Screening for Colorectal Cancer Pays Off
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common tumour in men and the second in women, accounting for 10% of all tumour types worldwide. Incidence is 25% higher in males and differs greatly between countries. With more than 600 000 deaths estimated each year, CRC is the fourth most common cancer related cause of death globally.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023
Don’t Over- or Under-treat Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition that is more frequent in women, particularly those older than 60 years of age. It is readily diagnosed by the measurement of blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4).
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023
A Clinical Approach to Managing Obesity in Adults
Obesity is a complex chronic disease that is strongly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Routine screening is required to assess the complications of obesity. Therapies for managing obesity should be guided by an individual’s body mass index, comorbidities and the presence and severity of obesity-related complications.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023
Early Intervention Alters the Prediabetes Trajectory
Prediabetes is a high-risk state for progression to diabetes with an annualised conversion rate of 5–10%, with a similar proportion converting back to normoglycaemia. Proactive screening and a prompt lifestyle intervention in those with incident prediabetes is effective in preventing the progression to type 2 diabetes in many patients. The addition of metformin has a selectively greater impact in certain categories of patients.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023
An Update on Clinical Prospects and Management of Osteoarthritis
The rising prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in the general population has necessitated the development of novel treatment options. Over the next few years, several prospective therapies focusing on inflammation, cartilage metabolism, subchondral bone remodelling, cellular senescence and the peripheral nociceptive pathway are predicted to transform the OA therapy landscape. This is a shortened version of the original open access articles.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023
Fluid Regulation is Vital in Hypertension Management
Fluid balance is inextricably linked with electrolyte balance, both in the intracellular (rich in K+ ions) and extracellular (rich in Na+ & Cl- ions) compartments, where trading of electrolytes is the core strategy of renal fluid regulation. Medicinal products that affect renal regulation of electrolyte excretion have a significant effect in terms of the quantity of fluid control and thus water homeostasis.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023
Lipid Levels – Important Clues for Cardio and Pancreas Health
Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG), as an important component of atherogenic dyslipidaemia and a cardiovascular disease risk factor, should be carefully evaluated and managed via lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy. Although statins form a basis of the contemporary lipid-modifying treatment, major trials support the findings that therapy with fibrates is most beneficial in patients with triglyceride levels above 204mg/dL and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) below 34mg/dL.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023
Iron Micro Particles Improve Digestibility
Iron deficiency is one of the most important nutritional disorders, and can cause health problems. Food fortification with minerals often induces unacceptable organoleptic changes during the preparation process and storage, has low bioavailability and solubility, and is expensive. Micro particle surface modification to obtain novel characteristics can be a useful tool to overcome these problems.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023
Southern African HIV Clinicians Society Guidelines for Antiretroviral Therapy in Adults: 2023 Update
The Southern African HIV Clinicians Society has released their 2023 updated guidelines for antiretroviral therapy in adults. This article contains Modules 2 to 5, covering the available drugs in Southern Africa.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023
Expedite Labour with a Vacuum Assisted Delivery
Complications during childbirth result in the need for clinicians to use ‘assisted delivery’ in over 12% of cases (UK statistics). After more than 50 years in clinical practice, vacuum assisted delivery (VAD) devices remain a mainstay in physically assisting child delivery; sometimes preferred over forceps due to their ease of use and reduced maternal morbidity.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023
