The Contribution of National Spontaneous Reporting Systems to Detect Signals of Torsadogenicity: Issues Emerging from the ARITMO Project

Mapping Strategies to Assess and Increase the Validity of Published Disproportionality Signals: A Meta-Research Study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Disproportionality analysis is traditionally used in spontaneous reporting systems to generate working hypotheses about potential adverse drug reactions: the so-called disproportionality signals. We aim to map the methods used by researchers to assess and increase the validity of their published disproportionality signals.

METHODS

From a systematic literature search of published disproportionality analyses up until 1 January 2020, we randomly selected and analyzed 100 studies. We considered five domains: (1) rationale for the study, (2) design of disproportionality analyses, (3) case-by-case assessment, (4) use of complementary data sources, and (5) contextualization of the results within existing evidence.

RESULTS

Among the articles, multiple strategies were adopted to assess and enhance the results validity. The rationale, in 95 articles, was explicitly referred to the accrued evidence, mostly observational data (n = 46) and regulatory documents (n = 45). A statistical adjustment was performed in 34 studies, and specific strategies to correct for biases were implemented in 33 studies. A case-by-case assessment was complementarily performed in 35 studies, most often by investigating temporal plausibility (n = 26). Complementary data sources were used in 25 articles. In 78 articles, results were contextualized using accrued evidence from the literature and regulatory documents, the most important sources being observational (n = 45), other disproportionalities (n = 37), and case reports (n = 36).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-research study highlighted the heterogeneity in methods and strategies used by researchers to assess the validity of disproportionality signals. Mapping these strategies is a first step towards testing their utility in different scenarios and developing guidelines for designing future disproportionality analysis.

Characteristics of voluntary reporting of adverse drug events related to antipsychotics in Australia: 14-year analysis

BACKGROUND

Retrospective analyses of large databases of treated patients can provide useful links to the presence of drug misuse or rare and infrequent adverse effects, such as agranulocytosis, diabetic ketoacidosis or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The aim of this study is to describe the adverse effects to antipsychotics reported in the Australian Database of Adverse Event Notifications (DAEN).

METHODS

Data were collected from the DAEN - a spontaneous reporting database. The database, which covered the period from January 2004 to December 2017, was obtained from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website (www.TGA.gov). The drugs selected for this investigation are the following: aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, paliperidone, risperidone, ziprasidone, quetiapine, haloperidol and pimozide. All data were analysed descriptively. Comparison of reporting and management of adverse events between adults (older than 20 years) and children (5-19 years) was undertaken using chi squared test, where p < 0.05 is significant.

RESULTS

A total of 7122 adverse events associated with the antipsychotics aripiprazole, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, paliperidone, pimozide, quetiapine and risperidone were reported to the TGA between January 2004 and December 2017. On average, there were 2.6 adverse events reported for each case. The most common adverse event reported for antipsychotics was neuroleptic malignant syndrome. There were no significant differences in the number of co-medications, formulations, indications, therapeutic dose, hospital admission and overdose among the antipsychotics between paediatric and adult populations. However, there were significant differences between causality, death and the management of adverse events between adult and paediatric populations (5-19 years) (p < 0.05, chi squared test).

CONCLUSION

The antipsychotic drug associated with the highest adverse events in adults was clozapine, followed by olanzapine. The most common adverse event in adults, and reported with a number of antipsychotic drugs, was neuroleptic malignant syndrome. In children, the highest numbers of adverse events reported in the database were associated with risperidone, clozapine and olanzapine.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

Adverse events reported of antipsychoticsBackground: Retrospective analyses of large databases of treated patients can provide useful clues to the presence of drug misuse or rare and infrequent adverse effects associated with antipsychotics. The drugs selected for this investigation are the following: aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, paliperidone, risperidone, ziprasidone, quetiapine, haloperidol and pimozide.Methods: All data were analysed descriptively and investigated for any associations between the variables collected. Comparison of reporting and management of adverse events between adults (older than 20 years) and children (5-19 years) was undertaken using chi squared test, where p < 0.05 is significant.Results: The antipsychotic drug associated with the highest adverse events was clozapine, followed by olanzapine. In children, the highest numbers of adverse events reported in the database were associated with risperidone, clozapine and olanzapine. The most common adverse event in adults, and reported with a number of antipsychotic drugs, was neuroleptic malignant syndrome.Conclusion: There were significant differences between causality, death and the management of adverse events between adult and paediatric populations (5-19 years).Keywords: Antipsychotics, adverse effects, adverse events, safety.

