Medical science, drawn into focus.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Overview Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, affecting up to 30% of patients with skin psoriasis. It commonly presents in adults aged 30–50 years, with equal gender distribution. The disease is highly variable, involving peripheral joints, axial skeleton, entheses, and skin/nails. Delay in diagnosis is common and can result…

Aortic Stenosis

Overview Aortic valve stenosis is characterised by obstruction of left ventricular outflow, resulting in inadequate cardiac output, decreased exercise capacity, heart failure, and death from cardiovascular causes. Mild to moderate aortic stenosis is usually a symptomatic, but occasionally can be found on routine examination Locations of stenosis – Valvular (common), supravalvular and subvalvular Aortic Stenosis…

Kawasaki Disease

Overview Kawasaki disease is an acute systemic vasculitis affecting small and medium-sized vessels predominantly affecting children under 5 years old. It is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries. Kawasaki is often self-limiting, but 20–25% risk of coronary artery aneurysms if untreated 1 . Vasculitis : Inflammation of blood vessel…

Peripheral Arterial Disease (Chronic Lower Limb Ischaemia)

 Overview Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): Ratio of ankle to brachial systolic blood pressure, determined using Doppler ultrasound flow. Claudication: Pain, ache, or cramp in muscles that increases with walking or leg exertion in a predictable manner and resolves with rest. Peripheral arterial disease: Atherosclerosis leading to narrowing of the major arteries distal to the aortic arch.…

Adult onset Still's Disease

Overview Adult Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD) is a complex multisystemic autoinflammatory disease characterised by recurrent episodes of spiking fever (> 39–40°C), pink–salmon transient skin rash, and the presence of arthralgia or polyarthritis. First described by Eric Bywaters in 1971 it closely resembles systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (Still’s disease). retrospective observational study in Japan found…

Gastroenteritis (Infectious Diarrhoea)

Overview Gastroenteritis continues to cause significant morbidity in developed and developing countries. The most common cause are viral and bacterial including: Norovirus Enteric adenoviruses E-coli Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. Campylobater jejuni Diarrhoea:  Loose, water like stools that occur with increased frequency and an increased volume of >200g per day Gastroenteritis:  >3 or more loose…

Menopause

Overview The menopause means the final menstrual period – diagnosed retrospectively after one year of amenorrhoea. Cessation occurs due to loss of ovarian function. The “declining oocyte pool” theory states that a newborn girl is born with millions of eggs, most of which die by atresia. The average age of menopause is 50, however this can vary…

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