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Changing trends in the incidence of invasive melanoma in Victoria, 1985–2015

David J Curchin, Victoria R Harris, Christopher J McCormack and Saxon D Smith
Med J Aust 2018; 208 (6): . || doi: 10.5694/mja17.00725
Published online: 2 April 2018

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Victoria; to examine trends in its incidence over the past 30 years. Secondary objectives were to examine the anatomic location and thickness of invasive melanoma tumours during the same period.

Design: Population-based, descriptive analysis of Victorian Cancer Registry data.

Participants: Victorian residents diagnosed with melanoma, 1985–2015.

Main outcome measures: Age-standardised incidence of invasive melanoma; estimated annual percentage changes in incidence.

Results: In 2015, the incidence of invasive melanoma in Victoria was 52.9 cases per 100 000 men and 39.2 cases per 100 000 women. Since the mid-1990s, the incidence for men increased annually by 0.9% (95% CI, 0.3–1.5%), but for women there was no significant change (estimated annual percentage change, –0.1%; 95% CI, –0.8% to 0.5%). The incidence of invasive melanoma has been declining in age groups under 55 years of age since 1996 (overall annual change, –1.7%; 95% CI, –2.5% to –0.9%), but is still increasing in those over 55 (overall annual change, 1.6%; 95% CI, 1.0–2.2%). The most frequent site of tumours in men was the trunk (40%), on women the upper (32%) and lower limbs (31%).

Conclusions: Melanoma remains a significant health problem, warranting continued prevention efforts. Awareness of differences in presentation by men and women and in different age groups would facilitate improved screening and risk identification.

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An update to the AIS–AMA position statement on concussion in sport

Lisa J Elkington, Silvia Manzanero and David C Hughes
Med J Aust 2018; 208 (6): . || doi: 10.5694/mja17.01180
Published online: 2 April 2018

The best approach is to take concussion seriously, treat each case carefully and be conservative with return to sport processes

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Australian Medical Association (AMA) position statement on concussion in sport and its dedicated online platform (https://www.concussioninsport.gov.au) were launched in May 2016.1 The aims were to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the evidence and present it in a format that would be accessible to all stakeholders; and to develop a set of guidelines for concussion management that would suit Australians who sustained a concussion in any sport and any level of participation. However, concussion research and guideline development progresses at a very fast pace, and it has become clear that the project needs to be regularly revised and updated as knowledge of concussion in sport continues to evolve. The gold standard for concussion in sport guidelines is the proceedings of the consensus meeting of the Concussion in Sport Group (CISG), which meets every 4 years to compile and examine the most current evidence. The most recent meeting of the CISG took place in Berlin in October 2016 and the outcomes were released as a consensus statement in April 2017,2 accompanied by a series of systematic reviews covering many aspects of concussion research and management.3-7 It was therefore necessary to update the AIS–AMA position statement to incorporate several aspects of concussion detection tools and management guidelines arising from the Berlin consensus. We also incorporated our own analysis of the evidence8 and discussed the position statement with representatives from several contact and collision sports. The main changes are summarised in Box 1. The updated version of the AIS–AMA position statement in concussion in sport was launched in November 2017 as one of the most current and informed tools currently available in Australia.


  • 1 Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, ACT
  • 2 Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT


