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Biomedical subjects

D N Bateman

Publications and source records attributed to D N Bateman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Paracetamol poisoning in the north east of England: presentation, early management and outcome.

1. Paracetamol is increasingly involved in self-poisoning in the United Kingdom and remains a common cause of fatal poisoning. 2. To document the epidemiology and early management of paracetamol poisoning data were collected on consecutive patients with suspected paracetamol poisoning presenting to 6 hospitals in the North East of England over 12 weeks in 1994. 3. There were 400 presentations (attendance rate 1.14/10(3) population/yr) involving 343 persons (45% male). Paracetamol concentrations at 4 h correlated weakly with reported paracetamol dose (R = 0.49, P < 0.0001) and were similar comparing those treated and not treated by gastric decontamination. 4. In 38 (9%) cases paracetamol concentrations were above the appropriate nomogram treatment line, including 3% and 20% of patients who reported ingesting less than and more than 12 g respectively. In 21 patients acetylcysteine treatment was deferred until admission to the ward, the mean delay involved was 2.8 h. 5. One patient died, from arrhythmias caused by co-ingested dothiepin. 6. Paracetamol poisoning is common. Most cases do not have potentially toxic plasma paracetamol concentrations, but those who do often present late and antidotal treatment may be delayed inappropriately.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1997

Prescribing behaviour in general practice: the impact of promoting therapeutically equivalent cheaper medicines.

BACKGROUND: The volume and cost of prescribing varies considerably between practices. This variation is at least in part due to the prescribing behaviour of individual doctors, who are often faced with a range of therapeutically equivalent generic and brand-name drugs. AIM: To assess the impact on general practitioners' prescribing behaviour of promoting therapeutically equivalent lower cost prescribing in conjunction with an incentive scheme. METHOD: Annual prescribing data from before (1992-93) and after (1993-94) implementation of the incentive scheme were compared retrospectively for general practices in the former Northern Regional Health Authority. Main outcome measures were the practices' 1993-94 rates of prescribing relative to those in 1992-93 for 18 drugs prescribed by brand name, of which 10 were targeted in the promotion, and for 14 drugs or classes of drugs either with equivalent cheaper alternatives or of limited clinical value (10 targeted and four not). RESULTS: For 17 of the 18 drugs, brand name prescribing rates were significantly lower in 1993-94. Reductions in rates were greater for the 10 drugs appearing in the scheme's promotional literature. For other cost-saving measures, total prescribing rates were lower for seven classes of drugs, unchanged for one, but higher for the other six, all of which had been targeted. According to the growth in their overall per capita prescribing costs between the two study years, the 499 practices were categorized as low, average or high. Overall costs and individual prescribing rates for the majority of drugs studied were similar for these three practice groups in 1992-93. In 1993-94, practices' changes in prescribing volume differed between the groups, with the lowest increases in the low cost-growth group for all but one of the 32 classes of drugs. CONCLUSION: Generic substitution was more easily implemented than more complex hints regarding cost-saving substitutions. Practices with smaller overall cost growth were making greater use of cost-beneficial prescribing strategies, whether promoted or otherwise. Simple messages may improve the cost-effectiveness of prescribing in the UK. With information support and encouragement, many prescribers appear to have modified their prescribing habits.

Cost Control↗
PubMed1996

A prescribing incentive scheme for non-fundholding general practices: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a financial incentive scheme on prescribing in non-fundholding general practices. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Non-fundholding general practices in former Northern region in 1993-4. INTERVENTION: Target savings were set for each group of practices; those that achieved them were paid a portion of the savings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Financial performance; prescribing patterns in major therapeutic groups and some specific therapeutic areas; rates of generic prescribing; and performance against a measure of prescribing quality. SUBJECTS: 459 non-fundholding general practices, grouped into three bands according to the ratio of their indicative prescribing amount to the local average (band A > or = 10% above average, B between average and 10% above, C below average). RESULTS: 102 (23%) of 442 practices achieved their target savings (18%, 19%, and 27% of bands A, B, and C respectively). Band C practices that achieved their target had a lower per capita prescribing frequency for gastrointestinal drugs, inhaled steroids, antidepressants, and hormone replacement therapy. There were no other significant differences in prescribing frequency, and no reduction in the quality of prescribing in achieving practices. Total savings of pounds 1.54 m on indicative prescribing amounts were achieved. Payments from the incentive scheme and discretionary quality awards resulted in pounds 463,000 being returned to practices for investment in primary care. CONCLUSIONS: The prescribing behaviour of non-fundholding general practitioners responded to financial incentives in a similar way to that of fundholding practitioners. The incentive scheme did not seem to reduce the quality of prescribing.

