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E R Heerdink

Publications and source records attributed to E R Heerdink.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Between-country variation in the utilization of antihypertensive agents: Guidelines and clinical practice.

Variation in antihypertensive drug utilization and guideline preferences between six European countries (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands) was investigated. Our objectives were to compare between-country variability in utilization per class of antihypertensive agents and to assess guideline preferences in relation to actual use. Antihypertensive consumption data (2003) was retrieved. We classified antihypertensive agents using ATC-codes: C02CA - alpha-blockers (AB), C03A - thiazide diuretics (TD), C07AB - beta-blockers (BB), C08CA - dihydropyridine calcium antagonists (CA), C09A/C09BA/C09BB - ACE-inhibitors+combinations (AI) and C09C/C09D - angiotensin II receptor blockers+combinations (AT2). For each class, DDDs/1000 persons/day and share (%) of total antihypertensive utilization was calculated. Per class, relative standard deviations (RSD) across countries were computed. Current hypertension guidelines were requested from national medical associations. Total antihypertensive utilization varied considerably, ranging from 152.4 (Netherlands) to 246.9 (Germany) DDDs/1000 persons/day. RSD was highest for TD (106.2%) and AB (93.6%). Where guidelines advocated TDs (Norway and Netherlands), TD utilization was below (Norway) or just above (Netherlands) median TD use. Guidelines recommended TD (Norway and Netherlands), TD/BB/AI (Finland, German Physicians Association) or TD/BB/CA/AI/AT2 (Denmark, German Hypertension Society), Sweden had no recent national guideline. In conclusion, antihypertensive utilization patterns varied largely across these six countries, in absolute and relative terms. Furthermore, guidelines seem disconnected from clinical practice in some countries, and none of the guidelines discuss current utilization. Whether this reflects a need for change in prescribing or re-evaluation of guidelines warrants further research.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed2006

Indications for antidepressant drug prescribing in general practice in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: The intensity of the use of antidepressants in large populations can nowadays relatively easily be estimated using databases encompassing prescription data. There are shortcomings when using prescription databases as they contain no clinical data on patient illness. Antidepressants are prescribed for different illnesses, thus information on the indications could help when interpreting results from database studies on antidepressant drug use. The aim of this study is to investigate for which indications antidepressants are being prescribed in general practice in the Netherlands. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Second Dutch National Survey of General Practice, carried out by NIVEL (N=385,461). Patients, 18 years and older, who received an antidepressant prescription from a general practitioner in 2001 were selected (N=13,835). Indications for antidepressant drug prescribing were identified using time windows of different lengths. RESULTS: Antidepressants are most often being prescribed for depression (45.5%) and anxiety/panic disorders (17.2%). For these indications lengthening the time window around prescription date from 0 to 180 days resulted in an increase of 20-40% in antidepressant drug users identified with these indications. LIMITATION: None of our selected indications could be identified in the physician-patient contact file for about a third of the antidepressant drug users. The study was performed in a general practice setting and did not include antidepressant users who consult psychiatrists. CONCLUSION: GPs prescribe antidepressants predominantly for treating depression. However, using antidepressant drug as a proxy for identifying depressed patients in a prescription database should be done with caution and when possible in combination with clinical data.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Discontinuation symptoms in users of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in clinical practice: tapering versus abrupt discontinuation.

OBJECTIVE: Tapering of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy, as opposed to abrupt discontinuation, has been recommended by several guidelines and in the literature in order to diminish the occurrence of discontinuation symptoms. However, the evidence of a favourable effect of tapering is limited, and it is unclear how patients ought to discontinue SSRIs in daily life. The aim of this study was to examine the way in which patients discontinue SSRI therapy in clinical practice and to compare the effect of tapering with that of abrupt discontinuation on the occurrence of discontinuation symptoms. METHODS: Patients (n = 74) who recently discontinued SSRI therapy completed a questionnaire containing questions about discontinuation symptoms (DESS events), the prescribed SSRI, reasons for discontinuation, way of discontinuation, knowledge of discontinuation symptoms, impact on daily life and patient counseling and education. The number of DESS events was compared among groups (abrupt discontinuation versus tapering; age; male versus female; paroxetine versus other SSRIs; knowledge of discontinuation symptoms at start of therapy versus lack of knowledge). RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were eligible for analysis. Of all patients ending SSRI therapy, 21% abruptly discontinued therapy. There was a significant difference in the number of DESS events between abrupt discontinuation and tapering of SSRI therapy (12.0 versus 5.9). There was also a tendency for an adverse effect of lack of knowledge of discontinuation symptoms at the start of therapy on the number of DESS events (8.9 versus 5.5). CONCLUSION: One in five patients abruptly discontinued their SSRI therapy in clinical practice. Abrupt discontinuation caused a larger increase in the number of discontinuation symptoms than tapering. We therefore advise tapering SSRI therapy in clinical practice to prevent unnecessary adverse effects of discontinuation.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Changes in the defined daily dose; CYP2D6/CYP3A metabolism as an indicator for dose-setting problems.

