Home Medication Research Articles

THU405 A Delicate Balance

Abstract Disclosure: N. Mohan: None. M.S. Shah: None. Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroidism is a disorder of excessive parathyroid hormone production causing increased calcium levels, usually due to a parathyroid adenoma. Commonly these cases are asymptomatic and detected incidentally on routine labs. They can be managed conservatively with sufficient fluid intake and avoiding dehydration. Congestive heart failure patients on diuretics with primary hyperparathyroidism require a delicate balance of their volume status to prevent exacerbation of either condition. We present a case of a woman with repeated hospitalizations due to poor volume status control. Clinical Case: An 82-year-old female with congestive heart failure (CHF), primary hyperparathyroidism (diagnosed 17 years ago), sick sinus syndrome with a pacemaker, and persistent atrial fibrillation presented to the emergency room with worsening b/l lower limb swelling for a few months. The remaining review of systems was largely negative. At home, she was on Losartan, Furosemide, and Carvedilol. Vitals were stable and physical exam revealed b/l lower extremity pitting edema. Chest x-ray showed cardiomegaly with mild pulmonary vascular congestion. Pertinent labs were NT pro-BNP 2190, Calcium 11.3 mg/dL, PTH 143 pg/mL, and Vit D, 25-hydroxy 48.6 ng/mL. The patient was started on IV diuretics and her home medications for CHF exacerbation. ECHO showed EF 39%, grade III diastolic dysfunction, severe pulmonary hypertension, mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. She was managed conservatively for her hypercalcemia and advised to maintain hydration at home. Spironolactone and Dapagliflozin were added to her regimen, and Furosemide was increased at discharge. The patient was re-admitted three weeks later with fatigue and decreased fluid intake. Vitals were stable and physical exam revealed dehydration. Pertinent labs were Calcium 13.4 mg/dL, Potassium 5.7 mmol/L, Creatinine 1.7 mg/dL (baseline 1.0), PTH 204 pg/mL, and Vit D 54.1 ng/mL. Repeat ECHO showed EF 15%. She was started on gentle 0.9% NS IV fluid to correct the hypercalcemia while preventing volume overload. Hypercalcemia and acute kidney injury improved with hydration. She was put on Cinacalcet 30 mg and home medications were modified for better volume control at discharge. Conclusion: This case highlights the complications of balancing the volume status with primary hyperparathyroidism and CHF. This patient’s primary hyperparathyroidism was well-controlled for more than fifteen years on adequate hydration. However, worsening CHF resulted in a higher requirement for diuretics, thereby worsening her hypercalcemia. Even though parathyroidectomy is an established treatment modality, she was not a suitable candidate due to age and comorbidities. Hence, to prevent such complications, parathyroidectomy must be considered early in patients with heart disease and even in asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

SAT313 Therapeutic Dosing Of Steroids In Patients On Mitotane

Abstract Disclosure: C. Pham: None. S.M. Cannon: None. J.S. Lopresti: None. Introduction: Mitotane is a known inhibitor of steroidogenesis with some patients requiring supraphysiologic dosing for steroid replacement. Clinical Case: A 43-year-old female with a history of adrenal cell carcinoma (ACC) on multiagent chemotherapy and mitotane presents with a pruritic rash. Three weeks prior, she had received her first dose of pembrolizumab. Her other home medications included mitotane 500mg QID and hydrocortisone 180mg (40mg-40mg-30mg -20mg QID). Labs on admission were notable for an ALT of 458 (ref 10-35 U/L), AST of 272 (ref 10-35 U/L), and normal alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin with otherwise normal electrolytes. Due to the temporal relation of her transaminitis and rash to recent pembrolizumab infusion with an otherwise negative work-up, the patient was diagnosed with immune-mediated liver injury from checkpoint inhibitors (ILICI). Per National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, high dose methylprednisolone was initiated (1mg/kg) equivalent to approximately 525 mg hydrocortisone total daily. Over five days, the patient’s transaminases continued to rise and methylprednisolone was increased to 3mg/kg/day to account for the known effects of mitotane on steroid metabolism. The patient’s rash subsequently resolved followed by slow improvement of her transaminitis with steroid taper. Mitotane level obtained one week after discontinuation of mitotane was noted to be 21mcg/mL demonstrating persistent therapeutic levels (14-20mcg/mL). Mitotane has a profound inhibitory effect on steroidogenesis through multiple mechanisms, inhibiting glucocorticoid production by the adrenal and increasing hepatic disposal of glucocorticoids leading to subtherapeutic doses1, Furthermore, mitotane can persist in the body for a prolonged period, with a half-life between 18-154 days. As such, patients who develop adrenal insufficiency on mitotane typically require higher doses for physiologic replacement up to three times standard physiologic dose1. In this case, only when the patient’s methylprednisolone dose was tripled did her ILICI begin to improve. Conclusion: This is one of the first cases to describe ILICI in a patient with ACC highlighting unique clinical considerations in management. Higher doses of corticosteroids may be required to overcome the effects of mitotane on steroid metabolism in patients with adverse effects from immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. 1.)Puglisi, S., Calabrese, A., Basile, V., Pia, A., Reimondo, G., Perotti, P., & Terzolo, M. (2020). New perspectives for mitotane treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma. Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 34(3), 101415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beem.2020.101415 Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023

