scholarly journals Impact of adverse events of antiretroviral treatment on regimen change and mortality in Ugandan children

Author(s):  
Ntambwe Malangu ◽  
Yvonne Karamagi

Background: Outcomes of antiretroviral treatment have been documented in both developed and developing countries. It has been reported consistently that the treatment is associated with many adverse events. However, little is known about their impact on the quality of life, clinical management, and survival in children aged less than 6 years in Uganda.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of the adverse events of antiretroviral treatment, their impact on mortality and the change in regimens prescribed to children treated at Mildway Centre in Uganda.Method: A retrospective chart review was performed for children younger than 6 years, treated since the Mildway Centre was opened in 1999. In order to achieve a larger sample, the records of children treated from January 2000 to July 2005 were included in the study. A pre-tested data collection form was used to collate socio-demographic and clinical data of the patients. These included the documented adverse events, causes of death, stage of infection, duration of treatment, regimen prescribed, year of enrolment into the treatment program, as well as whether or not they were still alive. Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of data.Results: Of the 179 children, the majority were males and had a median age of 4 years. The majority (58.8%) of children had suffered from severe immune depression since they met the WHO clinical stage III and IV, 73.8% had a baseline CD4T of less than 15%. Four regimens were prescribed to the children. The most common was a regimen containing zidovudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine (34.6%), followed by a regimen containing stavudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine (27.9%). Eleven children (6.1%) had their regimen changed, of which six (54.5%) were due to adverse events. The prevalence of adverse events was 8%; of the 14 documented adverse events, the most common were severe anaemia (3), vomiting (3), and skin rashes (3). After 12 months on treatment, 8% of the patients had died. The most common causes of death were infectious diseases (28.6%), severe anaemia (21.4%), and severe dehydration (21.4%).Conclusion: The prevalence of adverse events was 8%; they were responsible for 54.5% of regimen changes and 21.4% of deaths in children treated at the study site. These findings suggest the need for incorporating pharmacovigilance practices into the provision of antiretroviral treatment.

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrycjusz Kołodziejczyk ◽  
Katarzyna Baranowska-Kempisty ◽  
Piotr Bernat ◽  
Piotr Tutka

Tobacco smoking is one of the leading causes of death among people. Cytisine, a plant alkaloid considered to be the oldest medication for smoking cessation, has been used in Poland since the 1970s. The drug is a partial nicotinic receptor agonist, with pharmacological actions close to those of nicotine and varenicline (a synthetic cytisine derivative and most expensive smoking cessation medication currently available). Cytisine has several advantages compared to existing smoking cessation drugs, including: 1) it is more effective than placebo and nicotine replacement therapy, and at least as effective as varenicline, 2) its use is associated with a low frequency of adverse events, 3) it is available as over the counter medicine and is much cheaper than other smoking cessation drugs that are cost-prohibitive, 4) it derives from a natural plant and may be preferred by smokers who do not want to use other treatments, 5) it has shorter duration of treatment (i.e. 25 days) compared to other medicines for smoking cessation. This review describes the use of cytisine for nicotine addiction treatment, mechanism of anti-smoking action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, tolerability and safety.


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-73
Author(s):  
Oladele S. Olatunya ◽  
Adefunke O. Babatola ◽  
Adewuyi T. Adeniyi ◽  
Adebukola B. Ajite ◽  
Isaac O. Oluwayemi ◽  
...  

Background: ‘Brought- in-dead’ (BID) refers to the demise of an individual before presentation to a health facility. This study assessed the pattern of paediatric BID cases seen at a tertiary health facility in southwest Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was done at the Children Emergency Ward (CEW) of the hospital between January 2014 and December 2018. The patterns of BID cases and presumed causes of death were determined using a standardized checklist adapted from the WHO verbal autopsy instrument. Results: Ninety-eight BID cases were seen during the study, constituting 2.5% of total patients seen during the period. The median (IQR) age of cases was 24.0 (8.75 – 63.0) months and 72.4% were under-fives. Most had symptoms related to the haematologic (36.7%), respiratory (24.5%) or digestive (20.4%) systems. Severe anaemia 31(31.6%), gastroenteritis 19 (19.4) and aspiration 17 (17.3%) were the most common causes of death. The median (IQR) duration of illness before presentation was 3.0 (1.0 – 7.0) days but most presented from 4 – 7 days of illness. A significant relationship was found between the duration of illness and whether or not pre-hospital treatment was received (p < 0.0001). Unprescribed drugs purchased over the counter were the most commonly used treatment in 79.1% of cases (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: This study has highlighted the prevalence and pattern of paediatric BID in a tertiary health facility in southwest Nigeria and the factors that were associated with it. More efforts need to be geared towards community sensitization and pediatric health care to prevent factors drivingits menace.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e12533-e12533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azael Freites-Martinez ◽  
Viswanath Reddy Belum ◽  
Shamir Geller ◽  
Anna Skripnik ◽  
Kathryn Ciccolini ◽  
...  

