Research

A new way to look at acute cough in the pharmacy

Cough is the most common symptom for which people seek medical advice, and patients with cough frequently present to community pharmacy. Cough can be either acute or chronic. Acute cough, defined as being of less than three weeks’ duration, is often caused by viral respiratory tract infection …

Published: 31 March 2017

Research

The impact of the human papillomavirus vaccine in Scotland: a changing landscape

In the UK, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women aged under 35 years. Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 (both high risk) are necessary precipitants in at least 70% of cervical cancers but may contribute to more than 80% of cervical cancers in Scotland. Both the prophylac…

Published: 8 March 2017

Research

Management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: current and future treatments

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and affects patients’ quality of life. Treatment of IBD involves induction and maintenance of remission. Current available therapies include anti-inflammatory aminosalicylates and corticoste…

Published: 6 March 2017

Research

Examining the emerging roles for pharmacists as part of the urgent, acute and emergency care workforce

In the future urgent, acute and emergency medicine clinical workforce, new models of care and care delivery need to be developed, in order to maintain and enhance standards of safe and accessible patient care. A departure from traditional (doctor-led) approaches to workforce planning, and an underst…

Published: 7 February 2017

Research

TNFα-inhibitors for ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthropathy refers to a group of articular inflammatory diseases that share common genetic, clinical and radiological features in addition to their association with human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 antigen. The aim of therapeutic management of patients with spondyloarthritis is to improve q…

Published: 13 January 2017

Research

Establishing the risk related to hormone replacement therapy and cardiovascular disease in women

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has a profound impact on the cardiovascular system in postmenopausal women, achieved through its effects on metabolic risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and on arterial function. Observational studies have consistently shown an association between postmen…

Published: 10 January 2017

Research

Conventional therapies and emergent precision medicines for cystic fibrosis: challenges and opportunities

Around 27 years ago, the discovery of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene – responsible for causing cystic fibrosis (CF) – marked a significant moment in the history of the condition. Despite the early promise of this target for gene therapy, a universally…

Published: 30 November 2016

Research

Pre-exposure prophylaxis should be a key component of a comprehensive HIV prevention package fully funded on the NHS

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is the medication taken by HIV-negative individuals to reduce their risk of contracting HIV infection.…

Published: 29 November 2016

Research

Role of coronary drug-eluting stents in current clinical practice

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has continued to evolve, from its origins in balloon angioplasty and bare metal stent (BMS) implantation, to the development and application of contemporary drug-eluting stents (DESs). While first generation DESs significantly decreased risk of in-stent reste…

Published: 10 November 2016

Research

Evaluating a point-of-care C-reactive protein test to support antibiotic prescribing decisions in a general practice

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of infection and inflammation. It is high in bacterial infections but very low or close to zero in viral infections. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), England and Wales’s health technology assessment body, has issued guidance on …

Published: 12 October 2016