International journal of clinical practice
-
Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jul 2003
ReviewEstablishing principles for migraine management in primary care.
Published guidelines for the management of migraine in primary care were evaluated by an international advisory board of headache specialists, to establish evidence-based principles of migraine management that could be recommended for international use. Twelve principles of migraine management were identified, covering screening, diagnosis, management and treatments: Almost all headaches are benign/primary and can be managed by all practising clinicians. Use questions/a questionnaire to assess the impact on daily living and everyday activities, for diagnostic screening and to aid management decisions. ⋯ Work with the patient to achieve comfort with mutually agreed upon treatment and ensure that it is practical for their lifestyle and headache presentation. Using these principles, practising clinicians can screen and diagnose their headache patients effectively and manage their migraine patients over the long-term natural history of the migraine process. In this way, the majority of migraine patients can be well treated in primary care, ensuring a structured and individualised approach to headache management, and conserving valuable healthcare resources.
-
Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jul 2003
Case ReportsPsoas haematoma and femoral neuropathy associated with enoxaparin therapy.
Haemorrhage into the iliopsoas muscle causing femoral neuropathy is an infrequent complication of haemophilia or anticoagulant therapy. The association of an iliopsoas haematoma with enoxaparin therapy is very rare. ⋯ There is no clear consensus for the treatment of these haematomas, with both surgical and conservative options advocated. In this case, our patient recovered fully following conservative management.
-
Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jun 2003
ReviewLevosimendan: a new dual-action drug in the treatment of acute heart failure.
Levosimendan is a new agent for the treatment of acute heart failure. Levosimendan acts via complementary mechanisms; it enhances contractility by sensitising cardiac myofilaments to calcium and dilates blood vessels by opening ATP-dependent potassium channels. In contrast to traditional inotropes (beta-agonists or phosphodiesterase inhibitors), levosimendan does not raise myocyte calcium levels and is therefore less likely to elicit arrhythmias or to impair diastolic relaxation. ⋯ At 31 days post-treatment, mortality rates were halved in decompensated chronic heart failure patients who received levosimendan, compared with those on dobutamine--an advantage sustained at 180 days. Similar survival gains were observed among acute failure patients treated with levosimendan following myocardial infarction. With its substantial haemodynamic and survival benefits, levosimendan is well suited to be part of routine management for patients with acutely decompensated heart failure.
-
Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Apr 2003
ReviewAnakinra: the first interleukin-1 inhibitor in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an immunologically mediated inflammation of joints of unknown aetiology and often leads to disability. This inflammatory process may also involve extra-articular connective tissue. New therapeutic approaches have been made by inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines. ⋯ More than 10,000 patients have been treated with anakinra with significant improvement of inflammation and pain; the rate of radiologically visible progressive joint damage was significantly reduced. Among the adverse events, injection site reactions were most frequent, followed by a mild increase in infections. No activation of tuberculosis, as in tumour necrosis factor-alpha antagonist administration, has so far been reported.