OBJECTIVE: Interindividual variability is common at all stages of drug absorption, distribution, pharmacodynamics, metabolism and elimination. In this study, we focused on two enzymes involved in phase-I drug metabolism as markers of pharmacological variability: the CYP3A and CYP2D6 subsystems of cytochrome P450. The main aim of our study was to determine whether substrate drugs for CYP2D6 and/or CYP3A enzymes, showing high interindividual matabolic variability, are more prone to postmarketing adjustments of defined daily dose (DDD). METHODS: A case-control design was used. We identified all DDD changes between 1982 and May 2004 through the website of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology. Cases were drugs with a DDD change and controls were other drugs with unchanged DDDs. Information about metabolism pathway, introduction year, literature exposure and administration route was retrieved. RESULTS: We included 88 cases and 176 controls. Of the 88 cases, 51 were dosage decreases (58.0%). Overall, DDD changes were not associated with CYP2D6/CYP3A metabolism (OR 1.92; 95%CI 0.78-4.72). However, DDD decreases were associated with CYP2D6/CYP3A metabolism (OR 3.21; 95%CI 1.25-8.26). Adjusting for introduction year weakened this effect (OR 2.78; 95%CI 0.98-7.90). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that CYP2D6 and CYP3A substrates are more likely to require a DDD decrease after granting of market authorisation. However, this effect was diminished by adjusting for period of introduction. The implication of this finding is that variability indicators, as is demonstrated in this study for CYP2D6/CYP3A metabolism, can exert their influence on a wide variety of drug measures, such as the DDD.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2005

Reasons for switching between antipsychotics in daily clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Previous research that atypical antipsychotics were switched less often compared to typical antipsychotics, suggesting overall better treatment satisfaction. The objective of this study was to investigate the reasons for switching antipsychotics after initiating oral treatment with either typical or atypical antipsychotics in a clinical setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 123 patients that switched antipsychotic therapy were recruited from 17 psychiatric hospitals, of which 46 % switched because of lack of effect and 45 % because of adverse effects. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between users of atypical versus typical antipsychotics in reasons for switching, both for overall adverse events, and lack of effect. In users of atypical antipsychotics extrapyramidal effects were reported less often as reason for switching (adjusted OR = 0.18 (95 % CI = (0.07 - 0.51)). Patients on atypical antipsychotics switched more often because of weight gain (adjusted OR = 12.8 (95 % CI = (1.50 - 109)). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, when switching occurred, no difference was found in the frequency of general tolerability or reported lack of effectiveness. However, the type of adverse event as a reason for switching differed between atypical and typical antipsychotics.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Increased psychotropic drug consumption by children in the Netherlands during 1995-2001 is caused by increased use of methylphenidate by boys.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the changes in consumption of psychotropic drugs by children aged less than 18 years during the years 1995 to 2001 in the Netherlands. METHODS: The year prevalence of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants and psychostimulants for boys and girls under 18 years was determined using electronic pharmacy dispensing records obtained from the PHARMO database. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of psychotropic drugs increased from 11.1 per 1000 in 1995 to 22.9 per 1000 in 2001. This increase could almost completely be attributed to the increase in the use of psychostimulants, i.e. methylphenidate, which increased from 1.7 per 1000 children in 1995 to 10.0 per 1000 in 2001. For the other psychotropic drugs, no or only a small increase was seen. For both boys and girls, the use of psychostimulants was highest in the age group of 5-14 years. CONCLUSION: During the years 1995-2001, the consumption of psychotropic drugs by children in the Netherlands has more than doubled. This increase could largely be attributed to an increased use of the psychostimulant methylphenidate by boys of the age 5-14 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Incidence and determinants of long-term use of antidepressants.

