Significant Publications on Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy in 2022.

To provide summarization of the most significant infectious diseases (ID) pharmacotherapy articles published in peer-reviewed literature in 2022. Members of the Houston Infectious Diseases Network (HIDN) nominated notable articles providing significant contributions to ID pharmacotherapy in 2022. Article nominations included those pertaining to general ID, as well as those including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pharmacotherapy.

Impact of a pharmacy resident on a transitions of care rotation for inpatients enrolled in an outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program.

A novel pharmacy residency rotation was created to meet the needs of patients enrolled in an outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program but not yet discharged from the inpatient setting. This service resulted in a high number of antimicrobial stewardship interventions identified and accepted by the primary team(s).

Value of a Pharmacy-Adjudicated Community Care Prior Authorization Drug Request Service.

Background: Many veterans are eligible to receive prescriptions from community-based pharmacies. Swift and accurate review of prior authorization drug requests by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pharmacy is necessary to mitigate treatment delays, medication misuse, adverse drug events, medication errors, and unnecessary cost to the health care system.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of community care prior authorization drug requests to assess the direct cost savings achieved through a centralized process and to characterize submitted requests.

Antibiotic Stewardship and Inpatient Clostridioides difficile Testing in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: The Need for Multilevel Checks and Balances.

Background: Diarrhea among recipients of solid organ transplants is a commonly encountered problem and is often multifactorial in etiology. Owing to the combination of perioperative antibiotic administration and the immunosuppressed status of transplant recipients, a high degree of suspicion for Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) colitis is prudent.

Methylphenidate use in geriatric depression: A systematic review.

Objectives: Geriatric depression is common and is often associated with coexisting medical illnesses, cognitive dysfunction, or both. Treatment with pharmacotherapy is usually required, and many patients may not respond to initial therapy. Thus, there is a need for adjunctive treatment options.

Proton pump inhibitor usage reduces sustained viral response rates for veterans with HIV/HCV coinfection on ledipasvir/sofosbuvir: a real-world study from a multicentre VA cohort.

Previous studies have reported an association of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and decreased sustained viral response rate (SVR) in patients taking ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF). The relationship between PPI usage and SVR is less clear in patients with HIV/HCV coinfection, where concomitant antiretrovirals may result in more complex drug interactions. This retrospective study evaluates the effects of acid suppression medications (PPI or H -receptor antagonist [H B]) use and SVR rates in patients with HIV/HCV or HCV and taking LDV/SOF in a large multicentre veteran cohort.

Significant Publications on Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy in 2019.

Purpose: To provide a summary of the most prominent peer-reviewed infectious diseases (ID) pharmacotherapy and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-related articles published in 2019.

Summary: Houston Infectious Diseases Network (HIDN) members were asked to nominate articles that they believed were most influential within the ID and HIV pharmacotherapy science communities. A total of 48 general ID and 6 HIV-related articles were nominated.

Standard Versus Extended Duration Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy in Hepatitis C Patients With Slow Response to Treatment.

Background: Response-guided hepatitis C therapy was standard with interferon-based regimens but is not used for direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Week 4 viral kinetics may predict sustained virological response (SVR) with DAAs, but it is unclear whether extending therapy in slow responders affects outcomes.

Objectives: The primary objective was to compare SVR rates between traditional and extended duration groups.

Evaluation of Inpatient Antimicrobial Regimens for Readmitted Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Patients Receiving Daptomycin or Ertapenem for Ease of Administration.

Background: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) allows for long-course intravenous treatment of infections without lengthy hospital stays. Upon discharge, antimicrobial therapy may be broadened for "ease" of once-daily administration (EOA). Patients requiring subsequent readmission can be tailored to pre-OPAT regimens to minimize adverse effects.

Comparative-effectiveness of ceftaroline and daptomycin as first-line MRSA therapy for patients with sepsis admitted to hospitals in the United States Veterans Health Care System.