THU387 Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis And SGLT-2 Inhibitor Use

Abstract Disclosure: N. Abrahimi: None. A. Abrahimi: None. N. Terrigno: None. Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a known adverse effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors. (1) Incidences of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in patients on SGLT-2 inhibitors are reported on less. Clinical Case: A 39-year-old male past medical history of uncontrolled, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis who presented with abdominal pain, nausea and coffee ground emesis. On initial work up, basic metabolic panel showed blood glucose level of 175 mg/dL with an elevated anion gap of 22 mmol/L. Initial differentials included suspicion for euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis or acute intraabdominal pathology. Venous blood gas showed metabolic acidosis, with a pH of 7.21 and bicarbonate of 9.7 mmol/L, beta hydroxybutyrate was elevated at 7.83 mmol/L. CT abdomen pelvis found a small hiatal hernia, gastric wall thickening, likely gastritis, and was negative for other intraabdominal pathology. Home medications of the patient included dapagliflozin, semaglutide, metformin, gabapentin, and pantoprazole. Patient was admitted with the diagnosis of suspected euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis and was started on an insulin drip along with D5 0.45 normal saline. Patient’s anion gap was monitored with basic metabolic panel orders every two hours. The insulin drip was discontinued once the patient had two consecutive normal anion gaps and the patient was subsequently started on a subcutaneous insulin regimen. Conclusion: SGLT-2 inhibitors may cause euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis based on the physiology of the SGLT-2 transporter and the pharmacology of the SGLT-2 inhibitors. (2) Clinical importance of this case report is to consider euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in patients on SGLT-2 inhibitors presenting with nausea, vomiting with normal blood glucose to not delay in the diagnosis and treatment of this life-threatening condition.

THU371 Empagliflozin Associated Pancreatitis: A Case Report

Abstract Disclosure: A. Poloju: None. P. Majety: None. A.Y. Groysman: None. Background/Objective: Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are increasingly being used in the treatment of type 2diabetes mellitus (T2DM). With the recent FDA approval of these medications for treatment of heart failure, their use is expected to increase further. Common adverse events associated with SGLT2 inhibitors are genitourinary infections, hypotension, acute kidney injury and euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis. Recently, SGLT2 inhibitors are increasingly associated with drug induced acute pancreatitis (DIAP). We present a case of empagliflozin associated DIAP, with the intent to add to the limited data on this possible adverse effect. Clinical Case: A 57-year-old woman with a history of T2DM presented to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. She had no recent alcohol use or prior episodes of pancreatitis. There was no history of trauma. Home medications include metformin, glipizide, empagliflozin, and lisinopril. Exam showed epigastric tenderness to palpation without guarding or rebound tenderness. Labs were notable for elevated white blood cell count, normal lipase, calcium, triglycerides, and liver function tests. CT abdomen showed induration of the peri-pancreatic fat, suggestive of pancreatitis. After ruling out common causes of pancreatitis, DIAP and idiopathic pancreatitis were considered possible etiologies. Obtaining further history revealed that patient was started on empagliflozin two weeks prior to this presentation. The only other medication that is known to cause pancreatitis is lisinopril but our patient was on this medication for several years. The Naranjo probability scale for empagliflozin showed a possible association between the drug and side effect. Empagliflozin was discontinued and the patient was discharged on metformin and glipizide. Conclusions: Pancreatitis is a common diagnosis requiring hospital admission and is associated with significant costs to the healthcare system. Although pancreatitis is a known side-effect with other medications used in treatment of T2DM, such as GLP1RAs and DPP-4inhibitors, it has not been well described with SGLT2 inhibitors. The prevalence of DIAP is difficult to assess since most of the existing data comes from individual case reports. Our patient had no known risk factors for pancreatitis. It is yet to be studied if genetic predisposition has a role in the development of pancreatitis with SGLT-2 inhibitors. With the increasing use of these medications in the treatment of type 2diabetes mellitus and heart failure, more cases of DIAP are being reported. It is important for physicians to consider SGLT2 inhibitors as a cause of pancreatitis after excluding other common etiologies. This may reduce episodes of recurrent pancreatitis and the burden of extensive workup for idiopathic pancreatitis. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

