autoimmune disorders
Oral corticosteroids—not always forever
Pharmacists conducting comprehensive medication reviews need to take a best possible medication history to identify long-term and cumulative use of oral corticosteroids, recommend medications to optimise underlying conditions, identify other …
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disorder that causes widespread aching, stiffness and flu-like symptoms but can be mistaken for other conditions. This article aims to assist pharmacists to identify …
Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is an acquired autoimmune condition characterised by chronic fatigability and muscle weakness, especially in the face and throat. By Dr Louis Roller PhD, MSc, BPharm, BSc, Dip Ed, …
Ankylosing spondylitis
To help support early diagnosis and management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), it is important that health professionals are able to recognise the possibility of AS being present. The pharmacist is …
MS-vitamin D link found, but it’s no excuse to sunbake
The risk genes for several autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, are regulated by vitamin D in particular immune cells, new research has found – but that doesn’t mean most Australians …
Clinical tips: multiple sclerosis explained
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system in which the myelin sheaths protecting nerve fibres becomes damaged and scarred. The name multiple sclerosis refers to scars …