Aims: Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active component of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), exhibits highly variable pharmacokinetics. Only a few population pharmacokinetic (popPK) models and Bayesian estimators (MAP-BE) exist for estimating MPA AUC and all in renal transplantation. This study aimed to develop a popPK model and MAP-BE for MPA AUC estimation using a limited sampling strategy (LSS) in solid organ transplant (SOT), haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) recipients and patients with autoimmune diseases (AID) on EC-MPS.
Methods: Full and sparse MPA pharmacokinetic profiles were extracted from our ISBA system, split into development (75%) and validation (25%) sets. An additional extraction was performed after the modelling process for external validation. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using Monolix® (SAEM algorithm). Several absorption models (first order, transit, gamma) were compared. AUCpredicted by MAP-BE and LSS was compared to the all-sample MAP-BE AUCreference using Simulx®.
Results: We included 153 PK profiles (863 concentration) from 129 patients (116 SOT and HSC, 13 AID), median [min-max] age 45 years [6-80]. A one-compartment model with double-gamma absorption and first-order elimination best fitted the data. The final model included the EC-MPS indication and inter-occasion variability on gamma rate constants. Main PK parameters (mean ± SD) were Cl/F = 4.99 ± 2.22 L/h and Vd/F = 12.60 ± 0.08 L. The optimal LSS at 20 min, 2 h and 4 h post-dose showed good performance in both validation sets (rMPE -2.67% and -4.91%; RMSE 13.55% and 13.47%).
Conclusions: The double-gamma absorption model provided an accurate fit. The MAP-BE offers a tool for EC-MPS dose individualization in SOT, HSC and AID patients.
Continuation of opioids at transitions of care increases the risk of long-term opioid use and related harm. To our knowledge, no study has examined the implementability of opioid deprescribing interventions at transitions of care. Our scoping review aimed to identify the type of opioid deprescribing interventions employed at transitions of care and assess the implementability of tested interventions. Nine electronic databases were searched on 15 May 2023 for English-language studies of adults transitioning between care settings, where opioid deprescribing interventions targeting patients, clinicians or health systems were implemented. Implementability was assessed using the Cochrane Intervention Complexity Assessment Tool for Systematic Reviews to determine intervention complexity, and mapped to the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to understand the process evaluation. A total of 79 studies were identified, with 94.0% (n = 74) examining hospital-to-home transitions. Mixed interventions (combination of pharmacological and nonpharmacological) were tested in 49.0% (n = 39) of studies. Pharmacological interventions were identified in 31.0% (n = 24) of studies, and the remaining 20.0% (n = 16) applied nonpharmacological interventions. Mixed interventions comprising multiple components were the most complex and resulted in reduced opioid use across transitions of care in 28.0% (n = 22) of studies. Few studies reported on RE-AIM dimensions including implementation (5.0% of studies), reach (4.0%), adoption (4.0%) and maintenance (0%). Most opioid deprescribing interventions targeted hospital to home care transition with mixed results in opioid deprescribing. Further research should consider the implementability of interventions during transitions of care to elucidate the impact of opioid deprescribing interventions across care settings.
Evidence indicates a lack of clarity regarding the contributions of interventions aimed at optimizing pharmacotherapy, primarily guided by pharmaceutical care, for clinically significant improvements in older individuals. Thus, there is a need to deepen the understanding of this scenario and the factors involved. Therefore, this study aims to map and summarize scientific evidence regarding experiences and strategies employed in providing pharmaceutical services and interventions in geriatric wards. A scoping review was conducted based on 3 electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science). Studies meeting the inclusion criteria, published up to September 2024, and in English, Spanish or Portuguese were selected. Experimental and observational studies were eligible for inclusion. Screening, eligibility, extraction and assessment of the studies were carried out by 2 independent researchers. The exploration of bibliographic databases yielded 3,976 references, and 40 studies were deemed suitable for inclusion. Predominantly conducted in countries with high human development, these studies categorized services and interventions as: (i) medication review; (ii) medication reconciliation; and (iii) pharmaceutical counselling. Highlighted tools included STOPP and START criteria, Beers criteria, and the Medication Appropriateness Index, facilitating identification of issues such as potentially inappropriate medications (27.6–90.8% of older individuals using at least 1 potentially inappropriate medication), drug-related problems (34.5–98.2% of patients with at least 1 drug-related problem) and adverse drug events (58–88.4% of patients with at least 1 adverse drug event). The acceptance rate of interventions exhibited considerable variation (13–95.3%). Only 10 studies evaluated clinical outcomes in patients. Barriers included the need for additional training for pharmacists in geriatrics, significant time investment, lack of continuity in assessments and a lack of recognition of interventions by other members of the multiprofessional team. There is a clear trend towards improving medication prescription adequacy and contributing to the quality of pharmacotherapy through pharmaceutical services and interventions in geriatric wards. However, several gaps still need to be addressed, and this review emphasizes identifying obstacles to be overcome, providing guidance for future investigations.