C.V. Damaraju

Efficacy of galantamine in probable vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease combined with cerebrovascular disease: a randomised trial

BACKGROUND Vascular dementia is the second commonest form of dementia, and vascular factors contribute to the development of dementia in many patients with Alzheimers disease. Galantamine amplifies the acetylcholine response by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and modulating nicotinic receptors. It has shown broad, sustained benefits in patients with Alzheimers disease. We investigated the effects of galantamine in patients with a diagnosis of probable vascular dementia or Alzheimers disease combined with cerebrovascular disease. METHODS Eligible patients were randomly assigned galantamine 24 mg/day (n=396) or placebo (n=196) in a multicentre, double-blind, 6-month trial. Primary endpoints were cognition (Alzheimers disease assessment scale, cognitive subscale [ADAS-cog]) and global functioning (clinicians interview-based impression of change plus caregiver input [CIBIC-plus]). Secondary endpoints included assessments of activities of daily living and behavioural symptoms. Patients were monitored for adverse events. Analyses were on the basis of observed case or last observation carried forward. FINDINGS Galantamine showed greater efficacy than placebo on ADAS-cog (galantamine change -1.7 [SE 0.4] vs placebo 1.0 [0.5]; treatment effect 2.7 points; p<0.0001) and CIBIC-plus (213 [74%] vs 95 [59%] patients remained stable or improved, p=0.0001). Activities of daily living and behavioural symptoms were also significantly improved compared with placebo (p=0.002 and p=0.016, respectively). Galantamine was well tolerated. INTERPRETATION Galantamine showed a therapeutic effect on all key areas of cognitive and non-cognitive abilities in this group of dementia patients.

Real-world comparative effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban and warfarin in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients

Abstract Background: Rivaroxaban was shown to be effective in reducing the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in a randomized controlled trial setting. Objective: To assess real-world safety, effectiveness, and persistence associated with rivaroxaban and warfarin in nonvalvular AF patients. Methods: Healthcare claims from Symphony Health Solutions’ Patient Transactional Datasets from May 2011 to July 2012 were analyzed. Adult patients newly initiated on rivaroxaban or warfarin, with ≥2 AF diagnoses (ICD-9-CM: 427.31) and a CHADS2 score ≥1 during the 180 day baseline period were included. Cohorts were matched 1:4 using propensity score methods. Study outcomes were major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, composite stroke and systemic embolism, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) events. Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare event and persistence rates. Results: The matched sample included 3654 rivaroxaban and 14,616 warfarin patients. Matching was adequate, with all standardized differences in patient characteristics <10%. No significant differences were observed for bleeding and composite stroke and systemic embolism outcomes, although rivaroxaban users were associated with significantly fewer VTE events (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.24–0.54, p < 0.0001) compared to warfarin users. Rivaroxaban was also associated with a significantly lower risk of treatment non-persistence (HR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.60–0.72, p < 0.0001). Limitations: Claims data may have contained inaccuracies, and mortality and laboratory data were not available. Confounding may still have been possible even after propensity score matching. Early use pattern of medications may have changed over time. Conclusion: This analysis suggests that rivaroxaban and warfarin do not differ significantly in real-world rates of composite stroke and systemic embolism and major, intracranial, or GI bleeding. Rivaroxaban, however, was associated with significantly fewer VTE events and significantly better treatment persistence compared with warfarin.

Effect of canagliflozin on serum uric acid in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Hyperuricaemia is associated with an increased risk of gout, kidney stones and cardiovascular disease. The present post hoc analysis of pooled data from four placebo‐controlled phase III studies assessed the effect of canagliflozin, a sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitor, on serum uric acid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in a subset of patients with hyperuricaemia [defined as baseline serum uric acid ≥475 µmol/l (∼8 mg/dl)]. At week 26, canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg were associated with a ∼13% reduction in serum uric acid compared with placebo. In the subset of patients with hyperuricaemia, placebo‐subtracted percent reductions in serum uric acid were similar to those in the overall cohort. More patients in the hyperuricaemic group achieved a serum uric acid level of <360 µmol/l (∼6 mg/dl) with both canagliflozin 100 mg (23.5%) and 300 mg (32.4%) compared with placebo (3.1%). Incidences of gout and kidney stones were low and similar across groups. In conclusion, canagliflozin treatment decreased serum uric acid in patients with T2DM, including those with baseline hyperuricaemia.

