Returned Rate and Changed Patterns of Systemic Antibiotic Use in Ambulatory Care in Hungary after the Pandemic-A Longitudinal Ecological Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the epidemiology of infectious diseases and changed the operation of health care systems and health care seeking behavior. Our study aimed to analyze the utilization of systemic antibiotics in ambulatory care in Hungary after the COVID-19 pandemic and compare it to the period before COVID. We defined three periods (24 months each): Before COVID, COVID, and After COVID.

Hospital Antibiotic Consumption before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hungary.

The aim of this study was to assess antibiotic use in the Hungarian hospital care sector during and before the pandemic. Aggregated systemic antibiotic (ATC: J01) utilisation data were obtained for the 2010-2021 period. Classifications and calculations were performed according to the WHO ATC/DDD index and expressed as DDD per 1000 inhabitants and per day (DID), DDD per 100 patient-days (DHPD) and DDD/discharge.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ambulatory Care Antibiotic Use in Hungary: A Population-Based Observational Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have potentially impacted the use of antibiotics. We aimed to analyze the use of systemic antibiotics (J01) in ambulatory care in Hungary during two pandemic years, to compare it with pre-COVID levels (January 2015-December 2019), and to describe trends based on monthly utilization. Our main findings were that during the studied COVID-19 pandemic period, compared to the pre-COVID level, an impressive 23.

[Deprescribing: an essential part of rational pharmacotherapy].

Deprescribing is a planned, systematic process supervised by a healthcare professional. It is considered to be a fundamental part of good prescribing. Deprescribing can be defined as the complete withdrawal of medications as well as dose reduction.

Trends in the hospital-sector consumption of the WHO AWaRe Reserve group antibiotics in EU/EEA countries and the United Kingdom, 2010 to 2018.

BackgroundIn 2019, the World Health Organization published the 21st Model list of Essential Medicines and updated the Access, Watch Reserve (AWaRe) antibiotics classification to improve metrics and indicators for antibiotic stewardship activities. Reserve antibiotics are regarded as last-resort treatment options.AimWe investigated hospital-sector consumption quantities and trends of Reserve group antibiotics in European Union/European Economic Area countries and the United Kingdom (EU/EEA/UK).

Trends in opioid utilization in Hungary, 2006-2020: A nationwide retrospective study with multiple metrics.

Background: Opioid use is well documented in several countries: some countries struggle with overuse, whereas others have almost no access to opioids. For Europe, limited data are available. This study analysed Hungarian opioid utilization in ambulatory care between 2006 and 2020.

[The characteristics and trends of Hungarian outpatient antibiotic use (2010–2019)].

Unlabelled: Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: Az antibiotikumok észszerű alkalmazása kulcsfontosságú a hatékonyságuk megőrzésében és a néhol kritikus méreteket öltő antibiotikumrezisztencia visszaszorításában. Célkitűzés: A hazai ambuláns antibiotikumfelhasználás jellemzőinek, trendjeinek bemutatása.

Factors Facilitating and Hindering Development of a Medication Use Review Service in Eastern Europe and Iran-Cross-Sectional Exploratory Study.

Polypharmacy is a common issue in patients with chronic diseases. Eastern-European countries and Iran are exploring possibilities for implementing the Medication Use Review (MUR) as a measure for optimizing medication use and ensuring medication safety in polypharmacy patients. The aim of this study was to gain insights into the development of the community pharmacy sector and map facilitators and barriers of MUR in Eastern Europe and Iran.

Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Hungary: Mixed-Method Study to Reveal Scale and Characteristics.

Background: Due to their efficacy and tolerability, utilization of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) has significantly increased worldwide. Parallel to the clinical benefits, potential long-term side effects have been observed, which, along with increasing medical expenses and potential drug interactions, justifies the analysis of the trends of utilization.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to show the level, pattern, and characteristics of PPI use.

Treatment of Cystitis by Hungarian General Practitioners: A Prospective Observational Study.

Lower urinary tract infections (LUTIs) are amongst the most common community acquired infections with frequent antibiotic prescribing. To assess empiric antibiotic choice in different types of lower urinary tract infections. We also aimed to identify determinants of fluoroquinolone prescribing, as well as to determine the rate of short antibiotic courses.

Knowledge and opinion of pharmacists on emergency contraceptive pills in Hungary.

Background Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are used to prevent unintended pregnancy. There is a worldwide intention to improve access to ECPs; therefore, identifying potential barriers to introducing over-the counter (OTC) access is of utmost importance. As pharmacists are the key personnel to convey accurate drug information, their knowledge and attitude on ECPs is important.

Medication use and risk of falls among nursing home residents: a retrospective cohort study.

