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Fulltext Prevalence and predictive factors of tuberculosis treatment interruption in the Asia region: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Oh AL, Makmor-Bakry M, Islahudin F, Wong IC

BMJ Glob Health, 2023 Jan;8(1).
PMID: 36650014 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010592

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) treatment interruption remains a critical challenge leading to poor treatment outcomes. Two-thirds of global new TB cases are mostly contributed by Asian countries, prompting systematic analysis of predictors for treatment interruption due to the variable findings.
METHODS: Articles published from 2012 to 2021 were searched through seven databases. Studies that established the relationship for risk factors of TB treatment interruption among adult Asian were included. Relevant articles were screened, extracted and appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute's checklists for cohort, case-control and cross-sectional study designs by three reviewers. Meta-analysis was performed using the random effect model in Review Manager software. The pooled prevalence and predictors of treatment interruption were expressed in ORs with 95% CIs; heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. The publication bias was visually inspected using the funnel plot.
RESULTS: Fifty eligible studies (658 304 participants) from 17 Asian countries were included. The overall pooled prevalence of treatment interruption was 17% (95% CI 16% to 18%), the highest in Southern Asia (22% (95% CI 16% to 29%)), followed by Eastern Asia (18% (95% CI 16% to 20%)) and South East Asia (16% (95% CI 4% to 28%)). Seven predictors were identified to increase the risk of treatment interruption, namely, male gender (OR 1.38 (95% CI 1.26 to 1.51)), employment (OR 1.43 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.84)), alcohol intake (OR 2.24 (95% CI 1.58 to 3.18)), smoking (OR 2.74 (95% CI 1.98 to 3.78)), HIV-positive (OR 1.50 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.96)), adverse drug reactions (OR 2.01 (95% CI 1.20 to 3.34)) and previously treated cases (OR 1.77 (95% CI 1.39 to 2.26)). All predictors demonstrated substantial heterogeneity except employment and HIV status with no publication bias.
CONCLUSION: The identification of predictors for TB treatment interruption enables strategised planning and collective intervention to be targeted at the high-risk groups to strengthen TB care and control in the Asia region.
Development and validation of the osteoporosis patient satisfaction questionnaire (OPSQ)

Lai PS, Chua SS, Chan SP, Low WY, Wong IC

Maturitas, 2010 Jan;65(1):55-63.
PMID: 19962839 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.10.006

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate the Osteoporosis Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (OPSQ) and to assess the opinion of postmenopausal osteoporotic women towards pharmaceutical care.
METHODS: A 16-item instrument was designed. Each response consists of a five-point Likert-like scale with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction. The face and content validity was established via consultation with an endocrinologist and three pharmacists as well as feedback from participants in a preliminary study. Postmenopausal osteoporotic women taking bisphosphonates were recruited and randomly allocated to the intervention (n=90) and control groups (n=90). Pharmaceutical care was provided at month 2 to the intervention group while the control group received standard pharmacy services. The OPSQ was administered at month 6 (end of the intervention period), to assess patients' satisfaction. Factor analysis was performed using varimax rotation. Internal reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was performed by using the Mann-Whitney U test.
RESULTS: The internal reliability of the OPSQ produced a Cronbach's alpha of 0.86. Factor analysis identified one component in the OPSQ, which measured patient satisfaction. The intervention group showed significantly better overall OPSQ score than the control group (91.89+/-7.22% versus 84.32+/-7.48%, p<0.001). This indicates that the OPSQ was able to differentiate between participants who received pharmaceutical care from those who did not.
CONCLUSIONS: The 16-item OPSQ developed in this study has high internal reliability and is a valid instrument for assessing osteoporotic women's satisfaction with pharmaceutical care service in Malaysia.
Risk factors associated with adverse drug reactions in hospitalised children: international multicentre study

Rashed AN, Wong IC, Cranswick N, Tomlin S, Rascher W, Neubert A

Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 2012 May;68(5):801-10.
PMID: 22166934 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-011-1183-4

