Earticle

As respiratory tract infections (RTI) account for about 60% of all antibiotic prescriptions in outpatient care setting, there are significant concerns about emerging resistance that are largely due to the excessive or inappropriate use of antibacterial agents for viral respiratory infections. This study was aimed to develop retrospective drug utilization review (DUR) program of antibiotics for RTIs using Delphi methods. Retrospective DUR criteria of antibiotics for RTIs were identified based on clinical practice guidelines and opinion of experts. Expert panel members were clinical doctors and pharmacists and Delphi method was applied by survey on 16 members of panels. The claim data from Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment (HIRA) were used to examine trends in outpatient antibiotic prescription between Janunary to December of 2008. As results, Quality index for RTI was assessed for the claim type, antibiotics use of quantity, duration, number and cost. Antibiotic prescription rate for RTIs, Defined Daily Dose (DDD), and duration of antibiotics use were more recognized as significant quality index by experts' opinion. Use of first line agents suggested by guidelines was low and duration of antibiotics use was shorter compared to the recommendations. Antibiotics were over prescribed for RITs. However, dose and duration of antibiotics were under-used.

Today, suicide by self-poisoning of prescribed or non-prescribed drugs on purpose has been increasing and is a major cause of mortality. It is very important to treat promptly and properly for saving the lives from those suicides. There is neither an organization such as poison control center nor measurement in S. Korea, though. The object of this study was to evaluate information of frequently used substances for suicide attempt in S. Korea. Our results also can provide healthcare provider including pharmacists and doctors, etc and contribute to increasing health and welfare for Korean. From June 1st 2006 to April 30th 2012, we retrospectively studied patients visiting emergency room due to suicide attempt. We collected information of underlying disease, history of past medical condition and suicide attempt, ingredient and getting route of ingesting substances, emergency treatment, and outcome by reviewing electronic medical record. We also evaluated actual treatment of self-poisoning and made guide information about antidote medication for S. Korean healthcare provider. Among total 242 cases of suicidal attempts, cases ingesting substances including prescription, non-prescription drugs and agricultural chemicals were 86.4%. The most frequently used drugs for suicide attempt were sedatives-hypnotics (53.6%), followed by analgesics (16.7%) and antidepressants (12.4%). Analgesics including acetaminophen and aspirin were most in teenagers but sedatives-hypnotics including benzodiazepines, nonbenzodiazepine (zolpidem) and antihistamine were most in other ages including elderly people. Most frequently used antidote was activated charcoal (62.7%) and specific antidotes for some substances (acetaminophen, aspirin, agricultural chemicals) were also treated properly, accompanying with medication for supportive care. In conclusion, the most used substances for suicide attempt were sedatives-hypnotics and treatments for self-poisoning in emergency room were appropriate based on existing references. Therefore, information of frequently used substances and antidote reflecting these results will be useful for South Korean healthcare provider.

