 209 cases(including 28 laboratory-confirmed cases) that occurred from August 29 to September 10. All cases were students, and the median age was 20 years, 52% were male. The outbreak lasted for 13 days, and peaked on September 5. Consumption of Drinks window and Rice flour window on 1 September(RR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.5-7.8, and RR: 7.6, 95% CI: 2.8-20.2), Rice flour window and Fish meal window on 2 September(RR: 4.0, 95% CI: 1.2-13.6, and RR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.7-12.5), Moslem meal window on 4 September(RR: 2.7, 95%CI: 1.3-5.4), Barbeque window on 5 September(RR: 3.0, 95%CI: 1.2-7.0) were independently associated with increased risk of disease within the following 2 days. Rectal swabs or stool samples from twenty-five cases and ten canteen employees were positive for norovirus GI.6. Five cases were positive for Bacillus cereus, among them, two stool samples were detected by a mixed infection of Norovirus and Bacillus cereus. Four retained food specimens were positive for Bacillus cereus, and environmental samples were negative for any viruses or bacteria. Conclusion Our investigation indicated that consumption of high-risk windows was the source of this outbreak. The high rate of infection of both pathogens was exacerbated by unhygienic manipulation and Inappropriate hygiene practices in canteen employees.

scholarly journals A foodborne outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by Norovirus and Bacillus cereus at a university in the Shunyi District of Beijing, China 2018: a retrospective cohort study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongwan Chen ◽  
Yongjin Li ◽  
Jinchang Lv ◽  
Xiufeng Liu ◽  
Peng Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Bacillus Cereus ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rice Flour ◽  
School Canteen ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Rectal Swabs ◽  
Beijing China

Abstract Background On September 4, 2018, a boarding school in the Shunyi District of Beijing, China reported an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis. At least 209 suspected students caused of diarrhea and vomiting. The case was investigated, and control measures were taken to prevent further spread. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the school students and staff in order to test hypothesis that high risk of food served at the school canteen. We collected information on demographics, refectory records, person to person transmission by uniform epidemiological questionnaire. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Stool specimens of cases and canteen employees, retained food, water, and environmental swabs were investigated by laboratory analysis. Results We identified 209 cases (including 28 laboratory-confirmed cases) which occurred from August 29 to September 10. All cases were students, and the average age was 20, 52% were male. The outbreak lasted for 13 days, and peaked on September 5. Consumption of Drinks stall and Rice flour stall on September 1 (RR:3.4, 95%CI:1.5–7.8, and RR:7.6, 95%CI:2.8–20.2), Rice flour stall and Fish meal stall on September 2 (RR:4.0, 95%CI:1.2–13.6, and RR:4.6, 95%CI:1.7–12.5), muslim meal stall on September 4 (RR:2.7, 95%CI:1.3–5.4), Barbeque stall on September 5 (RR:3.0, 95%CI:1.2–7.0) were independently associated with increased risk of disease within the following 2 days. Among 35 specimens of rectal swabs or feces from students, 28 specimens were positive. Norovirus GI.6 alone was detected in 23 specimens, Bacillus cereus alone in 3 specimens and both norovirus GI.6 and Bacillus cereus in 2 specimens. Ten specimens of rectal swabs from canteen employees were positive for norovirus GI, and 2 specimens were positive for Bacillus cereus. Four retained food specimens were positive for Bacillus cereus, and environmental samples were negative for any viruses or bacteria. Conclusion Our investigation indicated that canteen employees were infected by two pathogens (norovirus and Bacillus cereus) and transmission may have been possible due to unhygienic practices. Student consumption of food or drink at high-risk stalls was determined as the probable cause of the outbreak.

scholarly journals A foodborne outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by Norovirus and Bacillus cereus at a university in the Shunyi District of Beijing, China 2018: a retrospective cohort study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongwan Chen ◽  
Yongjin Li ◽  
Jinchang Lv ◽  
Xiufeng Liu ◽  
Peng Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Bacillus Cereus ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rice Flour ◽  
School Canteen ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Rectal Swabs ◽  
Beijing China