Barriers to access to psychiatric medications in Missouri county jails.

Objectives of this study were to characterize barriers to receiving psychiatric medications for people who are incarcerated, to compare barriers before competency restoration to those after competency restoration, and to characterize psychiatric medication formularies. A survey of county jails in Missouri was completed between October 2021 and February 2022. Survey questions were answered by medical department personnel, nurses, or a person responsible for medication oversight. Formularies were requested. Of 97 jails contacted, 51 completed the survey (53%). Most jails allowed patients to supply their own medications and reported they were "often" or "always" able to continue home medications. Inability to provide home medications was frequently attributed to cost. Notably, only 57% of jails were able to provide long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIA), 22% charged a fee for administration of medications, and 31% would not adjust medication times based on food requirements. No major differences existed precompetency and postcompetency for any question. Jail policies varied; thus, medication access for patients should be approached at the individual level. Potential areas to target to improve access are medication administration times, LAIA access, and removal of medication administration fees.

Antipsychotic use among older patients with dementia receiving home health care services: Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes.

Antipsychotic use is a safety concern among older patients in home health care (HHC), particularly for those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of antipsychotic use among older adults with and without ADRD who received HHC, and the association of antipsychotic use with outcomes among patients living with ADRD. In this secondary analysis of adults ≥65 years receiving care from an HHC agency in New York in 2019 (N = 6684), we used data from the Outcome and Assessment Information Set, Medicare HHC claims, and home medication review results in the electronic HHC records during a 60-day HHC episode. ADRD was identified by diagnostic codes. Functional outcome was the change in the composite activities of daily living (ADL) score from HHC admission to HHC discharge (measured in 5833 patients), where a positive score means improvement and a negative score means decline. Data were analyzed using logistic (predictors) and linear regression (association with outcome) analyses. The point prevalence of antipsychotic use was 17.2% and 6.6% among patients with and without ADRD, respectively. Among patients living with ADRD, predictors of antipsychotic use included having greater ADL limitations (odds ratio [OR] = 1.30, p = 0.01), taking more medications (OR = 1.04, p = 0.02), having behavioral and psychological symptoms (OR = 5.26, p = 0.002), and living alone (OR = 0.52, p = 0.06). Among patients living with ADRD, antipsychotic use was associated with having less ADL improvement at HHC discharge (β = -0.70, p < 0.001). HHC patients living with ADRD were more likely to use antipsychotics and to experience worse functional outcomes when using antipsychotics. Antipsychotics should be systematically reviewed and, if contraindicated or unnecessary, deprescribed. Efforts are needed to improve HHC patients' access to nonpharmacological interventions and to provide education for caregivers regarding behavioral approaches to manage symptoms in ADRD.

Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Deep Neck Abscesses in Pediatrics: Analysis of a Case Series from a 3rd Level Pediatric Hospital.

As there is currently no consensus on managing deep neck infections in pediatric populations, we report a case series from a large pediatric hospital. Clinical data of patients discharged from Istituto Gaslini-Children's Hospital from January 2014 to June 2020 with peritonsillar, parapharyngeal, or retropharyngeal abscess diagnoses were collected. A total of 59 patients were identified. Patients underwent surgical drainage in 47% of cases. Streptococcus mitis/oralis was the most isolated pathogen. Surgically treated patients did have larger abscesses compared to others, but there were no differences in the duration of hospitalization. Children who received NSAIDs at home had significant delays in diagnosis (median 4 vs. 1.5 days, p = 0.008). In our experience, clinical presentation of DNIs is often evocative, but evaluation should include imaging with CT/MRI. Surgery is effective in larger abscesses, allowing for etiological diagnosis with consequent antibiotic adjusting. From an anamnestic point of view, home medications such as NSAIDs could delay diagnosis.

