Bisphosphonates: addressing the duration conundrum

Bisphosphonates accumulate within bone tissue where they help...

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...

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

Urate-lowering medicines should be considered and discussed...

Vitamin D

This report provides data on the use of vitamin D supplementation...

Vitamin D and calcium supplementation in primary care: an update

In 2011, bpacnz produced guidance on vitamin D supplementation...

Diagnosis and management of axial spondyloarthritis in primary care

Ankylosing spondylitis is a relatively uncommon inflammatory...

Chronic pelvic pain in women

Chronic pelvic pain in women

Chronic pelvic pain can cause significant disruption to the...

An update on bisphosphonates

This report provides an update on the use of bisphosphonates...

Investigating myalgia in patients taking statins

Muscle pain (myalgia) and weakness is experienced by up to 10%...

Gout update: Febuxostat now subsidised on Special Authority

Febuxostat was added to the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Schedule...

Assessing diabetic peripheral neuropathy in primary care

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common long-term...

A conversation about gout…

In New Zealand, the majority of people with gout have higher...

Measuring serum urate levels

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that is caused...

Long-term Use of Corticosteroids: Think about Bone Health

Bone density loss leading to osteoporosis is a risk for patients...

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

Risedronate has been fully subsided in New Zealand without restriction...

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

A number of clinical syndromes are associated with the precipitation...

Urinary incontinence in adults

Managing urinary incontinence goes beyond just treating the...

Multiple sclerosis: Managing shades of grey

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central...

Polymyalgia rheumatica: Look before you leap

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition that causes...

An update on the management of gout

The management of gout involves treatment of an acute attack,...

The night time hustle: managing restless legs syndrome in adults

Restless legs syndrome is a common neurological disorder that...

The medical management of gout revisited

Gout has a significant impact on Māori in New Zealand. Management...

Gout: an alarm bell for diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Counties Manukau DHB Māori Gout Action Group have identified...

Vitamin D supplementation: Navigating the debate

Despite the increasing focus on vitamin D levels and claimed...

Methotrexate prescribing errors can be fatal

When used and monitored correctly methotrexate can be an effective...

Genes, fructose, allopurinol and gout

A short article on gout with specific reference to Pacific...

Snippets: Iodine supplements Zoledronic acid & Atorvastatin

• Iodine supplements now funded
• Zoledronic acid now funded
• Atorvastatin...

Snippets: Nicotinic acid Fosamax Plus & Genetic testing

Nicotinic acid/laropiprant (Tredaptive) ▪ Fosamax Plus...

TNF inhibitors - an update

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are used in the treatment...

Practice tips: Bupropion colchicine & first void urine

Quick tips

Five-minute back examination with neurological assessment

Instructions and illustrations for performing a quick examination...

Fluoroquinolone-associated tendon disorders

The use of oral fluoroquinolones is associated with increased...

Acute low back pain

Acute low back pain is common and most patients will fully recover...

Management of non-specific back pain and lumbar radicular pain

Key aspects of management include reassurance, education and...

Osteoporotic fracture prevention: a new approach

An introduction to FRAX, a new WHO endorsed approach for the...

Acute monoarthritis: differentiating between crystals sepsis and trauma

Acute monoarthritis is characterised by pain and swelling of...

Fracture Risk Assessment Calculator

Reference tool for calculating risk of major osteoporatic ...

Prevention of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and subsequent fracture may be prevented by maintaining...

Symptomatic management of osteoarthritis

The key treatment of osteoarthritis is to provide information...

Rheumatoid arthritis - monitoring of DMARDs

Most people with rheumatoid arthritis require early treatment...

Update: Gout in the Māori community

Gout is a significant health issue for Māori. This article...

Snippet: Depo-provera and bone scans

It is generally accepted that the use of Depo-Provera results...

Dilemmas: Alternative remedies and lifestyle measures for longevity

The development and marketing of anti-ageing products is a multi-million...

A slow death from colchicine

Contributed by Safe and Quality Use of Medicines.

Gout - Hit the target

Gout is an arthritis caused by the inflammatory response to...

Dear Dave

What is the significance of the warning between ACE inhibitors...

Vitamin D Testing in Primary Care

from BNP/Haemochromatosis/Vitamin D: Testing in Primary CareThis...

NSAIDs and coxibs

Cardiovascular risk associated with NSAIDs and coxibsNSAIDs...

NSAIDs. Strategies for minimising Harm

The aim of this POEM is to support the safer use of NSAIDs including...

Nocturnal leg cramps: is there any relief?

Nocturnal leg cramps are common, particularly in older people...