Development of an erythropoietin prescription simulator to improve abilities for the prescription of erythropoietin stimulating agents: is it feasible?

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_91D485102A92
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Development of an erythropoietin prescription simulator to improve abilities for the prescription of erythropoietin stimulating agents: is it feasible?
Journal
Bmc Nephrology
Author(s)
Gabutti L., Nobile F., Forni V., Rigamonti F., Weibel N., Burnier M.
ISSN
1471-2369 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1471-2369
Publication state
Published
Issued date
02/2011
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
12
Pages
11
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The increasing use of erythropoietins with long half-lives and the tendency to lengthen the administration interval to monthly injections call for raising awareness on the pharmacokinetics and risks of new erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESA). Their pharmacodynamic complexity and individual variability limit the possibility of attaining comprehensive clinical experience. In order to help physicians acquiring prescription abilities, we have built a prescription computer model to be used both as a simulator and education tool.
METHODS: The pharmacokinetic computer model was developed using Visual Basic on Excel and tested with 3 different ESA half-lives (24, 48 and 138 hours) and 2 administration intervals (weekly vs. monthly). Two groups of 25 nephrologists were exposed to the six randomised combinations of half-life and administration interval. They were asked to achieve and maintain, as precisely as possible, the haemoglobin target of 11-12 g/dL in a simulated naïve patient. Each simulation was repeated twice, with or without randomly generated bleeding episodes.
RESULTS: The simulation using an ESA with a half-life of 138 hours, administered monthly, compared to the other combinations of half-lives and administration intervals, showed an overshooting tendency (percentages of Hb values > 13 g/dL 15.8 ± 18.3 vs. 6.9 ± 12.2; P < 0.01), which was quickly corrected with experience. The prescription ability appeared to be optimal with a 24 hour half-life and weekly administration (ability score indexing values in the target 1.52 ± 0.70 vs. 1.24 ± 0.37; P < 0.05). The monthly prescription interval, as suggested in the literature, was accompanied by less therapeutic adjustments (4.9 ± 2.2 vs. 8.2 ± 4.9; P < 0.001); a direct correlation between haemoglobin variability and number of therapy modifications was found (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Computer-based simulations can be a useful tool for improving ESA prescription abilities among nephrologists by raising awareness about the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the various ESAs and recognizing the factors that influence haemoglobin variability.
Keywords
Computer Simulation, Erythropoietin/administration & dosage, Erythropoietin/pharmacokinetics, Feasibility Studies, Hemoglobins/drug effects, Humans, Models, Biological, Prescriptions
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
23/03/2012 11:54
Last modification date
21/11/2022 8:22
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