Gaming for Adherence to Medication using Ehealth in Rheumatoid arthritis (GAMER) study: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To examine the effect on adherence to disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in participants with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of a serious game that targeted implicit attitudes toward medication.

Methods: A multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) was performed with adults with RA that used DMARDs and possessed a smartphone/tablet. Control and intervention groups received care as usual.

A nurse-based intervention for improving medication adherence in cardiovascular patients: an evaluation of a randomized controlled trial.

Poor medication adherence is a limitation in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and leads to increased morbidity, mortality, and costs. To examine the process and effect of a nurse-led, web-based intervention based on behavioral change strategies to improve medication adherence in patients with CVD. In this single-center, prospective, controlled clinical trial, cardiovascular patients were assigned to usual care, usual care plus a personalized website, or usual care plus a personalized website and personal consultations.

Long-term use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and risk of fracture: A retrospective population-based cohort study.

Aims: To investigate the association between long-term dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor use and risk of fracture among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A retrospective population-based cohort study, using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink database (2007-2015), was conducted. All those (N = 328 254) with at least one prescription for a non-insulin antidiabetic drug (NIAD), aged ≥18 years at the time of data collection, were included.

A Multifaceted Nurse- and Web-Based Intervention for Improving Adherence to Treatment in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: Rationale and Design of the MIRROR Trial.

Background: Poor adherence to medication is one of the limitations in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, thereby increasing the risk of premature death, hospital admissions, and related costs. There is a need for simple and easy-to-implement interventions that are based on patients' perspectives, beliefs, and perceptions of their illness and medication.

Objective: The objective is to test the effectivity of this intervention to improve medication adherence in patients with established cardiovascular disease, that is, in secondary prevention.

Use of Glucagon-Like-Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists and Risk of Fracture as Compared to Use of Other Anti-hyperglycemic Drugs.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are a new class of drugs that might have a potential beneficial effect on bone metabolism. Data on the effect of GLP-1 RAs and fracture risk are lacking. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the use of GLP-1 and the risk of fracture.

Use of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors and fracture risk compared to use of other anti-hyperglycemic drugs.

Introduction: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4-Is) are a new class of anti-hyperglycemic drugs which might have a potential beneficial effect on bone metabolism. Data on the effect of DPP4-I use and fracture risk is limited and conflicting. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between use of DPP4-Is and fracture risk.

Bone fracture risk is not associated with the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: a population-based cohort analysis.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-ra) are a relatively new class of anti-hyperglycemic drugs which may positively affect bone metabolism and thereby decrease (osteoporotic) bone fracture risk. Data on the effect of GLP1-ra on fracture risk are scarce and limited to clinical trial data only. The aim of this study was to investigate, in a population-based cohort, the association between the use of GLP1-ra and bone fracture risk.

A simple intervention to reduce the anesthetic pharmacy budget; the effect of price list stickers placed on vaporizers.

Study Objective: The study objective is to investigate the effects of a simple price list sticker placed on vaporizers on anesthetic use and costs. The price list only showed the cost per hour of the annually most expensive drugs, which had a low-cost alternative.

Design: The design is a prospective database study with historical controls.

[e-Health interventions and improvement in treatment adherence].

Poor adherence to medication is one of the most important determinants in the treatment of patients with chronic disorders. e-Health-based interventions may be able to improve treatment adherence. This article gives an overview of the available e-Health interventions and the extent to which they can improve adherence.

Use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors for type 2 diabetes mellitus and risk of fracture.

Introduction: Although patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have an increased bone mineral density as compared to healthy patients, their risk of fracture is elevated. Incretins, new anti-diabetic drugs, may have a protective effect on bone mineral density. However, data on the effect of incretins on fracture risk are limited.

Determining the feasibility of objective adherence measurement with blister packaging smart technology.

Purpose: The results of a feasibility study of blister-pack smart technology for monitoring medication adherence are reported.

Methods: Research in the area of objective therapy compliance measurement has led to the development of microprocessor-driven systems that record the time a unit dose is removed from blister packaging. One device under development is the Smart Blister-a label imprinted with event-detection circuitry that can be affixed to standard commercial blister cards.

Gentamicin serum concentrations in patients with gentamicin-PMMA beads for infected hip joints: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Gentamicin-polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads release gentamicin gradually, and high concentrations develop only locally. It is unclear how frequent and in which patients gentamicin serum concentrations are measurable and possibly lead to toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the measurability of gentamicin serum concentrations after the implantation of gentamicin-PMMA beads and to assess the nephrotoxicity of these beads.

Electronic monitoring of adherence, treatment of hypertension, and blood pressure control.

Background: Although it is generally acknowledged that electronic monitoring of adherence to treatment improves blood pressure (BP) control by increasing patients' awareness to their treatment, little information is available on the long-term effect of this intervention.

Methods: In this observational study among a total of 470 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension, adherence was measured in 228 patients by means of both the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) and pill count (intervention group), and in 242 patients by means of pill count alone (control group). During a follow-up period of 1 year consisting of seven visits to the physician's office, BP measurements were performed and medication adjusted based on the achieved BP.

Participation in a clinical trial enhances adherence and persistence to treatment: a retrospective cohort study.

Poor adherence to treatment is one of the major determinants of an uncontrolled blood pressure. Participation in a clinical trial may increase patient's adherence to treatment. This prompted us to investigate adherence and persistence profiles in patients with hypertension who had participated in a clinical trial, by collecting pharmacy refill data before, during, and after participation in the trial.

Effect of self-measurement of blood pressure on adherence to treatment in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Background: Poor adherence to treatment is one of the major problems in the treatment of hypertension. Self blood pressure measurement may help patients to improve their adherence to treatment.

Method: In this prospective, randomized, controlled study coordinated by a university hospital, a total of 228 mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients were randomized to either a group that performed self-measurements at home in addition to office blood pressure measurements [the self-pressure group (n = 114)] or a group that only underwent office blood pressure measurement [the office pressure group (n = 114)].

Assessing medication adherence simultaneously by electronic monitoring and pill count in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Background: Poor adherence to antihypertensive medication is one of the major problems in the treatment of hypertension. Electronic monitoring is currently considered to be the gold standard for assessing adherence, but it may trigger patients to open the pill bottle without taking medication or to take out more than prescribed. In adjunct to electronic monitoring, pill count could be a valuable tool for exploring adherence patterns, and their effects on blood pressure reduction.

Factors influencing bar-code verification by nurses during medication administration in a Dutch hospital.

Purpose: Factors influencing the bar-code verification by nurses during medication administration in a Dutch hospital were studied.

Summary: The use of bar-code verification during medication administration in five medical departments was recorded daily for three weeks. These data were collected via electronic medication administration records.

The effect of sublingual captopril versus intravenous enalaprilat on angiotensin II plasma levels.

A 44-year-old woman, with a history of familial adenomatous polyposis, complicated by carcinoma of the colon, for which a proctocolectomy had been performed, now presented with metastasis located in the pancreas. Treatment consisted of chemotherapy followed by a partial pancreaticoduodenectomy. Due to ischemia, resection of the small intestines was performed the same day.