Assessment of adverse reactions to α-lipoic acid containing dietary supplements through spontaneous reporting systems

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)-containing dietary supplements are widely used in clinical practice, although their safety assessment is under-investigated. We characterize the safety profile of ALA-containing products by analysing spontaneous reports of suspected adverse reactions (ARs).

METHODS

Suspected ARs to ALA-containing products were extracted from the Italian Phytovigilance System (IPS), and scrutinized in terms of seriousness and causality (through WHO UMC system), with a specific focus on important (IMEs) and designated medical events (DMEs). To characterize the reporting profile from an international perspective, the WHO-VigiBase was also queried.

RESULTS

From March 2002 to February 2020, out of 2147 total reports, 116 reports concerning 212 ARs to ALA-containing products were collected. Women were involved in 68.1% of cases. Skin (44.9%) and gastrointestinal disorders (10.8%) were the most frequently represented ARs. Causality assessment resulted as definite (15), probable (35), possible (24), unlikely (5), and unclassifiable (37). In 70% of cases, events occurred within 30 days of ALA use. Forty-five reports were serious (38.8%), being insulin autoimmune syndrome the most frequently reported (N = 10). IMEs were recorded in 20 cases, including four DMEs (3 angioedema and one anaphylactic shock). Similar distribution emerged from the 5641 reports in the WHO-VigiBase.

CONCLUSIONS

The remarkable reporting of unpredictable skin, immune and hepatic ARs, coupled with seriousness, strong causality and early onset, calls for a) careful risk-benefit assessment of ALA-containing products by regulators; b) awareness and monitoring by clinicians and c) continuous vigilance of their safety profile through valuable spontaneous reporting systems such as IPS.

Antipruritic Placebo Effects by Conditioning H1-antihistamine

OBJECTIVE

Allergic rhinitis symptoms can be reduced by behaviorally conditioning antihistamine. It is unclear whether these findings extend to histamine-induced itch or work when participants are informed about the conditioning procedure (open-label conditioning). The current study aims to investigate the efficacy of (open-label) antipruritic behavioral conditioning for histamine-induced itch.

METHODS

Healthy participants (n = 92; 84% female) were randomized to I) an open-label conditioned, II) closed-label conditioned, III) conditioned-not-evoked control, or IV) nonconditioned control group. A two-phase conditioning paradigm was used. During acquisition, a conditioned stimulus (CS; distinctively tasting beverage) was repeatedly paired with the H1-antihistamine levocetirizine (groups I-III). During evocation, the CS was paired with placebo (I, II), or instead of the CS, water was paired with placebo (III). The nonconditioned control group (IV) received CS with placebo in both phases. Itch after histamine iontophoresis and physiological data (i.e., spirometry, heart rate, skin conductance) were assessed. Combined conditioned and combined control groups were first compared, and analyses were repeated for separate groups.

RESULTS

Marginally lower itch was reported in the combined conditioned compared with the control groups (F(1,88) = 2.10, p = .076, ηpartial = 0.02); no differences between separate groups were found. No effects on physiological data were found, except for heart rate, which reduced significantly and consistently for control groups, and less consistently for conditioned groups (group by time interaction: F(7,80) = 2.35, p = .031, ηpartial = 0.17).

CONCLUSION

Limited support was found for the efficacy of antipruritic behavioral conditioning, regardless of whether participants were informed about the conditioning procedure. The application of open-label conditioning in patient populations should be further researched.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.trialregister.nl; ID NTR5544.

