Critical assessment of uncertainty in economic evaluations on influenza vaccines for the elderly population in Spain.

Background: Influenza is a seasonal infection with a huge impact on morbidity and mortality in older adults, for whom vaccination is recommended. New influenza vaccines for this population have been introduced in Spain in the past 5 years, and a number of cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA) have been published to aid healthcare decision-making. The objective of this study was to assess possible sources of uncertainty in the CEAs of influenza vaccines for the older adults in Spain.

Prevalence and coexistence of type 2 inflammatory diseases.

Background: Type 2 inflammation has been described as a pathophysiological basis common to some diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD), chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and asthma (CRSwNP).

Objective: The present study used population-based prevalence in Catalonia to analyse the coexistence of type 2 inflammatory diseases in patients primarily diagnosed with the above mentioned conditions.

Results: We found a high degree of coexistence of type 2 inflammatory diseases among these patients, with the prevalence being higher in the severe forms, except for AD.

Prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis without/with nasal polyps according to severity in Spain.

Background: The worldwide prevalence range of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is 5-12%; from this, 20 % have nasal polyps. Due to the little epidemiological data about CRS in the Spanish population, this study analyses the prevalence and severity of CRS with (CRSwNP) or without (CRSsNP) nasal polyps, and their connection with other coexisting type 2 inflammatory diseases in Spain.

Methodology: This is a retrospective, large-scale, nationwide, epidemiological study based on the electronic medical records from the BIG-PAC® database.

[Knowledge about Biosimilars in Primary Care: a study by the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN)].

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the awareness and training needs on biosimilar drugs in Primary Care (PC) physicians.

Material And Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study based on an on-line questionnaire with a total of 34 multiple choice questions, published on the SEMERGEN website. The main Knowledge areas were: biosimilar definition; regulatory and legal framework; prescription, traceability, interchangeability and pharmacovigilance; availability of biosimilars in the PC setting, and the biosimilars contribution to sustainability.

[Intravenous drugs infusion safety through smart pumps].

Objective: To analyze the role of smart infusion pumps in reducing errors related with the administration of intravenous medications.

Method: Retrospective, observational study analyzing the implementation of a system with smart intravenous infusion pumps (Hospira MedNetTM) and the role of the safety system for the detection of errors during the administration of drugs, sera, and blood. We included infusions administered at the day-care hospitals of hematology, oncology, rheumatology, and oncopediatrics.

A method for the purification of phospho(Tyr)calmodulin free of nonphosphorylated calmodulin.

Phosphocalmodulin has been shown to have a differential biological activity compared to nonphosphorylated calmodulin when assayed on a variety of calmodulin-dependent systems. However, the phosphocalmodulin preparations used so far in those experiments were not necessarily free of nonphosphorylated calmodulin. Therefore, the results obtained may not unquestionably show the real effect of pure phosphocalmodulin on the systems under study.