미숙아는 단백질 대사 속도가 빠르기 때문에 성장이 충분히 이루어질 수 있도록 ASPEN 가이드라인에서는 아미노산초기용량을 1-2 g/kg/day로 투여하도록 권장하고 있다. 또한 최근 여러 연구에서 출생초기 고용량 (1.5-4 g/kg/day) 아미노산 투여에 대해 보고하고 있다. 이를 근거로 하여 삼성서울병원 신생아 중환자실에서도 2009년 6월부터 아미노산 초기용량을 0.5 g/kg/day에서 1.5~2 g/kg/day으로 증량하여 투여하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 신생아 중환자실에서 정맥영양요법을 받은 미숙아를 대상으로 고용량 아미노산 공급 효과를 평가하고자 하였다. 2009년 6월 기준으로 출생 후 48시간 이내에 0.5 g/kg/day로 아미노산을 투여 받은 저용량 환아군(38명: 대조군)과 1.5~2 g/kg/day로 투여 받은 고용량 환아군(38명: 시험군)의 전자의무기록을 후향적으로 검토하였다. 고용량 아미노산 공급 효과를 체중증가량 및 총 정맥영양기간, 경구 및 경장 영양 시작 시기, 재원기간으로 평가하였고, 안전성 평가를 위해 혈액화학검사 및 합병증을 조사하였다. 또한 두 군의 인구학적 및 주산기 인자, 영양 공급량 등에 대해 조사하였다. 두 군의 인구학적 및 주산기 인자는 재태기간에서만 차이를 보였으며, 시험군에서 재태기간이 길었다(p < 0.05). 초기 아미노산 용량만이생후 28일간 일평균 체중증가량에 영향을 미치는 인자였으며 시험군의 일평균 체중증가량이 대조군보다 유의하게 큰 것으로 나타났다(12.6±4.5 g/day vs 9.8±4.5 g/day, p < 0.05). 목표 체중증가량에 도달한 비율도 시험군이 높았다(65.8% vs47.4%). 총 공급열량, 총 정맥영양 공급 기간과 경구 및 경장 영양 시작 시기는 두 군간 차이가 없었으나 시험군에서 목표열량 도달시간, 신생아 중환자실 재원기간이 단축되었다(p < 0.05). 혈액화학검사 결과 및 대사성 산증, 호흡곤란증후군, 괴사성장염 발생은 두 군간 차이가 없었으며 고혈당 및 감염, 기관지폐이형증, 뇌실내출혈 발생률은 대조군에서 유의하게 높았다(p < 0.05). 연구 결과, 미숙아에서 출생 초기 고용량 아미노산 공급은 혈액화학검사 이상이나합병증 없이 체중증가와 재원기간 감소에 효과가 있음을 확인하였다. 따라서 미숙아에 대한 출생초기 영양지원으로1.5~2 g/kg/day 아미노산 공급은 안전하고 효과적이라고 사료된다.

The most common complication after liver transplantation (LT) is bacterial infection. The incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) after LT was variable from 8.8%~37%. However, there has been no confirmed guideline in use of prophylactic antibiotics after LT. Ampicillin/sulbactam has been used as main prophylactic antibiotics after LT in Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) according to the center protocol. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for SSI after LT and to evaluate the appropriateness of prophylactic antibiotics. A total of 211 patients who underwent LT between July 2008 and June 2010 at SUNH were included. During study period, ampicillin/ sulbactam was selected as prophylactic antibiotics in 140 patients (66.4%). A total of 43 patients (20.4%) developed infections and the incidence of SSI was noted in 28 patients (13.2%); 10.0% in ampicillin/sulbactam group and 19.4% in other antibiotics (p=0.049). The most common pathogen of SSI was MRSA (13 episodes, 49.4%). In multivariate analysis, choledochojejunostomy (OR: 7.0; 95% CI, 2.4-20.0) and lower serum albumin (OR: 3.7; 95% CI, 1.1- 12.9) were found to be risk factors of SSIs. In conclusion, the incidence of SSIs after LT in this population was similar to those in other studies. Therefore, the prophylactic antibiotics protocol in LT at SNUH seems to be appropriate.