Correspondence: david.hughes@ausport.gov.au

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

  • 1. Elkington LJ, Hughes DC. Australian Institute of Sport and Australian Medical Association position statement on concussion in sport. Med J Aust 2017; 206: 46-50. <MJA full text>
  • 2. McCrory P, Meeuwisse W, Dvorak J, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport—the 5th international conference on concussion in sport held in Berlin, October 2016. Br J Sports Med 2017; 51: 838-847.
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  • 5. Davis GA, Purcell LK. The evaluation and management of acute concussion differs in young children. Br J Sports Med 2014; 48: 98-101.
  • 6. Feddermann-Demont N, Echemendia RJ, Schneider KJ, et al. What domains of clinical function should be assessed after sport-related concussion? A systematic review. Br J Sports Med 2017; 51: 903-918.
  • 7. Echemendia RJ, Broglio SP, Davis GA, et al. What tests and measures should be added to the SCAT3 and related tests to improve their reliability, sensitivity and/or specificity in sideline concussion diagnosis? A systematic review. Br J Sports Med 2017; 51: 895-901.
  • 8. Manzanero S, Elkington LJ, Praet SF, et al. Post-concussion recovery in children and adolescents: A narrative review. J Concussion 2017; 1: 1-8.
  • 9. Echemendia RJ, Meeuwisse W, McCrory P, et al. The Concussion Recognition Tool 5th Edition (CRT5): Background and rationale. Br J Sports Med 2017; 51: 870-871.
  • 10. Echemendia RJ, Meeuwisse W, McCrory P, et al. The Concussion Recognition Tool 5th Edition (CRT5). Br J Sports Med 2017; 51: 872.
  • 11. Echemendia RJ, Meeuwisse W, McCrory P, et al. The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition (SCAT5). Br J Sports Med 2017; 51: 851-858.
  • 12. Davis GA, Purcell L, Schneider KJ, et al. The Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition (Child SCAT5): background and rationale. Br J Sports Med 2017; 51: 859-861.
  • 13. Davis GA, Purcell L, Schneider KJ, et al. The Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition (Child SCAT5). Br J Sports Med 2017; 51: 862-869.
  • 14. Davis GA, Anderson V, Babl FE, et al. What is the difference in concussion management in children as compared with adults? A systematic review. Br J Sports Med 2017; 51: 949-957.
  • 15. McLeod TC, Lewis JH, Whelihan K, Bacon CE. Rest and return to activity after sport-related concussion: a systematic review of the literature. J Athl Train 2017; 52: 262-287.
  • 16. Mez J, Daneshvar DH, Kiernan PT, et al. Clinicopathological evaluation of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in players of American football. JAMA 2017; 318: 360-370.
  • 17. McKee AC, Cantu RC, Nowinski CJ, et al. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in athletes: progressive tauopathy after repetitive head injury. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2009; 68: 709-735.
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Exercise: an essential evidence-based medicine

Anita Green, Craig Engstrom and Peter Friis
Med J Aust 2018; 208 (6): . || doi: 10.5694/mja18.00033
Published online: 2 April 2018

Despite all the evidence, doctors do not regularly prescribe physical activity and exercise

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games are a celebration of sporting excellence. Over 4000 elite athletes from 70 countries will compete in 18 sports and seven para-sports. The extraordinary performances of these athletes will be the culmination of long term dedicated training programs. Many of the next generation of elite Australian sportsmen and women will be inspired by these athletes and para-athletes and will passionately commit to specialised training and exercise regimes to pursue their sporting dreams. Sadly, there is no evidence, at a population level, that spectators enjoying the performances of highly trained athletes will increase their own physical activity and exercise patterns long term.1


  • University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD



Competing interests:

Anita Green is Chief Medical Officer of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

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Traumatic cricket-related fatalities in Australia: a historical review of media reports

Peter Brukner, Thomas J Gara and Lauren V Fortington
Med J Aust 2018; 208 (6): . || doi: 10.5694/mja17.00908
Published online: 26 March 2018

Abstract

Objective: To undertake a historical review of direct trauma-related deaths in Australian cricket, both organised and informal.

Design, setting and participants: We conducted an extensive search of digitised print media (three databases) and traditional scientific literature (two databases) for on-field cricket incidents in Australia that resulted in deaths during the period 1858–2016.

Main outcomes and measures: Numbers of cricket-related deaths by decade; type of cricket match (organised match or training, or informal play); site of fatal injury (eg, head, chest); activity at the time of the incident (eg, batting, fielding, watching).

