Integrating Biologic Agents into Management of Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis: A Consensus of the Canadian Psoriasis Expert Panel

2004 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 321-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn Guenther ◽  
Richard G Langley ◽  
Neil H. Shear ◽  
Robert Bissonnette ◽  
Vincent Ho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Treatment Algorithm ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Biologic Agents ◽  
Severe Psoriasis ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Current Therapies

Background: Approximately 2% of people worldwide have psoriasis, with as many as 1 million people with psoriasis in Canada alone.1,2 The severity of psoriasis ranges from mild to severe. It can lead to substantial morbidity and psychological stress and have a profound negative impact on patient quality of life.3,4 Although available therapies reduce therapies reduce the extent and severity of the disease and improve quality of life,3 reports have indicated a patient preference for more aggressive therapy and a dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of current treatment options.5 Objective: A Canadian Expert Panel, comprising Canadian dermatologists, convened in Toronto on 27 February 2004 to reach a consensus on unmet needs of patients treated with current therapies and how to include the pending biologic agents in and improve the current treatment algorithm for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Current treatment recommendations suggest a stepwise strategy starting with topical agents followed by phototherapy and then systemic agents.3,6,7 The Panel evaluated the appropriate positioning of the biologic agents, once approved by Health Canada, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Methods: The Panel reviewed available evidence and quality of these data on current therapies and from randomized, controlled clinical trials.8–14 Subsequently, consensus was achieved by small-group workshops followed by plenary discussion. Results: The Panel determined that biologic agents are an important addition to therapies currently available for moderate-to-severe psoriasis and proposed an alternative treatment algorithm to the current step wise paradigm. Conclusion: The Panel recommended a new treatment algorithm for moderate-to-severe psoriasis whereby all appropriate treatment options, including biologic agents, are considered together and patients' specific characteristics and needs are taken into account when selecting the most appropriate treatment option.

scholarly journals Expert Opinion on the Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in the Middle East with a Focus on the Use of Silymarin

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-165
Author(s):  
Ahmed Hashem ◽  
Yogesh Shastri ◽  
Malfi Al Otaibi ◽  
Elwin Buchel ◽  
Hussam Saleh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Liver Disease Progression ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty disease (NAFLD) is amongst the leading causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. The prevalence of NAFLD in the Middle East is 32%, similar to that observed worldwide. The clinicians in this region face several challenges in diagnosing and treating patients with NAFLD. Additionally, there are no national or regional guidelines to address the concerns faced with current treatment options. Silymarin, derived from milk thistle, provides a rational and clinically proven approach to hepatoprotection. This article focuses on addressing regional diagnostic challenges and provides clear guidance and potential solutions for the use of Silymarin in the treatment of NAFLD in the Middle East. Both clinical and preclinical studies have highlighted the efficiency of Silymarin in managing NAFLD by reducing liver disease progression and improving patient symptoms and quality of life, alongside being safe and well tolerated. An expert panel of professionals from the Middle East convened to establish a set of regional-specific diagnostics. A consensus was established to aid general physicians to address the diagnostic challenges in the region. In conclusion, Silymarin can be considered beneficial in treating NAFLD and should be initiated as early as possible and continued as long as necessary.

scholarly journals Pancreatic Cancer and Cachexia—Metabolic Mechanisms and Novel Insights

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1543
Author(s):  
Kalliopi Anna Poulia ◽  
Panagiotis Sarantis ◽  
Dimitra Antoniadou ◽  
Evangelos Koustas ◽  
Adriana Papadimitropoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cachexia ◽  
Clinical Effect ◽  
Treatment Algorithm ◽  
Host Factors ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Malignant Diseases ◽  
Appropriate Treatment

