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Innere Medizin (Heidelberg, Germany) Jan 2024The number of patients with dementia is expected to grow in the coming years due to an aging population and an increasing life-expectancy. At the same time, in an aging... (Review)
Review
The number of patients with dementia is expected to grow in the coming years due to an aging population and an increasing life-expectancy. At the same time, in an aging society there will be an increase in multimorbidity and therefore polypharmacy. This combination presents numerous challenges particularly for people with dementia, as the correct administration of the drugs can frequently no longer be guaranteed. The drug treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia are often treated with antipsychotics with potentially severe side effects and with limited efficacy. Moreover, many drugs have an anticholinergic potential, which may worsen the cognitive function even further in patients with dementia. The use of anticholinergic drugs should be handled with care and when possible be avoided in patients with dementia.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Polypharmacy; Antipsychotic Agents; Cognition; Cholinergic Antagonists; Dementia
PubMed: 38052993
DOI: 10.1007/s00108-023-01631-w -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Oct 2023The growing incidence of myopia worldwide justifies the search for efficient methods of myopia prevention. Numerous pharmacological, optical, and lifestyle measures have... (Review)
Review
The growing incidence of myopia worldwide justifies the search for efficient methods of myopia prevention. Numerous pharmacological, optical, and lifestyle measures have already been utilized, but there remains a need to explore more practical and predictable methods for myopia control. This paper presents a review of the most recent studies on the prevention of myopia progression using defocus-incorporated multiple-segment spectacle lenses (DIMSsl), repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy, and a combination of low-dose atropine (0.01%) with orthokeratology lenses.
Topics: Humans; Child; Eyeglasses; Disease Progression; Myopia; Atropine
PubMed: 37893579
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101859 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2023To conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review on the association between anticholinergic medication uses and the risk of pneumonia in elderly adults. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review on the association between anticholinergic medication uses and the risk of pneumonia in elderly adults.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Medical databases were searched included PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO and Google Scholar (up to December 7, 2022). Studies evaluating association between anticholinergic medication uses and the risk of pneumonia in elderly adults were included. Studies without available data were excluded. We made meta-analysis by using adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from random-effects model. The risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I tool and statistical heterogeneity using the statistic. Registration: INPLASY202330070.
RESULTS
A total of six studies with 107,012 participants were included. Meta-analysis results showed that anticholinergic medication uses was related with an increased risk of pneumonia (aOR = 1.59; 95%CI, 1.32-1.92) and stroke-associated pneumonia (aOR = 2.02; 95%CI, 1.76-2.33). Moreover, risk estimates of pneumonia for high-potency anticholinergics (aOR = 1.96; 95%CI, 1.22-3.14) were higher than those for low-potency anticholinergics (aOR = 1.58; 95%CI, 1.27-1.97). And increased risk of pneumonia was associated with the anticholinergic medication uses within 30 days (aOR = 2.13; 95%CI, 1.33-3.43), within 90 days (aOR = 2.03; 95%CI, 1.26-3.26) and chronic use (aOR = 1.65; 95%CI, 1.09-2.51).
CONCLUSIONS
The risk of pneumonia is increased in elderly adults with anticholinergic medication, especially with higher-potency anticholinergic drugs and in the initiation phase of anticholinergic medication. Clinicians should monitor their use in older patients carefully, especially when the pneumonia-related signs and symptoms are identified.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Humans; Bias; Cholinergic Antagonists; Pneumonia
PubMed: 37190776
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2209736 -
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 2023Acute gastrointestinal cramping pain (GICP) is a debilitating condition that affects many people worldwide, significantly reducing their quality of life. As such, prompt... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Acute gastrointestinal cramping pain (GICP) is a debilitating condition that affects many people worldwide, significantly reducing their quality of life. As such, prompt treatment is crucial.
AREAS COVERED
This article will explore relevant literature from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Additionally, we searched ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO ICTRP database for the latest clinical trials.
EXPERT OPINION
Consensus dictates that antispasmodics such as hyoscine-N-butyl bromide and mebeverine should be the primary treatment for GICP. If these prove ineffective, patients can switch to an antispasmodic with a different mode of action or add acetaminophen/NSAIDs for more severe cases. Currently, several antispasmodics are undergoing clinical trials, including drotaverine, alverine, pinaverium, otilonium bromide, fenoverine, tiropramide, otilonium bromide, trimebutine, and peppermint oil. Well-designed head-to-head studies are necessary to evaluate current antispasmodics' safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacoeconomics profiles. Recent studies have shown that fixed-dose combinations of antispasmodics + NSAIDs or two different antispasmodics can improve patient compliance and synergistically reduce GICP. Therefore, it is recommended that the global availability and accessibility of these products be enhanced.
