^ Back to Top

Musculoskeletal

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) – look before you leap

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory rheumatological condition that causes a specific pattern of joint pain and morning... View Article

July 2023

Osteoarthritis: a focus on exercise

Three main aspects form the foundation of a management strategy for patients with osteoarthritis: education, exercise and weight... View Article

March 2023

Acute low back pain

Low back pain is a leading contributor to disability in New Zealand; it is only rarely a life-threatening condition, but it represents... View Article

May 2022

An overview of concussion/mild traumatic brain injury management for primary healthcare professionals

Concussion is a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) resulting from an external force to the head or body that transiently... View Article

April 2022

Managing gout in primary care
Part 1 - Talking about gout: time for a re-think

Gout is a treatable form of arthritis that is associated with poor health and reduced life expectancy. Too often, gout management... View Article

July 2021

Managing gout in primary care
Part 2 -  Controlling gout with long-term urate-lowering treatment

Urate-lowering medicines should be considered and discussed with patients with gout from the first presentation. Doses of urate-lowering... View Article

July 2021

Bisphosphonates: addressing the duration conundrum

Bisphosphonates accumulate within bone tissue where they help rebalance the remodelling cycle to increase bone mineral density.... View Article

January 2019

Vitamin D

This report provides data on the use of vitamin D supplementation over the 12 month period from July, 2015 to June, 2016. View Article

September 2016

Vitamin D and calcium supplementation in primary care: an update

In 2011, bpacnz produced guidance on vitamin D supplementation for primary care. In the past five years vitamin D use has... View Article

August 2016

Diagnosis and management of axial spondyloarthritis in primary care

Ankylosing spondylitis is a relatively uncommon inflammatory cause of long-term back pain which can result in radiographic changes... View Article

August 2016

Chronic pelvic pain in women

Chronic pelvic pain can cause significant disruption to the lives of the women it affects. It can arise not only from pathology... View Article

September 2015

An update on bisphosphonates

This report provides an update on the use of bisphosphonates in New Zealand. In the past year changes to funding occurred, including... View Article

November 2014

Investigating myalgia in patients taking statins

Muscle pain (myalgia) and weakness is experienced by up to 10% of patients taking statins. However, myalgia is commonly experienced... View Article

August 2014

Gout update: Febuxostat now subsidised on Special Authority

This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: [email protected] View Article

July 2014

Assessing diabetic peripheral neuropathy in primary care

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common long-term complications of diabetes. It develops in up to half of all... View Article

June 2014

A conversation about gout…

In New Zealand, the majority of people with gout have higher than optimal serum urate levels. A primary reason for this is a lack... View Article

April 2014

Measuring serum urate levels

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that is caused by an inflammatory response to monosodium urate (MSU) crystals,... View Article

April 2014

Long-term Use of Corticosteroids: Think about Bone Health

Bone density loss leading to osteoporosis is a risk for patients taking long-term corticosteroids. Bone health is important in... View Article

November 2013

Risedronate now fully subsidised: What is its place in practice?

This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: [email protected] View Article

November 2013

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease: The arthropathy formerly known as “Pseudogout”

A number of clinical syndromes are associated with the precipitation of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in and around... View Article

October 2013

Urinary incontinence in adults

Managing urinary incontinence goes beyond just treating the medical condition. For the patient, the social and psychological impact... View Article

October 2013

Multiple sclerosis: Managing shades of grey

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) resulting in neurological deficits, which... View Article

August 2013

Polymyalgia rheumatica: Look before you leap

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition that causes a particular pattern of joint pain and stiffness, most commonly... View Article

June 2013

An update on the management of gout

This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: [email protected] View Article

March 2013

The night time hustle: managing restless legs syndrome in adults

Restless legs syndrome is a common neurological disorder that can significantly affect a patient's quality of life. Lifestyle... View Article

December 2012

The medical management of gout revisited

Gout has a significant impact on Māori in New Zealand. Management can be classified into three areas – treatment of an acute attack,... View Article

August 2011

Gout: an alarm bell for diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Counties Manukau DHB Māori Gout Action Group have identified five publicly held myths about gout and presented a plan with five... View Article

August 2011

Vitamin D supplementation: Navigating the debate

Despite the increasing focus on vitamin D levels and claimed associations with many health conditions, there is no evidence to... View Article

June 2011

Methotrexate prescribing errors can be fatal

When used and monitored correctly methotrexate can be an effective and safe treatment, however, if an error occurs and it is taken... View Article

February 2011

Genes, fructose, allopurinol and gout

A short article on gout with specific reference to Pacific peoples. View Article

November 2010

Snippets: Iodine supplements Zoledronic acid & Atorvastatin

This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: [email protected] View Article

August 2010

Snippets: Nicotinic acid Fosamax Plus & Genetic testing

Nicotinic acid/laropiprant (Tredaptive) ▪ Fosamax Plus ▪ Direct-to-consumer genetic testing View Article

November 2009

TNF inhibitors - an update

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis,... View Article

November 2009

Five-minute back examination with neurological assessment

Instructions and illustrations for performing a quick examination on a patient presenting with acute low back pain and neurological... View Article

June 2009

Fluoroquinolone-associated tendon disorders

The use of oral fluoroquinolones is associated with increased risk of tendinitis and tendon ruptures. View Article

June 2009

Acute low back pain

Acute low back pain is common and most patients will fully recover within three months. Serious causes are rare and can be excluded... View Article

June 2009

Management of non-specific back pain and lumbar radicular pain

Key aspects of management include reassurance, education and encouraging the patient to remain active - adequate analgesia is... View Article

June 2009

Osteoporotic fracture prevention: a new approach

An introduction to FRAX, a new WHO endorsed approach for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures. View Article

November 2008

Acute monoarthritis: differentiating between crystals sepsis and trauma

Acute monoarthritis is characterised by pain and swelling of a single joint. There are a number of causes, with crystals, trauma... View Article

November 2008

Fracture Risk Assessment Calculator

Reference tool for calculating risk of major osteoporatic fracture. View Article

November 2008

Prevention of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and subsequent fracture may be prevented by maintaining adequate calcium and vitamin D levels, undertaking regular... View Article

October 2008

Symptomatic management of osteoarthritis

The key treatment of osteoarthritis is to provide information and resources that help patients to cope, including advice on exercise... View Article

October 2008

Rheumatoid arthritis - monitoring of DMARDs

Most people with rheumatoid arthritis require early treatment with disease modifying-anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy to control... View Article

October 2008

Update: Gout in the Māori community

Gout is a significant health issue for Māori. This article explores Māori perception of gout and updates evidence from... View Article

May 2008

Snippet: Depo-provera and bone scans

It is generally accepted that the use of Depo-Provera results in reduced bone mineral density (BMD). This is of particular concern... View Article

April 2008

Dilemmas: Alternative remedies and lifestyle measures for longevity

The development and marketing of anti-ageing products is a multi-million dollar industry. There is no shortage of remedies and... View Article

February 2008

A slow death from colchicine

Contributed by Safe and Quality Use of Medicines. View Article

September 2007

Gout - Hit the target

Gout is an arthritis caused by the inflammatory response to intra-articular monosodium urate crystals. Supersaturation of urate... View Article

September 2007

Dear Dave

What is the significance of the warning between ACE inhibitors and allopurinol. View Article

June 2007

NSAIDs and coxibs

Cardiovascular risk associated with NSAIDs and coxibsNSAIDs in the treatment of soft tissue injuries View Article

October 2006

Nocturnal leg cramps: is there any relief?

Nocturnal leg cramps are common, particularly in older people and in women who are pregnant. Is there an effective treatment?... View Article

December 2012