Cachexia is a major characteristic of multiple non-malignant diseases, advanced and metastatic cancers and it is highly prevalent in pancreatic cancer, affecting almost 70%–80% of the patients. Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial condition accompanied by compromised appetite and changes in body composition, i.e., loss of fat. It is associated with lower effectiveness of treatment, compromised quality of life, and higher mortality. Understanding the complex pathways underlying the pathophysiology of cancer cachexia, new therapeutic targets will be unraveled. The interplay between tumor and host factors, such as cytokines, holds a central role in cachexia pathophysiology. Cytokines are possibly responsible for anorexia, hypermetabolism, muscle proteolysis, and apoptosis. In particular, cachexia in pancreatic cancer might be the result of the surgical removal of pancreas parts. In recent years, many studies have been carried out to identify an effective treatment algorithm for cachexia. Choosing the most appropriate treatment, the clinical effect and the risk of adverse effects should be taken under consideration. The purpose of this review is to highlight the pathophysiological mechanisms as well as the current ways of cachexia treatment in the pharmaceutical and the nutrition field.

scholarly journals MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: The burden of Cushing's disease: clinical and health-related quality of life aspects

2012 ◽  
Vol 167 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
R A Feelders ◽  
S J Pulgar ◽  
A Kempel ◽  
A M Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cushing’S Disease ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Cushing's Disease ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Time To Diagnosis ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

ObjectiveCushing's disease (CD) is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by excess secretion of ACTH due to a pituitary adenoma. Current treatment options are limited and may pose additional risks. A literature review was conducted to assess the holistic burden of CD.DesignStudies published in English were evaluated to address questions regarding the epidemiology of CD, time to diagnosis, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), treatment outcomes, mortality, prevalence of comorbidities at diagnosis, and reversibility of comorbidities following the treatment.MethodsA two-stage literature search was performed in Medline, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index, using keywords related to the epidemiology, treatment, and outcomes of CD: i) articles published from 2000 to 2012 were identified and ii) an additional hand search (all years) was conducted on the basis of bibliography of identified articles.ResultsAt the time of diagnosis, 58–85% of patients have hypertension, 32–41% are obese, 20–47% have diabetes mellitus, 50–81% have major depression, 31–50% have osteoporosis, and 38–71% have dyslipidemia. Remission rates following transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) are high when performed by expert pituitary surgeons (rates of 65–90%), but the potential for relapse remains (rates of 5–36%). Although some complications can be partially reversed, time to reversal can take years. The HRQoL of patients with CD also remains severely compromised after remission.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the significant burden associated with CD. As current treatment options may not fully reverse the burden of chronic hypercortisolism, there is a need for both improved diagnostic tools to reduce the time to diagnosis and effective therapy, particularly a targeted medical therapy.

scholarly journals Post Stroke Pain: Identification, Assessment, and Therapy

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 190-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Harrison ◽  
Thalia S. Field
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Common Complication ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
And Function

Background: Pain is a common complication after stroke and is associated with the presence of depression, cognitive dysfunction, and impaired quality of life. It remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, despite evidence that effective treatment of pain may improve function and quality of life. Summary: We provide an overview of the means for clinical assessment and risk factors for the development of post-stroke pain, then review the newest available literature regarding the commonest post-stroke pain syndromes, including central post-stroke pain, complex regional pain syndrome, musculoskeletal pain including shoulder subluxation, spasticity-related pain, and post-stroke headache, as well as the available epidemiology and current treatment options. Key Messages: In the best interests of optimizing quality of life and function after stroke, clinicians should be aware of pain as a common complication after stroke, identify those patients at highest risk, directly inquire as to the presence and characteristics of pain, and should be aware of the options for treatment for the various pain syndromes.

scholarly journals Pharmacological Therapies and Their Clinical Targets in Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Colomier ◽  
Joost Algera ◽  
Chloé Melchior
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Irritable Bowel Syndrome ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Pharmacological Treatment ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Treatment Algorithm ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Bowel Habits ◽  
Irritable Bowel

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common disorders of the gut-brain axis, which affects approximately 4% of the global population. The Rome IV criteria define IBS as chronic or recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel habits. Patients can be categorized in four subtypes: IBS with predominant constipation (IBS-C), predominant diarrhea (IBS-D), mixed bowel habits (IBS-M), and unclassified (IBS-U). IBS is associated with a lower quality of life, reduced work productivity, and high healthcare costs. When comparing subtypes, patients with IBS-D report lower disease related quality of life. Due to the scope of this review, we have solely focused on patients with IBS-D. Choosing the right pharmacological treatment in these patients remains challenging due to the heterogeneous patient population, patients’ expectation of the treatment outcome, unavailability of efficacious drugs, and the multifactorial and incompletely understood underlying pathophysiology. Currently, pharmacological treatment options target individual symptoms, such as abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and bloating. In this review, we aimed to summarize the current and recent pharmacological treatment options in IBS-D, targeting the predominant gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, we proposed a pharmacological treatment algorithm which healthcare professionals could use when treating individual patients with IBS-D.

