eMJA: Clinical Guidelines

Clinical guidelines published by the MJA represent the consensus opinion of experts based on review of the scientific literature.

This list is organised by broad topic area, with the guidelines listed in each topic area from newest to oldest.

Topics: Aboriginal Health — Cardiology — Endocrinology — General medicine — Geriatrics — Haematology — Immunology and Allergy — Infectious Diseases — Nutrition — Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Women's Health — Paediatrics — Palliative Care — Psychiatry — Respiratory Medicine — Renal Medicine — Rheumatology

Aboriginal Health

Bronchiectasis in Indigenous children in remote Australian communities: Anne B Chang, Keith Grimwood, E Kim Mulholland, Paul J Torzillo, for the Working Group on Indigenous Paediatric Respiratory Health. MJA 2002; 178 (4): 200-204.

Cardiology

Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of people with chronic heart failure in Australia 2006: Henry Krum, Michael V Jelinek, Simon Stewart, Andrew Sindone, John J Atherton and Anna L Hawkes, on behalf of the CHF Guidelines Core Writers. MJA MJA 2006; 185 (10): 549-556
Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes 2006: Acute Coronary Syndrome Guidelines Working Group. Med J Aust 2006; 184 (8): S1-S32.
Physical activity for people with cardiovascular disease: recommendations of the National Heart Foundation of Australia: Tom G Briffa, Andrew Maiorana, Noella J Sheerin, Anthony G Stubbs, Brian F Oldenburg, Neville L Sammel and Roger M Allan. Med J Aust 2006; 184 (2): 71-75.
National data elements for the clinical management of acute coronary syndromes: Sponsored by the National Heart Foundation of Australian and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. MJA 2005; 182 (9 Suppl 2 May): S1-S16.
Prevention of cardiovascular disease: an evidence-based clinical aid 2004: Written by members of the Practical Implementation Taskforce for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. Supported by an unconditional educational grant from Aventis Pharma. An MJA focus document, 20 September 2004.
Aspirin for cardiovascular disease prevention: Joseph Hung, for the Medical Issues Committee of the National Heart Foundation of Australia. MJA 2003; 179 (3): 147-152.
Prevention of cardiovascular disease: an evidence-based clinical aid: Written by members of the Practical Implementation Taskforce for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. Supported by an unconditional educational grant from Aventis Pharma. An MJA focus document, 21 July 2003. Now superseded by the 2004 edition.
"Stress" and coronary heart disease: psychosocial risk factors: National Heart Foundation of Australia position statement update. MJA 2003; 178 (6): 272-276.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: Barry P McGrath, on behalf of the National Blood Pressure Advisory Committee of the National Heart Foundation of Australia. MJA 2002; 176 (12): 588-592.
Lipid management guidelines — 2001: National Heart Foundation of Australia and The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. MJA 2001; 175: S57-S88 (PDF format).
Guidelines for management of patients with chronic heart failure in Australia: Henry Krum, on behalf of the National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia & New Zealand Chronic Heart Failure Clinical Practice Guidelines Writing Panel. MJA 2001; 174: 459-466 (Now superseded by Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of people with chronic heart failure in Australia 2006; Henry Krum, Michael V Jelinek, Simon Stewart, Andrew Sindone, John J Atherton and Anna L Hawkes, on behalf of the CHF Guidelines Core Writers. MJA MJA 2006; 185 (10): 549-556)
Non-valvular atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention: Position statement of the National Blood Pressure Advisory Committee of the National Heart Foundation. MJA 2001; 174: 234-239
Management of unstable angina guidelines — 2000: The National Heart Foundation of Australia and The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. MJA 2000; 173: S65-S88 (Now superseded by Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes 2006; Acute Coronary Syndrome Guidelines Working Group. Med J Aust 2006; 184 (8): S1-S32. )
Clinical exercise stress testing -- Safety and performance guidelines: Adapted from a guideline document from the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. MJA 1996; 164: 282-284
Diabetes and hypertension: Australian Diabetes Society position statement. MJA 1995; 163: 372-375

