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Interactive quizzes are based on material found in Best Practice Journal and Best Tests. Initially, quizzes are posted out with journals and GPs are invited to submit their answers for CME credits.
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Diverticulitis occurs when small pockets in the wall of the large bowel become inflamed, usually without a specific identifiable... View Article
Coeliac disease affects approximately 1 in 100 adults. However, it is often unrecognised as symptoms can be vague and non-specific... View Article
Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer due to long-term inflammation and... View Article
With the increasing popularity of plant-based diets, there is much discussion about whether these are healthy and nutritious for... View Article
Primary lactase deficiency, the main cause of lactose intolerance, is estimated to affect 8% of people in New Zealand, with substantially... View Article
Bowel cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in New Zealand, second only to lung cancer. Follow-up and surveillance of... View Article
Guidance for following up people who have had polyps identified on colonoscopy and people with inflammatory bowel disease, who... View Article
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the principal forms of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Currently over 20,000... View Article
Cyanobacteria, also referred to as blue-green algae, are micro-organisms that live in freshwater and marine environments. Under... View Article
Bowel cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death in New Zealand. Approximately one-quarter of diagnoses are made... View Article
Constipation is common in older people due to factors such as multimorbidity, polypharmacy, frailty, dehydration, a lack of exercise... View Article
Over one-third of people aged 65 years and older in New Zealand were dispensed a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in the last year.... View Article
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer makes up around 1% of stomach cancer diagnoses, however, Māori in New Zealand are disproportionately... View Article
In 2014 we published over 60 medical education articles in Best Practice Journal, spanning more than 450 pages. Context is crucial... View Article
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most widely used medicines in New Zealand; in 2013 omeprazole was the third most... View Article
Gallstones are common among the general population, but because they rarely cause symptoms many people are unaware of their presence.... View Article
Heartburn, the cardinal symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, is experienced by 15 – 20% of adults at least once a week.... View Article
In the final instalment of the rural series we present a round-up of infections that may be seen in patients living in, working... View Article
A more recent article has been published on this topic: click here There is ongoing debate in the literature about which is... View Article
Campylobacter, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and Giardia cause diarrhoeal illnesses in thousands of people annually in New Zealand.... View Article
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterised by recurrent bouts of abdominal discomfort... View Article
Omeprazole is not approved for use in infants (children aged under one year). Although omeprazole is effective at reducing gastric... View Article
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are successfully used to treat a wide range of painful conditions. However, NSAIDs... View Article
Anal fissures are small tears in the epithelium of the anus that can be intensely painful. Most anal fissures are caused due to... View Article
IN DECEMBER, 2012 MEDSAFE published a warning on the risk of hypomagnesaemia for people taking any proton pump inhibitor (PPI).... View Article
This report discussus how testing behaviour in New Zealand has changed over the past five years and includes feedback on the testing... View Article
What is a faecal occult blood test? When should a faecal occult blood test be requested? How should the results of a faecal... View Article
The incidence of colorectal cancer in New Zealand is high by international standards. New Zealand females have one of the highest... View Article
Nausea and vomiting are very common symptoms of early pregnancy and usually resolve by 16–20 weeks gestation (most commonly by... View Article
In New Zealand, empiric treatment with omeprazole for infant irritability and reflux is increasing, despite the fact that it is... View Article
People with a confirmed diagnosis of coeliac disease must adhere to a life-long gluten-free diet. When first diagnosed, nutritional... View Article
Links to video files of the TV show broadcast on Sky channel 950, Thursday May 5th View Article
Dyspepsia is not a diagnosis but rather a description of symptoms that may indicate disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract.... View Article
Progress to date on a national screening programme for bowel cancer View Article
A more recent article has been published on this topic: click here The choice of test for initial testing for H. pylori, is... View Article
Tissue transglutaminase antibodies are the most useful preliminary step for testing people with a clinical picture suggestive... View Article
Clinical assessment of intestinal inflammation can be problematic. Faecal calprotectin can be useful in differentiating between... View Article
The role of laboratory tests in diagnosing lactose intolerance in primary care is limited. In most cases the diagnosis can be... View Article
There are a number of causes of low vitamin B12 levels with pernicious anaemia being among the most important to identify. Parietal... View Article
In the past, the faecal fat test was sometimes used to aid the diagnosis of steatorrhoea. This practice is no longer recommended.... View Article
This web version is a sample only, all data below the national level has been omitted. View Article
Every year around 200,000 New Zealanders acquire a food associated illness. Gastrointestinal diseases account for the majority... View Article
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis,... View Article
All about PPIs, Fire hazard with paraffin View Article
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. These conditions are usually managed in... View Article
When people are newly diagnosed with coeliac disease, their nutritional status is often compromised, and they may require repletion... View Article
Although breastfeeding is the best option for an infant, cows’ milk based formula is recommended if breast feeding does... View Article
Many older people suffer from the “anorexia of ageing”. The best option for treating malnutrition is to enhance normal... View Article
Dr Richard Steele provides some clarification on the issue of which tests are most appropriate for investigating coeliac disease... View Article
Assessing the risk and benefit of alternative therapy for GI conditions View Article
Coeliac disease is a common but often unrecognised disorder, affecting about 1 in 100 people. Symptoms of coeliac disease are... View Article
Most cases of constipation in adults are mild and intermittent and respond to lifestyle changes such as increasing fibre in the... View Article
Irritable bowel syndrome affects approximately 1 in 10 people, mainly women between the ages of 20 and 50 years. Treatment is... View Article
Lactose intolerance affects many adults and children. It is either genetically determined or experienced transiently as a result... View Article
View Article
Can Proton Pump Inhibitors cause vitamin B12 deficiency? View Article
Bronchiolitis | Cough in children | Fever in children | Acute gastroenteritis in children | Acute asthma in children aged 1-15... View Article
This audit is designed to identify people in your practice on omeprazole View Article
Heartburn, undifferentiated dyspepsia and functional dyspepsia are common and management requires an individually tailored combination... View Article
Anti-endomysial (EMA) antibody or anti-tissue transglutaminase (TTG) are the best initial tests for detecting coeliac disease,... View Article