Negotiating the Minefield of Power Relations in Medicine
“Knowledge is power. The real test of knowledge is not whether it is true but whether it empowers us. Scientists usually assume that no theory is 100% correct. Truth, consequently, is a poor test for knowledge. The real test is utility. A theory that enables us to do new things constitutes knowledge.”― Francis Bacon, Neues Organon, Volume 11.
Modern Medicine – Issue 2 2024
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.
Psoriasis – Presentation, Types and Management
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease occurs as a result of a combination of genetic, immune and environmental factors. Psoriasis ranges from mild to severe, and acute to chronic. Chronic psoriasis is associated with numerous comorbidities, including psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic syndromes, and issues related to cardiovascular, respiratory and mental health. Optimal management includes correct early diagnosis and treatment that considers chronic comorbidities. A range of systemic and biologic therapies are available for the treatment of psoriasis.
Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024
Interrupt the Vicious Circle of Aggravation in Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, progressive degenerative whole joint disease that affects the articular cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, capsule and synovium. OA was considered a wear and tear mechanical disease but now it is understood that the cross-talk between various joint structures and local inflammation is a central aspect of the underlying pathophysiology. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown various physiological effects of exogenous hyaluronic acid (HA) that can enhance chondrocyte synthesis of endogenous HA and proteoglycans, prevent the degradation of cartilage and promote its regeneration.
Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024
European Society of Hypertension : 2023 Guideline Update
The recently published European Society of Hypertension (ESH) 2023 ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension is the latest in a long series of high blood pressure (BP) clinical practice guidelines. It closely resembles the 2018 European Society of Cardiology/ESH guidelines, with incremental rather than major changes.
Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024
Progesterone with a Sixty-year Safety Record
Over the past 60 years, dydrogesterone has been used in more than 100 countries. Recently, several evidence-based studies, investigator-initiated trials, randomised clinical trial publications, and clinical and post-marketing studies involving dydrogesterone have supported the safety and tolerability profile of this drug..
Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024
Assisted Birth Shortens a Prolonged Second Stage of Labour
Operative vaginal delivery is used to expedite vaginal delivery for either maternal or foetal indication. Indications for operative delivery include maternal exhaustion, a non-reassuring foetal heart rate tracing, a prolonged second stage of labour or a need to shorten the second stage of labour. There has been a progressive shift away from the use of forceps in favour of the vacuum extractor as the instrument of choice.
Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024
Thyroiditis – Differentiating the Cause
Thyroiditis encompasses diverse diagnoses characterised by inflammation of the thyroid and is classified as painful or painless thyroiditis. They have varied causes and can be challenging to differentiate. Common features include the classic triphasic pattern of thyroid dysfunction of the thyrotoxic phase, followed by hypothyroidism secondary to depleted stores; and then a return to euthyroid state from recovery. General management of symptoms includes anti-inflammatories for pain (if present), beta blockers for the thyrotoxic phase and levothyroxine in cases of hypothyroidism.
Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024
Fever in the Returned Child Traveller: Assessing for Imported Causes
Determining the cause of fever in a child returning from international travel can be challenging. The clinical features of many imported infections are nonspecific, making them hard to distinguish from common childhood febrile illnesses coincidentally acquired during or soon after travel. Malaria, dengue and enteric fever are the most common imported infections in child travellers and can be life-threatening if the diagnosis is delayed or missed. Judicious assessment, starting with a detailed travel history, is key to guiding appropriate investigations. Imported disease may require a notification to a public health unit and should be managed in consultation with an infectious diseases specialist.
Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024
Is Aging a Disease or a Lifestyle Issue?
Although most still seem to consider aging not to be a disease, others have started to question this position. Some have argued that aging should be considered a disease, a syndrome or a ‘disease complex’. While many aging researchers have openly declared that the universality of the aging process means it is not a disease, aging fits the given medical definition of a disease. But just because it fits the definition, that definition may not be the most helpful to us.
Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024
