Drug Topics - October 22, 2007 - (Page 26)

26 DRUG TOPICS OCTOBER 22, 2007 www.drugtopics.com CONTINUING EDUCATION An ongoing CE program of The University of Florida College of Pharmacy and DRUG TOPICS A Parkinson’s disease primer Jeffrey A. Kyle, Pharm.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice Gregory School of Pharmacy at Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Fla. Langley R. Kyle, Pharm.D., Community Pharmacy Practitioner, West Palm Beach, Fla. CE The University of Florida College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education ACPE # 012-99907-201-H01-P ACPE # 012-99907-201-H01-T A This lesson is no longer valid for CE credit after 10/31/09. To obtain immediate CE credit, take the test on-line at www.drugtopics.com. Just click on the “Continuing Education” box on the Drug Topics home page, which will take you to the CE site. Log in, find and click on this lesson, and follow the three simple steps. Test results will be displayed immediately and you can print the certificate showing your earned CE credits. n “involuntary tremulous motion, which lessened muscular power, in parts not in action and even when supported: with a propensity to bend the trunk forward, and to pass from a walking to a running pace, the senses and intellects being uninjured” is how Dr. James Parkinson first described Parkinson’ s disease (PD) in a case series describing six individuals with “shaky palsy.” Since then, Parkinson’s disease affects an estimated one million people in the United States and millions worldwide. Parkinson’ s disease ultimately results from loss of dopamineproducing brain cells over time which leads to both movement and non-movement abnormalities and a decreased quality of life. Despite the therapies available, there is not a cure for PD at this time. Pharmacists are essential in drug therapy management of Parkinson’ s disease patients and have an opportunity to provide support to both patients and their caregivers. Epidemiology Parkinson’ s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder following Alzheimer’s disease. It is estimated that four to six million people around the world suffer from the condition, with 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States, adding to the already 1.5 million Americans who currently have PD. Parkinson’s disease affects men and women in almost equal numbers. The average age of onset of the disease is 60 years of age, affecting one in 100 people over the age of 60. With the elderly population expected to increase, the incidence and prevalence of PD will increase as well. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Parkinson’ s disease costs the nation an excess of approximately $6 billion annually, including treatment, social security payments, and lost income from inability to work. Etiology Although much research has been conducted to discover the possible causes of Parkinson’ s disease, an exact etiology has still not been determined. Etiologies that have been investigated for PD include genetic inheritance and environmental exposure to toxins, or a combination of both. Genetic factors are often viewed as a starting point in trying to unravel the cause of any disease state—particularly one of neurologic origin. About 15%-25% of people with Parkinson’s report having a relative with the disease. In fact, large epidemiologic studies have found that people having an affected first-degree relative have a two- to threefold increased risk of developing Parkinson’s. Research has postulated that genetics may play a larger role in younger onset PD cases. However, with all the completed genetic research to date, a specific gene or set of genes causing PD has not been identified. For questions concerning PRINT CEs, call (352) 273-6275. For questions concerning ON-LINE CEs, call (866) 261-3558. Photo: Jim Shive http://www.drugtopics.com http://www.drugtopics.com

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Drug Topics - October 22, 2007 Contents Latebreakers Legislative Victory Builds Momentum for Pharmacy Month Letters Health-System Edition R.Ph.s Brace for Payment Denial for Hospital-Acquired Conditions Topical Human Thrombin Helps Arrest Bleeding FDA Panels Fail to Set Target Levels for Renal Patients’ Hemoglobin Warning Letters Raise Patient Safety Concerns for Fentora Ending/Reversing Weight Gain Man Given Fatal Drug Overdose at Staten Island Hospital Pharmacists Playing More Important Role in Dialysis Treatment AHA President R.Ph.'s Here's How You Can Increase Your Value Premier Launches Comprehensive Quality Improvement Project FDA Approves Dexrazoxane for Treatment of Extravasation New Federal, State Reforms to Ease Disaster Relief Kinks 150 Years of American Pharmacy Ten Tips for MTM Success Independent Superstars: The Ones to Watch The New Dynamic Duo A Parkinson's Disease Primer Classified New Products Advertisers Index Viewpoint

Drug Topics - October 22, 2007

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