e12533 Background: Endocrine therapies are known to cause adverse events including hot flashes, arthralgias, and dyspareunia. Dermatologic adverse events (dAE), including alopecia are infrequently reported, despite their potential impact on quality of life (QoL). This study aims to characterize endocrine therapy-related dAE including alopecia, acne, xerosis, and onychodystrophy. Methods: A retrospective chart review (2005-2015) of patients referred to the dermatology service for dermatologic conditions developing during endocrine therapies was performed. Relevant data was abstracted from each patient’s medical record including demographics, primary cancer diagnosis, and dAEs by grade (CTCAE v4.03). The psychosocial impact of alopecia was assessed in a subset of patients using a QoL questionnaire (Hairdex), which includes the following domains: ‘emotions’, ‘functioning’, ‘symptoms’, ‘stigmatization’ and ‘self-confidence’. Results: A total of 74 breast cancer patients treated with endocrine therapies were included (median age 62yrs. [range, 34-85]). Alopecia was the reason for a dermatologic consultation in all patients, and was attributable to aromatase inhibitors (AI) in 49 patients (66.2%) and tamoxifen in 22 (29.3%). The mean duration of treatment at the time of alopecia diagnosis was 24 months (SD ±14.3). In 93.2% of the patients, alopecia was grade 1 in severity, and in 6.8% it was grade 2 (the latter was attributable to AIs only). All grade xerosis was identified in 34 (45.9%), onychodystrophy in 21 (28.4%) and acne in 9 patients (12.2%). In patients who completed the Hairdex questionnaire (n = 44), a high ‘emotions’ (52.6, p < 0.05) and ‘stigmatization’ (46, p < 0.05) domains score were found, while ‘symptoms’ (22.1, p < 0.05) and ‘functioning’ (24.5, p < 0.05) domains score were lower. Conclusions: Endocrine therapies are associated with alopecia and dAEs, with a greater severity with AIs. A psychosocial impact on emotions was seen in patients with alopecia. Moreover, xerosis, acne, and onychodystrophy were also observed. These findings underscore the need for increased attention to dAE in breast cancer patients receiving endocrine agents, in order to maintain quality of life and adherence to therapies.


Author(s):  
Ntambwe Malangu ◽  
Maryet Mogashoa

Background: Tuberculosis and adverse effects have been shown to affect both the quality of life and the survival of patients on antiretroviral treatment. This study sought to investigate the causes of death in a sample of adult HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral treatment at Thembisa Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by examining the charts of 498 adult patients treated from January 2004 to December 2006 at the antiretroviral clinic of a regional hospital in Johannesburg. A data collection form was used to collate both sociodemographic and clinical data.Results: The majority of the patients were female (71.7%) with a mean age of 37.7 ± 11.6 years, and in the age group of 18–77 years. The greater number of the patients was South African citizens, with only 2.2% citizens of other Southern African countries. At baseline, 29.9% had been on anti-tuberculosis treatment. Most of the patients had been prescribed the regimen comprising stavudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine or efavirenz; two of them (0.4%) were on the second line regimen made of zidovudine, didanosine, and lopinavir–ritonavir. At least one side effect was documented in 82.1% of patients; the ten most documented side effects were skin rashes (62.9%), peripheral neuropathy (48.4%), headaches (38.2%), chest pain (21.9%), coughing (21.7%), anaemia (21.5%), diarrhoea (19.3%), vomiting (16.7%), dizziness (15.3%), and lactic acidosis (11.2%). A mortality rate of 3.6% was recorded during the 2-year study period. Although the cause of death was undetermined in 11.1% of patients, 50.0% and 38.9% of deaths respectively were a consequence of tuberculosis and lactic acidosis.Conclusions: In addition to tuberculosis, side effects in particular, lactic acidosis was the other main cause of death in patients treated at the study site. These findings suggest that patients on regimens containing drugs that cause lactic acidosis should be closely monitored when the first complaints suggesting lactic acidosis are reported or noticed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-73
Author(s):  
Ginenus Fekadu ◽  
Lencho Bati ◽  
Habte Gebeyehu