OBJECTIVES: The use of antidepressants has increased over the years, which may be due to more new antidepressant users, but also may be due to a longer duration of use. We aimed to assess the prevalence, incidence and average duration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) use in the Netherlands during 1992-2001. In addition, we assessed the incidence of long-term use of SSRIs and identified possible determinants of long-term use. METHODS: We assessed prevalence (number of current users of an antidepressant per 1000 persons assessed on a single day) and incidence (number of new users per 1000 persons per year) of antidepressant use for each year in the PHARMO record linkage system. Long-term use was defined as the consecutive use of any antidepressant for at least 12 months. Relative risks and hazard ratios were calculated and adjusted for possible determinants using Poisson and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Both prevalent and incident use of SSRIs increased during 1992-2001, while TCA use remained stable. A total of 9857 patients using SSRIs were included in a follow-up study. During the follow-up period, more patients became long-term users, either directly after the start of the initial SSRI or anytime during follow-up (29.5%). The average number of days before start of long-term use decreased from 595 days in 1991 to 19 days in 1997. Female patients, older age, previous use of benzodiazepines and being treated by a psychiatrist increased the probability of becoming a long-term user. CONCLUSION: Both prevalent and incident use of SSRIs increased during the 1990s, implicating an increased number of patients starting SSRIs, but also a longer duration of use of antidepressant therapy. Over the entire follow-up period, almost 30% of the patients became long-term users at anytime during the follow-up period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Seclusion of admitted psychotic patients: later in the case of antipsychotic use and also possibly less often].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the incidence and determinants of seclusion and to gain insights into the use of antipsychotics before and after the seclusion of acutely admitted patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis. METHOD: We collected data from a consecutive sample of 996 patients in adult psychiatric admission wards for the period 1997-1999. Secluded patients were compared with non-secluded patients and the correlations between antipsychotic use and seclusion were calculated. RESULTS: The average age of the 996 patients (507 men and 489 women) was 38.0 years (median: 37.0; range: 16-84). Seclusion was applied in the case of 285 patients (28.6%). Young age (< 30 years), low Global Assessment of Functioning score (< 55), involuntary hospitalisation and bipolar disorder (manic episode) were significantly associated with seclusion. For patients with psychotic disorders who used antipsychotics during the first week, the median time from admission to seclusion was 7 days (in patients not using antipsychotics this was 2.5 days). Furthermore, the use of antipsychotics was, although not significant, associated with a lower risk of seclusion (relative risk: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5-1.2). In a substantial number of the psychotic patients, antipsychotic treatment was initiated during or shortly after seclusion; they used these drugs more often than psychotic non-secluded patients (relative risk: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2-3.4). CONCLUSION: The use of antipsychotics is associated with a later application of seclusion as well as its possible delay. For a considerable number of patients, treatment with antipsychotics was started either during or shortly after seclusion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Predicting mortality in patients with heart failure: a pragmatic approach.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a comprehensive and easily applicable prognostic model predicting mortality risk in patients with moderate to severe heart failure. DESIGN: Prospective follow up study. SETTING: Seven general hospitals in the Netherlands. PATIENTS: 152 outpatients with heart failure or patients admitted to hospital because of heart failure, who were included in a randomised trial to assess the impact of a pharmacist led intervention to improve drug compliance. Duration of follow up was at least 18 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate information from history, physical examination (for example, blood pressure), drug use, and quality of life questionnaires that independently contributed to the prediction of death. The area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) was used to estimate the predictive ability of the prognostic models. RESULTS: During the 18 months of follow up, 51 patients (34%) died. Independent predictors of mortality were diabetes mellitus, a history of renal dysfunction (or higher creatinine), New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV, lower weight or body mass index, lower blood pressure, ankle oedema, and higher scores on a disease specific quality of life questionnaire. The use of beta blockers was predictive of a better prognosis. These factors were used to derive various prediction formulas. A model based on medical history, weight, presence of oedema, and lower blood pressure had an AUC of 0.77. Addition of use of beta blockers to this model improved the AUC to 0.80. Addition of NYHA class increased the AUC to 0.84. Data on quality of life did not improve the AUC further (AUC 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: A prognostic model produced on the basis of easily obtainable information from medical history and physical examination can adequately stratify heart failure patients according to their short term risk of death.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Psychotropic drug use in intellectually disabled group-home residents with behavioural problems.