Budgets↗
PubMed1996

Concentration-related pharmacodynamic effects of thioridazine and its metabolites in humans.

OBJECTIVE: To measure cardiac and other effects of thioridazine and relate these to the plasma concentration of the parent drug and its principal metabolites. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized-order crossover study involving nine healthy male subjects compared the effects of single doses of thioridazine (10 mg and 50 mg) with placebo. Plasma concentrations of thioridazine and its ring sulfoxide, side-chain sulfoxide, and side-chain sulfone metabolites were measured, together with effects on the ECG, blood pressure, salivary flow, and a batch of psychomotor tests for 72 hours after administration. RESULTS: Thioridazine, 50 mg, reduced standing systolic blood pressure (mean peak changes from baseline [95% CI] -32 mm Hg [-55, 10 mm Hg]; p < 0.01 versus placebo) and diastolic blood pressure (-14 mm Hg [-26, -2 mm Hg]; p < 0.05), increased standing heart rate (7 beats/min [-1, 16 beats/min]; p < 0.05), impaired psychomotor function, and prolonged the JT (20 ms1/2 [7, 34 ms1/2]; p < 0.05), QTa (22 ms1/2 [8, 36 ms1/2]; p < 0.05), and QTc (22 ms1/2 [11, 33 ms1/2]; p < 0.01) intervals, but had no effect on QT dispersion (-12 ms1/2 [-31, 6 ms1/2]). Thioridazine, 1.0 mg, also significantly increased QTc, but the effect was less marked (9 ms1/2 [-1, 19 ms1/2]; p < 0.05). Plasma thioridazine and metabolite concentrations did not correlate significantly with these effects. Maximum effects on QTc occurred after peak concentrations of thioridazine but before peak concentrations of the ring sulfoxide and side-chain sulfone metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that thioridazine has dose-related effects on ventricular repolarization and that the parent drug causes an important proportion of these effects, although its metabolites may also contribute.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Stereoselective cardiotoxic effects of terodiline.

OBJECTIVE: To study the cardiovascular and electrocardiographic (ECG) effects of the R(+)- and S(-)- enantiomers of terodiline. The racemic drug was previously used to treat detrusor instability but was withdrawn after it caused serious ventricular arrhythmias associated with prolongation of the QT interval. METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study was performed that involved nine healthy volunteers who were given single oral doses of racemic terodiline hydrochloride (200 mg), R(+)-terodiline hydrochloride (100 mg), S(-)-terodiline tartrate (100 mg), or placebo. Plasma concentrations of each enantiomer and cardiovascular and ECG effects, including QT intervals and QT dispersion, were measured over 14 days after each treatment. RESULTS: Both racemic and R(+)-terodiline significantly increased QT interval, corrected QT interval (QTc), and QRS duration (all p < 0.05), without affecting QT dispersion. S(-)-Terodiline tartrate (100 mg) did not affect QTc. Peak effects occurred 8 hours after dosing when increases in QTc from baseline (95% confidence intervals) were -3 (-20, 13) for placebo, 23 (8, 37) for racemic terodiline, 19 (6, 33) for R(+)-terodiline, and 0 (-10, 9) ms1/2 for S(-)-terodiline. Although differences were observed between the pharmacokinetics of the two enantiomers, these were not sufficient to account for the differences in ECG effects, and elimination half-lives were similar. Elimination of terodiline enantiomers was not significantly delayed in two genotypic poor metabolizers of debrisoquin (CYP2D6). CONCLUSIONS: QT prolongation associated with racemic terodiline is caused exclusively by the R(+)-enantiomer, which therefore appears to be responsible for the ventricular arrhythmias caused by the drug.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Presentation of poisoned patients to accident and emergency departments in the north of England.