: This study compared hospital readmission and mortality for patients with sepsis who received ceftaroline or daptomycin as first-line MRSA therapy.: This retrospective comparative-effectiveness study included adults ≥18 years old hospitalized in the United States Veterans Health Care System with sepsis between 10/1/2010-9/30/2014, who received ceftaroline or daptomycin within 14 days of hospital admission as the first antibiotic effective against methicillin resistant (MRSA). Patients with pneumonia, and those who received both study drugs, were excluded.

Economic Outcomes Associated with Safety Interventions by a Pharmacist-Adjudicated Prior Authorization Consult Service.

Background: The establishment of a formulary management system ensures that health care professionals work together in an integrated patient care process to promote clinically sound, safe, and cost-effective medication therapy. Pharmacists have a foundational role within this system. A pharmacist-adjudicated prior authorization drug request (PADR) consult service has the potential to optimize drug therapy by decreasing medication misuse, minimizing adverse drug events (ADEs), and preventing medication errors.

Identifying and Treating Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

NAFLD improves with 7% or greater weight loss.

Impact of Substance Use Disorder on the Rate of Sustained Virological Response in Veterans With Chronic Hepatitis C Treated With Direct-Acting Antivirals.

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are commonly encountered in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It is important to consider the impact of SUDs on HCV treatment.

Objective: To compare the rate of clinical cure (sustained virological response at least 12 weeks after end of therapy [SVR12]) in veterans with chronic HCV infection treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) with and without ongoing or recent substance use.

Pharmacy resident involvement in prior-authorization drug request adjudication.

Purpose: Results of a study to determine economic outcomes of pharmacy residents' involvement in prior-authorization drug request (PADR) adjudication within a Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system are reported.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to identify PADRs adjudicated by pharmacy residents under a preceptor's supervision during the 2015-16 residency year. Only PADRs that were not approved as submitted (i.

Incidence of Drug Interactions Identified by Clinical Pharmacists in Veterans Initiating Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection.

Background: Many direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with the potential to affect efficacy and safety.

Objective: To describe the incidence and severity of DDIs with DAAs identified by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) clinical pharmacist within a Veterans Affairs health care system.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with HCV treated with DAA therapy.

Early Use of Ceftaroline Fosamil in the United States Veterans Health Care System.

Background: Ceftaroline fosamil is US Food and Drug Administration-approved for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, but it is not known how ceftaroline is being used in real-world settings or how adverse effects (AEs) and mortality compare to clinical trials.

Objective: This study describes ceftaroline use, AEs, and mortality in US Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital patients.

Methods: This phase IV, population-based, epidemiologic study analyzed patients ≥18 years old who received one or more ceftaroline doses within 14 days of admission to 69 VHA hospitals in 41 US states/territories from 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2014.

Outcomes of Pharmacy-Led Hepatitis C Direct-Acting Antiviral Utilization Management at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Background: The Veterans Affairs Health (VA) Administration has reported hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rates among veterans to be twice that of the general U.S population. New HCV direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment options offer superior sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, improved side-effect profiles, and shortened treatment courses; yet, these new HCV DAAs are expensive, and utilization management strategies are needed to optimize use and improve clinical outcomes.

Application of a Risk Score to Identify Older Adults with Community-Onset Pneumonia Most Likely to Benefit From Empiric Pseudomonas Therapy.

Study Objective: To assess the impact of empiric Pseudomonas pharmacotherapy on 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with community-onset pneumonia stratified according to their risk (low, medium, or high) of drug-resistant pathogens.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Data Source: Veterans Health Administration database.

Memantine for the Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain: A Systematic Review.

Phantom limb pain (PLP) occurs in up to 85% of patients who have undergone an amputation and remains difficult to treat. Memantine is a N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist that has shown benefit in pain syndromes. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence for the use of memantine in the treatment of acute and chronic PLP.

Influence of Successful Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Treatment with Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir on Warfarin Dosing Requirements in Four Veterans.

Study Objective: To describe international normalized ratio (INR) trends and warfarin dosage adjustments required for four veterans who were receiving warfarin therapy and started treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin.

Design: Case series.

Setting: Pharmacist-led anticoagulation clinic in a Veterans Affairs Health Care System.