May 2025

Peer Reviewed Feature Articles
Dermatology

Hidradenitis suppurativa: more than a skin disease

Tara Shoji, John W. Frew

Hidradenitis suppurativa remains underdiagnosed and can be misdiagnosed as recurrent infections. Early identification and proactive management in primary care are crucial to prevent complications.

Cardiometabolic diseases

Keeping their hearts in mind – cardiometabolic health and severe mental illness

Hamish Fibbins, Scott Teasdale, Rachel Morell, Andrew Watkins, Jackie Curtis

People with severe mental illness have a shorter life expectancy than the general population, predominately because of physical health conditions. The Mindgardens Adult and Adolescent Positive Cardiometabolic Resource and Tobacco Treatment Resource frameworks are practical tools for physical health screening and interventions in people with severe mental illness.

Peer Reviewed Regular Series
Women's health

Menopausal hormone therapy and cardiovascular risk

Natassia Rodrigo, Rodney Baber

The use of menopausal hormone therapy in women with significant cardiovascular disease is still debated. This article reviews when, how and for whom menopausal hormone therapy is appropriate.

Cardiovascular medicine clinic

Advances in lipid management: current challenges and new horizons

Riti Chetty, Nick S.R. Lan, Gerald F. Watts

Treatment gaps exist between guideline recommendations for lipid goals and clinical practice, and implementation strategies are needed to optimise lipid management. Novel therapies in clinical trials could expand the options for lipid-modifying treatment in the future.

Gastroenterology clinic

Large hiatus hernias – more than just reflux

Fienne Cordeschi, Gregory L. Falk

The diagnosis of large hiatus hernias is difficult owing to the nonspecific symptoms caused by gastric entrapment. Assessment and ongoing care, along with an appropriate referral strategy for these patients, remain the responsibility of the GP.

Therapeutics clinic

The use of topical corticosteroids for inflammatory dermatoses

Conor Larney, Laxmi Iyengar, Nisal Punchihewa, Stephen Shumack, Peter Foley

Topical corticosteroids remain the mainstay of treatment for inflammatory dermatoses because of their efficacy and rapid onset of action. However, appropriate selection of potency, vehicle and duration of use is crucial to minimise complications.

Physician-authored summaries and commentary on the most important medical research, provided by the NEJM Group, a division of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

© Massachusetts Medical Society