1. A 12 week prospective survey of all patients of any age with confirmed or suspected poisoning presenting to six accident and emergency departments in the North East of England was performed to establish the local incidence and patterns of presentation of poisoning. 2. 945 episodes of poisoning involving 852 patients were recorded representing approximately 1.2% of all A&E presentations and suggesting an annual attendance rate of 2.7 per 1000 persons per year. 3. Attendance rates varied threefold between hospitals and were similar in males and females overall; between the ages of five and 14 attendances were more common in females (1.9 vs 0.6/10(3)/y) while between 0 and 4 y (3.1 vs 2.4) and 25 and 34 y (3.9 vs 2.9/10(3)/y) they were more common in males. 4. The median interval between poisoning and presentation was 2 h (mean 4.1 h) and only 19% of cases presented within 1 h. Presentation was most common between Friday evening and Tuesday morning and in the late afternoon and evening. 5. 6% of the patients presented more than once with poisoning during the study period and 37% had a past history of deliberate self-harm. The most common poisons involved were paracetamol (43%), opioids (15%) and benzodiazepines (15%). 6. The study illustrates the frequency of presentations of poisoning to A&E departments. The high rate of poisoning in young men and the increasing use of paracetamol are particular causes for concern.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1996

Factors affecting hospital admission and length of stay of poisoned patients in the north east of England.

1. Poisoning is a common reason for presentation to hospital and hospital admission but there is no agreed policy for managing these patients. This study examined the management of patients presenting with poisoning and the factors affecting the probability of hospital admission and prolonged stay. 2. Data on all cases of poisoning presenting to six Accident and Emergency departments in the North East of England over 12 weeks in 1994 was collected prospectively from A&E notes. Length of stay and outcome were recorded from hospital computer records. 3. Overall, 73% of patients were admitted to a medical ward. Probability of admission was not independently affected by age or gender but was increased in those with intentional poisoning (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.3 [95% CI 1.8, 6.1]), a history of self harm (OR 1.7, [1.0, 2.9]) or potentially hazardous poisoning (OR 3.7 [2.1, 6.6]). There were significant variations between hospitals (50-80%) which could not be attributed to case mix. 4. Prolonged stay (> 2 nights) was more common in patients over 65 years (OR 6.8 [2.9, 16.1]), those with intentional poisoning (OR 2.7 [1.1, 6.6]) and those with potentially hazardous poisoning (OR 2.6 [1.4, 4.9]). Mean hospital stay was 1.5 days and varied significantly between hospitals from 0.8 to 2.1 days and this was independent of case mix. 5. There are appreciable variations in the management of poisoning between hospitals which are not explained by patient characteristics. Savings would occur if rates of admission and duration of stay were reduced by those hospitals where admission is more frequent or hospital stay is longer. However, the impact of this on long term morbidity is unknown.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Setting standards of prescribing performance in primary care: use of a consensus group of general practitioners and application of standards to practices in the north of England.

BACKGROUND: There is considerable variation in prescribing, and existing standards against which primary care prescribing is routinely judged consist largely of local or national averages. There is thus a need for more sophisticated standards, which must be widely applicable and have credibility among the general practice profession. AIM: A study aimed to develop a range of criteria of prescribing quality, to set standards of performance for these criteria, and apply these standards to practices. METHOD: A consensus group consisting of eight general practitioners and a resource team was convened to develop and define criteria and set standards of prescribing performance using prescribing analyses and cost (PACT) data. The standards were applied to 1992-93 prescribing data from all 518 practices in the former Northern Regional Health Authority. RESULTS: The group developed criteria and set numeric standards for 13 aspects of prescribing performance in four areas: generic prescribing, prescribing within specific therapeutic groups, drugs of limited clinical value and standards based on prescribing volume. Except for generic prescribing, standards for individual criteria were achieved by between 9% and 34% of practices. For each criterion, a score was allocated based on whether the standard was achieved or not. Total scores showed considerable variation between practices. The distribution of scores was similar between fundholding and non-fundholding practices, and also between dispensing and non-dispensing practices. CONCLUSION: Using a consensus group of general practitioners it is possible to agree criteria and standards of prescribing performance. This novel approach offers a professionally driven method for assessing the quality of prescribing in primary care.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed1996

