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Biomedical subjects

J R Laporte

Publications and source records attributed to J R Laporte.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Utilization of antihypertensive drugs in certain European countries.

The consumption of various groups of antihypertensive drugs in Spain during the period 1977-1981 has been measured by the DDD method. The total consumption of the drugs did not change much during this time. Combinations of thiazides with other hypotensives accounted for more than half the total antihypertensive drugs used. The consumption of rauwolfia and its derivatives, and of dihydralazine, was higher than of beta-blockers and methyldopa. Total consumption of antihypertensives in 1981 was 37.5 DDDs/1 000 inhab/day, which was much lower than in Denmark (136.6 DDDs/1 000 inhab/day), Finland (114.5), Iceland (92.2), Norway (89.4) and Sweden (138.7). Wide qualitative differences between countries were also identified. Although other factors may play a role, it is suggested that these striking differences may be due to differences in general health policy and in the pharmaceutical markets.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed1983

Amiodarone and pulmonary fibrosis.

Of 25 cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, confirmed by open chest lung biopsy between January 1979 and July 1981, 5 patients had been taking amiodarone in doses less than 600 mg daily for 1 to 6 years. No lung disease had been observed in any patient before the administration of amiodarone, and other drugs, factors and diseases thought to play a role in the causation of pulmonary fibrosis were ruled out. Two patients died of respiratory insufficiency, and only 1 does not now suffer from serious sequelae. Review of a further 5 cases reported in the literature and the present data suggest a causal link between administration of amiodarone and pulmonary fibrosis, and tend to indicate a hypersensitivity mechanism.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Drug utilization studies: a tool for determining the effectiveness of drug use.

To evaluate the quality of the consumption of medicines in Spain, its potential efficacy, and its evolution during the last years, an assessment of the 'intrinsic value' of the most sold pharmaceutical specialities (amounting to more than 50% of total pharmaceutical market) was carried out. A panel of five clinical pharmacologist classified medicines, according to their intrinsic value, in four groups: (i) 'high value' (41% of analyzed medicines in 1980); (ii) 'relative value' (12% in 1980); (iii) 'doubtful value' (3%); (iv) 'no value' (23%), and (v) 'unacceptable value' (21%). Drugs were also classified according to their expected potential of use; and three groups were formed: (i) 'high' (32%); (ii) 'relatively high' (14%), and (iii) 'reduced' (10%). A fourth group of 'not applicable' (44%) in this classification was formed with pharmaceuticals considered unvaluable or unacceptable in the first classification. The results of this study suggest that this kind of analysis may be a useful tool to evaluate the efficacy of drugs in the community, and to identify priorities and guidelines in the selection of drugs in each country.

Drug Therapy↗
PubMed1983

Acute severe poisoning in Spain: clinical outcome related to the implicated drugs.

The 91 patients over the age of 10 (57 women and 32 men) with severe self-poisoning admitted to the ICU of a general hospital in Barcelona during the period 1974-1980 have been retrospectively studied. Previous suicidal attempts have been identified among 32 patients; 26 patients presented a history of personality disorders, and 19 had a neurological disease, a chronic physical illness, or a history of alcoholism. Sedative-hypnotic drugs were involved in about half the number of cases, and one fifth of total cases were due to tricyclic antidepressants and phenothiazines. Paracetamol was only involved in 2 cases, and heroin in another 2 cases. Many of the most severe morbidity manifestations were related to overdoses by intermediate-acting barbiturates. Two out of a total of 5 deaths were related to butalbitone overdose. Butalbitone had been ingested as a fixed-dose combination containing butalbitone, propyphenazone, and caffeine, which is freely dispensed as an analgesic in Spain.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Drug prescribing and use among elderly people in Spain.

As a result of the lack of an adequate regulation, the supply and the use of medicines is irrational in Spain. In order to know the characteristics of the prescription and use of drugs among the elderly, two drug utilization studies were carried out. The first study was an analysis of 981 prescriptions from an outpatient clinic of the Spanish Social Security. The results show that a high proportion of fixed-dose combinations were prescribed and that drugs without any demonstrated therapeutic value are often prescribed for the elderly. The second study was a survey of 389 individuals randomly chosen among people affiliated with a pensioners' club. The results show that drug use is highly prevalent among the elderly, that many medicines without any demonstrated benefit are being taken, and that potentially harmful drugs were being used by a high proportion of patients without medical follow-up. The prevalence of the use of some particular groups of drugs is also presented.

Age Factors↗