SPECIAL ISSUE: Differentiating Successful from Less Successful Males and Females in a Group Relaxation/Biofeedback Stress Management Program

Managing stress in the post-COVID world requires a program that can efficaciously and cost-effectively address a large number of people who have differing experiences and needs and can also be adapted for internet presentation. The purpose of this paper is to share observations, collected over more than forty years, of group stress management training in university and community settings. The specific data reported are from a subgroup that is representative of the other groups. An in-person group stress-management program of 141 adults in community clinics with approximately 15 to 20 per group attended 10 training sessions across 5 weeks with pre-post personality measures. The group also documented 5 weeks of home practice, symptoms, and medication use. The average group improvement in well-being was 80%, following training in breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, visualization, quieting response, and alphagenics, with individual temperature biofeedback having been provided during the last 5 classes. A pre- to post-two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) trait anxiety and Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) neuroticism significantly decreased. EPI extraversion increased only in females. Males and females equally preferred autogenic training (55%). The most successful males and females were older, practiced more, reported greater increases in self-confidence, and attributed more of their success to the group and/or instructor. The success of a program may also be associated with excellent home practice compliance, being a part of a group, and increases in self-confidence/efficacy.

Identifying Usability Challenges in Electronic Medication Administration Record Design Through Scenario-Based Evaluations: A Pilot Study

Hospitals have more incentives than ever to make nurse-facing technologies usable. However, the complexities of the nursing workflow are not supported by health information technology. This investigation aimed to identify usability challenges in a hospital system’s electronic medication administration record (eMAR). The research team developed scenarios that nurses completed using a simulated electronic health record. Data was qualitatively analyzed using the reflexive thematic analysis method. Three female medical-surgical nurses participated in the study. Qualitative analysis identified five themes in the data including: 1) essential information exists outside of the eMAR, 2) unable to view future medications, 3) information lost with unit transfer, 4) unable to document home medications, 5) certain medications delay sequential orders. Future usability evaluations of the eMAR should continue to look for poor usability, identify solutions, and consider the process for how individual hospitals can apply these usability evaluations to their own eMARs.

Policies Shaping Nursing Home Medication Practices: Involving Nurses to Advance Individualized Deprescribing.

Deprescribing is a common practice in the care of older adults, including those living in nursing homes (NHs). Deprescribing represents an individualized approach to optimizing medication use; it considers the risks, benefits, and goals of an individual, and can mitigate the effects of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications. In NH settings, prescribing practices are shaped directly and indirectly by historical and contemporaneous policies at federal, state, and local levels, which have primarily targeted chemical restraints and unnecessary medications. Understanding these policies, their impact, and potentially unintended consequences is essential for gerontological nursing to transition toward individualized practices and approaches to deprescribing. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(9), 15-20.].

Regular Medications in the Emergency Department Short Stay Unit (ReMedIES): Can Prescribing be Improved Without Increasing Resources?

Background: Hospital medication errors are frequent and may result in adverse events. Data on non-prescription of regular medications to emergency department short stay unit patients is lacking. In response to local reports of regular medication omissions, a multi-disciplinary team was tasked to introduce corrective emergency department (ED) process changes, but with no additional financing or resources. Aim: To reduce the rate of non-prescription of regular medications for patients admitted to the ED Short Stay Unit (SSU), through process change within existing resource constraints. Methods: A pre- and post-intervention observational study compared regular medication omission rates for patients admitted to the ED SSU. Included patients were those who usually took regular home medications at 08:00 or 20:00. Omissions were classified as clinically significant medications (CSMs) or non-clinically significant medications (non-CSMs). The intervention included reinforcement that the initially treating acute ED doctor was responsible for prescription completion, formal checking of prescription presence at SSU handover rounds, double-checking of prescription completeness by the overnight SSU lead nurse and junior doctor, and ED pharmacist medication reconciliation for those still identified as having regular medication non-prescription at 07:30. Results: For the 110 and 106 patients in the pre- and post-intervention periods, there was a non-significant reduction in the CSM omission rate of -11% (95% CI: -23 to 2), from 41% (95% CI: 32-50) to 30% (95% CI: 21-39). Conclusion: Non-prescription of regular CSMs for SSU patients was not significantly reduced by institution of work practice changes within existing resource constraints.

