Learning

Rheumatoid arthritis: management

Evidence in support of early and aggressive pharmacological intervention in rheumatoid arthritis continues to be gathered. DMARDs, corticosteroids and biologics are the main drugs in the armoury.…

Published: 1 May 2010

Learning

Rheumatoid arthritis: features, causes and diagnosis

Social and financial independence can be lost when a person develops severe rheumatoid arthritis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes for patients and reduce costs to society.…

Published: 1 May 2010

Learning

Adult myeloid leukaemias: pathogenesis, clinical features and classification

Acute and chronic myeloid leukaemias and the myelodysplastic syndromes affect the formation of blood cells in the bone marrow. Genetic factors are linked to the development and prognosis of these diseases.…

Published: 12 April 2010

Learning

Adult myeloid leukaemias: current and future treatments

Acute myeloid leukaemia is treated with chemotherapy and, if appropriate, stem cell transplantation. For those with chronic myeloid leukaemia, therapy has been transformed by tyrosine kinase inhibitors…

Published: 11 April 2010

Learning

Epilepsy: pharmacological treatment and monitoring

Although treatment with antiepileptic drugs can stop seizures recurring, close monitoring of side effects is crucial.…

Published: 1 March 2010

Learning

Epilepsy: clinical features and diagnosis

When an individual experiences a seizure it is important to identify the underlying cause. Repeated seizures may constitute a diagnosis of epilepsy. The type of seizures will dictate how the epilepsy is treated.…

Published: 1 March 2010

Learning

How to prepare for and contribute to a consultant’s ward round

Do you spend hours scouring patient notes to determine the indication for a prescribed medicine or chasing doctors to correct prescribing errors? Perhaps you should join the consultant’s ward round…

Published: 1 February 2010

Learning

Organ transplantation immunosuppression

Patients who tolerate a transplanted organ without the need for pharmacological intervention are few and far between. Several immunosuppressants can be used to reduce the risk of organ rejection…

Published: 1 February 2010

Learning

Hepatitis B: diagnosis and monitoring

Some 350 million people across the world are infected chronically with hepatitis B. Despite global control of the disease being achievable through widespread vaccination, this has not yet been attained.…

Published: 11 January 2010

Learning

Drug interactions and gout treatment

This case study looks at how the potential for drug interactions influences decision-making on the best treatment for gout…

Published: 2 January 2010