The use of e-cigarettes in Australia has been increasing, especially among young people. Consumers now require a prescription to purchase vaping products. Clinicians can be guided by findings from a recent systematic review evaluating their associated harms and the evidence for their role in smoking cessation.
Oral corticosteroid treatment for asthma is widely prescribed in Australia but can cause significant side effects. There is a growing need for oral corticosteroid stewardship and more focus on improving asthma control using other strategies.
Cassidy Du Berry, Shivanthan Shanthikumar, Sarath Ranganathan
Children with well-controlled asthma appear to be at no greater risk of contracting COVID-19 or of having severe disease. However, emerging data suggest that children with poorly controlled asthma are more likely to be hospitalised for COVID-19.
Incidental pulmonary nodules are often benign, but some may represent early-stage lung cancer that is potentially curable. Consideration of patient and nodule characteristics can determine the probability of a nodule being malignant and help guide management.
Taking an occupational history is often overlooked, but should be performed in any patient presenting with respiratory symptoms or disease. Identifying contributory exposures can improve outcomes for individual patients and have important public health implications through improving unsafe work practices.
Hypothyroidism can present with subtle symptoms and signs. Its management requires a streamlined approach to diagnosis, treatment initiation and follow up, as well as strategies to address the complexities that can occur with levothyroxine therapy.
Cognitive decline is a common yet under-recognised complication of diabetes. A person-centred approach to glycaemic control is essential for managing people with diabetes who have evidence of cognitive decline.
Held in Brisbane in March 2022, this seminar focused on opioid-reduction strategies, safe opioid prescribing, communication between hospitals and GPs and adapting to the new Opioid Analgesic Stewardship in Acute Pain Clinical Standard.