Background: Frequent change of Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) regimen is a challenging problem especially in a resource-limited setting like Ethiopia where treatment options are limited. This study was aimed to identify reasons for ART regimen change among adult HIV patients at Nedjo General Hospital (NGH). Methods: An institutional-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at NGH by reviewing patient information cards from 2006 to 2016. Results: From a total of 117 included patients, 50.4% were females and the median (IQR) age of the patients was 28 (24-47) years. Majority of patients, 63 (53.9%) started their treatment at world health organization (WHO) clinical stage III (53.9%) and CD4 count of between 200-350 cells/mm3 (44.54%). At the beginning of ART, 56 (47.9%) patients were on a fixed-dose combination of stavudine-lamivudine-nevirapine (D4T/3TC/NVP). The single-drug substitutions were D4T (n = 63), NVP (n = 34), AZT (n =5), EFV (n = 2), and TDF (n = 1). Majority of the patients, 35(29.9%) switched their initial ART regimen after 3 years of regimen commencement. The common reasons reported for initial regimen change was availability of new drug 46 (39.3%) followed by toxicity/side effects 34 (29.2%). From all toxicities, peripheral neuropathy (47.1%) was the most common toxicity followed by rash (20.6%). After regimen change, 47 (40.2%) were received AZT+3TC+NVP. Conclusion: Availability of new drug and toxicity were the common reasons for regimen modifications. There should be updated guidelines, sustainable supply of affordable ART drugs, and effective laboratory materials to increase treatment success and minimize the toxicity of the drugs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 272-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanjie Mo ◽  
Matthew Campbell ◽  
Baruch Fertel ◽  
Simon Lam ◽  
Elizabeth Wells ◽  
...  

Introduction: Two protocols were developed to guide the use of subdissociative dose ketamine (SDDK) for analgesia and dissociative sedation ketamine for severe agitation/excited delirium in the emergency department (ED). We sought to evaluate the safety of these protocols implemented in 18 EDs within a large health system. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review to evaluate all adult patients who received intravenous (IV) SDDK for analgesia and intramuscular (IM) dissociative sedation ketamine for severe agitation/excited delirium in 12 hospital-based and six freestanding EDs over a one-year period from the protocol implementation. We developed a standardized data collection form and used it to record patient information regarding ketamine use, concomitant medication use, and any comorbidities that could have impacted the incidence of adverse events. Results: Approximately 570,000 ED visits occurred during the study period. SDDK was used in 210 ED encounters, while dissociative sedation ketamine for severe agitation/excited delirium was used in 37 ED encounters. SDDK was used in 83% (15/18) of sites while dissociative sedation ketamine was used in 50% (9/18) of sites. Endotracheal intubation, non-rebreather mask, and nasal cannula ≥ four liters per minute were identified in one, five, and three patients, respectively. Neuropsychiatric adverse events were identified in 4% (9/210) of patients who received SDDK. Conclusion: Patients experienced limited neuropsychiatric adverse events from SDDK. Additionally, dissociative sedation ketamine for severe agitation/excited delirium led to less endotracheal intubation than reported in the prehospital literature. The favorable safety profile of ketamine use in the ED may prompt further increases in usage.


1970 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
MN Hossain ◽  
Z Rahman ◽  
S Akhter

A cross sectional study was carried out at the department of Forensic Medicine in Dhaka Medical College during the period of January 2008 to December 2009. Data were collected from 3rd copy of the post mortem reports which were preserved in the department of Forensic Medicine with the verbal consent of the doctors who performed autopsy report. During this period total 5114 autopsies were conducted. Out of this 970 cases (19%) were suicidal in nature. It was noticed that all suicidal deaths occurred from 10 years to all age group respectively, but top amongst age group of suicidal deaths occurred in between 21 to 30 years of people. Suicidal deaths are more common in female than male. Suicidal deaths due to hanging is highest, next common causes of death due to organophosphorus compund poisoning. Suicidal deaths by hanging is more in female than male but in poisoning cases male are more lvictimised than female. Objectives of our study are to see the occurrence and methods of suicidal death. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v40i1.9957 BMJ 2011; 40(1): 18-21


Author(s):  
Jesus M. Villa ◽  
Tejbir S. Pannu ◽  
Carlos A. Higuera ◽  
Juan C. Suarez ◽  
Preetesh D. Patel ◽  
...  

