Which age group in the U.S. had the highest percent increase in suicides from 2021 to 2022?
45-64 years
25-44 years
10-24 years
≥65 years
You are correct. CDC reports that there were 10,433 deaths from suicide from 2021 to 2022 in the U.S. for persons ≥65 years, an 8.1% increase from the previous year.

There were 15,632 suicides among persons ages 45-64 and 16,843 suicides for persons ages 25-44, a 6.6% and 0.7% increase respectively, from the previous year.

In contrast, the number of deaths by suicide—6,529—decreased 8.4% for persons ages 10-24.
(PubMed)—A 52-yo man w/ cyanotic congenital heart dz, complicated by Eisenmenger syndrome, functional New York Heart Assn class II-III, and recurrent SVT, presented to the ED w/ bradycardia of 30 bpm. Resting ECG showed sinus arrest. Previously, the pt was well controlled on medical tx alone. Ultimately, a temporary pacemaker was needed x3 days until cardiac sx stabilized. Other conditions: chronic HCV (genotype 1B), primary biliary cholangiopathy, hypothyroidism, and chronic kidney dz (KDIGO 2). PMHx: HAV, HBV, TB. Current meds: allopurinol, amiodarone, ferric hydroxide, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, levothyroxine, metoprolol, sildenafil, torsemide, and ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol).

Which drug combo may have led to serious bradycardia and sinus arrest?
amiodarone and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir
allopurinol and torsemide
levothyroxine and ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol)
ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and torsemide
amiodarone and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir
You are correct. While awaiting cardiologist approval to hold amiodarone or switch to an alternative drug (which was recommended to avoid this potentially serious interaction), the pt inadvertently took a dose of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir while still taking amiodarone. This combo likely caused severe bradycardia and sinus arrest. Coadministration of amiodarone and sofosbuvir is not recommended w/o close ECG monitoring.

Of note, the pt’s worsening hepatitis C was later successfully treated using elbasvir/grazoprevir x12wk. This did not appear to significantly impact his concurrent amiodarone tx, as demonstrated by stable ECG results.

Source article: Weiss L, Wustmann K, Semmo M, Schwerzmann M, Semmo N. Elbasvir/grazoprevir, an alternative in antiviral hepatitis C therapy in patients under amiodarone treatment. Case Rep Gastroenterol. 2018 Jan-Apr; 12(1): 92–98. Published online 2018 Feb 21. doi: 10.1159/000486951. More info is available in the free full-text Case Rep Gastroenterol article PDF at PubMed Central.
By rray, 11 August, 2023
By rray, 11 August, 2023
By rray, 11 August, 2023
By rray, 11 August, 2023