QPDP Glossary

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are a family of liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing approximately 75% of all medications. Genetic variants in CYP450 genes significantly affect drug metabolism rates.

Classification of an individual's drug metabolism rate based on genetic variants. Categories include ultrarapid, normal, intermediate, and poor metabolizers, each requiring different dosing strategies.

The study of how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs. PK parameters include bioavailability, half-life, clearance, and volume of distribution.

The study of how drugs affect the body, including therapeutic effects and adverse reactions. PD is influenced by receptor sensitivity, signal transduction, and physiological response.

The combination of two alleles (one from each parent) for a specific gene. Diplotypes determine metabolizer status for pharmacogenes like CYP2D6.

When one drug affects the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of another drug, potentially altering efficacy or toxicity. DDIs can be pharmacokinetic (affecting absorption, metabolism, excretion) or pharmacodynamic (affecting drug action).

The concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, typically defined as 5 or more drugs. Polypharmacy increases the risk of drug interactions, adverse events, and medication non-adherence.

When a drug increases the expression or activity of metabolic enzymes, leading to faster metabolism of other drugs. Induction typically takes days to weeks to develop and resolve.

When a drug decreases the activity of metabolic enzymes, leading to slower metabolism and higher levels of other drugs. Inhibition can occur rapidly (within hours) and increases toxicity risk.

Lengthening of the QT interval on ECG (corrected for heart rate), indicating delayed cardiac repolarization. QTc > 500 ms significantly increases risk of torsades de pointes, a potentially fatal arrhythmia.

Liver damage caused by medications, ranging from asymptomatic enzyme elevation to acute liver failure. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a leading cause of acute liver failure in the US.

Kidney damage caused by medications, affecting glomerular filtration, tubular function, or interstitial tissue. Risk factors include pre-existing renal impairment, dehydration, and concurrent nephrotoxic drugs.

Life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity, typically from drug combinations. Symptoms include agitation, hyperthermia, tremor, hyperreflexia, and autonomic instability.

Severe, life-threatening skin reaction characterized by widespread blistering and skin detachment. SJS is often triggered by medications and has strong genetic associations (e.g., HLA-B*1502 with carbamazepine).

Quantum bit - the fundamental unit of quantum information. Unlike classical bits (0 or 1), qubits can exist in superposition of both states simultaneously, enabling parallel computation.

Quantum phenomenon where two or more qubits become correlated such that the state of one instantly affects the others, regardless of distance. Used to model complex correlations between risk factors.

Hybrid quantum-classical algorithm for solving combinatorial optimization problems. QAOA alternates between problem-specific and mixing Hamiltonians to find near-optimal solutions.

Quantum algorithm for unstructured search providing quadratic speedup over classical methods. Grover's algorithm can search N items in √N steps compared to N/2 classically.

Quantum operation that manipulates qubits. Common gates include RY (rotation), CX (controlled-NOT for entanglement), CRZ (controlled rotation), and MCX (multi-controlled gates).

The longest path from input to output in a quantum circuit, measured in layers of gates. Deeper circuits provide more computational power but are more susceptible to noise and decoherence.

Clinical evidence derived from analysis of real-world data (RWD) collected outside traditional clinical trials, including electronic health records, insurance claims, and patient registries.

Statistical method that updates probability estimates as new evidence becomes available. Used in personalized medicine to refine treatment predictions based on patient-specific data.

Measurable biological indicator of disease state, treatment response, or drug toxicity. Biomarkers can be genetic, proteomic, metabolomic, or imaging-based.

HL7 standard for exchanging healthcare information electronically. FHIR uses RESTful APIs and modern web standards to enable seamless EHR integration.

Total economic burden of medication-related harm, including hospitalization, extended care, lost productivity, and mortality. ADEs cost US healthcare $30+ billion annually.

Traditional approach where medications are prescribed empirically and adjusted based on patient response. This method is time-consuming, costly, and exposes patients to unnecessary ADR risk.

Number of patients who must receive an intervention for one patient to benefit. Lower NNT indicates more effective treatment. Personalized medicine aims to reduce NNT by targeting responders.