Results: 174 relevant deaths were identified. The number peaked in the 1930s (33 fatalities), with five deaths in the past 30 years. There were 83 deaths in organised settings, and 91 deaths in informal play (at school, 31; backyard, street or beach cricket, 60). Of the 72 deaths in organised settings for which the activity of the deceased was reported, 45 were batsmen, 11 were fielders, six were wicketkeepers, one a bowler, and three were umpires. Of the 45 batsmen, 26 died of injuries resulting from a blow by a ball to the head, 13 of blows to the chest, three of peritonitis, at least two of vertebral artery dissection, and one of tetanus. None of the five cricket-related deaths over the past 30 years were caused by head injuries.

Conclusions: There appears to have been a substantial decline in the number of cricket-related deaths in recent years, probably linked with the widespread use of helmets by batsmen and close-in fielders.

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  • 1 La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre (LASEM), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC
  • 2 South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA
  • 3 Australian Centre for Research into Injury in Sport and its Prevention (ACRISP), Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC


Correspondence: peterbrukner@gmail.com

Acknowledgements: 

We acknowledge the assistance of John Orchard with this study, and financial support from Cricket Australia. The Australian Centre for Research into Injury in Sport and its Prevention is one of the Research Centres for the Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Competing interests:

Peter Brukner was employed as the Cricket Australia team doctor during 2012–2017. Thomas Gara received funding for this study from Cricket Australia.

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The management of epilepsy in children and adults

Piero Perucca, Ingrid E Scheffer and Michelle Kiley
Med J Aust 2018; 208 (5): . || doi: 10.5694/mja17.00951
Published online: 19 March 2018

Summary

 

  • The International League Against Epilepsy has recently published a new classification of epileptic seizures and epilepsies to reflect the major scientific advances in our understanding of the epilepsies since the last formal classification 28 years ago. The classification emphasises the importance of aetiology, which allows the optimisation of management.
  • Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the main approach to epilepsy treatment and achieve seizure freedom in about two-thirds of patients.
  • More than 15 second generation AEDs have been introduced since the 1990s, expanding opportunities to tailor treatment for each patient. However, they have not substantially altered the overall seizure-free outcomes.
  • Epilepsy surgery is the most effective treatment for drug-resistant focal epilepsy and should be considered as soon as appropriate trials of two AEDs have failed. The success of epilepsy surgery is influenced by different factors, including epilepsy syndrome, presence and type of epileptogenic lesion, and duration of post-operative follow-up.
  • For patients who are not eligible for epilepsy surgery or for whom surgery has failed, trials of alternative AEDs or other non-pharmacological therapies, such as the ketogenic diet and neurostimulation, may improve seizure control.
  • Ongoing research into novel antiepileptic agents, improved techniques to optimise epilepsy surgery, and other non-pharmacological therapies fuel hope to reduce the proportion of individuals with uncontrolled seizures. With the plethora of gene discoveries in the epilepsies, “precision therapies” specifically targeting the molecular underpinnings are beginning to emerge and hold great promise for future therapeutic approaches.

 


  • 1 Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC
  • 2 Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
  • 3 Epilepsy Research Centre, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
  • 4 Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC
  • 5 Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA


Correspondence: piero.perucca@mh.org.au

Acknowledgements: 

This work was supported by the Melbourne International Research Scholarship and the Melbourne International Fee Remission Scholarship from the University of Melbourne and the Warren Haynes Neuroscience Research Fellowship from the Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuroscience Foundation (P Perucca); and by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Program Grant (1091593, 2016–2020) and an NHMRC Senior Practitioner Fellowship (1104831, 2016–2020) (IE Scheffer).