scholarly journals A review of acquired blepharoptosis: prevalence, diagnosis, and current treatment options

Eye ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Bacharach ◽  
Wendy W. Lee ◽  
Andrew R. Harrison ◽  
Thomas F. Freddo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Visual Function ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Upper Eyelid ◽  
Congenital Ptosis ◽  
Predominant Form

AbstractBlepharoptosis (ptosis) is among the most common disorders of the upper eyelid encountered in both optometric and ophthalmic practice. The unilateral or bilateral drooping of the upper eyelid that characterises ptosis can affect appearance and impair visual function, both of which can negatively impact quality of life. While there are several known forms of congenital ptosis, acquired ptosis (appearing later in life, due to a variety of causes) is the predominant form of the condition. This review summarises the prevalence, causes, identification, differential diagnosis, and treatment of acquired ptosis. Particular attention is paid to the differential diagnosis of acquired ptosis and emerging treatment options, including surgical and pharmacologic approaches.

scholarly journals Current treatment options and challenges in patients with Type 1 diabetes: Pharmacological, technical advances and future perspectives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Boscari ◽  
Angelo Avogaro
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Glucose Control ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Artificial Pancreas ◽  
Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Current Treatment

AbstractType 1 diabetes mellitus imposes a significant burden of complications and mortality, despite important advances in treatment: subjects affected by this disease have also a worse quality of life-related to disease management. To overcome these challenges, different new approaches have been proposed, such as new insulin formulations or innovative devices. The introduction of insulin pumps allows a more physiological insulin administration with a reduction of HbA1c level and hypoglycemic risk. New continuous glucose monitoring systems with better accuracy have allowed, not only better glucose control, but also the improvement of the quality of life. Integration of these devices with control algorithms brought to the creation of the first artificial pancreas, able to independently gain metabolic control without the risk of hypo- and hyperglycemic crisis. This approach has revolutionized the management of diabetes both in terms of quality of life and glucose control. However, complete independence from exogenous insulin will be obtained only by biological approaches that foresee the replacement of functional beta cells obtained from stem cells: this will be a major challenge but the biggest hope for the subjects with type 1 diabetes. In this review, we will outline the current scenario of innovative diabetes management both from a technological and biological point of view, and we will also forecast some cutting-edge approaches to reduce the challenges that hamper the definitive cure of diabetes.

scholarly journals Interprofessional Management of Allergic Conjunctivitis

2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Lisa Prokopich ◽  
Michael Lee-Poyb ◽  
Harold Kimc
Keyword(s):  
Daily Living ◽  
Allergic Conjunctivitis ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Treatment Algorithm ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Patient Presentation ◽  
Symptoms And Signs

Ocular allergies affect a large and increasing number of people in North America. Canada’s statistics are likely to mirror those of the U.S., where up to 40% of the population is affected by ocular allergies. The symptoms and signs of ocular allergies can greatly affect productivity and have a dramatic effect on overall quality of life (QoL). Over the years, many effective treatments have been developed for the management of ocular allergies. For allergic conjunctivitis, topical ophthalmic agents include antihistamines, mast-cell stabilizers, dual-activity agents, steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and other immune-modulating drugs. Oral antihistamines are commonly chosen by patients for all forms of allergy, including allergic conjunctivitis. This review provides a summary of the forms of ocular allergy, with a particular focus on the symptoms and signs, diagnosis, current treatment options, and impact on QoL. More importantly, through multidisciplinary collaboration, a simplified treatment algorithm is proposed for Canadian clinical practice. This algorithm provides practitioners the best possible management strategies based on an individual patient presentation, thereby maximizing treatment efficacy and minimizing the effects on tasks of daily living and QoL.

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