Comparison of the Effectiveness of Liraglutide vs Semaglutide in a Veteran Population.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are commonly prescribed medications for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on cardiovascular benefits. This study aimed to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of once daily liraglutide vs once weekly semaglutide on T2DM in a Veteran population. This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study that included T2DM patients with a prescription for liraglutide or semaglutide between September 1st, 2019, and September 30th, 2020.

Regression Equations for Weight Estimation in Paediatric Resuscitation.

Background: Weight estimation is critical in paediatric resuscitation, as stopping to weigh a child could influence their survival. Weight estimation methods used in New Zealand (NZ) are not accurate for the population, increasing the complexity of prescribing medication and selecting equipment.

Aim: Develop regression equations (RE) to predict the weight of NZ children based on height, sex, age and ethnicity to be deployed in a mobile application (Weight Estimation Without Waiting).

Identifying How to Support Nurse Educators Nationally to Teach Nursing Informatics.

Preparing nurses for practice and ensuring nursing informatics is included in their curricula is a challenge for many nurse educators. This study asked nurse educators from around New Zealand (n=40) what they perceived as the concerns, barriers and facilitators to implementing nursing informatics within their curricula. Among the findings a key issue is the constantly evolving nature of information and communication technology in healthcare and nursing which results in the ongoing need for professional development to keep up-to-date.

Impact of national valsartan recalls on Veterans' outcomes.

Background And Aims: Chemical impurities discovered in angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) products in late 2018-2019 resulted in recalls of various products and has likely had downstream effects for patients and prescribers. The purpose of this study is to determine how the valsartan recall impacted clinical endpoints and prescribing of antihypertensives.

Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study including patients receiving recalled valsartan with essential hypertension who were mailed a recall letter on 12 March 2019.

Colchicine in Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Objective: The purpose of this review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of colchicine after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Data Sources: English-language searches were made of MEDLINE and EMBASE from database inception through mid-June 2020.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Randomized trials characterizing the effects of colchicine in ACS were considered.

Education Into Policy: Embedding Health Informatics to Prepare Future Nurses-New Zealand Case Study.

Background: Preparing emerging health professionals for practicing in an ever-changing health care environment along with continually evolving technology is an international concern. This is particularly pertinent for nursing because nurses make up the largest part of the health workforce.

Objective: This study aimed to explore how health informatics can be included in undergraduate health professional education.

Assessing the Economic Value of Pharmacy Resident Participation in an Investigational Drug Service.

Purpose: Completion of postgraduate residency training gives pharmacists an opportunity to gain advanced practice experience, yet the availability of these positions is often limited. Through participation in an investigational drug service (IDS), residency programs may be able to expand learning experiences while demonstrating a financial benefit to the institution. The purpose of this assessment is to examine the economic value generated by pharmacy resident involvement within an IDS.

Economic outcomes associated with an investigational drug service within a Veterans Affairs health care system.

Background: An investigational drug service (IDS) has a foundational role in ensuring the safe and efficient management of investigational drugs. The objective of this assessment is to determine economic value of an IDS within a Veterans Affairs health care system.

Methods: This assessment was a single-center retrospective record review.

Safety analysis of long-term phenazopyridine use for radiation cystitis.

Background: Phenazopyridine is a urinary tract analgesic indicated for short-term treatment of irritation in the lower urinary tract. Despite the lack of evidence for extended use, it is often used in varying durations for supportive care for cancer patients with radiation-induced cystitis. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of adverse drug reactions in patients with radiation cystitis receiving long-term phenazopyridine (>14-day supply) compared to a matched comparator group.

Prospective Cohort of Deep Dyspareunia in an Interdisciplinary Setting.

Introduction: Deep dyspareunia is a common symptom in women, including in half of women with endometriosis, but little is known about its response to treatment and predictors of persistent deep dyspareunia over time.

Aim: To follow up deep dyspareunia severity over a 1-year prospective cohort at an interdisciplinary center, and to identify baseline predictors of more persistent deep dyspareunia at 1 year.

Methods: Prospective 1-year cohort study at a tertiary referral center for pelvic pain and endometriosis, where a range of interdisciplinary treatments are provided at a single center (surgical, hormonal, physical, and psychological therapies).

Pharmacy resident involvement in prior-authorization drug request adjudication.

Purpose: Results of a study to determine economic outcomes of pharmacy residents' involvement in prior-authorization drug request (PADR) adjudication within a Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system are reported.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to identify PADRs adjudicated by pharmacy residents under a preceptor's supervision during the 2015-16 residency year. Only PADRs that were not approved as submitted (i.