Lessons to be Learnt from Real-World Studies on Immune-Related Adverse Events with Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Clinical Perspective from Pharmacovigilance

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) caused a paradigm shift both in drug development and clinical practice; however, by virtue of their mechanism of action, the excessively activated immune system results in a multitude of off-target toxicities, the so-called immune-related adverse events (irAEs), requiring new skills for timely diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach to successfully manage the patients. In the recent past, a plethora of large-scale pharmacovigilance analyses have characterized various irAEs in terms of spectrum and clinical features in the real world. This review aims to summarize and critically appraise the current landscape of pharmacovigilance studies, thus deriving take-home messages for oncologists. A brief primer to study design, conduction, and data interpretation is also offered. As of February 2020, 30 real-world postmarketing studies have characterized multiple irAEs through international spontaneous reporting systems, namely WHO Vigibase and the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System. The majority of studies investigated a single irAE and provided new epidemiological evidence about class-specific patterns of irAEs (i.e. anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 [CTLA-4] versus anti-programmed cell death 1 [PD-1] receptor, and its ligand [PD-L1]), kinetics of appearance, co-occurrences (overlap) among irAEs, and fatality rate. Oncologists should be aware of both strengths and limitations of these pharmacovigilance analyses, especially in terms of data interpretation. Optimal management (including rechallenge), predictivity of irAEs (as potential biomarkers of effectiveness), and comparative safety of ICIs (also in terms of combination regimens) represent key research priorities for next-generation real-world studies.

Effects of antidepressants on QT interval in people with mental disorders

INTRODUCTION

Drug-induced QT prolongation is associated with higher cardiovascular mortality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a protocol-based comprehensive review of antidepressant-induced QT prolongation in people with mental disorders.

RESULTS

Based on findings from 47 published randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 3 unpublished RCTs, 14 observational studies, 662 case reports of torsades de pointes, and 168 cases of QT prolongation, we conclude that all antidepressants should be used only with licensed doses, and that all patients receiving antidepressants require monitoring of QT prolongation and clinical symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias. Large observational studies suggest increased mortality associated with all antidepressants (RR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.60-1.63, number of adults: 1,716,552), high doses of tricyclic antidepressants (OR = 2.11, 85% CI 1.10-4.22), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.24-6.24), venlafaxine (OR = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.33-10.45, number of adults: 4,040), and nortriptyline (OR = 4.60, 95% CI: 1.20-18.40, number of adults: 5,298).

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence regarding the risk of QT prolongation in children is sparse.

Relationship between adverse drug reactions to antibacterial agents and the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing (KPC) Klebsiella pneumoniae outbreak: insight from a pharmacovigilance study

BACKGROUND

The management of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase producing (KPC) infections represents a major challenge. Several safety and efficacy concerns are shared by available antibiotics used in KPC infections, leading to the occurrence of serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs), with ceftazidime-avibactam possibly showing a more favourable risk-benefit profile. We investigated the potential impact of resistance on ADR reports in countries with different prevalence of KPC isolates (Italy vs. United Kingdom [UK]), and described safety profile of newer and older antibiotics used in KPC infections.

METHODS

Three spontaneous reporting systems (SRSs) with different features (Italy, UK and worldwide FAERS) were used to describe safety profiles of colistin, meropenem, tigecycline, gentamicin and ceftazidime-avibactam in terms of System Organ Class and Preferred Term level. ADRs were plotted with prevalence of KPC isolates in Italy and UK. A comparison between before-after the KPC outbreak period (1999-2008 vs. 2009-2018) of overall and serious ADRs for selected antibiotics in each SRS was performed. Relationship between total and serious number of ADR reports per year and KPC isolates per year after KPC outbreak (2009-2017) was investigated for both Italy and UK.

RESULTS

A total of 16,329 ADR reports were collected in the three SRSs, with meropenem (42.6%) and gentamicin (36.9%) having the highest number of reports. Significant increase in total and serious ADR reports after the KPC outbreak compared to previous 10 years was found for colistin, meropenem and gentamicin (p < 0.01). No significant increase in tigecycline ADRs was reported in FAERS and UK database. Unexpected safety signals involving selected antibiotics were not detected. Significant positive relationship between overall and serious ADR reports and KPC isolates per year for both Italy (p < 0.01; p = 0.005) and UK (p = 0.032; p = 0.013) was found.

CONCLUSION

KPC outbreak led to significant increase in ADRs to selected antibiotics, and a close relationship with antimicrobial resistance was found, both in countries with high and low resistance rate. New safety signals were not detected for selected agents. Active surveillance should be maintained to promptly identify unexpected safety issues.

