The 2019 and 2020 updates to the Australian Asthma Handbook (versions 2.0 and 2.1) include a major update to evidence and advice on managing asthma in infants and children. The stepwise approach to management of childhood asthma differs by age group. Before any stepwise increase in asthma preventer treatment, clinicians should reconsider the diagnosis of asthma, check the parents’ and child’s understanding of asthma management and treatment adherence, and minimise exposure to triggers and environmental tobacco smoke. Asthma should be considered as a chronic remitting and relapsing condition, with any hospital presentation representing evidence of inadequate disease control.
That commoditisation of healthcare is occurring is well documented. Specialist centres now bundle services into diseaseor treatment-based products (eg, pain, cancer, fertility, easier surgery). Such ‘commodities’ are widely advertised and promoted to both public and primary care doctors. While the occurrence of commoditisation in healthcare is irrefutable, its desirability is an area of intense and diverse opinion.
Modern Medicine is proud to present our 2021 Medical Conference Planner in line with our mission to add value for our readers.
The Planner is a unique, comprehensive list, designed to be a one-stop tool for doctors, and people in the healthcare industry, to use while they plan the events they’d like to attend in the coming year.
With an exhaustively researched list of almost 100 medical conferences that are due to take place over the coming year, the Planner is a tool you can’t afford to be without.Modern Medicine magazine will include more information and updates on current events, on a monthly basis.
Happy New Year! The first issue of Modern Medicine is now available for you to read. We have some great articles featured in this edition to keep you warm in this rainy weather ; topics covered include:
Ethics (CPD) – Music is Medicine
CNS (CPD) – Could it be ADHD
Cardiology – NICE guideline update
Diabetes (CPD) – Chronic Kidney disease and Type 2 Diabetes
… and many more !
Also, a reminder that, not only do we have CPD questions available within the magazine itself, we also have an online CPD portalthat allows you to score even more points by simply completing your test online
Modern Medicine, the journal that’s with you wherever you go.
It is important to screen for, diagnose and aggressively manage chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes because diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. DKD progression can be delayed and prevented by aiming for tight glycaemic and blood pressure control and by using blockers of the renin-angiotensin system and, if appropriate, sodiumglucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. It is also important to aggressively address cardiovascular risk factors.
Cryptogenic strokes (including transient ischaemic attack [TIA]) have no identified probable cause after diagnostic assessment, and account for around 15% to 40% of ischaemic strokes. When people are treated for stroke, they are also tested for atrial fibrillation. However, if they have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, it may not occur during the initial assessment, or during subsequent diagnostic tests. Implantable cardiac monitors can identify atrial fibrillation and are helpful for identifying paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in people who have had a cryptogenic stroke.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death among women. Important sex differences in CVD risk factors, pathophysiology, presenting symptoms, treatment, preventive strategies and outcomes are increasingly recognised. The traditional cardiovascular risk factors increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in women more than they do in men. Women can also have nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors such as gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and polycystic ovary syndrome. More focus on female-specific features of CVD might help the development of targeted therapeutic interventions for both primary and secondary prevention in women.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that starts in childhood and continues into adulthood in most cases. Many young people and adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed and significantly impaired by their symptoms, particularly problems with day-to-day responsibilities. GPs are well placed to identify patients with ADHD and refer for specialist treatment. Effective treatment can be life-changing.
Asthma, a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways, affects around 300 million people worldwide. In South Africa, the prevalence is approximately 8.1% across all ages and the fatality rate is reported as being the 5th highest in the world – at 18.5 per 100 000 asthmatics.
In South Africa, healthcare professionals have not been medically trained to deal with a pandemic like COVID and neither do they have the necessary experience. Further, this pandemic has highlighted the shortcomings in our healthcare system.