Abstract Background On September 4, 2018, a boarding school in the Shunyi District of Beijing, China reported an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis. At least 209 suspected students caused of diarrhea and vomiting. The case was investigated, and control measures were taken to prevent further spread. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the school students and staff in order to test hypothesis that high risk of food served at the school canteen. We collected information on demographics, refectory records, person to person transmission by uniform epidemiological questionnaire. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Stool specimens of cases and canteen employees, retained food, water, and environmental swabs were investigated by laboratory analysis. Results We identified 209 cases (including 28 laboratory-confirmed cases) which occurred from August 29 to September 10. All cases were students, and the average age was 20, 52% were male. The outbreak lasted for 13 days, and peaked on September 5. Consumption of Drinks stall and Rice flour stall on September 1 (RR:3.4, 95%CI:1.5-7.8, and RR:7.6, 95%CI:2.8-20.2), Rice flour stall and Fish meal stall on September 2 (RR:4.0, 95%CI:1.2-13.6, and RR:4.6, 95%CI:1.7-12.5), muslim meal stall on September 4 (RR:2.7, 95%CI:1.3-5.4), Barbeque stall on September 5 (RR:3.0, 95%CI:1.2-7.0) were independently associated with increased risk of disease within the following 2 days. Among 35 specimens of rectal swabs or feces from students, 28 specimens were positive. Norovirus GI.6 alone was detected in 23 specimens, Bacillus cereus alone in 3 specimens and both norovirus GI.6 and Bacillus cereus in 2 specimens. 10 specimens of rectal swabs from canteen employees were positive for norovirus GI, and 2 specimens were positive for Bacillus cereus. Four retained food specimens were positive for Bacillus cereus, and environmental samples were negative for any viruses or bacteria. Conclusion Our investigation indicated that canteen employees were infected by two pathogens (norovirus and Bacillus cereus) and transmission may have been possible due to unhygienic practices. Student consumption of food or drink at high-risk stalls was determined as the probable cause of the outbreak.

scholarly journals A foodborne outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by Norovirus and Bacillus cereus at a university in the Shunyi District of Beijing, China 2018: a retrospective cohort study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongwan Chen ◽  
Yongjin Li ◽  
Jinchang Lv ◽  
Xiufeng Liu ◽  
Peng Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Bacillus Cereus ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rice Flour ◽  
School Canteen ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Rectal Swabs ◽  
Beijing China

Abstract Background On September 4, 2018, a boarding school in the Shunyi District of Beijing, China reported an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis. At least 209 suspected students caused of diarrhea and vomiting. The case was investigated, and control measures were taken to prevent further spread. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the school students and staff in order to test hypothesis that high risk of food served at the school canteen. We collected information on demographics, refectory records, person to person transmission by uniform epidemiological questionnaire. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Stool specimens of cases and canteen employees, retained food, water, and environmental swabs were investigated by laboratory analysis. Results We identified 209 cases (including 28 laboratory-confirmed cases) which occurred from August 29 to September 10. All cases were students, and the average age was 20, 52% were male. The outbreak lasted for 13 days, and peaked on September 5. Consumption of Drinks stall and Rice flour stall on September 1 (RR:3.4, 95%CI:1.5-7.8, and RR:7.6, 95%CI:2.8-20.2), Rice flour stall and Fish meal stall on September 2 (RR:4.0, 95%CI:1.2-13.6, and RR:4.6, 95%CI:1.7-12.5), muslim meal stall on September 4 (RR:2.7, 95%CI:1.3-5.4), Barbeque stall on September 5 (RR:3.0, 95%CI:1.2-7.0) were independently associated with increased risk of disease within the following 2 days. Among 35 specimens of rectal swabs or feces from students, 28 specimens were positive. Norovirus GI.6 alone was detected in 23 specimens, Bacillus cereus alone in 3 specimens and both norovirus GI.6 and Bacillus cereus in 2 specimens. 10 specimens of rectal swabs from canteen employees were positive for norovirus GI, and 2 specimens were positive for Bacillus cereus. Four retained food specimens were positive for Bacillus cereus, and environmental samples were negative for any viruses or bacteria. Conclusion Our investigation indicated that canteen employees were infected by two pathogens (norovirus and Bacillus cereus) and transmission may have been possible due to unhygienic practices. Student consumption of food or drink at high-risk stalls was determined as the probable cause of the outbreak.

scholarly journals Recurrent outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis associated with calves among students at an educational farm programme, Minnesota, 2003

2006 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 878-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. KIANG ◽  
J. M. SCHEFTEL ◽  
F. T. LEANO ◽  
C. M. TAYLOR ◽  
P. A. BELLE-ISLE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Science Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
Animal Science ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Studies ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Farm Programme

