Anabolic steroid misuse in an amateur athlete: insights from primary care

Anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) misuse is an emerging global public health concern increasingly encountered in primary care. Amateur athletes often use AAS for body image enhancement rather than competitive advantage, influenced by social media and gym culture. Presentations are frequently subtle, with cardiometabolic and endocrine abnormalities that delay diagnosis and increase long-term risk. Recent studies estimate…

Clinical epidemiology of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease in children and adolescents: The LiverKids Study

Recent epidemiological studies using non-invasive methods to screen for liver fibrosis in adults have reported a marked increase in the of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD is mainly associated with overweight and obesity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents has also increased rapidly in recent years. Transient elastography (TE) with…

Coaching of interprofessional team practices to integrate physician assistants in XXX primary care within the project “Physician Assistants meet Allgemeinmedizin” (PAAM)

Primary care provision particularly in rural areas is already under pressure and will face increasing challenges in the future in XXX. Physician assistants (PAs) have the potential to support the delivery of comprehensive and high-quality primary care. The project “Physician Assistants meet Allgemeinmedizin [primary care]” (PAAM) investigates to which extent PAs can contribute to primary…

Expanding ANP Roles: Leading Benzodiazepine Deprescribing in Primary Care

Benzodiazepines are primarily used for short periods to manage acute anxiety, addiction, agitation and neurological disorders (The Medical Council 2025). Long term use poses risks to patient safety (HSE 2021). A candidate advanced nurse practitioner (cANP) led initiative was formulated in our practice, aiming to reduce repeat prescribing of benzodiazepines in general practice, in an…

Beyond the Rash: Tinea Corporis Mimicking a Sexually Transmitted Infection in an Adolescent Male

Dermatologic complaints are among the most common reasons for consultation in primary care. In adolescents, chronic skin conditions may have significant psychosocial implications, particularly when lesions resemble sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This case was encountered in a Family and Community Medicine outpatient clinic in a government tertiary hospital in the Philippines. A sexually active adolescent…

Breaking the “Ice”: From Highs to Healing. A Family Case Report on Severe Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Methamphetamine (“shabu/ice”) use disorder remains a major public health and primary care challenge in the Philippines, commonly linked with poverty, stigma, disrupted family systems, and legal consequences. In rural settings, patients frequently enter care through crisis events rather than early screening, with coexisting non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and psychosocial distress often under-recognized. Family physicians are uniquely…

Biomarkers and Progression of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome, formally proposed by the American Heart Association in 2023, underscores the interdependent relationships among cardiovascular dysfunction, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic risk factors. While biomarkers are pivotal for early detection, risk stratification, and prognosis in CKM, a comprehensive synthesis of evidence linking diverse biomarkers to its multifaceted clinical outcomes is currently…

From muscle pain to major depression: A case highlighting the somatic presentation of depression in primary care

In primary care, depression frequently presents with somatic rather than psychological symptoms, particularly among young adults and men. Nonspecific complaints such as fatigue or musculoskeletal pain may obscure the underlying diagnosis and delay appropriate management. This challenge is amplified in busy family medicine settings, where consultations often prioritize biomedical explanations. Early recognition of depression with…

Sustainability in Obesity Management: A Critical Review of Weight Regain Following the Discontinuation of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial, and prevalent disease with deleterious effects on health and a direct impact on healthcare system costs. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have proven effective in the treatment of obesity, promoting significant weight loss and metabolic improvements. However, discontinuation of these medications frequently leads to weight regain, raising concerns about…