Australian family physician最新文献

Background: More than one-third of people living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Australia have not been diagnosed. The aim of this study was to assess general practitioners' (GPs') knowledge and practices regarding chronic HBV diagnosis, and identify opportunities to improve testing rates.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with GPs working in Victoria, Australia. Statistically significant adjusted odds ratios for high knowledge, and ordering two or more HBV tests per week were calculated.

Results: Of 1000 GPs who were invited to participate, 232 completed the survey. Chronic HBV knowledge, use of interpreters, and awareness of HBV testing guidelines were low. Chronic HBV knowledge and testing were associated with age and graduation from a medical school outside Australia. Testing was also associated with gender.

Discussion: This study identified gaps in GPs' knowledge about chronic hepatitis. Several barriers to improving testing rates among at-risk populations were identified. We recommend revision of the guidelines for prevention in general practice, and educational activities to improve knowledge of at-risk populations for chronic HBV in Australia.

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) can positively affect end-of-life care experiences. However, uptake of ACP completion is low. The aim of this study was to investigate whether co-locating ACP facilitators in general practice increased participation METHODS: Barwon Health commenced promoting its ACP program in 2008. Trained ACP facilitators assisted consumers, which usually occurred in the program's community-based consulting rooms. From 2012 onwards, ACP facilitators were co-located with 18 general practices, where they assisted consumers at the point of care.

Results: Referrals to the program increased from 2008-11 (n = 2520) to 2012-15 (n = 6847). Between 2012 and 2015, 48% of referrals to the program were from the 18 general practices with co-located ACP facilitators, and 93% of these referrals resulted in ACPs completed, compared with 74% from practices without co-located facilitators and 55% from all other sources (P DISCUSSION: Co-locating ACP facilitators in general practice increased the number of referrals to the program and produced higher plan completion rates.

Background: Hyponatraemia is one of the most commonly encountered electrolyte abnormalities in general practice. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is an important but under-recognised cause.

Objective: This article explores the presentation, investigation, diagnosis and management of SIADH.

Discussion: SIADH can occur secondary to medications, malignancy, pulmonary disease, or any disorder involving the central nervous system. Diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical euvolaemic state with low serum sodium and osmolality, raised urine sodium and osmolality, and exclusion of pseudohyponatraemia and diuretic use. Fluid restriction of 800-1200 mL/24 hours is the mainstay of treatment. Patients with severe hyponatraemia and symptoms of altered mental state or seizures should be admitted to hospital for monitoring of fluid restriction and consideration of hypertonic saline. A rapid increase in sodium levels can precipitate osmotic demyelination and, as such, the increase in serum sodium should not exceed 10 mmol/L in 24 hours or 18 mmol/L in 48 hours.

Background: Upper urinary tract stones are a common problem in Australia, with an incidence of 0.13% per year, and a lifetime prevalence of up to 15% in males and 8% in females. Many of these patients first present to general practitioners (GPs), so a thorough understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of stone disease is an important part of any GP's arsenal.

Objective: In this article, we present evidence-based guidelines regarding urolithiasis, from diagnosis, through to conservative and operative management, and prevention, as a reference for GPs and other primary care physicians.

Discussion: The majority of urolithiasis cases can be conservatively managed. However, prior to conservative management, adequate imaging must be obtained and emergent conditions must be excluded. Conservative management should not be initiated without a plan in the event the management fails, and adequate analgesia and medical expulsive therapy should be prescribed. Should surgery be necessary, the majority of operations can be performed as minimally invasive day procedures.

Background: Peyronie's disease is a relatively common condition in urological practice, but is still poorly identified and understood in the wider medical community and by most of the public. Identifying the condition and appropriate referral for expert opinion can significantly lessen the physical and psychological effect on patients.

Objective: The objective of this article is to provide general practitioners with a concise and updated review of Peyronie's disease, with the aim of helping them to provide appropriate advice to their patients.

Discussion: Peyronie's disease is an aberrant wound healing process culminating in excess scar formation in the penis, which may cause penile pain, shortening and curvature. It is often accompanied by erectile dysfunction, and can result in progressive and severe impairment of penetrative intercourse. The course of the disorder is divided into active inflammatory and chronic stable phases. Oral therapy is usually of limited efficacy, while penile traction may only be beneficial in motivated patients. Intralesional injections of collagenase were recently introduced as a non-surgical measure to decrease penile curvature. Surgery remains the most effective treatment for Peyronie's disease and is considered the gold standard.

Background: A male factor contributes to infertility in approximately 50% of couples who fail to conceive, causing significant psychosocial and marital stress.

Objective: This article reviews the general practitioner's (GP's) evaluation of male infertility and indications for referral to a male infertility specialist, and gives an overview of the specialist management of male infertility.

Discussion: Male infertility can result from anatomical or genetic abnormalities, systemic or neurological diseases, infections, trauma, iatrogenic injury, gonadotoxins and development of sperm antibodies. When a couple fails to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse, a screening evaluation of both partners is essential. For the male partner this includes history, physical examination, endocrine assessment and semen analysis. Several lifestyle and environmental factors can have a negative impact on male fertility, and the GP has a pivotal role in educating patients about modifiable factors.

Background: Male urinary incontinence adversely affects health-related quality of life and is associated with significant psychosexual and financial burden. The two most common forms of male incontinence are stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and overactive bladder (OAB) with concomitant urge urinary incontinence (UUI).

Objective: The objectives of this article are to briefly review the current understandings of the pathophysiological mechanisms in SUI and OAB/UUI, and offer a set of practical, action-based recommendations and treatment strategies.

Discussion: The initial evaluation of male urinary incontinence usually occurs in general practice, and the basic work-up aims to identify reversible causes. First-line treatment is conservative management, such as lifestyle interventions, pelvic floor muscle training with or without biofeedback, and bladder retraining. Treatment options include male slings and artificial urinary sphincter surgery for men with persistent SUI, and medical therapy, intravesical botulinum toxin, sacral neuromodulation or surgery in refractory cases for those with predominant OAB/UUI.

Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), defined as amenorrhoea due to the loss of ovarian function before 40 years of age, can occur spontaneously or be secondary to medical therapies. POI is associated with cardiovascular morbidity, osteoporosis and premature mortality. Women with POI present in primary care with menstrual disturbance, menopausal symptoms, infertility and, often, significant psychosocial issues. General practitioners play an important role in the evaluation and long-term management of women with POI.

Objective: This article examines the diagnostic and management issues when providing care for women with POI in the primary care setting.

Discussion: Diagnosis of POI requires follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the menopausal range on two occasions, at least four to six weeks apart in a woman aged.

Background: Greater numbers of people are travelling to places at high altitude each year. Altitude illness is common in places at high altitude and may be life-threatening. General practitioners (GPs) are best placed to provide evidence-based advice to keep travellers well informed of the possible risks they may encounter in places at high altitude.

Objective: The aim of this article is to review knowledge on altitude illness in order to help GPs assist patients to travel safely to places at high altitude.

Discussion: Acclimatisation to high altitude is a complex process and when inadequate leads to the pathological changes of altitude illness, including high-altitude headache, cerebral oedema, pulmonary oedema and acute mountain sickness. Higher ascent, faster rate of ascent and a previous history of altitude illness increase the risk of altitude illness. Acetazolamide and other medications used to prevent altitude illness are discussed in detail, including the finding that inhaled budesonide may prevent altitude illness.