Adverse Events Following Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella Vaccination and the Case of Seizures: A Post Marketing Active Surveillance in Puglia Italian Region, 2017-2018

Since 2012, the Italian Ministry of Health has recommended to improve the surveillance of adverse events following the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) tetravalent vaccine that was provided in the official immunization schedule of some Italian regions for children during the second year of life. This recommendation was based on data from some surveys that showed an additional risk of seizure following the administration of this vaccine. Responding to the Ministry commitment, the Puglia Region launched, from May 2017 to November 2018, a post-marketing active surveillance program of adverse events following MMRV immunization (AEFIs). Immunized children (second year of life) were enrolled on a voluntary basis, AEFIs diaries were used, and their parents were interviewed 25 days after the immunization. There were 2540 children enrolled; 2149/2540 (84.6%) completed the post-vaccination follow-up. Of these, 992 AEFIs were registered with a reporting rate of 46.2 × 100 doses: 883/992 (89.0%) AEFIs were not serious, while 109/992 (11.0%) were serious. For serious AEFIs, the evaluation of causality assessment was performed using the algorithm proposed by the World Health Organisation (WHO): 82/109 consistent causal associations to MMRV immunization were detected (reporting rate of consistent AEFIs: 3.8 × 100 follow-up). All serious AEFIs consistently associated with immunization resulted completely resolved at the follow-up. The reporting rate of seizure consistently associated with immunization was 0.05 × 100, lower than data previous published in the literature that did not report the causality assessment. Because no emerging signals were detected, our data from the active surveillance program confirmed the safety profile of the MMRV vaccine.

Drug-induced life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death: A clinical perspective of long QT, short QT and Brugada syndromes

Sudden cardiac death is a major public health challenge, which can be caused by genetic or acquired structural or electrophysiological abnormalities. These abnormalities include hereditary channelopathies: long QT, short QT and Brugada syndromes. These syndromes are a notable concern, particularly in young people, due to their high propensity for severe ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Current evidence suggests the involvement of an increasing number of drugs in acquired forms of long QT and Brugada syndromes. However, drug-induced short QT syndrome is still a rarely reported condition. Therefore, there has been speculation on its clinical significance, since few fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death cases have been described so far. Drug-induced proarrhythmia is a growing challenge for physicians, regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical industry. Physicians should weigh the risks of potentially fatal outcomes against the therapeutic benefits, when making decisions about drug prescriptions. Growing concerns about its safety and the need for more accurate predictive models for drug-induced fatal outcomes justify further research in these fields. The aim of this article is to comprehensively and critically review the recently published evidence with regard to drug-induced life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. This article will take into account the provision of data to physicians that are useful in the identification of the culprit drugs, and thus, contribute to the prompt recognition and management of these serious clinical conditions.

Effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs on QT interval in patients with mental disorders

Background

Drug-induced QT prolongation is associated with higher risk of cardiac arrhythmias and cardiovascular mortality. We investigated the effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs on QT interval in children and adults with mental disorders.

Methods

We conducted random-effects direct frequentist meta-analyses of aggregate data from randomized controlled trials (RCT) and appraised the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Our search in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, and PharmaPendium up to October 2017 identified studies that examined aripiprazole, quetiapine, risperidone, olanzapine, ziprasidone and brexpiprazole.

Results

Low quality evidence suggests that aripiprazole (four meta-analyses and twelve RCTs), brexpiprazole (one systematic review and four RCTs) or olanzapine (five meta-analyses and twenty RCTs) do not increase QT interval. Low quality evidence suggests that ziprasidone (five meta-analyses and 11 RCTs) increases QT interval and the rates of QT prolongation while risperidone (four meta-analyses, 70 RCTs) and quetiapine (two meta-analyses and seven RCTs) are associated with QT prolongation and greater odds of torsades de pointes ventricular tachycardia especially in cases of drug overdose.

Conclusions

The main conclusion of our study is that in people with mental disorders and under treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs, in order to avoid QT prolongation and reduce the risk of ventricular tachycardia clinicians may recommend aripiprazole, brexpiprazole or olanzapine in licensed doses. Long-term comparative safety needs to be established.