AbstractHospital adverse events remain a significant issue; even “minor events” may lead to increased costs. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous investigation has compared perioperative events between the first and second hip in staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). In the current study, we perform such a comparison. A retrospective chart review was performed on a consecutive series of 172 patients (344 hips) who underwent staged bilateral THAs performed by two surgeons at a single institution (2010–2016). Based on chronological order of the staged arthroplasties, two groups were set apart: first-staged THA and second-staged THA. Baseline-demographics, length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, hospital adverse events, and hospital transfusions were compared between groups. Statistical analyses were performed using independent t-tests, Fisher's exact test, and/or Pearson's chi-squared test. The mean time between staged surgeries was 465 days. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics between first-staged THA and second-staged THA groups (patients were their own controls). The mean LOS was significantly longer in the first-staged THA group than in the second (2.2 vs. 1.8 days; p < 0.001). Discharge (proportion) to a facility other than home was noticeably higher in the first-staged THA group, although not statistically significant (11.0 vs. 7.6%; p = 0.354). The rate of hospital adverse events in the first-staged THA group was almost twice that of the second (37.2 vs. 20.3%; p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in transfusion rates. However, these were consistently better in the second-staged THA group. When compared with the first THA, our findings suggest overall shorter LOS and fewer hospital adverse events following the second. Level of Evidence Level III.


2021 ◽  
pp. bmjqs-2020-011122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren Connolly ◽  
Natasha Rafter ◽  
Ronan M Conroy ◽  
Cornelia Stuart ◽  
Anne Hickey ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo quantify the prevalence and nature of adverse events in acute Irish hospitals in 2015 and to assess the impact of the National Clinical Programmes and the National Clinical Guidelines on the prevalence of adverse events by comparing these results with the previously published data from 2009.Design and methodsA retrospective chart review of 1605 admissions to eight Irish hospitals in 2015, using identical methods to those used in 2009.ResultsThe percentage of admissions associated with one or more adverse events was unchanged (p=0.48) at 14% (95% CI=10.4% to 18.4%) in 2015 compared with 12.2% (95% CI=9.5% to 15.5%) in 2009. Similarly, the prevalence of preventable adverse events was unchanged (p=0.3) at 7.4% (95% CI=5.3% to 10.5%) in 2015 compared with 9.1% (95% CI=6.9% to 11.9%) in 2009. The incidence densities of preventable adverse events were 5.6 adverse events per 100 admissions (95% CI=3.4 to 8.0) in 2015 and 7.7 adverse events per 100 admissions (95% CI=5.8 to 9.6) in 2009 (p=0.23). However, the percentage of preventable adverse events due to hospital-associated infections decreased to 22.2% (95% CI=15.2% to 31.1%) in 2015 from 33.1% (95% CI=25.6% to 41.6%) in 2009 (p=0.01).ConclusionAdverse event rates remained stable between 2009 and 2015. The percentage of preventable adverse events related to hospital-associated infection decreased, which may represent a positive impact of the related national programmes and guidelines.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (8) ◽  
pp. 1043-1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Chang ◽  
Jessica C. Cardenas ◽  
Charles E. Wade ◽  
John B. Holcomb

Abstract Ten percent of deaths worldwide are due to trauma, and it is the third most common cause of death in the United States. Despite a profound upregulation in procoagulant mechanisms, one-quarter of trauma patients present with laboratory-based evidence of trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC), which is associated with poorer outcomes including increased mortality. The most common causes of death after trauma are hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The management of TIC has significant implications in both because many hemorrhagic deaths could be preventable, and TIC is associated with progression of intracranial injury after TBI. This review covers the most recent evidence and advances in our understanding of TIC, including the role of platelet dysfunction, endothelial activation, and fibrinolysis. Trauma induces a plethora of biochemical and physiologic changes, and despite numerous studies reporting differences in coagulation parameters between trauma patients and uninjured controls, it is unclear whether some of these differences may be “normal” after trauma. Comparisons between trauma patients with differing outcomes and use of animal studies have shed some light on this issue, but much of the data continue to be correlative with causative links lacking. In particular, there are little data linking the laboratory-based abnormalities with true clinically evident coagulopathic bleeding. For these reasons, TIC continues to be a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.


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