Competing interests:

P Perucca has received honoraria from Eisai. IE Scheffer serves on the editorial boards of and ; may accrue future revenue on a pending patent on a therapeutic compound; has received speaker honoraria from Athena Diagnostics, UCB, GlaxoSmithKline, Eisai, and Transgenomic; has received scientific advisory board honoraria from Nutricia, UCB and GlaxoSmithKline; has received funding for travel from Athena Diagnostics, UCB and GlaxoSmithKline; and receives research support from the NHMRC, the Australian Research Council, the National Institutes of Health, the Health Research Council of New Zealand, March of Dimes, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE), the United States Department of Defense and the Perpetual Charitable Trustees.

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  • 45. EpiPM Consortium. A roadmap for precision medicine in the epilepsies. Lancet Neurol 2015; 14: 1219-1228.
  • 46. Perucca P, Scheffer IE, Harvey AS, et al. Real-world utility of whole exome sequencing with targeted gene analysis for focal epilepsy. Epilepsy Res 2017; 131: 1-8.
  • 47. Engelsen BA, Tzoulis C, Karlsen B, et al. POLG1 mutations cause a syndromic epilepsy with occipital lobe predilection. Brain 2008; 131: 818-828.
  • 48. Devinsky O, Hesdorffer DC, Thurman DJ, et al. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: epidemiology, mechanisms, and prevention. Lancet Neurol 2016; 15: 1075-1088.
  • 49. Nashef L. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: terminology and definitions. Epilepsia 1997; 38: S6-S8.
  • 50. Harden C, Tomson T, Gloss D, et al. Practice guideline summary: sudden unexpected death in epilepsy incidence rates and risk factors: report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology 2017; 88: 1674-1680.
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Obstructive airway disease in 46–65-year-old people in Busselton, Western Australia, 1966–2015

Arthur (Bill) Musk, Michael Hunter, Jennie Hui, Matthew W Knuiman, Mark Divitini, John P Beilby and Alan James
Med J Aust 2018; 208 (5): . || doi: 10.5694/mja17.00867
Published online: 19 March 2018

Abstract

Objective: To document the changing levels of tobacco smoking, respiratory symptoms, doctor-diagnosed asthma, and lung function in Busselton adults aged 46–65 years over the past 50 years.

Design, setting, participants: Repeated cross-sectional population surveys (1966 to 2010–2015) of adults registered to vote in the Busselton shire, Western Australia, including a modified version of the British Medical Research Council questionnaire on respiratory symptoms.

Main outcome measures: History of doctor-diagnosed asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tobacco smoking history, respiratory medications used, spirometry parameters (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC]).

Results: The prevalence of tobacco smoking among men declined from 53% in 1966 to 12% in 2010–2015, and from 26% to 9% among women. The prevalence of ever-smoking (ie, smokers and ex-smokers) decreased from 80% to 57% for men but increased from 33% to 50% for women. The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma increased, as did the use of long-acting bronchodilator aerosol medications by people with asthma and COPD. There have been no consistent changes in the prevalence of specific respiratory symptoms, but measures of lung function have significantly improved.

Conclusions: Smoking rates declined as a result of changes in pricing, prohibitions on smoking and the feedback of survey results to Busselton participants. Significant improvements in lung function were measured, and it can be anticipated that the prevalence of other smoking-related diseases will also decline.

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  • 1 Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA
  • 2 University of Western Australia, Perth, WA
  • 3 Busselton Health Study Centre, Busselton Population Medical Research Institute, Busselton, WA
  • 4 Busselton Population Medical Research Institute, Perth, WA
  • 5 PathWest, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Perth, WA


Correspondence: jennie.hui@uwa.edu.au

Acknowledgements: 

We acknowledge the participation and support of the Busselton community. This investigation was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (grant 353532), Healthway WA, the Department of Health (Western Australia), and the Western Australian Office of Science.