Influences on prescribing in non-fundholding general practices.

BACKGROUND: The experience from general practice fundholding suggests that financial incentives may influence prescribing; guidelines and hospital prescribing are two other suggested influences. AIM: A study was undertaken to establish general practitioners' attitudes to a financial prescribing incentive scheme, the presence and use of guidelines, and the influence of prescribing initiated within secondary care. METHOD: A postal questionnaire survey of non-fundholding general practices in the former Northern Region was conducted. RESULTS: Practices' thinking and subsequent decisions about the incentive prescribing scheme were most often influenced by discussions within the practice (45%). Those practices that achieved their savings under the incentive scheme were less likely than those not achieving savings to feel that the target was not achievable, the time scale was unacceptable, and that the philosophy behind the scheme was unacceptable. Forty-five per cent of practices received advice from neither a medical nor a pharmaceutical adviser; 27% of practices received advice from both, 12% from a medical adviser only and 16% from a pharmaceutical adviser only. Of the practices that tried to make their target savings, 91% intended to increase generic prescribing; fewer than one-third of practices mentioned any other measure. Prescribing guidelines were reported by a minority of practices, although reported rates of use were high when these were present. Clinical guidelines for three conditions, asthma, diabetes and hypertension, were present in more than 50% of practices; 25% of practices had no clinical guidelines. Hospital prescribing was reported as 'always' or 'usually' influencing prescribing for diabetes by 57% of respondents, ischaemic heart disease by 55%, peptic ulceration by 49%, asthma by 42% and hypertension by 39%. CONCLUSIONS: General practitioner prescribing is influenced by a complex web of factors, with no single factor pre-eminent. To understand this area further, there is a need to take each of these areas and ascertain the match between doctors' perceptions and actual practice.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1995

Prescribing of antacids and ulcer-healing drugs in primary care in the north of England.

BACKGROUND: This study describes the pharmaco-epidemiology of ulcer-healing therapies in primary care in the north of England. METHODS: Anonymous patient-specific prescribing data were extracted from computerized general practice records for 41 practices. Prescribing prevalences were determined according to patient age, gender and recorded prescription indication, for both antacids and H2-receptor antagonists or omeprazole. RESULTS: During the year of the study, antacids were prescribed for 3.9% of the study population, and H2-receptor antagonists or omeprazole for 3.7%. Rates increased with age, peaking at 99 (antacids) and 87 (H2-receptor antagonists) per 1000 population aged 65-84 years. Antacid prescribing rates for women were over twice those for men amongst those aged 15-34 years. For H2-receptor antagonists, rates were higher in men than women, with the excess attributable to prescribing for ulcer indications, although at all ages prescribing for oesophagitis was more prevalent among women. Of the patients prescribed H2-receptor antagonists or omeprazole, 45% (accounting for 51% of prescription items) had indications which included peptic ulcer or oesophagitis, 42% had gastritis or dyspepsia only (35% items), and in 13% no peptic indication was recorded. For each of antacids and H2-receptor antagonists, the practices had similar prescribing profiles according to patient age and gender, but their absolute levels differed up to two-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Prescribing of antacids and ulcer-healing drugs varies systematically with patient age and gender. Consequently, evaluation of crude prescribing rates, without reference to patient demography, is unreliable as a guide to levels of usage. In general practice, H2-receptor antagonists and omeprazole appear to be over-prescribed for minor indications.

Adolescent↗