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The objective of this study was to study the correlation between statements made by injecting drug users (IDUs) and the analytical observation of their used syringes, with regard to needle and syringe non-sharing and HIV serology. A survey was carried out on 137 IDUs participating in different needle exchange programmes (NEPs) throughout the Basque Autonomous Community (BAC). The used syringe they handed over in exchange for a new one was kept to study the 'DNA fingerprint' and the presence of HIV. The DNA fingerprint carried on 123 syringes belonging to different injectors who stated that they had not shared them with other IDUs, confirmed that this was so in 98% of the cases. HIV analysis was applied to the 137 syringes and 63 (46%) had HIV antibodies. The consistency was 89% for the cases who voluntarily declared themselves to be HIV-positive and 76% for the cases who declared themselves to be HIV-negative. For the unknown cases, six (31.6%) syringes were HIV-positive. This study supports the validity and reliability of the surveys, based on statements made by the IDUs themselves, on their behaviour. The prevalence of HIV infection in the IDU population must be based on detection of antibodies against HIV.

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Background Inhaled antibiotics are increasingly used in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis as off-label treatment, without quantifiable effectiveness. Patients’perspective is an important part of healthcare quality. Due to internal procedures the pharmacy service supervises off-label treatments. Purpose To explore in a group of patients suffering from bronchiectasis, their perception of their last year and their current health status. Materials and methods Prospective study based on a survey given to patients treated with inhaled colistimethate for last year at least. Surveys were delivered between October 2012 and June 2013 containing 10 items about their current health status and the perceived changes in their physical and mental health during last year. A four-point scale was used for all questions (1 = never/poor health; 2 = sometimes/regular health; 3 = usually/good health; 4 = always/very good health). Colistimethate was dispensed once a month at the pharmacy service and the procedure for completing the survey was explained by a clinical pharmacist. The questionnaire could be completed by the patient himself or by a caregiver. Results 97 questionnaires were delivered, 67 (69%) were returned: 40 (41%) were useful and 27 weren’t completely filled in. Mean age was 72 years (32–93). 82.5% of patients referred to having bad or moderate health, however 52% believed their health was better than the previous year. During the last year 48% of patients had to reduce the working time (always) and 78% had less activity than desired (always) while 43% never or sometimes had difficulty performing certain activities. 72% had a perception of bad or very bad health, and almost all (95%) believed that their health was going to get worse. Relating to mental health 93% felt calm and quiet and only 40% never had moments of discouragement or depression. Conclusions It’s difficult to measure health benefits in chronic degenerative diseases. Despite their situation half of our patients believed their health had improved during last year. No conflict of interest.

BackgroundA drug adjustment programme for patients with renal disease was started in 2013 in our hospital.In this system, information from the electronic prescription programme is linked (using an Access application) with information sent by the laboratory (creatinine) and with a list of drugs that may require renal adjustment. Afterwards, an adjustment warning for the physician is added to the electronic prescription programme.PurposeTo assess the acceptance by the physicians of pharmaceutical interventions in drug dosing in renal disease.Material and methodsThis prospective descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary university hospital with 1,200 beds. The study period was 39 days (from January 21st to March 20th, 2014).The pharmaceutical interventions were recorded during daily practice.The following data were collected: date of pharmaceutical intervention, clinical chart number, medical service, age, sex, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, adjusted drug, adjustment warning.Finally, the degree of acceptance of these interventions by the physicians was reviewed.ResultsDuring the study period, 153 patients (mean age 75.3 years, 78 male and 75 female) were included and 271 renal adjustment interventions were performed (mean: 7 interventions per day).The degree of acceptance of the interventions was: accepted 84 (31.0%), partially accepted 25 (9.2%), not assessable 49 (18.1%), not accepted 112 (41.3%) and other (not an appropriate intervention) 1 (0.4%). Excluding not assessable and inappropriate interventions (finally 221 interventions), the result was: accepted 84 (38.0%), partially accepted 25 (11.3%) and not accepted 112 (50.7%).ConclusionThe acceptance of pharmaceutical interventions by the physicians is approximately 40%, which is relatively low. One of the reasons of this low acceptance could be the location of the adjustment warning.Finally, it is necessary to consider what could be done to improve the acceptance of this type of pharmaceutical interventions.References and/or AcknowledgementsNo conflict of interest.

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Background Drug dosage modifications are a common clinical practise regarding Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blockers, using posologies not specified on the authorised product information summary. This practise has a significant financial impact on the healthcare system. Purpose To revise and investigate actual drug dosages in our Hospital’s rheumatology service for conventional TNF blockers. Materials and Methods The Pharmacy Service analysed the internal data record for rheumatology patients treated during April 2012 and for at least one year with infliximab (IFX), etanercept (ETN) or adalimumab (ADA). Off-label indications were excluded. Therapeutic indication, initial and current posology were recorded. Results Number of patients by drug; IFX ETN ADA 128 152 121 Number of patients by indication: RA AS PA JIA 208 109 79 5 RA: Rheumatoid arthritis, AS Ankylosing spondylitis, PA psoriatic arthritis, JIA: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis Regarding posology, 261 patients (65%) were on a conventional dose (CD), 93 (23%) on a reduced dose (DR) and 47 (12%) on an increased dose (DI) Percentage of patients by drug on CD, DR or DI was; Treatment/posology CD DR DI IFX 33% 35% 32% ETN 79% 21% – ADA 82% 14% 4% Percentage of patients by indication was; Indication/posology CD DR DI RA 65% 19% 16% AS 59% 32% 9% PA 72% 24% 4% JIA 80% 20% – Conclusions Only 65% of patients using TNF blockers on rheumatology use a CD while a quarter of them have a reduced posology. Infliximab is the drug that requires more dosage modifications, on almost 2/3 of patients. AS and PA are the indications that allow more DR. Drug dosage revisions at the end of the first year of treatment allow an important number of patients to reduce their dose while controlling their disease and it is a relevant efficacy instrument. No conflict of interest.