Aripiprazole for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the safety and efficacy of aripiprazole as monotherapy and adjunct therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods: A search of both MEDLINE (1956 to May 2017) and EMBASE (1957 to May 2017) was conducted using the terms "aripiprazole" and "post-traumatic stress disorder," "posttraumatic stress disorder," or "PTSD." Studies evaluating the primary endpoint of PTSD in patients taking aripiprazole as monotherapy or adjunct therapy were analyzed for relevance.

Chronic pelvic pain in an interdisciplinary setting: 1-year prospective cohort.

Background: Chronic pelvic pain affects ∼15% of women, and presents a challenging problem for gynecologists due to its complex etiology involving multiple comorbidities. Thus, an interdisciplinary approach has been proposed for chronic pelvic pain, where these multifactorial comorbidities can be addressed by different interventions at a single integrated center. Moreover, while cross-sectional studies can provide some insight into the association between these comorbidities and chronic pelvic pain severity, prospective longitudinal cohorts can identify comorbidities associated with changes in chronic pelvic pain severity over time.

The Role of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors in Patients with History of Stroke: A Systematic Review.

Background: Xanthine oxidase inhibitors are commonly used to lower uric acid levels in patients with gout. Due to their effects on endothelial function, they have also been investigated for possible benefits for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of xanthine oxidase inhibitors in the treatment of patients with history of stroke.

Medication Safety in Clinical Trials: Role of the Pharmacist in Optimizing Practice, Collaboration, and Education to Reduce Errors.

Standardized safety practices for investigational drugs in clinical research protocols are limited and the vast majority of research pharmacists have concerns regarding its safety. Identified areas for medication safety risks include protocol complexity, medication ordering, and the processes for packaging, storage, and dispensing investigational medications. Inclusion of a pharmacist creates multiple mechanisms to promote safety and improve the quality of clinical research.

Health and Nutritional Literacy of New Zealand Nursing Students.

Background: The published literature suggests that RNs are more overweight and obese than the general population. This research investigates associations between nutrition literacy, anthropometry measures, and nutritional biomarkers in an undergraduate nursing student population.

Method: Year-one nursing students from two tertiary education institutions in New Zealand were invited to participate in an observational, convenience sample study.

Influence of Successful Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Treatment with Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir on Warfarin Dosing Requirements in Four Veterans.

Study Objective: To describe international normalized ratio (INR) trends and warfarin dosage adjustments required for four veterans who were receiving warfarin therapy and started treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin.

Design: Case series.

Setting: Pharmacist-led anticoagulation clinic in a Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Emergency weight estimation lookup tables for New Zealand children aged 5-10 years.

Objective: To derive novel emergency weight estimation tables for New Zealand children aged 5-10 years using ethnicity and sex to increase accuracy and precision.

Methods: Using an existing dataset (collected in five New Zealand primary schools during July 2013; n = 376), body mass index and current emergency weight estimates were calculated. Stepwise regression with Akanke Information produced two best-fit models for predicting weight, one based on age and the other on height.

Weight estimation in paediatric resuscitation: A hefty issue in New Zealand.

Objective: To test the accuracy of weight estimation methods currently used in New Zealand to predict a child's weight in emergency resuscitation.

Methods: A prospective, observational study. Data were collected in July 2013 at five Auckland schools among children aged 5-10 years.

RETIRED: Postural health in women: the role of physiotherapy.

This document has been archived because it contains outdated information. It should not be consulted for clinical use, but for historical research only. Please visit the journal website for the most recent guidelines.

The role of calcium in the toxic effects of tert-butyl hydroperoxide on adult rat cardiac myocytes.

Oxidant stress has been implicated in reoxygenation damage following hypoxia and can lead to loss of membrane integrity and cell death. In this study the effects of oxidant stress, induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP), on cell conformation and intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) of cardiac myocytes isolated from rat ventricles were examined. Incubation in the presence of 1 mM tBHP lead to a rise in [Ca2+]i, hypercontracture and loss of membrane integrity (as judged by trypan blue staining and loss of fluorescence of fura-2 loaded cells).

Calcium antagonists and tissue protection.

The tissue-protective effect of the calcium antagonists is a complex phenomenon that needs to be considered at the cellular as well as the organ level, and with respect to both the vasculature and myocardium. As far as the vasculature and the myocardium are concerned, hypertension is a major risk factor. The dihydropyridine-based calcium antagonists are protective under these circumstances, not only because of their blood pressure-lowering effect but also because of their ability to slow plaque formation and possibly to provide some protection against oxyradical-induced injury.