Curriculum for General Practice - The Royal New Zealand College ...

Endocrinology
E
Endocrinology
A wide range of conditions related to
hormones and the endocrine glands that
produce them come under the umbrella
of endocrinology and are a significant part
of general practice. Diabetes is one of the
most significant, but from rickets in the
young to osteoporosis in the elderly, PCOS
or menopause, thyroid conditions or obesity,
not only does endocrinology involve a wide
range of glands but a wide range of ages.
The management of these conditions requires a clear
understanding of not only the presentation but also the
investigation and management.
One of the most significant conditions affecting our
communities is diabetes. The lifestyle factors that
predispose to this, as well as the significant morbidity
associated with the condition, are an essential focus of
general practice.
Diabetes was also associated with higher neighbourhood
deprivation and will be a significant factor in health
inequities. ‘Adults living in the most deprived
neighbourhoods (6.2%, 5.2–7.3 in NZDep2006 quintile
5) were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with
diabetes than adults in the least deprived neighbourhoods
(2.7%, 1.9–3.6 in NZDep2006 quintile 1), adjusted for
age’. 1 It is, however, estimated that only half of those with
diabetes have been diagnosed. 2
The most recent New Zealand health survey revealed that
one in twenty adults had doctor-diagnosed diabetes and
this rose to one in seven among those over 65 years. The
prevalence of diabetes in Māori, Asian and, in particular,
Pacific populations exceeds that in the overall population.
1
http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/portrait-health-key-results-2006-07-new-zealand-health-survey
2
http://dhbrf.hrc.govt.nz/media/documents_abcc/ABCC_Study_NZ_Literature_Review_2011.pdf
www.rnzcgp.org.nz
Curriculum for General Practice
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