DECISION SUPPORT UNIT 3rd Floor Blackburn House, 199 Grenfell St, Adelaide Level 8, 259 Queen St, Brisbane Intranet site: http://intranet/nat/comp/dp/Nop/dsu/dsudefault.htm SOP Bulletin No. 95 27July 2005 RELEASE NOTES - CCPS VERSION 2005/07 Version 2005/07 of the Medical Knowledge Base for CCPS was released into production on Wednesday 27 July 2005. This Bulletin provides a summary of the new and amended SOPs that this version of CCPS incorporates. This Bulletin also details changes to some existing rulebases and commentary. New SOPs incorporated into CCPS SOP amendments incorporated into CCPS Nil Chronic lymphoid leukaemia (CLL) Epilepsy Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) Inguinal hernia Sleep apnoea Enhancements of CCPS rulebases and commentary Achilles tendonitis or bursitis Acquired hallux valgus Adenocarcinoma of the kidney Aortic aneurysm Carotid arterial disease Colorectal adenoma Diverticular disease of the colon Haemorrhoids Inflammatory bowel disease Malignant melanoma of the skin MN bladder MN larynx Non-aneurysmal aortic atherosclerotic disease Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma Open angle glaucoma Plantar fasciitis Pruritis ani Pterygium Pulmonary thromboembolism Seborrhoeic dermatitis Additional amendments – not noteworthy Conjunctivitis Hypertension New SOPs incorporated into CCPS Nil SOP amendments incorporated into CCPS Chronic lymphoid leukaemia (CLL) The low frequency electromagnetic field factor has been removed. For information on this SoP refer to SoP Bulletin No. 90 of 7/3/05. Epilepsy New factors for HIV, Alzheimer’s disease, CJD and multiple sclerosis have been added under the contention heading of A specified disease for epilepsy which now also includes central nervous system SLE. Previous factors for bacterial, viral and parasitic meningitis/encephalitis have been combined in the new factor Infection of the brain or meninges. The previous factor for cerebrovascular diseases had been replaced by 2 factors – CVA and subarachnoid haemorrhage. For information on this SoP refer to SoP Bulletin No. 90 of 7/3/05. Inguinal hernia The factor for increased intra-abdominal pressure has been spilt into 7 factors for each different cause except for ascites, chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, extensive intra-abdominal neoplastic disease, pneumoperitoneum and straining at micturition which are all grouped under increased intra-abdominal pressure due to a medical condition. When any of the other causes, such as coughing, is due to an identified medical condition, this aspect is dealt with in that specific factor and not in the above group. The factor involving straining at stool due to constipation or diarrhoea is similar to the previous factor however in CCPS the rulebase has been changed to allow for constipation or diarrhoea to be the casual result of service as well as propagation to an underlying condition. The reject reasons for the factors involving coughing or sneezing and straining at stool due to constipation or diarrhoea refer to both situations; the reasons should be edited, for example, to just coughing if that is the contention. There are claimant and medical questionnaires available for the various increased intraabdominal pressure factors; these questionnaires refer to the RH standard of proof of “within the 30 days” so for BOP cases this should be edited to “within the 3 days”. For information on this SoP refer to SoP Bulletin No. 90 of 7/3/05. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) There is only one smoking factor in CCPS as the smoking requirements for GORD are incompatible with the operation of the smoking module. All types of smoking (cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco) must be combined to calculate the quantity of tobacco products smoked during the relevant period. This combined smoking factor also incorporates material contribution (Kattenberg) considerations. There are two RH worsening only drugs factors that are above line: Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as these are commonly used within the veteran community; and Treatment with doxycycline as this antibiotic drug is sometimes prescribed as an antimalarial within the ADF. The below line factor ‘eradication of Helicobactor pylori’ (RH only) necessarily propagates to the chronic gastritis rulebase, but only if it involves the stomach body. Not all treatment for Helicobacter pylori results in the eradication of the infection, therefore, establishing that eradication has taken place is an essential part of the investigation process. Both the chronic gastritis and the eradication of Helicobacter pylori must be within the six months before the onset or worsening of GORD. For information on this SoP refer to SoP Bulletin No. 91 of 8/4/05. Sleep apnoea The new alcohol consumption factor (worsening only) has been placed above line. The new end stage renal failure factor requires identification of the underlying condition/s resulting in the renal failure. For information on this SoP refer to SoP Bulletin No. 91 of 8/4/05. Enhancements of CCPS rulebases and commentary Haemorrhoids The rulebase for the straining at stool factor has been revised to allow for constipation to be the casual result of service as well as propagation to an underlying condition. Kattenberg changes have also been made to the following conditions and the factors specified: Achilles tendonitis or bursitis (vigorous physical activity) Acquired hallux valgus (ill fitting footwear) Adenocarcinoma of the kidney (smoking – cigarettes only for BOP, asbestos) Aortic aneurysm (smoking) Carotid arterial disease (smoking) Colorectal adenoma (smoking and physical inactivity) Diverticular disease of the colon (lower dietary fibre – RH only) Inflammatory bowel disease (smoking) Malignant melanoma of the skin (PUVA treatment) MN bladder (specified chemicals, smoking, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), atomic radiation) MN larynx (passive smoking, insecticides, herbicides) Non-aneurysmal aortic atherosclerotic disease (smoking) Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (potable water Vietnam) Open angle glaucoma (corticosteroid therapy) Plantar fasciitis (running) Pruritis ani (anal hygiene, diarrhoea) Pterygium (dust) Pulmonary thromboembolism (smoking) Seborrhoeic dermatitis (personal hygiene) Contact Officers for this bulletin: Maureen Anderson 50365 Susan Lee 50227 Gaynor Cavanagh 48331 Bernadette McCabe 48393 Remember! 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