Background Geriatric falls are leading causes of hospital trauma admissions and injury-related deaths. Medication use is a crucial element among extrinsic risk factors for falls. To reduce fall risk and the prevalence of adverse drug reactions, potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) lists are widely used.

[Antibiotic use in the Hungarian hospitals in the last two decades (1996-2015)].

Introduction: Growing bacterial resistance threatens public health, which can be tempered by prudent antibiotic use.

Aim: To quantify systemic antibacterial use in Hungarian hospitals.

Method: Consumption data were analysed using the Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical - Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) methodology.

Dosage Form Data Used for Estimating Pediatric Antibiotic Use.

We aimed to report a simple estimation method to enable quantification of pediatric antibiotic exposure in large aggregated datasets. Secondly, we aimed to quantify and benchmark Hungarian pediatric antibiotic use. First we intended to examine whether a correlation existed between dosage form data and the patient's age.

Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults: Analysis of the National Dispensing Database.

Crude national ambulatory antibiotic dispensing data (2007-2011) of adult patients (aged between 20 and below 65 years) with CAP were obtained and expressed as DDD per 1000 inhabitants and per day (DID). European quality indicators of antibiotic prescribing were calculated and adherence rate to the national CAP guideline was assessed. Antibiotic use for CAP in adults ranged between 0.

Gender inequalities in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Introduction: Our aim was to perform both gender- and age-specific analysis regarding the utilisation of anti-osteoporotic drugs in Hungary, between 2007 and 2011, and to compare our results with other European countries.

Methods: The database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund was screened for anti-osteoporotic medications, covering 100% of the Hungarian population (10 million people). ICD coding system (International Classification of Diseases) and WHO ATC/DDD methodology were used for medication screening and analysis.

[Treatment practice of acute cystitis on the basis of national prescription data].

Introduction: Urinary tract infections are one of the common diseases in the primary health care.

Aim: To analyse patterns of ambulatory antibiotic use in acute cystitis.

Method: Antibiotic use data was based on national-level prescription turnovers.

[Evaluation of ambulatory antibiotic use in Hungary using drug-specific quality indicators].

Introduction: Rational use of antibiotics is an important tool in combating antibiotic resistance.

Aim: The aim of the authors was to evaluate the quality of ambulatory antibiotic use in Hungary.

Method: Crude antibiotic sales data for the period between 1996 and 2010 were converted into DDD (Defined Daily Dose) per 1000 inhabitants and per year.

Treatment of acute cystitis in Hungary: comparison with national guidelines and with disease-specific quality indicators.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare Hungarian antibiotic use in acute cystitis with the internationally developed disease-specific quality indicators and with the national guidelines.

Methods: The aggregated national-level data on systemic antibiotic use was purchased from the National Health Fund Administration. The study period was January-June 2007.

[Drug-related problems in the elderly].

The aging population in developed countries is a growing problem nowadays. The burden on healthcare is particularly high, since the prevalence of the diseases, especially chronic diseases increases with age. Prevalence of polypharmacy is common among elderly patients.

Variations and determinants of antibiotic consumption in Hungarian adult intensive care units.

Purpose: The aim of this work was to study the use of systemic antibacterials and its possible determinants in Hungarian intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: Hospital pharmacy. departments provided package level dispensing data for their corresponding ICU (2006).

Optimal recall period in assessing the adherence to antihypertensive therapy: a pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate the validity of patient self-reported adherence, and to find the optimal length of recall period which best reflects the long-term adherence pattern of the patient.

Setting: Patients were recruited from a general practitioner's practice in a Hungarian town.

Method: In this prospective study 30 patients, who had already been on antihypertensive treatment, were involved.

[Analysis and interpretation of non-reimbursed antibiotic use data in Hungary].

The present paper describes one special field of the Hungarian ambulatory care antibiotic consumption: it focuses on the non-reimbursed antibiotic use and interprets it by using different measurement units, including the WHO recommended DDD per 1000 inhabitants and per day. The most commonly dispensed active agents belonged to the penicillin, tetracycline or sulfonamide antibacterial groups. Although the non-reimbursed antibiotic use increased during the study period, it was still low in 2004, representing approximately 2% of total Hungarian ambulatory care antibiotic use.

[The participation of pharmacist in antibiotic related activities of Hungarian hospitals and intensive care units].

The present paper describes the antibiotic related activities of Hungarian adult intensive care units (ICUs) and their parent hospitals, specially focusing on the role of hospital pharmacists. Information was gathered by a structured questionnaire, which was sent to the head of ICU departments by post and by email. The multidisciplinary team of authors developed and validated the questions.