Implementing Strategies to Prevent Home Medication Administration Errors in Children With Medical Complexity.

Implementing Strategies to Prevent Home Medication Administration Errors in Children With Medical Complexity.

Increase in Chronic Medications and Polypharmacy-The Multifaceted Burden of COVID-19 Disease on Public Health Care.

The long-term impact of COVID-19 disease is becoming a major global concern. In this retrospective monocentric analysis, we included consecutive subjects admitted to our COVID-19 Post-Acute Care Service for a SARS-CoV-2 infection that occurred between three and twelve months before. A home medication list relative to the period before SARS-CoV-2 infection (baseline) was recorded and compared with that one relative to the time of outpatient visit (follow-up). Drugs were coded according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) System. In a total of 2007 subjects, at follow-up, a significant increase with respect to baseline was reported in the total median number of chronic medications (two [0-4] vs. one [0-3]) and in specific ATC-group drugs involving the alimentary, blood, cardiovascular, genitourinary, muscle-skeletal, nervous and respiratory systems. In a multivariate analysis, COVID-19 disease severity and age > 65 years resulted in the best predictors for an increase in the number of medications, while anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination played a significant protective role. The long-term care of patients infected by COVID-19 may be more complex than reported so far. Multidisciplinary and integrated care pathways should be encouraged, mainly in older and frailer subjects and for patients experiencing a more severe disease. Vaccination may also represent a fundamental protection against long-term sequelae.

Melatonin Use in Pediatric Intensive Care Units: A Single-Center Experience.

Growing evidence indicates that altered melatonin secretion during critical illness may influence the quality and quantity of sleep, delirium, and overall recovery. However, limited data exist regarding the use of melatonin in pediatric critical illness. Data were reviewed over a 5-year period at a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit for pediatric patients (ages 0-18 years) who were prescribed melatonin with the aim of identifying the frequency of and indications for use. Data collection included the hospital day of initiation, the dose, the frequency, the duration of use, and the length of stay. The results demonstrate that melatonin was infrequently prescribed (6.0% of patients admitted; n = 182) and that the majority of patients received melatonin as continuation of home medication (46%; n = 83 of 182). This group had significantly earlier melatonin use (0.9 ± 2.3 day of hospitalization; p < 0.0001) and significantly reduced lengths of stay compared to the other groups (mean LOS 7.2 ± 9.3 days; p < 0.0001). Frequently, clear documentation of indication for melatonin use was absent (20%; n = 37). In conclusion, given that melatonin is infrequently used within a tertiary PICU with the most common indication as the continuation of home medication, and often without clear documentation for indication, this presents an opportunity to emphasize a more attentive and strategic approach regarding melatonin use in the PICU population.

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Part B and AIDS Drug Assistance Programs during COVID-19: safety net public health programs' challenges and innovations.

We characterized the challenges and innovations of states' Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part B programs, including AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs), during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the United States, these are important safety net programs for HIV healthcare, providing essential medical and support services, and medications, to people with HIV with low incomes who are uninsured/underinsured. Data were collected via the 2021-2022 NASTAD National RWHAP Part B and ADAP Monitoring Project Report, a cross-sectional survey of state, district, and territorial programs through a mixed method study design. For quantitative data, we used descriptive statistics. Qualitative responses were coded and analyzed using content analysis. Forty-seven RWHAP Part B and ADAPs responded (92% response rate). The majority of respondents reported that maintaining client eligibility (78%) and working remotely (70%) were the most challenging aspects of the pandemic, particularly in regards to implementing new telehealth and e-certification platforms. In response to COVID-19, programs introduced enrollment "grace periods" (19%), bolstered client outreach (11%), allowed more than a 30 day supply of medications (79%), and supported medication home delivery for clients (80%). Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, RWHAP Part B and ADAPs implemented several operational innovations in order to continue providing essential medicines and services. Other public health programs may adopt similar innovations, including digital innovations, for greater public health benefit. Future studies should assess the retention of policy innovations over time, their impact on the individual client level satisfaction or health outcomes, and what factors may improve the acceptability of telehealth and e-certification platforms.

