BackgroundThe use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains limited, especially in those with other compelling indications. Thus, this study aimed to describe the prescribing patterns of GLP-1-RA and SGLT2i in patients with T2DM and to determine the factors that affect the prescribing of these medications.MethodsThis multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed the electronic health records of adult patients diagnosed with T2DM who received care between January and December 2020. The patients were classified according to their compelling indications into “patients who are more likely” to benefit from SGLT2i or GLP-1 RA and “patients who are less likely” to benefit from them. They were then further categorized depending on whether these medications were prescribed.ResultsA total of 1,220 patients were included; most were female (56.9%). SGLT2i or GLP-1 RA were preferably prescribed in only 19% of the patients for reasons including BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 (85.6%), uncontrolled T2DM (68.5%), high risk for ASCVD (23.9%), or established ASCVD (14%). The remaining 81.0% were underprescribed these agents. Patients at an older age or with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack had higher odds of being underprescribed (OR 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01–1.03 and OR 2.86; 95% CI: 1.33–6.15), respectively.ConclusionThe results concur with those of previous studies highlighting the underutilization of GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i in patients with T2DM but also with compelling indications. To optimize the use of GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i for their additional benefits, prescribers need to assess the benefits of using these agents in patients who would likely benefit from them, regardless of DM control.
Background Historically, warfarin was the mainstay anticoagulant agent to manage patients presenting with thrombotic disorders caused by Protein C or S deficiency. Several direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were introduced over the past decade. They showed superiority over warfarin in patients with venous thromboembolism in many landmark trials. Insufficient data are available that examine the outcome of utilizing apixaban in patients with protein S deficiency induce thrombosis. Case(s) Presentation We reported the clinical outcomes of utilizing apixaban in four patients with systemic thrombosis caused by protein C or S deficiency who presented to a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Four patients exhibited typical features of thrombotic events. After confirming the diagnosis, one patient was initially started on apixaban, and the other three patients were converted from warfarin to apixaban. Three of the four patients tolerated the apixaban during the follow-up period. Additionally, they did not have any bleeding or thrombotic complications. However, one patient developed recurrent thrombotic events despite switching to different type of DOAC and was ultimately transitioned back to warfarin. Conclusion Based on the available emerging evidence and our case series, the use of apixaban could be effective in preventing recurrent thrombotic events in patients with inherited thrombophilia without safety concerns. Further, large studies are warranted to investigate the safety and efficacy of apixaban in these population.
Background The benefit of apixaban to reduce stroke risk in morbidly obese patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is still undetermined. The International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis recommends avoiding the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC)s in morbidly obese patients (body mass index > 40 or weight > 120 kg) because of limited clinical data. This exploratory study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using apixaban in morbidly obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40) patients with AF. Methods An exploratory retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single-center, including adult patients with non-valvular AF using apixaban between 01/01/2016 and 31/12/2019. Patients were excluded if they were known to have liver cirrhosis Child-Pugh C, mechanical valve, serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL, follow up < 3 months, or using apixaban with a dose of ≤5 or > 10 mg/day. Included patients were categorized into two groups based on their BMI (BMI<40 Vs. BMI ≥ 40). The primary outcome was all thrombotic events, while the secondary outcomes were major and minor bleeding after apixaban initiation. Propensity score (PS) matching was used (1:1 ratio) based on the patient’s age, gender, and HAS-BLED score. Results A total of 722 patients were eligible; 254 patients were included after propensity score matching based on the selected criteria. The prevalence of all thrombotic events was similar between the two groups in the first year of apixaban initiation (OR (95%CI): 0.58 (0.13, 2.5), p-value = 0.46). In addition, the odds of developing major and minor bleeding were not statistically significant between the two groups (OR (95%CI): 0.39 (0.07, 2.03), p-value = 0.26 and OR (95%CI): 1.27 (0.56, 2.84), p-value = 0.40), respectively). Conclusion This exploratory study showed similar effectiveness and safety of apixaban use in both morbid and non-morbid obese patients with non-valvular AF. However, a larger randomized controlled trial with a longer follow-up period needs to confirm our findings.
In Kuwait, oil wells exploded in 1991 have created numerous massive oil lakes, which have subsequently dried and contaminated the soil. A research project was initiated to delineate the type and extent of contaminated soil using an area survey method, namely Electrical Resistivity Topography (ERT), to examine dry oil lakes located in Bahra, Subiya. The specific objective was to assess the applicability of the environmentally friendly ERT to assist in the design of measures to remediate the contaminated land. ERT results were generated by testing a grid in both contaminated and non-contaminated areas. In addition, conventional soil boreholes were used to explore the sub-surface profile and depth of contamination in these areas for comparison with ERT results. In-situ and laboratory physical and chemical tests were performed on soil samples collected from the site to identify the contamination type and concentration as well as variation in the physical properties of the soil profile with depth. Results indicated the contamination depth to be 1.2 m from the ground surface. These results were also confirmed by borehole analyses (chemical and physical). Chemical tests indicated that the contamination consists of hydrocarbons. The findings demonstrate that ERT can be used to establish a baseline in the assessment of potential hydrocarbon-contaminated sites and is applicable for determining the type and depth of contamination without the need for expensive and tedious boreholes and in-situ and laboratory soil testing.
Several guidelines endorsed the indefinite use warfarin or heparin-containing products for acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment and secondary prevention and discouraged the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) for patients diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). However, adequate anticoagulation despite warfarin therapy remains a challenge in APS patients. Using DOACs in APS patients is seen in clinical practice, despite the lack of evidence to support their use in this population. In this case series, we aim to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of apixaban use in nine patients with primary or secondary APS at King Abdulaziz Medical City (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). All patients presented with APS and received apixaban with or without concomitant antiplatelet. Three patients had double positivity, and two patients had triple positivity of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Some patients tolerated apixaban during the follow-up period, but recurrent VTE and stroke were reported in some of them. Bleeding complications were evident in some cases as well. In conclusion, warfarin remains the best choice to prevent VTE recurrence in patients with APS. On the other side, apixaban use in patients with APS may have some safety and effectiveness concerns evidenced by VTE recurrence and bleeding complications. The safety and effectiveness of utilizing apixaban in APS patients need to be assessed in well-controlled randomized trials.
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