Medical science, drawn into focus.

Cervical Cancer

Overview Cervical cancer is an HPV-related malignancy of the uterine cervical mucosa. Most cervical tumours contain HPV DNA (99.7%) . There are many variants of HPV, HPV-16 and 18 are the 2 most common high-risk types.  Cervical cancer is proceeded by an idenifiable precursor lesion (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1)) that may progress to invasive cancer. CIN can…

Substance Dependence (Addiction), Withdrawal and Overdose

Overview of addition medicine. This section is a brief introduction to substance abuse, followed by section that look at specific drugs of addiction. Substance Misuse: Consumption above designated low risk levels Substance Abuse: repetitive substance use resulting in social complications (financial, occupational and legal) Substance Tolerance: Defined by either of the following: a need for…

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…

Otitis Externa

Overview Acute otitis externa (AOE) is a common ear condition seen in the primary health care setting. Also known as ‘swimmer’s ear’ or ‘tropical ear’, it is prevalent in hot humid climates.  AOE is an inflammatory condition of the ear canal skin. The causes are infective or non-infective. Otitis externa: Inflammation of the outer ear…

Anal Fissure

Overview Anal fissure is a split in the skin of the distal anal canal. It presents with severe pain on defecation, like passing “glass shards”, and rectal bleeding. It is more frequently diagnosed in younger and middle-aged individuals. Anal fissures are mostly caused by passage of hard stool but can also be a result of…

Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Overview Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most frequent clinically significant primary antibody deficiency, characterised by hypogammaglobulinaemia and impaired antibody responses. It typically presents with recurrent bacterial infections, autoimmunity, granulomatous disease, and an increased risk of malignancy. CVID affects both sexes equally, with a prevalence of ~1 in 25,000–50,000 individuals. Diagnosis is often delayed, with…

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Overview Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common, lifelong condition that appears to be increasing in prevalence with increasing obesity, and is more common in Indigenous and southeast Asian women. PCOS is the presence of multiple follicular cysts in the ovaries (>12 cysts). PCOS results in hormonal imbalance resulting in the associated signs and symptoms (ie.…

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