Medication persistence and discontinuation of rivaroxaban versus warfarin among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Abstract Objectives: To compare real-world persistence and discontinuation among non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients on rivaroxaban and warfarin in the US. Research design and methods: A large nationally representative US claims database was used to conduct a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with NVAF treated with rivaroxaban or warfarin from 1 July 2010 through 31 March 2013. Index date was the date of the first prescription of rivaroxaban or warfarin. All patients were followed until the earliest of inpatient death, end of continuous enrollment, or end of study period. Rivaroxaban patients were matched 1:1 by propensity scores. Medication persistence was defined as absence of refill gap of ≥60 days. Discontinuation was defined as no additional refill for at least 90 days and until the end of follow-up. Cox proportional hazards models were estimated to examine the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of rivaroxaban vs. warfarin on non-persistence and discontinuation. Results: A total of 32,886 NVAF patients on rivaroxaban or warfarin met the study inclusion criteria. Each of the 7259 rivaroxaban patients identified were matched 1:1 to warfarin patients. Patients on rivaroxaban had a significantly better rate of persistence (aHR: 0.63, 95% CI 0.59–0.68) and lower rate of discontinuation (aHR: 0.54, 95% CI 0.49–0.58) compared to warfarin recipients. Limitations: Claims data may have contained inaccuracies and miscoding. Confounding may remain even after propensity score matching and additional adjustments in model. Refill data may not fully reflect actual medication use. Longer follow-up may produce more precise estimates of persistence and discontinuation. Conclusion: This matched cohort analysis indicated that rivaroxaban was associated with significantly higher medication persistence and lower discontinuation rates compared to warfarin.

System-Related Events and Analgesic Gaps During Postoperative Pain Management with the Fentanyl Iontophoretic Transdermal System and Morphine Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia

BACKGROUND:Analgesic gaps (interruptions in analgesic delivery) contribute to ineffective postoperative pain management. In this analysis, we evaluated the incidence of analgesic gaps resulting from system-related events (SREs) for patients using the fentanyl iontophoretic transdermal system (ITS), a noninvasive patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) system, or morphine IV PCA for postoperative pain management. METHODS:Data were pooled from two open-label, randomized, active-controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy and safety of fentanyl ITS and morphine IV PCA after total hip replacement, abdominal, or pelvic surgery. The incidence and duration of analgesic gaps resulting from SREs were assessed, along with SRE resolution times. RESULTS:A total of 1305 patients received fentanyl ITS (n = 647) or morphine IV PCA (n = 658). Fentanyl ITS was associated with a significantly lower incidence of analgesic gaps per 100 patients compared with morphine IV PCA (5.87 vs 12.01, respectively; P < 0.001). Compared with patients receiving morphine IV PCA, patients receiving fentanyl ITS had both a numerically lower median total analgesic gap time (15.0 min vs 20.0 min) and a numerically lower median total SRE resolution time (11.0 min vs 20.0 min). Most fentanyl ITS SREs were resolved by applying a new system, whereas many different SRE resolution methods were used for morphine IV PCA. CONCLUSIONS:Fentanyl ITS was associated with a significantly lower incidence of analgesic gaps relative to morphine IV PCA. Fentanyl ITS may provide patients with fewer interruptions and more continuous analgesic delivery.

The safety and efficacy of fentanyl iontophoretic transdermal system compared with morphine intravenous patient-controlled analgesia for postoperative pain management: an analysis of pooled data from three randomized, active-controlled clinical studies.

BACKGROUND:Postoperative pain is often managed using IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). In this analysis of pooled data, we compared the safety and efficacy of the fentanyl iontophoretic transdermal system (ITS) with morphine IV PCA. METHODS:Data were obtained from three multicenter, randomized, active-controlled trials (N = 1941). The primary efficacy measure was success (“good”/“excellent” ratings) on the 24-h patient global assessment of the method of pain control. Pain intensity, relative dosing ratios, discontinuation rates, and adverse events were assessed. Efficacy was evaluated across age, surgery type, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS:Comparable percentages of patients reported success on the 24-h patient global assessment of the method of pain control (fentanyl ITS, 80.5%; morphine IV PCA, 81.0%; difference = −0.5%; 95% confidence interval, −4.0% to 3.0%). Mean last pain intensity scores in the first 24 h were comparable (fentanyl ITS, 3.1; morphine IV PCA, 3.0; difference = 0.07; 95% confidence interval, −0.14 to 0.29). Relative dosing ratios of fentanyl to morphine overall and in subpopulations (age, BMI) were comparable over 6, 12, and 24 h. Fentanyl ITS was equally effective when compared with morphine IV PCA for patient subpopulations (age, surgery type, and BMI). Discontinuation rates and the incidence of adverse events were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS:These pooled data represent one of the largest head-to-head comparisons of fentanyl versus morphine in a postoperative acute pain setting. Results suggest that fentanyl ITS is effective across subpopulations defined by age and BMI, and support a consistent safety and efficacy profile of fentanyl delivered by fentanyl ITS for postoperative pain management.

