Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is caused by infection ascending from the cervix. It can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and peritoneum. Important sequelae include infertility, ectopic pregnancy and tubo-ovarian abscess. PID is associated with sexually transmitted infections. These are more prevalent in younger women. A diagnosis of PID should be considered in any sexually active woman with recent onset pelvic pain associated with tenderness on bimanual examination where other differentials have been excluded. Delay in commencing treatment for PID has been shown to increase the risk of long-term complications.

A temporary four-fold increase in inhaled steroids for deteriorating asthma control reduced the incidence of severe exacerbations, in a UK study.

Opioid prescribing rates are increasing and show notable geographical variations across England. They are highest in the North and in areas of social deprivation, a study on primary care prescribing has shown. Virtually all the low prescribing areas were in the south of England and nine of the ten highest prescribing areas were northern clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).

Almost half the patients in a UK primary care-led weight management programme achieved remission of their type 2 diabetes after a year, a study in the Lancet has shown. Forty nine general practices in Scotland and Tyneside took part in the DiRECT study, an open label, cluster randomised trial.

Isn’t it frustrating how the most complex and rare conditions can turn up when you are least expecting them? One fact that we must never ever forget is that even the world’s rarest condition will affect a patient who has a GP.