SummaryBackground: The complexity of pharmacotherapy is a result of a multiplicity of prescribed regimen factors, including the number of different drugs in the regimen, the number of dosage units per dose, the total number of prescribed doses per day and administration instructions. The Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) is a specific, reliable and valid tool used to measure the complexity of pharmacotherapy, originally developed in English language.

PF of type 2 diabetic patients in community pharmacies can improve the glycaemia control of patients through optimisation of medication profiles without significant changes in either the number of drugs used or the regimen complexity.

Translation to portuguese and Validation of the Diabetes Quality Of life Measure (DQOl-Brazil). Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of Brazilian version of Diabetes Quality of Life measure (DQoL-Brazil). Methods: The DQOL was translate to Portuguese, following a recommended protocol, and applied to 121 subjects (56.2% females) with average diagnostic to type 2 diabetes of 8.1 (SD=7.13) years, (range 32-89 years old). Results: The translated measure showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92). A positive correlation (p < 0.01) was found between all the items and their scales and the total score of instrument, except in the items 18 and 35. These items were excluded from the translated version of DQoL. In concurrent validity analysis, patients with HbA1C higher than 9% presented a significantly higher (p = 0.01) total score for DQoL. Conclusion: DQoL-Brazil presents reliability and validity to be used in type 2 diabetes adult patients. (Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab 2008; 52/3:515-522)

The quality of published reviews varies from moderate to poor. Improvements in the study design can be achieved by following specific recommendations, such as clearly describing the methods, performing the data extraction in duplicate, researching at least two databases, listing the included and excluded studies, employing tables with the main studies data and evaluating and reporting the scientific quality of the included articles.

BACKGROUND:Isotretinoin has been used to treat the most severe cases of acne; however, it may provoke adverse events in mucocutaneous and hepatic tissues, lead to alterations in lipid levels and cause teratogenicity. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the profile of changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride levels in patients who had been treated with oral isotretinoin dispensed by the São Mateus/ES pharmacy for special drugs. METHODS: A retrospective, observational, longitudinal study was conducted by carrying out a secondary analysis of each patient's data. RESULTS: Of the 130 patients who received isotretinoin between January and December 2009, only 70 were actually treated for 3 months or more and handed in the results of their laboratory tests. Of these 70 patients, 39 (55.7%) were female. The mean age of the women (23.9 years) was higher than the mean age of the men (20.1 years). There was a statistically significant increase in the levels of triglycerides (87.01 ± 48.25 versus 105.32 ± 48.76 mg/dL), AST (20.44 ± 6.26 versus 24.38 ± 11.92 U/L) and ALT (18.24 ± 8.31 versus 23.34 ± 20.03 U/L) performed prior to and 3 months or more after oral isotretinoin treatment. After treatment with oral isotretinoin, triglyceride levels had increased beyond the normal range in 11% of the patients, while 8.6% had elevated AST levels and 7.3% had increased ALT levels. CONCLUSION:The results in this population show that the use of oral isotretinoin for the treatment of acne may result in altered triglyceride, AST and ALT levels. These findings are in accordance with data published previously in the scientific literature, confirming the need to monitor these patients. Keywords: Acne vulgaris; Aminotransferases; Dermatologic agents; Isotretinoin; Triglycerides Resumo: FUNDAMENTOS: A isotretinoína tem sido usada no tratamento dos casos mais graves de acne, embora possa induzir reações adversas nos tecidos mucocutâneos e hepáticos, alterações nos níveis lipídicos e teratogenicidade. OBJETIVOS: Este estudo avaliou o perfil de alterações nas concentrações de Alanina Aminotransferrase, Aspartato Aminotransferrase e triglicerídeos em pacientes que fizeram uso de isotretinoína oral fornecida pelo serviço Farmácia de Medicamentos Excepcionais de São Mateus/ES. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo observacional longitudinal exploratório retrospectivo, utilizando coleta de dados secundários de cada paciente. Resultados: Dos 130 pacientes que receberam isotretinoína no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2009, somente 70 realizaram o tratamento por 3 meses ou mais e apresentaram os resultados dos exames. Desses 70 pacientes, 39 (55,7%) eram do sexo feminino. A média de idade das mulheres (23,9 anos) foi maior do que a média de idade dos homens (20,1 anos). Houve aumento estatisticamente significante nas dosagens de triglicerídeos (87,01±48,25 versus 105,32 ± 48,76), Aspartato Aminotransferrase (20,44 ± 6,26 versus 24,38 ± 11,92) e Alanina Aminotransferrase (18,24 ...