Laeknabladid最新文献

Introduction: Prescriptions of unlicensed drugs along with public discussion have increased in recent years. The cause of this increase is unclear.

Material and methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of applications of unlicensed drugs in Iceland in the years 2020 and 2021, as well as applications in Sweden for the year 2020. Information was collected on unlicensed prescription applications, registered drugs and stock-out time. Information was analyzed and categorized to describe the scope of unlicensed prescriptions in the two countries during the study time.

Results: In Iceland, 49.161 applications were approved in 2020 and 46.581 in 2021. The most common reason for using unlicensed products was that no registered drug was on the market with the same ATC-number (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical code) and formulation. Shortage of drug was the reason for unlicensed prescription in 8.8% of cases in 2020 and 7.6% in 2021. The list of the 50 most prescribed drugs included the same drugs in 70% of the cases in both years. The five most prescribed drugs were the same in both years. In Sweden, 38.458 applications were approved in 2020. Of the most prescribed unlicensed drug, 46% were as no registered drug with same ATC-number and dosage form was marketed.

Conclusion: Many unlicensed drugs, prescribed in Iceland, are the same year after year. Only a small part of the applications approved were due to shortage of drug. The use of drugs without marketing license in Iceland in 2020 was higher than in Sweden when adjusted for the size of the market and population. Getting the five most prescribed unlicensed drugs licensed in Iceland could reduce largely, the total of prescription of unlicensed drugs in Iceland.

In recent months the incedence of invasive group A streptococcal infections (Streptococcus pyogenes) has increased worldwide. In the Children's Hospital Iceland 20 such cases were admitted during a four month period, until which time the avarage was one or two children admitted with an invasive GAS infection per year. To demonstrate the variability in the presentation of these invasive infections four cases were chosen for discussion in this case-series. Empyema with toxic shock syndrome, meningitis, orbital abscess and fascitis of the leg are reviewed.

In view of the ongoing rise of ADHD prescriptions among adults in Iceland, it is important that doctors are aware that psychosis is a rare but at times a serious adverse reaction to such treatment. In 2022 5% of adults were prescribed medication to treat ADHD in Iceland. In this case report we present a case of methylphenidate-induced psychosis in a young man with no previous history of psychotic episodes who required admission to the psychiatric intensive care unit.

Introduction: Many countries have reported an increased incidence proportion of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). The proportion might also have increased at the National University Hospital of Iceland, based on the registration of the ICD-10 code O72. This study aimed to assess the incidence proportion and risk factors for ≥1000 ml PPH in singleton births in Iceland 2013-2018.

Methods: This population-based cohort study included data from the Icelandic Birth register on 21.110 singleton births in 2013-2018. Incidence proportion of PPH was assessed based on three definitions: PPH >500 ml, PPH ≥1000 ml, and O72. Binomial regression was used to assess both the change in the proportion of ≥1000 ml PPH over time, stratified by maternal BMI, and risk factors for ≥1000 ml PPH.

Results: There was an inconsistency in the proportion of PPH when defined by blood loss >500 ml and O72. In obese women, PPH ≥1000 ml was more than twice as likely in those delivering in 2018 compared with 2013 (OR 2.23; CI 1.35-3.81). The strongest risk factors were emergency cesarean (OR 2.68; CI 2.22-3.22) and instrumental delivery (OR 2.18; CI 1.80-2.64), but macrosomia, primiparity and BMI ≥30 were also independent risk factors.

Conclusion: The incidence proportion of ≥1000 ml PPH has increased among obese women. The detrimental health effects of obesity and the increased prevalence of interventions among these women could explain these results. It is necessary to use registered blood loss in milliliters in the Icelandic Birth Register because of the under-registration of the diagnostic code O72.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are potent inhibitors of gastric acid secretion that have changed treatment practice for gastric acid-related disorders. The major adequate indications for their use are treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcers, eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in combination with antibiotics and prophylaxis for patients on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or antiplatelet drugs. Since their introduction, clinical success has been accompanied by widespread use of PPIs, which has steadily increased over the last decades without concomitant increase in the incidence of acid-related disorders. PPIs are now among the most widely prescribed class of medications worldwide and around 10% of Icelanders are current PPI users. This increase has been linked to PPI prescription without an indication, or continued use for longer duration than recommended. In recent years, concerns have been raised about PPI overuse and the associated increased risk of harm, not only in terms of increased costs but also the potential risk of physical dependence and long-term side effects of PPIs. The article is based on search in PubMed, the authors' own clinical experience and research, and is intended to provide practice advice on the use of PPIs with focus on appropriate prescription and deprescription of PPIs.