Enteric illness outbreaks among middle-/high-school students in consecutive semesters of an educational farm programme were investigated with retrospective cohort studies. During the first outbreak, 31/92 (34%) interviewed students were ill. Risk factors included participating in animal science class (RR 8·1, 95% CI 1·2–55·2) and contact with calves (RR 4·2, 95% CI 1·1–16·2). Stool samples from seven students and two calves yielded Cryptosporidium parvum. Students cared for animals in street clothes and practised poor hand washing. During the second outbreak, 37/81 (46%) interviewed animal science students were ill. Risk factors included having visible manure on hands, and wearing coveralls and boots. Stool samples from seven students and eight calves yielded C. parvum. Student hand washing was still inadequate. Coveralls/boots were cleaned infrequently and removed after hand washing. These outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis resulted from calf contact and inadequate hygiene practices. The failure to adequately implement recommended interventions contributed to the second outbreak.

LA ORIENTACIÓN FAMILIAR PARA LA PREVENCIÓN DEL CONSUMO DE DROGAS EN LOS ALUMNOS DEL TERCER AÑO DE BACHILLERATO

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Yéssica Elizabeth Barreto Macías ◽  
Colón Avellán Velásquez
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Family Counseling ◽  
High Rate ◽  
School Students ◽  
Family Orientation ◽  
The Right

El actual trabajo afronta una de las problemáticas más apremiantes de los actuales momentos como es el alto índice de dispendio de drogas en las Instituciones Educativas, que afectan considerablemente a la sociedad ecuatoriana. Su objetivo es analizar los lineamientos que permitan mejorar la orientación familiar, y desarrollar relaciones interpersonales apropiadas que fomenten la unión familiar, practicar principios, fomentar valores morales, y que los jóvenes aprendan a decir “no” ante una eventual propuesta de consumir compuestos prohibidos, que lo único que se consigue es materializarse en un estado no idóneo ante la comunidad, considerar que las consecuencias para la salud son devastadoras, personas que a temprana edad padecen de enfermedades que en muchas ocasiones son gravísimas, causando malestar no solamente propio sino a la familia. Puedo mencionar como aporte de este artículo; y en base a resultados establecidos que resulta primordial e importante mantener la asistencia de un profesional especializado en psicología, diálogos científicos y motivadores, conjuntamente con atención médica provocarán en la persona afectada la erradicación del consumo de drogas. Constan muchos factores que causan gran influencia negativa en las familias, partiendo de que actualmente el mundo vive la tendencia del consumismo lo que influye en sobremanera que exista menos dialogo en el hogar, la aparición de la tecnología es otra de las situaciones adversas. Los profesionales encargados de brindar orientación familiar deben considerar siempre, que el comportamiento del ser humano debe ser comprendido desde el punto de vista de su forma de pensar, solo así se desarrollara una cultura que permita a las familias tomar las decisiones acertadas al momento de formar a sus hijos, lo que en un futuro se evidenciará como seres útiles a la sociedad. PALABRAS CLAVE: Consumo de drogas; orientación familiar; valores morales.  FAMILY COUNSELING, FOR THE PREVENTION OF DRUG USE IN THIRDYEAR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS  ABSTRACT  The current work addresses one of the most pressing issues of current times such as the high rate of drug use in educational institutions, which greatly affect Ecuadorian society. Its objective is to analyze the guidelines for improving family orientation, and develop appropriate interpersonal relationships that promote family unity, value the principles, and that young people learn to say "no" to a possible proposal to use prohibited drugs, that the only thing that is achieved is to materialize in an unsuitable state before the community, to consider that the consequences for health are devastating, people who at an early age suffer from diseases that in many occasions are very serious, causing discomfort not only their own but also the family. I can mention as contribution of this article; and based on established results that it is essential and important to maintain the assistance of a professional specialized in psychology, scientific and motivational dialogues, together with medical care, will cause the affected person to eradicate drug use. There are many factors that cause great negative influence on families, based on the fact that the world currently lives the trend of consumerism which greatly influences that there is less dialogue at home, the emergence of technology is another of the adverse situations. The professionals responsible for providing family counseling should always consider that the behavior of the human being should be understood from the point of view of their way of thinking, only in this way will a culture be developed that allows families to make the right decisions when forming to their children, which in the future will be evident as useful beings to society. KEYWORDS: drug use; family orientation; moral values.

scholarly journals Evaluating of the association between ABO blood groups and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Iraqi patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali H. Ad’hiah ◽  
Risala H. Allami ◽  
Raghdan H. Mohsin ◽  
Maha H. Abdullah ◽  
Ali J. R. AL-Sa’ady ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Groups ◽  
Abo Blood Groups ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Fluorescence Probing ◽  
Group A ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Polymorphic System ◽  
Made In