Topics: Humans; Abdominal Pain; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Parasympatholytics; Quality of Life
PubMed: 37788098
DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2023.2265830 -
Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing :...Although previous studies have established the association of medications with anticholinergic adverse effects and xerostomia, anticholinergic burden and xerostomia in...
BACKGROUND
Although previous studies have established the association of medications with anticholinergic adverse effects and xerostomia, anticholinergic burden and xerostomia in critical care settings are poorly characterized. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of medication burdens associated with anticholinergic adverse effects, particularly the occurrence of xerostomia (dry mouth) in a critical care setting. In addition, this study explored the correlation between the timing of the first instance of xerostomia and the administration timing of medication known to have anticholinergic adverse effects.
METHODS
A retrospective case-control study was used with the MIMIC (Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care) III database. The MIMIC-III clinical database is a publicly available, deidentified, health-related database with more than 40 000 patients in critical care units from 2001 to 2012. Cases of xerostomia (n = 1344) were selected from clinical notes reporting "dry mouth," "xerostomia," or evidence of pharmacological treatment for xerostomia; control (n = 4032) was selected using the propensity analysis with 1:3 matching on covariates (eg, age, sex, race, ethnicity, and length of stay). The anticholinergic burden was quantified as the cumulative effect of anticholinergic activities using the Anticholinergic Burden Scale.
RESULTS
Anticholinergic burden significantly differed between xerostomia patients and control subjects (P = .04). The length of stay was a statistically significant factor in xerostomia. The probability of developing the symptom of xerostomia within 24 hours was .95 (95%) for patients of xerostomia.
CONCLUSIONS
Anticholinergic Burden Scale is associated with xerostomia in the critical care setting, particularly within 24 hours after admission. It is crucial to carefully evaluate alternative options for medications that may have potential anticholinergic adverse effects. This evaluation should include assessing the balance between the benefits and harms, considering the probability of withdrawal reactions, and prioritizing deprescribing whenever feasible within the initial 24-hour period.
Topics: Humans; Cholinergic Antagonists; Retrospective Studies; Case-Control Studies; Xerostomia; Critical Care
PubMed: 37756502
DOI: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000606 -
Archivio Italiano Di Urologia,... Oct 2023Urinary incontinence and other urinary symptoms tend to be frequent at menopause because of hormonal modifications and aging. Urinary symptoms are associated with the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Urinary incontinence and other urinary symptoms tend to be frequent at menopause because of hormonal modifications and aging. Urinary symptoms are associated with the genitourinary syndrome of menopause which is characterized by physical changes of the vulva, vagina and lower urinary tract. The treatment strategies for postmenopausal urinary incontinence are various and may include estrogens, anticholinergics, and pelvic floor muscle training. A comparison of these treatments is difficult due to the heterogeneity of adopted protocols. We systematically reviewed the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on treatment of postmenopausal women with urge incontinence.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting results of treatments for postmenopausal urinary urge incontinence. Odds ratios for improvement of urinary incontinence were calculated using random effect Mantel-Haenszel statistics.
RESULTS
Out of 248 records retrieved, 35 eligible RCTs were assessed for risk of bias and included in the meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, systemic estrogens were associated with decreased odds of improving urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61-0.91, 7 series, 17132 participants, Z = 2.89, P = 0.004, I2 = 72%). In most studies, no significant improvement in urinary symptoms was observed in patients treated with local estrogens, although they showed to be helpful in improving vaginal symptoms. Vitamin D, phytoestrogens and estrogen modulators were not effective in improving symptoms of incontinence and other symptoms of genitourinary menopause syndrome or yielded contradictory results. A randomized controlled trial demonstrated that oxybutynin was significantly better than placebo at improving postmenopausal urgency and urge incontinence. The combination of anticholinergics with local estrogens has not been shown to be more effective than anticholinergics alone in improving urinary incontinence symptoms in postmenopausal women. Physical therapy showed an overall positive outcome on postmenopausal urinary incontinence symptoms, although such evidence should be further validated in the frame of quality RCTs.
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence for effective treatment of postmenopausal urinary incontinence is still lacking. Welldesigned large studies having subjective and objective improvement primary endpoints in postmenopausal urinary incontinence are needed. At present, a combination of different treatments tailored to the characteristics of the individual patient can be suggested.
Topics: Female; Humans; Urinary Incontinence, Urge; Urinary Incontinence, Stress; Postmenopause; Pelvic Floor; Urinary Incontinence; Estrogens; Cholinergic Antagonists; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37791545
DOI: 10.4081/aiua.2023.11718 -
Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology...
Topics: Humans; Atropine; Ophthalmic Solutions; Myopia; Mydriatics; Disease Progression; Refraction, Ocular
PubMed: 37523423
DOI: 10.1097/APO.0000000000000617 -
British Journal of Anaesthesia Mar 2024The phenomena of residual curarisation and recurarisation after the use of long-acting non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking drugs such as tubocurarine and pancuronium...
