CP, January 2017, Vol 9, No 1

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…

Sepsis: an update on identification and management

All healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, should be aware of the clinical features and management of sepsis. This article summarises the recent changes in the definition of sepsis in adults, as well as its management.…

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…

Why biosimilars should be interchangeable with biologics

Research suggests no substantive outcome differences between the use of originator biologics and their biosimilar counterparts Source: Shutterstock.com There is sufficient evidence to prove that biosimilars are equivalent to biologics and should be used i…

Ambulatory blood pressure higher than clinic BP, study shows

Researchers say 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring could benefit people with prehypertension following trial of 888 people. …

Pharmacist review boosts detection of inappropriate prescribing

Inclusion of a pharmacist in the multidisciplinary team could detect more cases of potentially inappropriate prescribing, study results suggest.…

Vitamin D levels at birth linked to MS risk in later life

Researchers found an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels in dried blood spots up to seven days after birth and the risk of developing MS in later life. …

Proton pump inhibitors may increase risk of first stroke

Data from 244,679 patients that had undergone endoscopy show that stroke incidence was 19% higher in patients who filed a prescription for a PPI compared with those with no PPI exposure…

Heart failure drugs might reduce Herceptin cardiac risk

Researchers say perindopril or bisoprolol may increase patients’ chance of receiving full course of trastuzumab, which is often stopped at the first sign of heart failure. …

Breast cancer prevention trumps cure

Breast cancer is the most prevalent female cancer and is estimated to increase by 50% by 2030 compared to the incidence in 2011. The decision by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the UK health technology appraiser, to recommend the use of preventive medicines, which …