BACKGROUND: Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is important in order to develop appropriate prevention strategies. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with ADRs in hospitalised children and recommend strategies to minimise ADRs.
METHODS: A prospective multicentre cohort study was conducted on paediatric general medical wards in five European and non-European hospitals. ADRs were identified by intensive chart review. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate risk factors associated with ADRs. For the risk factor analysis, prescribed drugs were divided into high-risk and low-risk drug groups. Analgesics, anti-epileptics, antibacterials and antimycotics for systemic use, corticosteroids for systemic use and immunosuppressant agents were considered as high-risk groups whereas the remaining drug classes were defined as low-risk drug groups.
RESULTS: A total of 1,253 paediatric patients were identified [Australia (n = 145), Germany (n = 372), Hong Kong (n = 138), Malaysia (n = 291), UK (n = 307)]. A total of 328 ADRs were observed in 16.7% of patients (186/1,115). Use of five or more low-risk drugs per patient or three or more high-risk drugs was a strong predictor for ADRs (OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.4-9.3; OR 6.5, 95% CI 2.7-16.0 respectively; p < 0.001). Older children were more likely to experience ADRs; gender was not significantly associated.
CONCLUSION: To reduce the risk of ADRs in children, clinicians and pharmacists should aim to minimise polypharmacy and be aware of higher ADR risks associated with some drug groups.
Fulltext Drug Utilisation Patterns in Children Admitted to a Paediatric General Medical Ward in Five Countries

Rashed AN, Wong IC, Wilton L, Tomlin S, Neubert A

Drugs Real World Outcomes, 2015 11 18;2(4):397-410.
PMID: 26690854 DOI: 10.1007/s40801-015-0049-y

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare drug prescription patterns in children admitted to a paediatric general medical ward in five countries.

METHODS: A prospective cohort study conducted on paediatric medical wards in the UK, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong (HK) and Malaysia. Data were collected over 3 months in each country except in Australia (1 month). All medications prescribed were classified according to the WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. For each drug, frequency of prescriptions and patient exposures were calculated for ATC anatomical and therapeutic levels overall and by country.

RESULTS: One thousand two hundred and seventy-eight patients were included (Australia 146, Germany 376, UK 313, HK 143 and Malaysia 300); 89.2 % of patients (1140) received medications, median 3 (interquartile range 2-5) drugs per patient. 5367 drugs were prescribed. The most frequently prescribed therapeutic groups in all countries were: systemic antibacterials (1355; 25.2 %), analgesics/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (1173; 21.8 %) and drugs for obstructive airway diseases (472; 8.8 %). Overall, 65.1 % (742) of patients received at least one systemic antibacterial, 63.7 % (726) received one or more analgesic/NSAIDs, and 23.6 % (269) received 'drugs for obstructive airway diseases'. The number of patients exposed to these groups differed significantly between countries (p
Adverse Drug Reactions in Children--International Surveillance and Evaluation (ADVISE): a multicentre cohort study

Rashed AN, Wong IC, Cranswick N, Hefele B, Tomlin S, Jackman J, et al.

Drug Saf, 2012 Jun 1;35(6):481-94.
PMID: 22612852 DOI: 10.2165/11597920-000000000-00000

Background: A previous meta-analysis reported that 9.5% of hospitalized children suffered from an adverse drug reaction (ADR); however, reported incidences among studies varied.

Objective: To enhance the knowledge of ADRs in paediatric hospitalized patients at a global level we investigated the incidence and characteristics of ADRs in hospitalized children in European and non-European countries.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in academic and non-academic hospitals in five countries: Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the UK. Children aged 0-18 years admitted during a 3-month period (between 1 October 2008 and 31 December 2009) were recruited. The main outcome measures were incidence, causality and outcome of ADRs.

Results: A total of 1278 patients (1340 admissions) were included [Australia n = 146 (149 admissions), Germany n = 376 (407), Hong Kong n = 143 (149), Malaysia n = 300 (314) and the UK n = 313 (321)]. The median age was 2 years (interquartile range [IQR] 0-7). Patients received a total of 5367 drugs (median 3; IQR 2-5) and median length of hospital stay was 4 days (IQR 3-7). A total of 380 ADRs were identified in 211 patients. The resultant ADR incidence of 16.5% (95% CI 14.5, 18.7) varied significantly between countries (p < 0.001). The highest incidences were observed in Malaysia and the UK. 65.3% (n = 248) of ADRs were found to be probable, and 24% of the ADRs were serious, with one being fatal.

Conclusions: By comparing data from five countries in Europe, Asia and Australia we have shown that the incidence of ADRs in hospitalized children is at least as high as incidences published in adults. However, the variation between countries was mainly due to different populations and treatment strategies. Particular attention should be given to opioid use in hospitalized children.
Brief Report: Databases in the Asia-Pacific Region: The Potential for a Distributed Network Approach

Lai EC, Man KK, Chaiyakunapruk N, Cheng CL, Chien HC, Chui CS, et al.

Epidemiology, 2015 Nov;26(6):815-20.
PMID: 26133022 DOI: 10.1097/EDE.0000000000000325

This study describes the availability and characteristics of databases in Asian-Pacific countries and assesses the feasibility of a distributed network approach in the region.