Digestive system diseases

Monoclonal antibody treatment for ulcerative colitis twice as effective as placebo, study shows

Of patients with ulcerative colitis who received the monoclonal antibody mirikizumab, 24% were in remission at the end of the trial period, compared with 13% who received placebo.…

Primary biliary cholangitis: diagnosis and management

Primarily affecting women, primary biliary cholangitis is a progressive condition that can result in end-stage liver disease.…

Cystic fibrosis: management of non-respiratory manifestations

A closer look at the effects of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator dysfunction on the pancreas, liver and gastrointestinal tract, and the pharmacological management of these symptoms.…

Liver cancer: screening, diagnosis and management

An overview of hepatocellular cancer, including diagnosis and the available treatment options.…

Dose adjustments of antimicrobials in patients with hepatic impairment

An overview of appropriate dosing of antimicrobials in patients with hepatic impairment.…

Repeated use of antibiotics increases inflammatory bowel disease risk, study suggests

Patients aged 40 to 60 years who had been prescribed antibiotics showed the highest risk for inflammatory bowel disease.…

Antibiotic use in older adults linked to inflammatory bowel disease, research suggests

Patients aged 60 years and over who had received five or more courses of antibiotics in five years were 2.3 times more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease.…

Liver function tests: indication and interpretation

This article describes the liver function tests, aiming to support pharmacists in using them and in interpreting their results.…

Medicines management in adult patients undergoing liver transplantation

Medication regimes for patients undergoing liver transplantation can be complex, meaning pharmacists must consider how best to optimise medicines and manage side effects.…

Case study: primary biliary cholangitis management with obeticholic acid

This article considers how a patient with primary biliary cholangitis should be managed, following non-response to ursodeoxycholic acid.…