Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Nov 2001
ReviewIncreasing relevance of pharmacogenetics of drug metabolism in clinical practice.
Much of the individual variation in drug response is due to genetic drug metabolic polymorphisms. Clinically relevant examples include acetylator status; cytochrome P450 2D6, 2C9 and 2C19 polymorphisms; and thiopurine methyltransferase deficiency. It is important to be aware of which drugs are subject to pharmacogenetic variability. In the future, population-based pharmacogenetic testing will allow more individualized drug treatment and will avoid the current empiricism.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2001
ReviewHuman immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis C coinfection: swapping new problems for newer ones.
Recent successes in HIV therapy have uncovered other health problems for HIV-infected individuals. Hepatitis C has become an especially significant problem, partly due to its faster progression in an immunocompromised setting. In addition, the higher viral loads in coinfected patients likely result in more efficient perinatal and perhaps even sexual transmission. ⋯ A major concern is the potential inactivation of certain thymidine analogues by ribavirin. Some antiretroviral therapies, such as ritonavir, indinavir and nevirapine, may enhance liver toxicity in coinfected patients and should be avoided if possible. The role of chronic low-grade liver function abnormalities remains uncertain and requires further investigation.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2001
ReviewCurrent perspectives on BRCA1- and BRCA2-associated breast cancers.
The identification of two breast cancer predisposition genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, in the mid-1990s has led to a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of hereditary breast cancer and to a new era in breast cancer research. The present article reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the biology of BRCA1 and BRCA2, the cancer risks associated with carrying a pathogenic mutation in either of these genes and the possible genetic and environmental risk modifiers. ⋯ Research into BRCA1- and BRCA2-associated breast cancer is in its infancy and much remains to be learned, particularly about modifiers of genetic risk and the clinical implications of carrying a mutation in one of these two genes. Australia has an excellent research infrastructure in place, through the Australian Breast Cancer Family Study and the Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium for Research into Familial Breast Cancer, to contribute substantially to future research in this area.
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Internal medicine journal · Jul 2001
ReviewThe mind of a failing heart: a systematic review of the association between congestive heart failure and cognitive functioning.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a frequent complication of most diseases of the heart. CHF is associated with impairment in several aspects of the quality of life of patients, including mood and cognitive performance. Early reports indicated that patients with CHF display deficits in memory and other intellectual abilities, although the clinical relevance of these findings remains unclear. ⋯ The results of the present review highlight the enormous paucity of systematic information about the association between CHF and cognitive functioning, with only five studies reporting data suitable for analysis. We expect that new case-control and cohort studies will be designed to confirm the presence of cognitive impairment in patients with CHF and trust that this information will improve the management of CHF patients and our understanding of the mechanisms associated with cognitive decline in later life.