History review provides the clue to a rare case
Jim, a 64-year-old handyman, presents initially for review of crackling noises he can hear when he breathes. These will wake him up, particularly if he…
Tag: Diagnostics
How the Heart Foundation chose Australia’s new CVD risk equation
The PREDICT-1° algorithm trumped nine other candidate risk equations for use in Australia even though it is the only one without external validation, say the authors…
New PCOS guidelines back hormone test as diagnostic aid
Elevated serum anti-müllerian hormone can now be used as an alternative to pelvic ultrasound to aid diagnosis of PCOS, according to updated guidelines released this…
Cuff size matters if you want accurate BP readings, study confirms
It may not come as a surprise to everyone, but cuff size does matter when using automated blood pressure monitors, especially in patients requiring larger cuffs.…
New CVD guidelines a ‘missed opportunity’ for optimal risk reduction, says cardiologist
The absence of lipid- and blood pressure–lowering targets in the new CVD prevention guidelines represents a “missed opportunity” for optimal risk reduction, says a leading…
New CVD guidelines mark ‘big shift’ for risk thresholds, says leading GP
Changes to CVD guidelines will benefit patients just below the high-risk threshold, but questions remain over the new percentage-based risk categories, says a leading GP. The RACGP-endorsed Australian CVD…
Framingham scrapped: Heart Foundation releases new CVD risk calculator and guidelines
GPs now have access to revamped CVD prevention guidelines and a risk calculator, with the outdated Framingham-based equation officially consigned to the scrap heap. The…
How observing the way patients walk can reveal their hidden ailments
On the first day of orthopaedics class at medical school, our professor limped in, stopped, and then proceeded to teach us specifically which ailment causes…
Doubling up on stool-based tests catches more colorectal cancers: study
Carrying out two stool-based tests improves sensitivity and cuts the number of missed colorectal cancers, according to a UK study. Researchers compared the diagnostic performance…
Calcium score visualisation encourages lifestyle changes: review
Showing patients images of their subclinical atherosclerosis can drive behavioural change and reduce their overall cardiovascular disease risk, Australian researchers report. Their systematic review suggests…
