26th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo
Sometimes when a drug is contraindicated for patients with low eGFR, it may mean that usage of the drug may further damage the kidneys or increase the risk of certain adverse events. For example, the use of metformin in patients with eGFR <30 significantly increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Usage of lithium in patients with impaired renal function (low eGFR) may further damage the kidneys.…
26th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo
GPs in south west Dydney (SWS) are increasingly overwhelmed by the numbers of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) coming through the doors. We know that this cohort have a more “aggressive” disease and much higher and earlier complication rates. T2DM continues to be strongly associated with numerous cardiovascular and renal complications.…
23rd May, 2019. Dr Chee L Khoo
How to implement a low calorie diet for weight loss in general practice
In the last issue, we described our retrospective audit of all the patients at my practice who has a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and who was offered a low calorie, low carbohydrate diet program between January and May 2018. In general, all patients with type 2 diabetes were offered a partial meal replacement (two sachets plus a meal) and regular follow up over the subsequent 12 months.…
13th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo
Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with obesity and abnormal fat distribution. Fat loss especially from the liver and pancreas have been shown to reduce insulin resistance and, in some cases, lead to diabetes remission. Bariatric surgery can achieve significant weight loss and a significant proportion of patients achieved diabetes remission with weight loss (reference needed).…
13th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo
You are already seeing the worrying trend of younger and younger patients being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D). My youngest is 25 years old when first diagnosed with T2D. I am sure many of you have patients younger than that. Of course, we need to make sure that these are not patients with type 1 diabetes.…
13th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo
Ramadan is the holy month for Muslims, falling in the ninth lunar month in the Islamic calendar year. Because the timing of Ramadan is linked to the sighting of the new moon, the timing of this month varies. Ramadan is a period of worship, self-discipline, austerity and charity. The most important significance of Ramadan is that Muslims are required to observe fasting during daylight hours.…
13th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo
The list of drugs that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing. We know statins (1,2), anti-psychotics (3) and many of the anti-retroviral (4) and immunosuppressant agents (5) have been shown to increase the risk of T2D. We also heard last year about the ACE inhibitors. Recent studies have implicated the 5α-reductase inhibitors, the drugs that we use to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) as well.…
One of the problems of MRIs coming on and coming off Medicare rebates over time is the immense confusion to us GPs. This is especially so in the area of Paediatric MRIs. Fortunately, our colleagues at Spectrum Radiology has put together a quick reference guide for use in practice. The guide is now available under GP Resources and Tips.…
23rd April, 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo
Somehow, it has been drummed into us, as doctors and consumers, that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. What does that even mean? As discerning scientists, we should seek to clarify what outcome measures they are referring to when they say, “the most important meal of the day”. We should also question what type of breakfast they are referring to and the subjects recruited in the studies.…
22nd April 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo
“Hardening of the arteries” is pretty much inevitable when one gets older. A majority of our patients >70 years old are on anti-hypertensive treatment. The problem is they keep changing the targets we are meant to be aiming for in this cohort of patients. The ACC/AHA High Blood Pressure guidelines 2017 recommends 130/80 mmHg even for patients >70 years old (1).…
22nd April 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo
One of the diagnoses I dread to miss in general practice is slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). It is not common (yet) but most general practitioners will encounter (or miss) a few of these in their life time. They are mostly seen during the adolescent years and are more prevalent although not exclusively, in the overweight and obese.…
14th April 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo
It’s difficult, isn’t it? Patients who are overweight or obese often has either significant cardiovascular risks or already have cardiovascular co-morbidities. These are the patients that need some assistance with weight loss but we always hesitate to prescribe Duromine®. We were taught and warned about the “dangers” of the drug especially in relation to “cardiovascular disease” and blood pressure.…