Endocrinology

The Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society consensus guidelines for the management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in relation to pregnancy: MJA 2005; 183 (7): 373-377
Vitamin D and adult bone health in Australia and New Zealand: a position statement: Working Group of the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Endocrine Society of Australia and Osteoporosis Australia. MJA 2005; 182 (6): 281-285
Diabetes, psychotic disorders and antipsychotic therapy: a consensus statement: A statement from a Consensus Working Group. MJA 2004; 181: 544-548
Consensus statement on diabetes control in preparation for pregnancy: A statement from the National Diabetes in Pregnancy Advisory Committee. MJA 2004; 181: 326
Metformin therapy and diabetes in pregnancy: A report from an Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society Ad Hoc Working Party. MJA 2004; 180: 462-464
Preventing osteoporosis: outcomes of the Australian Fracture Prevention Summit: Cosponsored by Osteoporosis Australia and the National Prescribing Service. MJA 2002; 176: S11-S16
The lower limb in people with diabetes: Position statement of the Australian Diabetes Society. MJA 2000; 173: 369-372
Use, misuse and abuse of androgens: Position Statement from the Endocrine Society of Australia. MJA 2000; 172: 220-224
New classification and criteria for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus: Position Statement from the Australian Diabetes Society, New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes, Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists. MJA 1999; 170: 375-378
Gestational diabetes mellitus -- management guidelines: The Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society -- Linda Hoffman, Chris Nolan, J Dennis Wilson, Jeremy J N Oats and David Simmons. MJA 1998; 169: 93-97
Glycohaemoglobin: a crucial measurement in modern diabetes management: This consensus statement from the Australian Diabetes Society, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and the Australian Association of Clinical Biochemists reviews the importance of measuring glycohaemoglobin in managing diabetes and discusses progress towards standardised and accurate measurements. MJA 1997; 167: 96-98
The prevention and management of osteoporosis: Consensus statement of the 1996 Australian National Consensus Conference convened by the Department of Health and Family Services. MJA 1997; 167: S1-S15
Diabetes and hypertension: Australian Diabetes Society position statement. MJA 1995; 163: 372-375

General Medicine

Chronic fatigue syndrome clinical practice guidelines — 2002: Produced by a Working Group convened under the auspices of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. MJA 2002; 176: S17-S56

Geriatrics

Evidence-based guidelines for fixing broken hips: an update: Michael N Chilov, Ian D Cameron and Lyn M March. MJA 2003; 179 (9): 489-493
How best to fix a broken hip: Lynette M March, Anne C Chamberlain, Ian D Cameron, Robert G Cumming, Alan J M Brnabic, Terrence P Finnegan, Susan E Kurrle, Jennifer M Schwarz, Sydney M L Nade, Tom K F Taylor, and members of the Fractured Neck of Femur Health Outcomes Project Team. MJA 1999; 170: 489-494

Haematology

Warfarin reversal: consensus guidelines, on behalf of the Australasian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis: Ross I Baker, Paul B Coughlin, Alex S Gallus, Paul L Harper, Hatem H Salem and Erica M Wood; the Warfarin Reversal Consensus Group. MJA 2004; 181: 492-497
Consensus guidelines for warfarin therapy: Position Statement from the Australasian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. MJA 2000; 172: 600-605

Immunology and allergy

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy position statement: summary of allergy prevention in children: MJA 2005; 182: 464-467
Chronic fatigue syndrome clinical practice guidelines — 2002: Produced by a Working Group convened under the auspices of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. MJA 2002; 176: S17-S56
Vega testing in the diagnosis of allergic conditions: "Vega testing (the Vega test method) is an unorthodox method of diagnosing allergic and other diseases. It has no established scientific basis and there are no controlled trials to support its usefulness. Vega testing may lead to inappropriate treatment and expense to the patient and community." -- A position statement of the Australian College of Allergy. MJA 1991; 155: 113-114

Infectious Diseases

Consensus recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and control of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Bairnsdale or Buruli ulcer) in Victoria, Australia: Position statement of the Mycobacterium ulcerans Study Team. Med J Aust 2007; 186 (2): 64-68.
The management of varicella-zoster virus exposure and infection in pregnancy and the newborn period: Position statement of the Australasian Subgroup in Paediatric Infectious Diseases of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases. MJA 2001; 174: 288-292
Tuberculosis in children in Australia: strategies for control: Consensus statement of the Paediatric Special Interest Group of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases and the Australian Paediatric Respiratory Group. MJA 1998; 168: 121-124

Nutrition

Prevention and treatment of infant and childhood vitamin D deficiency in Australia and New Zealand: a consensus statement: Craig Munns, Margaret R Zacharin, Christine P Rodda, Jennifer A Batch, Ruth Morley, Noel E Cranswick, Maria E Craig, Wayne S Cutfield, Paul L Hofman, Barry J Taylor, Sonia R Grover, Julie A Pasco, David Burgner and Christopher T Cowell — MJA 2006; 185 (5): 268-272.
Essential role of fats throughout the lifecycle: An initiative of the Child Nutrition Research Centre supported by an educational grant from Meadow Lea. MJA 2002; 176: S105-S124
Identifying and promoting the specific nutrition and physical activity needs of women aged 40 and over: An initiative of The Jean Hailes Foundation. MJA 2000; 173: S89-S112
Recommendations for nutrition and physical activity for Australian children: An initiative of Sports Dietitians Australia. MJA 2000; 173: S1-S16