The phenomena of residual curarisation and recurarisation after the use of long-acting non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking drugs such as tubocurarine and pancuronium were well recognised 60 years ago. But the incidence seemed to decline with the introduction of atracurium and vecuronium. However, recently there have been an increasing number of reports of residual and recurrent neuromuscular block. Some of these reports are a result of inappropriate doses of rocuronium, sugammadex or both, together with inadequate neuromuscular monitoring. We urge clinicians to review their practice to ensure the highest standards of clinical care when using neuromuscular blocking drugs and reversal agents. This includes the use of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring whenever neuromuscular blocking drugs are administered.
Topics: Humans; Neuromuscular Blockade; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; Androstanols; Rocuronium; Vecuronium Bromide; Neuromuscular Blocking Agents
PubMed: 38135525
DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.12.001 -
The Journal of Urology Nov 2023Ureteral stents are commonly used for the treatment of ureteral obstruction, most often urolithiasis. Their use may be associated with significant bothersome symptoms... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Ureteral stents are commonly used for the treatment of ureteral obstruction, most often urolithiasis. Their use may be associated with significant bothersome symptoms and discomfort. Prior studies have examined the effects of various medication regimens on ureteral stent symptoms. This study utilized Bayesian network meta-analysis to analyze all available evidence on the pharmacological management of ureteral stent-related symptoms.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In December 2022 a systematic review was conducted following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines on randomized prospective studies on pharmacological management of ureteral stent-related symptoms reporting outcomes using the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire score on urinary symptoms and pain. The data were analyzed in Review Manager 5.3 and R Studio where a Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed. Treatments were ranked using surface under the cumulative ranking curve and mean difference vs placebo with 95% credible intervals.
RESULTS
A total of 26 studies were analyzed. These were used to build networks which were modeled to run 100,000 Markov Chain Montecarlo simulations each. Drug-class analysis revealed the most effective class for each domain: for urinary symptoms, sexual performance, general health, and work performance-combined α-blocker and anticholinergic and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors; for pain-combined anticholinergic and pregabalin. The following were the most effective drugs and dosages for specific symptoms: for urinary symptoms-combined silodosin 8 mg+solifenacin 10 mg; for pain-combined silodosin 8 mg+solifenacin 10 mg; for sexual performance-tadalafil 5 mg. Combined silodosin 8 mg+solifenacin 10 mg+tadalafil 5 mg has the best general health scores while solifenacin 10 mg had the best work experience scores.
CONCLUSIONS
This network meta-analysis demonstrated that the most effective drug therapy is different for each symptom domain. It is important to consider a patient's chief complaint and domains in order to ascertain the optimal medication regimen for each patient. Further iterations of this analysis can be strengthened by trials that directly compare more of these drugs instead of relying on indirect evidence.
Topics: Humans; Solifenacin Succinate; Tadalafil; Network Meta-Analysis; Prospective Studies; Bayes Theorem; Quality of Life; Ureter; Pain; Cholinergic Antagonists; Stents
PubMed: 37428119
DOI: 10.1097/JU.0000000000003616 -
BMC Geriatrics Dec 2023The aim of this study was to examine the risk of fall with the surrogate outcome of the Aachen Falls Prevention Scale and to assess the clinical pharmacist interventions...
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to examine the risk of fall with the surrogate outcome of the Aachen Falls Prevention Scale and to assess the clinical pharmacist interventions in order to minimize anticholinergic drug burden and associated risk of fall according to a fall risk assessment scale in the older adults.
METHODS
Patients who admitted to the geriatric outpatient clinic of a university hospital and taking at least one anticholinergic drug were evaluated both retrospectively and prospectively as groups of different patients by the clinical pharmacist. Patients' anticholinergic burden was assessed using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale. For fall risk assessment, the Aachen Falls Prevention Scale was also administered to each patient whose anticholinergic burden was determined in the prospective phase of the study.
RESULTS
A total of 601 patients were included. Risk of falls increased 2.50 times in patients with high anticholinergic burden (OR (95% CI) = 2.503 (1.071-5.852); p = 0.034), and the existing history of falls increased the risk of high anticholinergic burden 2.02 times (OR (95%CI) = 2.026 (1.059-3.876); p = 0.033). In addition, each unit increase in the fall scale score in the prospective phase increased the risk of high anticholinergic burden by 22% (p = 0.028). Anticholinergic burden was significantly reduced as a result of interventions by the clinical pharmacist in the prospective phase (p = 0.010).
CONCLUSION
Our study revealed that incorporating a clinical pharmacist in the handling of geriatric patients aids in the detection, reduction, and prevention of anticholinergic adverse effects.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Cholinergic Antagonists; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Pharmacists; Geriatric Assessment
PubMed: 38102545
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04599-2