Future Prescriber最新文献

Psoriasis in children and adolescents can be disfiguring and adversely affect quality of life. A range of treatments are available that can control the condition, but not all patients respond or are able to tolerate the treatments. The anti-TNF alpha inhibitors are used effectively in adult psoriasis but are not currently licensed for use in children. The anti-TNF etanercept (Enbrel) has been studied in childhood psoriasis and is likely to gain a licence in the near future. In this article, the authors discuss current treatment approaches in childhood psoriasis and describe the efficacy, tolerability and potential place of etanercept in practice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major challenge to healthcare systems around the world, with an estimated prevalence of 6% (246 million) in 2007 rising to 7.3% (380 million) in 2025 worldwide.1–5 In this article, the authors consider the significance of the GLP-1 path-way in the management of T2DM, and some of the advantages of incretin-based therapy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This series of company profiles looks at some of the major players in the UK pharmaceutical industry, their current areas of expertise and forthcoming products and initiatives that will have an impact on therapeutics and prescribing in the near future. In this article we provide an overview of Servier Laboratories and its top products, as well as Servier's ongoing development of research and education partnerships. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) can vary in severity, with some patients requiring chemotherapy while others may not require treatment at all. Rituximab has been evaluated as a first-line treatment option for CLL in combination with fludarabine and cyclophos-phamide in patients requiring chemotherapy, and a licence application has been made. In this article, we consider the evidence for rituximab, and its potential place in therapy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in hospital patients who do not receive thromboprophylaxis. Due to the shortcomings of the available evidence the true incidence is unclear, but data from the placebo arms of randomised trials of thromboprophylaxis, believed to be the best source,¹ show that the incidence varies by specialty (Table 1). The risk in medical inpatients is often underestimated: the incidence of DVT is particularly high among patients admitted with stroke, heart failure or myocardial infarction.² However, patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery are at greatest risk, with DVT occurring in approximately one-quarter to one-half. There is also evidence to suggest that individual risk is influenced by a large number of risk factors (Table 2).¹ Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Pain is one of the most common symptoms of advanced cancer and has significant adverse effects on patients' functioning and quality of life.¹ A number of studies have established that pain can be controlled in the majority of patients using the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines,² however, even when background pain is well controlled, 70–90 per cent of patients with advanced cancer also experience brief episodes or flares of severe pain, known as breakthrough pain.³ Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.