Hypertension is treated with both lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-7), published in 2003, provides a streamlined management approach to hypertension for the primary care physician. The JNC-7 is the gold standard also in Korea. According to the JNC-7, special therapeutic considerations are recommended for high-risk individuals with compelling indications. The presence of compelling indications in any given patient should be considered when selecting specific pharmacotherapy to treat hypertension. However, in patients with compelling indications, it is unknown that hepatotoxicity is caused by Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB), one of 1st anti-hypertensive drugs. Now, the CCB is the most used 1st anti-hypertensive drug in Korea Therefore, we evaluated the changes in blood liver function parameters (ALT, AST, Total bilirubin, serum albumin for the study group. Methods : We randomly collected and retrospectively analyzed Electronic Medical Record data (n=28,788) of patients, and who took calcium channel blockers( non-dihydropyridines; diltiazem, verapamil, dihydropyridines; amlodipine, barnidipine, benidipine, clinidipine, efonidipine, felodipine, isradipine, lacidipine, lercanidipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine), with having liver function tests (LFTs) from July 1st 2009 to June 30th 2010 at the Seoul National University Hospital in Korea. Control groups are two antihypertensive agents: RAS blockade (ARB; candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan, valsartan, ACE-I; cilazapril, enalapril, fosinopril, imidapril, perindopril, ramipril) and, Diuretics (loop; furosemide, torsemide, thiazide; hydrochlorothiazide[HCTZ], indapamide). Patients not having LFT results at these three standard points of time(baseline, during, medication, and after finishing medication) were excluded. The collected data were analyzed by using the SPSS (Version12.0) and Microsoft Excel (Version2007). Results : 711 patients who were treated CCB (297), RAS blockade (232) or Diuretics (182) monotherapy were selected for the study. In selected patients, liver damage degree(changes of each LFTs value) was higher in diuretics group than other groups, followed by RAS blockade and CCB. In diuretics group’s was loop-diuretics group was higher than thiazide-diuretics group. In CCB group, Nondihydropyridine- CCB’s damage degree was higher than Dihydropyrine-CCB’s that. Conclusions : Despite the limitations due to the retrospective study, among patients with abnormal LFTs, the use of CCBs led to a less liver damage than other 1st anti-hypertensive agents. It can be recommended CCBs as one of the initial treatments of hypertension in patients with liver disease.

Amphotericin B is a mainstay in the treatment of many systemic fungal infections due to its wide antifungal spectrum and low incidence of resistance. However, the use of amphotericin B is limited by its nephrotoxicity. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of renal adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of conventional amphotericin B (Fungizone®). In addition, we compared the changes of serum creatinine (SCr) between patients who remained conventional amphotericin B and patients who were switched to liposomal amphotericin B after occurrence of renal adverse reactions. Methods: Adult hospitalized patients who reported renal adverse reactions caused by conventional amphotericin B from January 2011 to July 2012 at pharmacovigilance center in Yonsei University Healthcare System included in this study. ADRs scored as ‘doubtful’ in Naranjo probability ADR scale were excluded. We retrospectively analyzed patients’ basic clinical characteristics, concurrent diseases or nephrotoxic drugs in order to find variables that can correlate with occurrence of renal ADRs. Changes in SCr were compared between conventional amphotericin B group and liposomal amphotericin B group. Results: A total of 231 ADRs after administration of conventional amphotericin B in 75 patients were reported to pharmacovigilance center and assessed their severities as ‘possible’, ‘probable’, or ‘definite’. Renal adverse reaction was the most common ADR with incidence rate of 42% (96 of 231 ADRs). Mean change in SCr from baseline was 0.26 mg/dL (change % 37.8) and statistically significant (p=0.000). Simple correlations analysis revealed that the number of concurrent diseases and number of nephrotoxic drugs were positively correlated with changes in SCr, but these results were not statistically significant. Among 43 patients who remained amphotericin B after occurrence of renal ADRs, 27 patients was administered conventional amphotericin B and 16 patients changed to liposomal amphotericin B. Mean change in SCr in amphotericin B group was 0.23 mg/dL (32.75%), whereas mean change in SCr in liposomal amphotericin B group were -0.28 mg/dL (19.38%) and difference between two groups was statistically significant (p=0.003). The numbers of patient with SCr elevation more than 30% were 9 (33.3%) in amphotericin B group and 2 (12.5%) in liposomal amphotericin B group (Odd Ratio=3.50, 95% Confidence Interval 0.65-18.85; p=0.130). Conclusion: An analysis of ADRs due to amphotericin B administration revealed significant mean changes in SCr from baseline. Switching to liposomal amphotericin B showed significant decrease in SCr compared with conventional amphotericin B.

