Dairy: A Valuable Tool in Diabetes Prevention
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is regarded as one of the most common chronic illnesses worldwide. In addition to that, the increase in obesity and hypertension in South Africa is of great concern. The occurrence of DM in South Africa is 9.6% (3.5 million people), while 19% of the population is glucose intolerant.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2021
Procalcitonin Biomarker Improves Antibiotic Stewardship
Antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes may be defined as “a coherent set of actions which promote using antimicrobials responsibly.” One such potential action is to implement procalcitonin (PCT) as a clinical decision aid to improve antibiotic use. PCT is a biomarker that increases in response to bacterial rather than viral stimuli. Moreover, it rises rapidly after inflammatory stimuli (4–6h) and has a short half-life of 24h.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2021
Tranquility Online: Counselling in the Virtual Age
Africa’s most innovative online counselling app enabling professional mental healthcare services virtually.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2021
Tackle LDL-C Targets to Cut CVD Risk
A wealth of evidence from both observational and large randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs) supports the use of statins in a wide variety of patients with hypercholesterolaemia. The absolute benefit of treatment depends on the individual’s absolute risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the absolute reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) achieved. Rosuvastatin, compared to atorvastatin, has demonstrated high efficacy for LDL-C lowering, enabling patients with hypercholesterolaemia to achieve their lipid goals.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2021
Fenofibrate Cuts Residual Risk in Statin Users
An elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and several randomised clinical trials have shown that lowering LDL-C levels with statins results in a substantial reduced CVD morbidity and mortality. However, a significant number of treated patients continue to experience events, despite targeting LDL-C levels according to current guidelines. Moreover, even upon high doses of statins, a substantial residual risk remains.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2021
Acute Stroke: Preventing stroke and managing complications
GPs are ideally placed to identify patients with modifiable risk factors for stroke and to institute prevention strategies, including lifestyle changes and antihypertensive and anticoagulation therapy when appropriate. GPs can also help reduce morbidity in stroke survivors through recognising and managing complications such as depression, sexual dysfunction and fatigue
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2021
Weight is a Stigma and a Barrier to Care
High rates of obesity around the world have garnered sustained attention and efforts from medical, public health, and scientific communities. Simultaneously , scholars across diverse social science disciplines have studied the pervasive societal stigma faced by individuals with higher body weight. Known as weight stigma, individuals with higher weight face numerous negative stereotypes, prejudice, and unfair treatment across multiple facets of everyday life including healthcare.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2021
Imiquimod Targets Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Actinic keratosis (AK) appears as a rough, dry, scaly patch or growth on the exposed skin. If it is left untreated, AKs may turn into squamous cell carcinoma or in some cases it may turn into basal cell carcinomas, the most common form of skin cancer. Topical imiquimod is approved for the treatment of AK, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and external genital warts.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2021
The latest edition of Modern Medicine is now available for you to read. We have some great articles featured in this edition:
Also, a reminder that, not only do we have CPD questions available within the magazine itself, we also have an online CPD portal that allows you to score even more points by simply completing your test online
Modern Medicine, the journal that’s with you wherever you go.
Diagnosing Acquired Haemophilia
Acquired haemophilia is a bleeding disorder that stops the blood from clotting properly. While other types of haemophilia are present from birth, acquired haemophilia occurs suddenly when the body develops ‘inhibitors’ that interfere with the body’s own clotting factors. It can result in spontaneous and uncontrolled bleeding.
Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2021