PS-113 Biological treatment alerts project in rheumatology patients’ electronic records

Abstract

BackgroundBiological treatments are responsible for numerous side effects, some of which can trigger a medical consultation by the patient in primary care. When these drugs are prescribed and dispensed, the process is not reflected in the patient’s records so the primary care physician does not know which patients are treated with these drugs.PurposeTo describe the impact of a care model that puts alerts in electronic records to enable primary care physicians to identify rheumatology patients on biological treatment and their associated adverse reactions.Material and methodsA retrospective observational study of patients from the Rheumatology Unit on biological treatment and analysis of the most frequent adverse reactions produced by these drugs that could cause a consultation in primary care. The study period was one year (October 2013–September 2014). A search of adverse events classified as very common (≥1/10 patients) of each drug and the number of patients identified in the APD-ATHOS program was conducted.ResultsA total of 7 drugs was identified and 461 patients were treated. The most-used drugs were etanercept (N = 209, 45.3%) and adalimumab (N = 172, 37.3%). Adverse reactions that would have had a higher frequency of occurrence and could generate a consultation in primary care were: respiratory tract infections (N = 48, 10.4%), hypercholesterolemia (N = 22.5, 4.9%), headache (N = 20, 4.3%), leukopenia (N = 17.2, 3.7%), nausea (N = 17.2, 3.7%), rash (N = 17.2, 3.7%), musculoskeletal pain (N = 17.2, 3.7%), increased liver enzymes (N = 3.9, 0.8%). A total of 163 patients might present one of these adverse reactions.ConclusionA high number of patients could benefit from alerts, as they provide primary care professionals with relevant information about common adverse events.ReferenceGutiérrez Fernández D, Foncubierta Fernández A, Anguita Carazo JL. Adalimumab desensitization protocol in a patient with a generalized urticarial reaction and angioedema following adalimumab administration. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2014;24(4):273–5No conflict of interest.