Abstract Background Susceptibility to the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recently been associated with ABO blood groups in patients of different ethnicities. This study sought to understand the genetic association of this polymorphic system with risk of disease in Iraqi patients. Two outcomes of COVID-19, recovery and death, were also explored. ABO blood groups were determined in 300 hospitalized COVID-19 Iraqi patients (159 under therapy, 104 recovered, and 37 deceased) and 595 healthy blood donors. The detection kit for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RNA (PCR-Fluorescence Probing) was used in the diagnosis of disease. Results Mean age was significantly increased in patients compared to controls (49.8 ± 11.7 vs. 28.9 ± 6.6 years; p < 0.001). A similar observation was made in recovered (42.1 ± 10.4 vs. 28.9 ± 6.6 years; p < 0.001) and deceased (53.6 ± 9.7 vs. 28.9 ± 6.6 years; p < 0.001) cases. The mean age was also significantly increased in deceased cases compared to recovered cases (53.6 ± 9.7 vs. 42.1 ± 10.4 years; p < 0.001). There were gender-dependent differences in COVID-19 prevalence. The percentage of COVID-19 was higher in males than in females (all cases: 59.7 vs. 40.3%; recovered cases: 55.8 vs. 44.2%). Such male-gender preponderance was more pronounced in deceased cases (67.6 vs. 32.4%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that groups AB and B + AB were significantly associated with increased risk to develop COVID-19 (OR = 3.10; 95% CI 1.59–6.05; pc = 0.007 and OR = 2.16; 95% CI 1.28–3.63; pc = 0.028, respectively). No ABO-associated risk was observed in recovered cases. On the contrary, groups A (OR = 14.60; 95% CI 2.85–74.88; pc = 0.007), AB (OR = 12.92; 95% CI 2.11–79.29; pc = 0.042), A + AB (OR = 14.67; 95% CI 2.98–72.33; pc = 0.007), and A + B + AB (OR = 9.67; 95% CI 2.02–46.24; pc = 0.035) were associated with increased risk of death in deceased cases. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that group AB may be a susceptibility biomarker for COVID-19, while group A may be associated with increased risk of death.

ECG-guided PICC insertion using a new silicon catheter with a conductive tip: A retrospective clinical study

2021 ◽  
pp. 112972982110025
Author(s):  
Yu-Xia Yin ◽  
Wei Gao ◽  
Sheng-Yu Feng ◽  
Deng-Xu Wang ◽  
Min Wan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Study ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Exit Site Infection ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Retrospective Clinical Study ◽  
Operation Rate ◽  
Catheter Tip

Objective: Safety and efficacy of ECG-guided PICC insertion using a new silicon catheter with a conductive tip was evaluated in daily practice. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 1659 patients who accepted successful tip-conductive PICC placement and clinically followed-up until the catheter removal between January 2018 and April 2019. Baseline of patient characteristics, catheter placement characteristics, date of dressing changes as well as records of catheter-related complications were extracted from a special designed mobile APP. Results: The first-attempt success (success of placing catheter tip to the ideal position by primary indwelling operation) rate of PICC placement was 99.3%. The average duration of PICC placement was 128.7 ± 39.5 days and 1535 patients (92.5%) reached the therapy end-point without any complications and removed the catheter normally. The cumulative rates of total complications were 7.5%, including exit site infection (2.5%), phlebitis (0.9%), DVT (1.0%), catheter malposition (1.1%), catheter breakage (0.1%), and liquid extravasation (1.8%). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, stomach cancer, and lymphoma were significantly associated with increased risk of complications, as the independent risk factors. Conclusions: This retrospective clinical study demonstrates that ECG-guided insertion of a new tip-conductive PICC is associated with a high rate of first-attempt success and low rate of catheter related complications.

scholarly journals Analysis of drug resistance and mutation profiles in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in a surveillance site in Beijing, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 030006052098493
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Yixuan Ren ◽  
Liping Pan ◽  
Junli Yi ◽  
Tong Guan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Drug Testing ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Surveillance Site ◽  
Mdr Tb ◽  
Previously Treated Patients ◽  
Beijing China