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

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Bedside cognitive assessment

Lorenzo Norris and Elizabeth L Cobbs
Med J Aust 2018; 208 (5): . || doi: 10.5694/mja17.00660
Published online: 19 March 2018

Screening for cognitive impairment may lead to diagnostic and treatment plans that improve patients’ safety

Mild memory changes and reduced speed of processing information are normal cognitive changes in older adults, but between 35% and 50% of adults over the age of 85 years have moderate to severe cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment includes a range of conditions, such as mild cognitive impairment, delirium and the various dementia syndromes. It is an independent predictor of excess mortality1 and increases the risk of adverse medication effects from benzodiazepines and anticholinergics.


  • George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA


Correspondence: ecobbs@mfa.gwu.edu

Series editors

Balakrishnan (Kichu) Nair

Simon O’Connor


Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

  • 1. Sachs GA, Carter R, Holtz LR, et al. Cognitive impairment: an independent predictor of excess mortality: a cohort study. Ann Intern Med 2011; 155: 300-308.
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  • 8. Tariq SH, Tumosa N, Chibnall JT, et al. Comparison of the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination and the Mini-Mental State Examination for detecting dementia and mild neurocognitive disorder: a pilot study. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2006; 14: 900-910.
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Will Australia have a fit-for-purpose medical workforce in 2025?

Roger P Strasser
Med J Aust 2018; 208 (5): . || doi: 10.5694/mja17.01169
Published online: 19 March 2018

To produce a fit-for-purpose medical workforce, Australia needs streamlined training pathways in all medical disciplines

Around the world, there has been a developing focus over the past decade on the importance of a fit-for-purpose medical workforce1 with the right skills, providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time, and with skill sets which include leadership skills, communication expertise and the ability to work within teams.2 Coupled with this is the perspective that health care should address the needs of patients and the public as its central purpose.3 The underlying assumption is that the provision of medical and other health care should be designed and delivered to meet the health needs of the population being served.


  • Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Laurentian and Lakehead Universities, Sudbury, ON, Canada


Correspondence: Roger.Strasser@nosm.ca

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

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The gaps in specialists’ diagnoses

Ian A Scott and Donald A Campbell
Med J Aust 2018; 208 (5): . || doi: 10.5694/mja17.00905
Published online: 19 March 2018

Specialists need broad expertise in diagnosing clinical problems arising from diseases involving different organ systems

On average, about 10% of primary care visits result in a referral to a specialist,1 and of these, up to half relate to diagnostic uncertainty.2 Diagnostic error is estimated to occur in between 10% and 15% of clinical encounters.3 Medicolegal concerns loom large around missed or delayed diagnosis of potentially serious conditions such as heart disease or cancer. Patients often present with non-specific symptoms and signs, especially in the early stages of emerging illness, which can be accentuated in the complex context of multiple comorbidities, frailty or other disabilities. Accordingly, a broad differential diagnosis that includes diseases of more than one organ system has to be considered, followed by a recursive refinement of diagnostic probability in the face of uncertainty.


  • 1 Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD
  • 2 University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
  • 3 Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC


Correspondence: ian.scott@health.qld.gov.au

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

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Selecting medical students: we need to assess more than academic excellence

Paul Garrud
Med J Aust 2018; 208 (5): . || doi: 10.5694/mja17.01224
Published online: 12 March 2018

Medical schools require selection processes that reflect the type of doctor they aim to produce

Selection for medical school is based on the applicant’s academic record, aptitude testing, and assessment of their personal attributes. The indicator of subsequent performance best supported by evidence is prior academic attainment,1,2 with the evidence coming mostly from exam performance at medical school and in postgraduate specialties. Rationales for employing further selection criteria have included alignment with professional body guidance,3 better discrimination between equally qualified applicants, and recognition that becoming a good doctor requires qualities beyond academic excellence.4 In light of current practice, which selection criteria are necessary (ie, provide a minimum required threshold) and which may be sufficient, singly or in combination, for selecting medical students?


  • University of Nottingham, Derby, United Kingdom



Competing interests:

Paul Garrud chairs the Medical Schools Council Selection Alliance (United Kingdom). The views expressed in this editorial are personal and do not represent any formal position or policy of Medical Schools Council.

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