A Household Survey on Extend of Home Medication Utilization and Storage Habits –A Cross Sectional Survey

Medicines plays a vital role in day-to-day life. Piling up of medicines in households leads to irrational use of medicines. This study aimed to investigate household medication taking behaviour, reasons of medicines storage in household, disposal practice of unused medication and determinacy of self- medication among family members. Study was carried out in Urban areas of North Karnataka by using interviewer administered questionnaire on 433 household participants. Data from the questionnaire were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. Among surveyed households, 412 households have at least one unused medication in household which were stored unsafe and in reach of children. Out of 433 study participants (54.5%) were males and (45.5 %) were females. The stored drugs found in household mainly belongs to five categories; Antihypertensive (25.6%), Anti-diabetic (20.6%), analgesics and antipyretics (14.1%), NSAIDs (11.5%) , Anti –biotics (10.2%) . Majority of the drugs (84.7%) were purchased on prescription .96.9% of them are throwing the unused medication in garbage. We found that a significant proportion of the medications were found in the Urban households and had stored unused medication in household for future use and none of those medicines are stored safely and the unused medications were not properly disposed too. Hence there is need to conduct a programme to create necessary awareness among the public regarding storage and safe disposal methods of unused drugs.

Why do older adults decline participation in research? Results from two deprescribing clinical trials

BackgroundHeterogenous older adult populations are underrepresented in clinical trials, and their participation is necessary for interventions that directly target them. The purpose of this study was to evaluate reasons why hospitalized older adults declined participation in two deprescribing clinical trials.MethodsWe report enrollment data from two deprescribing trials, Shed-MEDS (non-Veterans) and VA DROP (Veterans). For both trials, inclusion criteria required participants to be hospitalized, age 50 or older, English-speaking, and taking five or more home medications. Eligible patients were approached for enrollment while hospitalized. When an eligible patient or surrogate declined participation, the reason(s) were recorded and subsequently analyzed inductively to develop themes, and a chi-square test was used for comparison (of themes between Veterans and non-Veterans).ResultsAcross both trials, 1226 patients (545 non-Veterans and 681 Veterans) declined enrollment and provided reasons, which were condensed into three themes: (1) feeling overwhelmed by their current health status, (2) lack of interest or mistrust of research, and (3) hesitancy to participate in a deprescribing study. A greater proportion of Veterans expressed a lack of interest or mistrust in research (42% vs 26%, chi-square value = 36.72, p < .001), whereas a greater proportion of non-Veterans expressed feeling overwhelmed by their current health status (54% vs 35%, chi-square value = 42.8 p < 0.001). Across both trials, similar proportion of patients expressed hesitancy to participate in a deprescribing study, with no significant difference between Veterans and non-Veterans (23% and 21%).ConclusionsUnderstanding the reasons older adults decline participation can inform future strategies to engage this multimorbid population.

A Retrospective Cohort Study of the Association Between Calcium Serum Level and Hypertension in Older Adults.

One of the major global risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and death is hypertension.Earlier research has been conducted on the connection between calcium consumption and blood pressure. This study aims to investigate the association between calcium serum levels and hypertension in older hypertensive adults. A retrospective cohort study of 121 of hypertension patients was conducted inPrince Faisal Bin Khalid Cardiac Center.The data of all patients were collected by records, including lab, pathology, and medical review, in order to determine the effects on patients, providers, and institutions.Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics version 26.0.A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study included 121 adulthypertensive patients with a mean of age 60.29 ± 13.92.The majority of included patients were male (81%).More than one-third of patients were obese (39.7%), about one-third (33.9%) were overweight, and 26.4% of patients were in normal weight.The majority of patients had co-morbidities (68.3%); about one-half of them had diabetes mellitus (52.1%). The calcium level mean was 5.07 ± 1.26.The creatine kinase (CK) (initial day) mean ± SD was 813.22 ± 1146.37 became 221.4 ± 330.67 on the last day.The CK-myocardial band (CK-MB) (initial day) was 65.43 ± 118.9 and became 24.38 ± 23.26 on the last day.Additionally, the troponin (initial day) mean was 23.49 ± 104.26 and became 1.65 ± 2.66 on the last day.The most common discharge medications were anti-platelets (95%), beta-blockers (78.5%), statins (70.2%), and proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) (64.5%).The hospital stay days ranged from 1 to 20 days with a mean of 4.83 ± 3.38.The ICU stay days ranged from 1 to 15 days with a mean of 3.57 ± 2.72.Most of the patients (90.9%) improved. There is no significant correlationbetween calcium levels in hypertensive patients and the demographic characteristics of patients, home or current medications, ECHO findings, or procedures done.However, there is a significant correlation between the calcium level and CK level among patients with hypertension.Further investigations are required to verify the relationship between CK and calcium levels in hypertensive patients.

