The Effects of Prophylactic Laxative Use on Critically Ill Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

: To investigate the effects of prophylactic use of stimulant laxatives and/or docusate on the clinical outcomes in critically ill patients who required mechanical ventilation (MV). : A single-center, retrospective, cohort study was conducted. Patients who received MV in the first 24 h after intensive care unit (ICU) admission were enrolled and divided into four groups: non-laxative, stimulant laxatives, docusate, and stimulant laxatives-docusate combination.

Newer Therapies for Refractory Infection in Adults: A Systematic Review.

Background: () infection is a global health concern, affecting approximately two-thirds of the world's population. Standard first-line treatment regimens often fail, necessitating alternative rescue therapies.

Objectives: This review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of newer treatment regimens in patients who have failed initial eradication therapy.

Strategies to Improve Access to Care for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder.

Treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) faces several challenges, including restricted access to medications, geographical and logistical barriers, and variability in treatment availability across different communities. This article outlines several strategies aimed at improving access to medications. Pharmacy-based care could potentially extend access to medications but would require regulatory changes to empower pharmacists.

Potential Use of ChatGPT for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases in Vulnerable Populations.

Background: ChatGPT could be a useful tool in the infectious disease field. However, the application of ChatGPT for the treatment of infectious diseases in vulnerable population has not been determined.

Methods: We designed questions about antibiotic use, including the choice of antibiotics, dose, and treatment duration for prevalent infectious disease in vulnerable populations.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Children and Adolescents with Obesity or Overweight: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Four glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have been used in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight. This network meta-analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of these regimens. Embase, PubMed, and Scopus were searched on March 2023 and updated in June 2024 for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Efficacy and safety of tirzepatide versus placebo in overweight or obese adults without diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Tirzepatide was approved to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, but its efficacy and safety in patients without diabetes has not been investigated.

Aim: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide compared to placebo in overweight or obese patients without diabetes.

Method: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane were searched on January 18, 2024.

Quantity, Duration, Adherence, and Reasons for Dietary Supplement Use among Adults: Results from NHANES 2011-2018.

Dietary supplement use is common among US adults. We aimed to investigate the quantity, duration, adherence, and reasons for supplement use in individuals who take supplements. Data from 2011 to 2018 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset were analyzed.

Vonoprazan-based therapies versus PPI-based therapies in patients with H. pylori infection: Systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vonoprazan-amoxicillin (VA), vonoprazan-amoxicillin-clarithromycin (VAC), vonoprazan-based bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (VBQT), and PPI-based triple (PAC) or quadruple therapy (PBQT) for H. pylori infection with the consideration of duration of therapy and amoxicillin dose (H: high; L: low).

Materials And Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to December 15, 2023.

Medication adherence in Medicare-enrolled older adults with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease before and during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Medication adherence in Medicare-enrolled older adults with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unknown.

Objectives: To evaluate medication adherence and determinants of high adherence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in this population.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Efficacy and safety of probiotics and synbiotics for functional constipation in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background & Aim: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotics and synbiotics in childhood functional constipation.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) were searched up to June 2023.

An Alternative Approach to Tablet Splitting and Grinding for Medication Administration.

Tablet formulations fail to meet the needs of patients unable to swallow tablets such as pediatric, elderly, and patients that must receive medications via feeding tubes. Our objective was to develop and test a new, simple device (XTEMP-R) and the methodology for converting tablets into a homogeneous suspension for medication administration. We developed a new device comprised of a flexible receptacle, a tight-fitting cap, and a suction cup bottom to convert tablets into liquid preparations.

Treatment of Infection in Patients with Penicillin Allergy.

is among the prevalent causes of infections worldwide, and its resistance rate to antibiotics has been rising over time. Amoxicillin is the cornerstone for the treatment regimen. However, the prevalence of penicillin allergy ranges from 4% to 15%.

Retention in Office-Based Opioid Treatment and Impact on Emergency Department Use in Adolescents and Young Adults With Opioid Use Disorder.

Purpose: Longer retention in medication treatment (MT) of addiction is associated with improved health outcomes among adults with opioid use disorder. MT remains underutilized among adolescents and young adults (AYA); factors associated with MT retention are not well-defined and effect of retention on treatment outcomes is unknown. This study examined patient characteristics associated with retention in an office-based opioid treatment program for AYA patients and determined the impact of retention time on emergency department (ED) utilization.

Urine Drug Test Results Among Adolescents and Young Adults in an Outpatient Office-Based Opioid Treatment Program.

Purpose: Urine drug testing (UDT) is an important feature of outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder, but associations with patient characteristics among adolescent and young adult patients are unknown. This study assessed UDT results in office-based opioid treatment and characteristics associated with treatment compliance.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of adolescent and young adult patients enrolled in office-based opioid treatment between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2020.

Telehealth Intervention to Improve Uptake of Evidence-Based Medications among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Failure or Cardiovascular Disease.

Introduction: Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists are recommended for patients with type two diabetes (T2D) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or heart failure (HF) to reduce cardiovascular-related mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate a telehealth targeted medication review (TMR) program to identify patients for uptake of these evidence-based medications.

Methods: This was an observational descriptive study of a TMR program for Medicare-enrolled, Medication Therapy Management-eligible patients in one insurance plan.

The Efficacy and Safety of Vonoprazan and Amoxicillin Dual Therapy for Infection: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

The eradication of infection remains challenging due to increasing bacterial resistance. Resistance rates to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were higher than 30% in the USA, making current therapies less effective. Vonoprazan triple therapy (VAC) has demonstrated similar efficacy and safety profiles compared to PPI-based triple therapy (PPI).

Social needs of dual-enrolled Medicare-Medicaid patients with medication nonadherence in a telehealth medication therapy management program.

Telehealth services that identify and address the social needs of patients can improve access to health care and social services. The social needs of medication therapy management (MTM)-eligible Medicare-Medicaid dual-enrolled patients are unknown. To describe the social needs of Medicare-Medicaid dual-enrolled patients participating in a telephonic MTM program.

Gaps in Evidence-based Treatment of Concurrent Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review.

Objectives: To describe the effectiveness of medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Data Sources: Literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar was performed for studies published from inception to October 25, 2022.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Studies were included if patients were diagnosed with OUD and ADHD and had pharmacotherapy for either condition.

Medication Adherence in Medicare-Enrolled Older Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Medication adherence to controller inhalers was unknown in older Medicare patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) before and during the pandemic. This study evaluated changes in medication adherence to controller medications and factors associated with high adherence. This retrospective cohort study included older Medicare patients with COPD.

High opioid doses, naloxone, and central nervous system active medications received by Medicare-enrolled adults.

Background: A limited number of studies have analyzed prescribing among Medicare-enrolled adults at risk for opioid overdoses. The objectives of this study were to evaluate prescribing for naloxone and central nervous system (CNS) active medications and to determine the relationships of patient characteristics with exposure to these medications.

Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of a Medicare-enrolled medication therapy management eligible cohort.

Effects of Adjuvant Medications on A1C, Body Mass Index, and Insulin Requirements among Patients with Type 1 Diabetes.

Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that noninsulin medications used to treat type 2 diabetes can improve health outcomes among patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study assessed the effects of adjuvant diabetes medications on glycated hemoglobin (A1C), body mass index (BMI), or total daily insulin (TDI) among patients with T1D in a real-world setting. This was an analysis of the T1D Exchange Clinic Registry, using the study periods of 2010−2012, 2015−2016, and 2016−2017, to assess differences in A1C, BMI, and TDI between patients with and without adjuvant medications.