Obstetrics and gynaecology and Women's Health

The Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society consensus guidelines for the management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in relation to pregnancy: MJA 2005; 183 (7): 373-377
Consensus statement on diabetes control in preparation for pregnancy: A statement from the National Diabetes in Pregnancy Advisory Committee. MJA 2004; 181: 326
Metformin therapy and diabetes in pregnancy: A report from an Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society Ad Hoc Working Party. MJA 2004; 180: 462-464
Preventing osteoporosis: outcomes of the Australian Fracture Prevention Summit: Cosponsored by Osteoporosis Australia and the National Prescribing Service. MJA 2002; 176: S11-S16
Anticoagulation in pregnancy and the puerperium: A Working Group on behalf of the Obstetric Medicine Group of Australasia. MJA 2001; 175: 258-263
Metformin and intervention in polycystic ovary syndrome: Robert J Norman, Warren J Kidson, Ross C Cuneo, Margaret R Zacharin on behalf of the Endocrine Society of Australia, the Australian Diabetes Society and the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group. MJA 2001; 174: 580-583
The management of varicella-zoster virus exposure and infection in pregnancy and the newborn period: Position statement of the Australasian Subgroup in Paediatric Infectious Diseases of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases. MJA 2001; 174: 288-292
Identifying and promoting the specific nutrition and physical activity needs of women aged 40 and over: An initiative of The Jean Hailes Foundation. MJA 2000; 173: S89-S112
Gestational diabetes mellitus — management guidelines: The Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society -- Linda Hoffman, Chris Nolan, J Dennis Wilson, Jeremy J N Oats and David Simmons. MJA 1998; 169: 93-97
Asthma in pregnancy and lactation: This position statement was developed as a consensus view between the two authors and was subsequently reviewed by the Education and Research Sub-Committee of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, whose membership comprises six respiratory physicians with a broad range of interests in research and clinical respiratory medicine. MJA 1996; 165: 485-488

Palliative Care

Clinical practice guidelines for communicating prognosis and end-of-life issues with adults in the advanced stages of a life-limiting illness, and their caregivers: Josephine M Clayton, Karen M Hancock, Phyllis N Butow, Martin H N Tattersall and David C Currow. Med J Aust 2007; 186 (12): S77-S108.

Paediatrics

Prevention and treatment of infant and childhood vitamin D deficiency in Australia and New Zealand: a consensus statement: Craig Munns, Margaret R Zacharin, Christine P Rodda, Jennifer A Batch, Ruth Morley, Noel E Cranswick, Maria E Craig, Wayne S Cutfield, Paul L Hofman, Barry J Taylor, Sonia R Grover, Julie A Pasco, David Burgner and Christopher T Cowell — MJA 2006; 185 (5): 268-272.
Cough in children: definitions and clinical evaluation. Position statement of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand: Anne B Chang, Lou I Landau, Peter P Van Asperen, Nicholas J Glasgow, Colin F Robertson, Julie M Marchant and Craig M Mellis — MJA 2006; 184 (8): 398-403.
Bronchiectasis in Indigenous children in remote Australian communities: Anne B Chang, Keith Grimwood, E Kim Mulholland, Paul J Torzillo, for the Working Group on Indigenous Paediatric Respiratory Health. MJA 2002; 178 (4): 200-204.
The management of varicella-zoster virus exposure and infection in pregnancy and the newborn period: Position statement of the Australasian Subgroup in Paediatric Infectious Diseases of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases. MJA 2001; 174: 288-292
Recommendations for nutrition and physical activity for Australian children: An initiative of Sports Dietitians Australia. MJA 2000; 173: S1-S16
Tuberculosis in children in Australia: strategies for control: Consensus statement of the Paediatric Special Interest Group of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases and the Australian Paediatric Respiratory Group. MJA 1998; 168: 121-124
Paediatric advanced life support: These guidelines by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) provide brief step-by-step outlines of the management of common life-threatening emergencies in infants and children. The guidelines are similar, but not identical, to guidelines published by the American Heart Association and the European Resuscitation Council. MJA 1996; 165: 199-206
The origins of cerebral palsy: A consensus statement from the Australian and New Zealand Perinatal Societies. MJA 1995; 162: 85-90

