[CROATIAN GUIDELINES FOR THE PHARMACOTHERAPY OF TYPE 2 DIABETES].

Introduction: The Croatian Association for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders of the Croatian Medical Association has issued in 2011 the first national guidelines for the nutrition, education, self-control, and pharmacotherapy of diabetes type 2. According to the increased number of available medicines and new evidence related to the effectiveness and safety of medicines already involved in the therapy there was a need for update of the existing guidelines for the pharmacotherapy of type 2 diabetes in the Republic of Croatia.

Participants: as co-authors of the Guidelines there are listed all members of the Croatian Association for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, as well as other representatives of professional societies within the Croatian Medical Association, who have contributed with comments and suggestions to the development of the Guidelines.

The relationship between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy in Croatian type 2 diabetic patients.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism has been shown to be associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy in many ethnic groups. In this study, we examined the correlation between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and microalbuminuria in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 in Croatian patients. 85 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 were recruited.

Actual drug-drug interactions in elderly patients discharged from internal medicine clinic: a prospective observational study.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and type of actual drug-drug interactions (DDIs) that result in adverse drug reactions (ADRs) or diminished therapeutic effect in elderly patients within 30 days of discharge from an internal medicine clinic.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at the Internal Medicine Clinic of University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia, between October and December 2011. Patients aged ≥ 65 years discharged from the Internal Medicine Clinic during the study period with a prescription for two or more medications were eligible for inclusion in the study.

The effect of pharmacotherapeutic counseling on readmissions and emergency department visits.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of pharmacotherapeutic counseling on the rates and causes of 30-day post-discharge hospital readmissions and emergency department visits.

Setting: The study was conducted at the Medical Clinic of University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia.

Methods: The study included elderly patients prescribed with two or more medications for the treatment of chronic diseases.

Enhanced anticoagulant effect of warfarin in a patient treated with cloxacillin.

Objective: To present the case of warfarin-cloxacillin interaction that resulted in an increased international normalized ratio (INR).

Case Summary: A 70-year-old man had been treated with warfarin for atrial fibrillation. He was hospitalized because of superficial thrombophlebitis of the left median cubital vein, which developed after venipuncture.

The incidence of potential drug-drug interactions in elderly patients with arterial hypertension.

Objective: To assess the incidence and type of potential, clinically significant drug-drug interactions in elderly outpatients with arterial hypertension.

Setting: Three community pharmacies in Croatia.

Method: Eligible patients were aged 65 or older, treated for arterial hypertension and received 2 or more drugs.