Little is known about psychiatric and behavioural factors associated with psychotropic drug use and how appropriately these drugs are prescribed in settings for people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study was to measure the point prevalence of psychotropic drug use in a problem-behaviour group (PBG) consisting of intellectually disabled residents of group homes compared to a random group (RG), and to gain insight in possible factors that are associated with group membership. From all group homes in the Netherlands, 573 problematic residents were selected by the staff (one resident from each home) and 1479 residents were randomly sampled from all of the homes. Mental health problems were measured using the Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behaviour and the Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults. The response rate in the PBG was 68.9 % and in the RG 71.7 %. Psychotropics (excluding anticonvulsants) were used by 52.6 % of the PBG and by 22.8 % of the RG. Young age, psychotic, anxiety, and aggression symptoms were significantly associated with the PBG, as was the use of antipsychotics and antidepressants. The PBG more often used multiple (three or more) drugs (17.3 %) than the RG (7.3 %). A low prevalence of antidepressants or mood stabilisers, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics was found in residents with affective, psychotic, or anxiety symptoms. We conclude that psychotropic drug use in the PBG compared to the RG was high. It is likely that the group-home staff finds it difficult to deal with young people with socially disruptive behaviour, which is underlined by our finding of high prevalence of antipsychotics and multiple-drug therapy in the PBG. Finally, our findings suggest that a considerable number of residents with psychiatric or behavioural symptoms are undertreated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Factors associated with non-response in proton pump inhibitor users: a study of lansoprazole therapy.

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) demonstrate high healing rates of 85-98% in clinical trials. Due to the limited knowledge regarding response and non-response to lansoprazole in daily practice and for the reason that resistance to PPIs is scarce, we investigated factors possibly associated with non-response. METHODS: Data were used from a prospective, open label, observational follow-up study in which 10,008 lansoprazole users were followed over time. The study was designed according to the SAMM guidelines. A matched nested case-control design was used to compare non-responding (cases) and responding (controls) lansoprazole users. Non-response was defined as worsening or non-improvement of symptoms at the first evaluation after at least 8 weeks of use, response as disappearance or improvement of symptoms within 8 weeks of use. Controls were matched for the evaluating physician. RESULTS: A total of 186 non-responders and 372 responders to PPI treatment were identified as cases and controls. Age of over 60 years, heavy smoking and previous use of PPIs were significantly more common in non-responding patients compared with responding patients. There were no differences found between the reported diagnosis regarding response. CONCLUSION: In daily clinical practice, previous use of PPIs, heavy smoking and an age > 60 years were significantly associated with non-response to treatment with lansoprazole. Previous use of PPIs in non-responding patients might suggest resistance to PPIs. The knowledge that non-response drives non-response may encourage physicians to follow PPI users with previous PPI use more closely.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
PubMed2001

Long-term therapy with spironolactone.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the duration of therapy with spironolactone in daily practice. METHOD: A retrospective follow-up of a cohort of patients with a first prescription for spironolactone between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1996 and at least one hospital discharge for CHF in the preceding year. RESULTS: 243 patients met the inclusion criteria and were followed until the end of data collection. The average starting dosage of spironolactone was 55 mg. 143 patients (58.8%) discontinued spironolactone therapy before the end of follow-up. 98 patients (40.8%) discontinued within 6 months of follow-up. Of the 137 patients (56.4%) who did use spironolactone and an ACE-inhibitor concomitantly, only 45 (32.8%) continued this combination until the end of follow-up. The remainder of the patients discontinued either the ACE-inhibitor (10.9%) or spironolactone (12.4%) or both (43.8%). CONCLUSION: While the reasons for discontinuation remain unclear, our data suggest that it is difficult to keep patients on both drugs. It is not certain whether these findings from past spironolactone use can be extrapolated to future use. Patients in the general population received higher average spironolactone dosages compared to the RALES study (55 mg vs. 26 mg), possibly resulting in more adverse effects and partly explaining the high discontinuation rate.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Prescribing patterns in patients using new antidepressants.

AIMS: To study possible selective prescribing ('channelling') we compared characteristics of patients using the SSRI sertraline with patients using longer available SSRIs. METHODS: An observational cohort study in 1251 patients being prescribed an SSRI. RESULTS: In contrast to other studies, we found no evidence for channeling of sertraline. Sertraline was mainly prescribed for the labelled indication (depressive disorder), while older SSRIs were more often prescribed also for other indications. Time on the market was inversely associated to the proportion of patients treated for depressive disorder. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence for channeling of sertraline compared with prescribing patterns of older SSRIs.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Spontaneous lapses in dosing during chronic treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: In previous research, lapses in dosing of paroxetine or sertraline were associated with significantly more discontinuation symptoms and deterioration of depressive symptomatology compared with fluoxetine. AIMS: To evaluate dosing lapses in patients chronically treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in uncontrolled circumstances. METHOD: In a prospective observational study we evaluated compliance data in chronic users of SSRIs using electronic drug exposure monitors. RESULTS: During a 3-month follow-up we found that 50/69 (72.5%) patients missed at least one dosing day and 20/69 (29.0%) missed two or more consecutive days. CONCLUSIONS: About 30% of patients treated with short-acting SSRIs had dosing lapses of 2 or more days, which, as described in prior studies, is long enough to result in clinically relevant deterioration of mental status.

Adolescent↗