C35 A RARE CASE OF NON–BACTERIAL THROMBOTIC ENDOCARDITIS IN YOUNG WOMAN AFFECTED BY ADVANCED UTERINE CANCER

Abstract A 37–year–old woman affected by uterine HPV–related adenocarcinoma complicated by paraneoplastic pulmonary thromboembolism, came to the emergency department for recurrent episodes of dysarthria and blurred vision with spontaneous resolution. Home medications: Enoxaparin 5000 UI b.i.d, levofloxacin 500 mg/die, deltacortene 25 mg/die and omeprazole 20 mg/die. Blood analysis: normocytic anemia (Hb 9 gr/dl),elevated D–dimer (22.5 mcg/ml) and elevated C–reactive protein (18.3 mg/dl). Procalcitonin and blood cultures resulted negative. Brain CT scan: ischemic brain lesions of embolic nature in the right precentral gyrus and in the left post central gyrus. EKG: sinus rhythm, T–wave inversion in inferior leads. In the suspect of cardioembolic stroke a transthoracic (TTE) and subsequent transesophageal (TOE) echocardiography was performed: TTE: isoechoic oval–shaped thickening of the aortic valve cusp tips, producing aortic regurgitation with double jet regurgitation. TOE: evidence of multiple isoechoic masses involving all the aortic cusps, without perivalvular aortic extension, producing significant aortic regurgitation due to coaptation– gap (Figure 1). The diagnosis of non–bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) was made up. Although the standard medical therapy (anticoagulation and chemotherapy) was promptly started, it wasn’t effective with progression of the disease leading to surgical indications of valve intervention. The patient underwent aortic valve replacement with bioprosthesis avoiding mechanical prosthesis, despite the young age, in anticipation of major surgery for the uterine cancer. Surgical specimen turned negative for microorganism growth confirming the diagnosis of marantic endocarditis. No further episodes of ischemic stroke appeared after the replacement of the valve and the patient had no neurological sequelae. NBTE is a rare condition of non–infective endocarditis characterized by the formation of aggregates of platelets and fibrin that affects usually undamaged heart valves in the absence of bacteremia and mostly occurs in patients with a predisposing state like hypercoagulability. Surgical indications of valve intervention are not well encoded but in most cases they follow the raccomandations for infective endocarditis. Our experience highlights the need of a prompt intervention in order to reduce the damage of systemic embolization and preserve patient’s hemodynamics with a strict checking of disease progression.

Clinical Pharmacist Transition of Care Model Improves Hospital System Practice by Reducing Readmissions.

A primary cause of hospital readmission is medication-related problems (MRPs). Polypharmacy patients taking multiple medications concurrently experience an increased likelihood of MRPs and high occurrence of readmissions to the hospital within 30 days. This study assessed the ability of a pharmacist-led transition of care program to decrease readmissions in polypharmacy patients by evaluating and rectifying MRPs. Over 16 months, patients admitted onto the medicine ward service with ≥10 home medications ( n = 536) received medication management interventions from a clinical pharmacist including admission interview, medication reconciliation and consultation, and postdischarge phone follow-up. Admitted patients taking fewer than 10 home medications during the same time served as the control group and received routine standard of care ( n = 2317). The polypharmacy group who received the pharmacist-led intervention had a statistically significantly lower 30-day readmission rate (8.8%) compared with patients in the control group (12.4%; X 2 = 5.63, p = .01). Patients receiving pharmacist intervention were 33% less likely to be readmitted within 30 days of discharge compared with the control group (odds ratio = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.49-0.94). All patients had at least one medication-related discrepancy. This pharmacy-led transition of care program can effectively reduce readmission rates through resolution of medication-related problems.