Research reports on neuropathy from University of Auckland provide new insights

   "NAION is a sudden irreversible cause of visual loss with a poorly understood aetiology that affects up to 10 adults per 100 000 each year. Following a series of such case reports, WHO and FDA have labelled the association between use of PDE5 inhibitors and risk of NAION as ''possibly'' causal. There have been several recent studies of this association, including a rechallenge case report and a large managed care database study. However, the inability to confirm or refute claims of an association between NAION and EDD is generating clinical and regulatory uncertainty. Questions surrounding use of PDE5 inhibitors and risk of NAION highlight weaknesses in current systems used to identify and evaluate uncommon adverse effects of medication use," wrote H.V. Daneshmeyer and colleagues, University of Auckland.

   The researchers concluded: "This paper reviews all the recent evidence on PDE5 inhibitors and the risk of NAION."

   Daneshmeyer and colleagues published their study in British Journal of Ophthalmology (Erectile dysfunction drugs and risk of anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy: casual or causal association? British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2007;91(11):1551-1555).

   For additional information, contact H.V. Daneshmeyer, University of Auckland, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Private Bag 2019, Auckland 1, New Zealand.

   Publisher contact information for the British Journal of Ophthalmology is: B M J Publishing Group, British Med Association House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JR, England.

   Keywords: New Zealand, Auckland, Angiology, Cardiology, Erectile Dysfunction, FDA, Impotence, Neuropathy, Ophthalmology, Optic Nerve Disease, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, University of Auckland.

   This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.

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