Objective This study analyzed drug resistance and mutations profiles in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in a surveillance site in Huairou District, Beijing, China. Methods The proportion method was used to assess drug resistance profiles for four first-line and seven second-line anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs. Molecular line probe assays were used for the rapid detection of resistance to rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH). Results Among 235 strains of M. tuberculosis, 79 (33.6%) isolates were resistant to one or more drugs. The isolates included 18 monoresistant (7.7%), 19 polyresistant (8.1%), 28 RIF-resistant (11.9%), 24 multidrug-resistant (MDR) (10.2%), 7 pre-extensively drug-resistant (XDR, 3.0%), and 2 XDR strains (0.9%). A higher rate of MDR-TB was detected among previously treated patients than among patients with newly diagnosed TB (34.5% vs. 6.8%). The majority (62.5%) of RIF-resistant isolates exhibited a mutation at S531L in the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene. Meanwhile, 62.9% of INH-resistant isolates carried a mutation at S315T1 in the katG gene. Conclusion Our results confirmed the high rate of drug-resistant TB, especially MDR-TB, in Huairou District, Beijing, China. Therefore, detailed drug testing is crucial in the evaluation of MDR-TB treatment.

scholarly journals Burden of major gastrointestinal bleeding among oral anticoagulant-treated non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175628482199735
Author(s):  
Steven Deitelzweig ◽  
Allison Keshishian ◽  
Amiee Kang ◽  
Amol D. Dhamane ◽  
Xuemei Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Oral Anticoagulant ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Bleeding Event ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Gi Bleeding ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Gi Bleed

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is the most common type of major bleeding associated with oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment. Patients with major bleeding are at an increased risk of a stroke if an OAC is not reinitiated. Methods: Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients initiating OACs were identified from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ( CMS) Medicare data and four US commercial claims databases. Patients who had a major GI bleeding event (hospitalization with primary diagnosis of GI bleeding) while on an OAC were selected. A control cohort of patients without a major GI bleed during OAC treatment was matched to major GI bleeding patients using propensity scores. Stroke/systemic embolism (SE), major bleeding, and mortality (in the CMS population) were examined using Cox proportional hazards models with robust sandwich estimates. Results: A total of 15,888 patients with major GI bleeding and 833,052 patients without major GI bleeding were included in the study. Within 90 days of the major GI bleed, 58% of patients discontinued the initial OAC treatment. Patients with a major GI bleed had a higher risk of stroke/SE [hazard ratio (HR): 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.42–1.74], major bleeding (HR: 2.79, 95% CI: 2.64–2.95), and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.23–1.36) than patients without a major GI bleed. Conclusion: Patients with a major GI bleed on OAC had a high rate of OAC discontinuation and significantly higher risk of stroke/SE, major bleeding, and mortality after hospital discharge than those without. Effective management strategies are needed for patients with risk factors for major GI bleeding.

The burden of polypharmacy and drug–drug interactions in older cancer patients treated with immunotherapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 107815522110120
Author(s):  
Deniz C Guven ◽  
Gozde Kavgaci ◽  
Oktay H Aktepe ◽  
Hasan C Yildirim ◽  
Taha K Sahin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Potentially Inappropriate Medications ◽  
Inappropriate Prescription ◽  
Prescription Practices ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Older Cancer Patients

Introduction Polypharmacy is a common problem in older cancer patients, although the data about polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate prescription practices is limited in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the polypharmacy frequency and drug-drug interactions in older cancer patients (≥65 years) treated with ICIs. Methods A total of 70 geriatric patients with advanced cancer were included. The polypharmacy was defined as regular use of 5 or more drugs. The START/STOPP Criteria Version 2 was used for the potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and potential prescription omissions (PPO). The Medscape Drug Interaction Checker was used for potential drug-drug interactions. Results The patients had a median of 6 regular drugs, and polypharmacy was present in 77.1%. The polypharmacy risk was significantly increased in patients over 75 years of age (p = 0.028) and with opioid use (p = 0.048). The 50% of patients had category D or X interactions. Patients with higher Charlson Comorbidity Index had significantly increased risk for drug interactions (CCI ≤10 vs. >10, p = 0.017). The PIMs were present in 44.3% and the PPOs in 68.6% of the patients. While the overall survival and immune related adverse events were similar according to polypharmacy, in patients using seven or more drugs, the acute kidney injury risk was increased (HR: 4.667, p = 0.038). Conclusion In this study, we observed a high rate of polypharmacy and inappropriate prescription practices in ICI-treated patients. These issues pointed out the need for improved general medical care and attention for better comedication management in ICI-treated patients.

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