Article Types

Narrative reviews

Endocrinology Narrative review 14 May 2026 Open Access

Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Adults: Recent Developments in Diagnosis and Management

Primary hyperparathyroidism has a prevalence of around 1% in the general population. Diagnosis requires biochemical testing of serum (for calcium and parathyroid hormone) and urine (for calcium excretion), as well as wider screening for complications including osteoporosis, renal disease, abdominal symptoms and neuropsychiatric disturbance. In selected individuals, genetic testing is a key consideration because up to 10% have hereditary primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgery is curative, with a minimally invasive approach preferred after identifying the abnormal parathyroid glands on preoperative imaging. Uncertainty surrounds the diagnosis of non-classical manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism, preoperative imaging algorithms and management pathways in normocalcaemic primary hyperparathyroidism.

Elizabeth Wootton, Sunita M. C. De Sousa, Richard L. Prince, Donald S. A. McLeod, David A. Pattison, Mathis Grossmann

Statistics Narrative review 10 May 2026 Open Access

Fatty Liver Disease in Australia: A Narrative Review on the Epidemiology, Natural History, Prognostication and Management in People With Metabolic Dysfunction

Metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) or metabolic (dysfunction)-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common and fastest growing cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. There has been a substantial increase in the epidemiological research regarding MASLD/MAFLD originating from Australia since 2020. This narrative review summarises these pivotal epidemiological studies investigating the disease prevalence, natural history, prognostication and management of this condition. The Australian literature demonstrates the prevalence to be between one-third and two-fifths of adults affected, depending on nomenclature, with a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease irrespective of terminology. Current local data support guideline-based disease staging with non-invasive tests of fibrosis and the management continues to centre on diet and lifestyle interventions, with directed therapy on the horizon.

Karl Vaz, Daniel Clayton-Chubb, William W. Kemp, Stuart K. Roberts, Ammar Majeed

Mja2 70195
Indigenous health Narrative review 2 June 2025 Open Access

Current gaps in knowledge and future research directions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with cancer

A discussion on what is known about cancer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, including a summary of literature on Indigenous childhood cancer around the world. Future areas of research and clinical advances are outlined.

Alexandra Truong · Kayla Williams‐Tucker (Ngarluma, Wongutha, Wudjari Noongar) · Ahmi Narkle (Whadjuk Goreng Noongar) · Eden Slicer (Gundungurra) · Jessica‐Elise Chapman (Kamilaroi, Bundjalung) · Jessica Lawler · Rishi S Kotecha · Hetal Dholaria · Justine R Clark (Adnyamathanha) · Alex Brown (Yuin) · Raelene Endersby · Nicholas G Gottardo · Jessica Buck (Kamilaroi)

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Health occupations Narrative review 7 August 2023 Open Access

Supporting nursing and allied health student placements in rural and remote Australia: a narrative review of publications by university departments of rural health

University departments of rural health are Commonwealth‐funded to improve recruitment and retention of the rural allied health and nursing (including midwifery) workforce, primarily through student placements. We examined publications by university departments of rural health that were focused on allied health and nursing students undertaking placements in rural Australia, to understand the characteristics, main findings and implications of the research conducted. Interprofessional learning was a key feature of placements and placement education, although other activities such as community engagement added to placement experiences. Factors such as quality supervision and being involved in the community contributed to a positive placement experience and increased rural practice intention. Tracking studies showed a relationship between rural placements, rural practice intention and rural practice. Rural placements occurred across a variety of settings and in locations consistent with the policy framework. Embedding university departments of rural health in rural communities enabled staff to build relationships and increase placement capacity.

Sandra M Walsh · Vincent L Versace · Sandra C Thompson · Leanne J Browne · Sabina Knight · David M Lyle · Geoff Argus · Martin Jones

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