Trends in the use of oral anticoagulants, antiplatelets and statins in four European countries: a population-based study.

Purpose: To evaluate time trends in the prevalence of antithrombotic and statin use in four European countries.

Methods: Using population-based data from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain and Italy between 2010 and 2018, we calculated standardized annual prevalence proportions of antithrombotics and statin use, and changes in prevalence proportions (2018 vs. 2010).

Feasibility of a multidisciplinary approach for medical review among elderly patients in four Italian long-term nursing homes.

Objectives: To establish the feasibility and the specific tasks of a multidisciplinary team approach for medical review in four nursing homes for the elderly in Italy.

Methods: Prospective study conducted between November 2012 and September 2013. Review of therapies was performed by seven clinical pharmacists and four nurses using composite criteria for drug discrepancy evaluation with subsequent submission to 31 physicians.

Ocular disorders in users of H2 antagonists and of omeprazole.

We have conducted a cohort study of users of omeprazole and H(2) antagonists in Italy to investigate whether the peroral use of these drugs may be associated with an increased incidence of ocular disorders leading to loss of vision. We have used the Sistema Informativo Sanitario Regionale (SISR database) in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia to identify all subjects who received at least one prescription for cimetidine, famotidine, niperotidine, nizatidine, omeprazole, ranitidine or roxatidine between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 1994. We have identified all hospital admissions for serious vascular or inflammatory ocular disorders following any such prescription, reviewed and validated all medical records.

Use of amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and hospitalization for acute liver injury.

Increase of acute liver injury in patients taking amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) as compared to those taking amoxicillin has been suggested. To further investigate the potential hepatotoxicity of the two drugs a historical cohort study was conducted in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. One hundred and eighteen potential cases of acute liver injury were identified through the regional hospital information system and medical records were reviewed for all of them.

Use of cimetidine, omeprazole, and ranitidine in pregnant women and pregnancy outcomes.

Evidence documenting the safety of acid-suppressing drugs in pregnancy is very limited. The authors assessed the prevalence of congenital malformations in first trimester-exposed pregnancies to cimetidine, omeprazole, and ranitidine and compared it with nonexposed pregnancies between 1991 and 1996. Two different sources were used, the United Kingdom General Practice Research Database and the Italian Friuli-Venezia Giulia Health Database.