Reductions in Mean 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure After 6-Week Treatment With Canagliflozin in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension

This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study evaluated the early effects of canagliflozin on blood pressure (BP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension. Patients were randomized to canagliflozin 300 mg, canagliflozin 100 mg, or placebo for 6 weeks and underwent 24‐hour ambulatory BP monitoring before randomization, on day 1 of treatment, and after 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in mean 24‐hour systolic BP (SBP) from baseline to week 6. Overall, 169 patients were included (mean age, 58.6 years; glycated hemoglobin, 8.1%; seated BP 138.5/82.7 mm Hg). At week 6, canagliflozin 300 mg provided greater reductions in mean 24‐hour SBP than placebo (least squares mean −6.2 vs −1.2 mm Hg, respectively; P=.006). Numerical reductions in SBP were observed with canagliflozin 100 mg. Canagliflozin was generally well tolerated, with side effects similar to those reported in previous studies. These results suggest that canagliflozin rapidly reduces BP in patients with T2DM and hypertension.

Medication persistence and discontinuation of rivaroxaban and dabigatran etexilate among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Abstract Objective: To compare real-world persistence and discontinuation among non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients on rivaroxaban and dabigatran in the US. Methods: A large nationally representative US claims database was used to conduct a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with NVAF on rivaroxaban or dabigatran between October 2010 and March 2013. The index date was the date of the first prescription of rivaroxaban or dabigatran. All patients had ≥6 months of data prior to the index date and were followed until the earliest of inpatient death, end of continuous enrollment, or end of the study period. Rivaroxaban patients were matched 1:1 with dabigatran patients using the propensity score matching technique. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of non-persistence and discontinuation. Persistence was defined as absence of a refill gap of ≥60 days. Discontinuation was defined as no additional refill for at least 90 days and until the end of follow-up. Results: A total of 30,337 NVAF patients on rivaroxaban or dabigatran met the study criteria. All 7259 rivaroxaban patients were matched 1:1 to dabigatran patients. Compared with dabigatran users, rivaroxaban patients were 11% less likely to become non-persistent with therapy (aHR: 0.89, 95% CI 0.84–0.95) and 29% less likely to discontinue therapy (aHR: 0.71, 95% CI 0.66–0.77). Limitations: Claims data are subject to miscoding and inaccuracies. Refill data may not fully reflect actual medication taken. Confounding may remain even after propensity score matching and additional adjustments in model. Longer follow-up may produce more precise estimates of persistence and discontinuation. Conclusions: This matched cohort analysis indicated that, compared to dabigatran, rivaroxaban was associated with better persistence and lower rates of discontinuation.

International Normalized Ratio Stability in Warfarin-Experienced Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

BackgroundMaintaining stable levels of anticoagulation using warfarin therapy is challenging. Few studies have examined the stability of the international normalized ratio (INR) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who have had ≥6 months’ exposure to warfarin anticoagulation for stroke prevention.ObjectiveOur objective was to describe INR control in NVAF patients who had been receiving warfarin for at least 6 months.MethodsUsing retrospective patient data from the CoagClinic™ database, we analyzed data from NVAF patients treated with warfarin to assess the quality of INR control and possible predictors of poor INR control. Time within, above, and below the recommended INR range (2.0–3.0) was calculated for patients who had received warfarin for ≥6 months and had three or more INR values. The analysis also assessed INR patterns and resource utilization of patients with an INR >4.0. Logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with poor INR control.ResultsPatients (n = 9433) had an average of 1.6 measurements per 30 days. Mean follow-up time was 544 days. Approximately 39 % of INR values were out of range, with 23 % of INR values being <2.0 and 16 % being >3.0. Mean percent time with INR in therapeutic range was 67 %; INR <2.0 was 19 % and INR >3.0 was 14 %. Patients with more than one reading of INR >4.0 (~39 %) required an average of one more visit and took 3 weeks to return to an in-range INR. Male sex and age >75 years were predictive of better INR control, whereas a history of heart failure or diabetes were predictive of out-of-range INR values. However, patient characteristics did not predict the likelihood of INR >4.0.ConclusionsOut-of-range INR values remain frequent in patients with NVAF treated with warfarin. Exposure to high INR values was common, resulting in increased resource utilization.

Rivaroxaban crushed tablet suspension characteristics and relative bioavailability in healthy adults when administered orally or via nasogastric tube

Because some patients have difficulty swallowing a whole tablet, we investigated the relative bioavailability of a crushed 20 mg rivaroxaban tablet and of 2 alternative crushed tablet dosing strategies.