Psychiatry

Diabetes, psychotic disorders and antipsychotic therapy: a consensus statement: A statement from a Consensus Working Group. MJA 2004; 181: 544-548
"Stress" and coronary heart disease: psychosocial risk factors: National Heart Foundation of Australia position statement update. MJA 2003; 178 (6): 272-276.
Treating depression: the beyondblue guidelines for treating depression in primary care: Pete M Ellis and Don A R Smith; Produced as part of a supplement to the MJA funded by a grant from beyondblue, the national depression initiative. MJA 2002; 176: S77-S83
Effectiveness of complementary and self-help treatments for depression: Anthony F Jorm, Helen Christensen, Kathleen M Griffiths and Bryan Rodgers
Produced as part of a supplement to the MJA funded by a grant from beyondblue, the national depression initiative. MJA 2002; 176: S84-S95

Respiratory Medicine

Cough in children: definitions and clinical evaluation. Position statement of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand: Anne B Chang, Lou I Landau, Peter P Van Asperen, Nicholas J Glasgow, Colin F Robertson, Julie M Marchant and Craig M Mellis — MJA 2006; 184 (8): 398-403.
Adult domiciliary oxygen therapy. Position statement of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand: Christine F McDonald, Alan J Crockett and Iven H Young — MJA 2005; 182 (12): 621-626.
The COPDX plan: Australian and New Zealand guidelines for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2003: Developed by the Australian Lung Foundation and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand as part of a national COPD program. MJA 2003; 178 (6 Suppl 17 Mar): S1-S40.
A revised version of these guidelines is available at http://www.copdx.org.au/guidelines/index.asp
Bronchiectasis in Indigenous children in remote Australian communities: Anne B Chang, Keith Grimwood, E Kim Mulholland, Paul J Torzillo, for the Working Group on Indigenous Paediatric Respiratory Health. MJA 2002; 178 (4): 200-204.
The role of corticosteroids in the management of childhood asthma: Peter P van Asperen, Craig M Mellis, Peter D Sly, for the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. MJA 2002; 176: 168-173
Tuberculosis in children in Australia: strategies for control: Consensus statement of the Paediatric Special Interest Group of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases and the Australian Paediatric Respiratory Group. MJA 1998; 168: 121-124
Adult domiciliary oxygen therapy: Position statement of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. MJA 1998; 168: 21-25 [Now superseded: see above.]
Specific allergen immunotherapy for asthma: A Position Paper of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. MJA 1997; 167: 540-544
Asthma in pregnancy and lactation: This position statement was developed as a consensus view between the two authors and was subsequently reviewed by the Education and Research Sub-Committee of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, whose membership comprises six respiratory physicians with a broad range of interests in research and clinical respiratory medicine. MJA 1996; 165: 485-488

Renal Medicine

Chronic kidney disease and automatic reporting of estimated glomerular filtration rate: a position statement: The Australasian Creatinine Consensus Working Group — MJA 2005; 183 (3): 138-141.

Rheumatology

Vitamin D and adult bone health in Australia and New Zealand: a position statement: Working Group of the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Endocrine Society of Australia and Osteoporosis Australia. MJA 2005; 182 (6): 281-285
Evidence-based guidelines for fixing broken hips: an update: Michael N Chilov, Ian D Cameron and Lyn M March. MJA 2003; 179 (9): 489-493
Preventing osteoporosis: outcomes of the Australian Fracture Prevention Summit: Cosponsored by Osteoporosis Australia and the National Prescribing Service. MJA 2002; 176: S11-S16
Considerations for the safe prescribing and use of COX-2-specific inhibitors: The Australian COX-2-Specific Inhibitor (CSI) Prescribing Group. MJA 2002; 176: 328-331
Managing Arthritis: Peter M Brooks, Deborah C Saltman, Natalie A O'Dea, et al. MJA 2001; 175: S91-S111
How best to fix a broken hip: Lynette M March, Anne C Chamberlain, Ian D Cameron, Robert G Cumming, Alan J M Brnabic, Terrence P Finnegan, Susan E Kurrle, Jennifer M Schwarz, Sydney M L Nade, Tom K F Taylor, and members of the Fractured Neck of Femur Health Outcomes Project Team. MJA 1999; 170: 489-494
The prevention and management of osteoporosis: Consensus statement of the 1996 Australian National Consensus Conference convened by the Department of Health and Family Services. MJA 1997; 167: S1-S15