Use of chronic medications and risk of death due to COVID-19 in hospitalised patients

Assessing medication use patterns by clinical outcomes severity among inpatients with COVID-19: A retrospective drug utilization study

PURPOSE

This study assessed medication patterns for inpatients at a central hospital in Portugal and explored their relationships with clinical outcomes in COVID-19 cases.

METHODS

A retrospective study analyzed inpatient medication data, coded using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system, from electronic patient records. It investigated the association between medications and clinical severity outcomes such as ICU admissions, respiratory/circulatory support needs, and hospital discharge status, including mortality (identified by ICD-10-CM/PCS codes). Multivariate analyses incorporating demographic data and comorbidities were used to adjust for potential confounders and understand the impact of medication patterns on disease progression and outcomes.

RESULTS

The analysis of 2688 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (55.3% male, average age 62.8 years) revealed a significant correlation between medication types and intensity and disease severity. Cases requiring ICU admission or ECMO support often involved blood and blood-forming organ drugs. Increased use of nervous system and genitourinary hormones was observed in nonsurvivors. Corticosteroids, like dexamethasone, were common in critically ill patients, while tocilizumab was used in ECMO cases. Medications for the alimentary tract, metabolism, and cardiovascular system, although widely prescribed, were linked to more severe cases. Invasive mechanical ventilation correlated with higher usage of systemic anti-infectives and musculoskeletal medications. Trends in co-prescribing blood-forming drugs with those for acid-related disorders, analgesics, and antibacterials were associated with intensive interventions and worse outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights complex medication regimens in managing severe COVID-19, underscoring specific drug patterns associated with critical health outcomes. Further research is needed to explore these patterns.

Molecular structure, spectral analysis and chemical activity of sabizabulin: A computational study

In this study, a detailed computational spectroscopic investigation of sabizabulin, a small molecule known as a tubulin inhibitor with potential antineoplastic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities, has been presented. Our work utilizes Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to explore molecular optimization, thermodynamic characteristics, and the analysis of normal modes with vibrational assignments. We calculate essential properties such as standard zero-point vibrational energy, entropy, dipole moment, etc., based on data extracted from the optimized molecular structure. Additionally, we examine Mulliken charges and the Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) plot to comprehend the electronic distribution and chemical activity of sabizabulin. Our findings provide valuable insights into the spectroscopic properties of sabizabulin, highlighting its potential therapeutic applications. Our work aims to explore future research directions that could expand the understanding of sabizabulin's actions and enhance its applicability in medical treatments.