Description

This edition of the CME Bulletin in Endocrinology and Diabetes has particular emphasis on two areas: reproductive endocrinology and diabetes mellitus.

Dr Gerard Conway, who has a longstanding interest in the pathogenesis of premature ovarian failure, discusses recent advances in this tragic condition. His timely article paves the way for understanding the different aetiologies, but also discusses the prospects for treatment of some patient groups.

Dr Gordana Prelevic discusses the pharmacodynamics of SERMS, a group of drugs that expatiate on the success of rational drug design, and which may play an increasing role in the management of the menopause in the forthcoming decade. They are attracting large media interest because of their salutary effect on the breast, and clearly endocrinologists need to be educated as to their place in the therapeutic armamentarium.

Contributions from Drs Wilding and Nagi describe important new data on obesity and exercise in diabetes mellitus, and Dr Heller tackles the perplexing issue on sudden death in young people with diabetes mellitus.

Finally, important new data on the pathogenesis of pituitary tumours are summarised in the review by Khaira and colleagues from the University of Birmingham, extending the earlier review by Harris in the first issue of this Bulletin.

From the start of 2000, this journal title has been accepted for indexing and abstracting in EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, thereby becoming a citable journal; as such, all articles will be accessible via a suitable literature search. This will greatly enhance the reputation of this journal.

We are also delighted that the publisher have made the journal, with added value features, available on line. Please pay a visit on www.rila.co.uk. Yours comments, positive or negative, would be greatly welcomed.