본 연구의 목적은 약국을 방문하는 만성질환을 가진 노인 환자의 건강보조식품 복용여부와 그 종류 및 복용 양상을 알아보고 개별 환자의 처방의약품 목록과 함께 분석하여 발생 가능한 건강보조식품과 처방의약품의 상호작용을 평가하는 데 있다. 본 연구는 지역 약국을 방문한 만 65세 이상의 만성질환을 가진 노인환자를 대상으로 하였다. 먼저, 만성질환 노인환자의 건강보조식품 복용실태 파악을 위해, 설문 조사를 실시하였다. 처방의약품과 건강보조식품 간의상호작용 여부 및 정도를 파악하기 위한 문헌검색은 2011년 4월까지 출간된 논문을 대상으로 PubMed를 통하여 이루어졌으며, 설문에 응답한 환자의 처방의약품 목록을 검토하여, 현재 동시 복용중인 건강보조식품과 처방의약품이 상호작용을 유발할 가능성이 있는지 파악하였다. 설문에 응답한 만성질환 노인환자 65명(45.5%)이 건강보조식품을 최근6개월간 꾸준히 복용하고 있었으며 그 중 홍삼이 가장 많은 비율로 34명(31.8%)이 복용 중 이었다. 설문에 응답한 환자의 처방의약품 목록과 복용 중인 건강보조식품 목록을 분석한 결과, 건강보조식품을 복용 중이라고 응답한 65명중 13명(20.0%)의 환자가 현재 복용하는 처방의약품과 잠재적 (potential) 또는 가능한 (possible) 상호작용이 있는 건강 보조식품을 동시에 복용하고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 건강보조식품과 처방의약품간의 상호작용에 대한 적극적인복약지도와 실태 조사를 통해 만성질환 노인 환자에서의 상호작용 발생을 예방함으로써 보다 안전하고 효과적인 의약품 사용이 가능해 질 것으로 사료된다.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) involving sensory and motor nerve damage or dysfunction is a common and serious clinical problem that affects many patients receiving cancer treatment. This condition may pose challenges for the clinician to diagnose and manage, particularly in patients with coexisting conditions or disorders that involve the peripheral nervous system. Many chemotherapeutic agents used today are associated with the development of serious and dose-limiting CIPN that can adversely affect the administration of planned therapy and can impair quality of life by interference with the patients’ activities of daily living. The most important clinical objective in the evaluation of patients with CIPN is to determine their level of functional impairment involving activities of daily living. These findings are used to make medical decisions to continue, modify, delay, or stop treatment. The most commonly reported drugs to cause CIPN include taxanes, platinum agents, vinca alkaloids, thalidomide, and bortezomib. We aimed to determine PN incidence during cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin administration. Methods: We collected data from 125 patients who received at least one cycle of cisplatin, carboplatin or oxaliplatin. They completed a self-reported questionnaire and items related to their disease and peripheral neuropathy. The investigators filled in part of items about disease and treatment. Patient Neurotoxicity Qeustionnaire developed by Bionumerik company were applied for PN assessment. Results: The incidences of sensory neurotoxicities of cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin were respectively 23%, 56% and 50%. The incidences of motor neurotoxicities of cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin were respectively 18%, 42% and 19%. The incidences of severe neurotoxicities of cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin were respectively 13%, 28% and 14%. The incidences of PN were associated with cumulative dose but not age, gender and concurrent illness. 19.2% of the patients (24/125) were prescribed with gabapentin, nortriptyline or gabapentin plus nortriptyline to reduce these peripheral symptoms and 75% of the patients answered the drug were effective. Conclusion: Incidence of PN after cisplatin or oxaliplatin administration is cumulative dose-related. Physician-based assessments under-reported the incidence and severity of CIPN. To overcome this limitation, diagnostic tools specifically designed to assess peripheral neuropathy severity associated with chemotherapy must be developed.