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Background Aims Methods Results Conclusions Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common secondary endocrine cause of hypertension with familial hyperaldosteronism type 1 (FH‐1), a rare heritable subtype. Timely identification of FH‐1 is important because of an increased risk of vascular events in affected individuals and because it provides the opportunity to guide appropriate treatment. Genetic testing is recommended if onset is at a young age (<20 years), there is a family history of PA or early cerebrovascular events occur.To assess national rates of testing for FH‐1, whether this varied over time and by region.De‐identified data were obtained on genetic testing performed for FH‐1 from 1 April 2010 to 30 October 2023 (163 months) from the Canterbury Health Laboratories database, the sole national testing laboratory for FH‐1.A total of 147 tests were performed, of which 19 (12.9%) were positive. Eleven of the positive tests were requested by one region. Testing rates varied from 0.00 to 0.63 per 100 000 people per annum. Most tests were requested by endocrinology services. Testing increased over time from an average of 4.6 tests per annum in the first 5 years of the period studied to 17.7 tests in the most recent 5 years. Limitations include lack of ethnicity data, information on testing indications and testing rates for other familial PA subtypes.Testing for FH‐1 has increased over time but remains low. Testing for familial forms of PA should be considered in those in whom PA was diagnosed at a young age or with a suggestive family history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Māori have an increased incidence of thyrotoxicosis when compvared to non‐Māori, however there are limited data on benign non‐toxic nodular thyroid disease. Aims: The aims of this study were to determine the rates of non‐toxic multinodular goitre (NTMNG) surgery for Māori and non‐Māori and to determine if there were differences in thyroid size between Māori and non‐Māori undergoing total thyroidectomy for NTMNG. Methods: Single centre study of patients undergoing thyroidectomy for NTMNG from 1 December 2006 to 30 November 2016. Results: Māori were overrepresented amongst the 427 patients who underwent surgery for NTMNG at 34% compared to the expected ~17% of the background Māori adult population in the region. At the time of surgery, Māori were younger (P = 0.004) and had a larger thyroid gland (P < 0.001) when compared to non‐Maori also undergoing total/near total thyroidectomy. Complication rates were low across all ethnic groups. Conclusion: Māori have increased rates of surgery for NTMNG compared to non‐Māori and thyroid size is larger at the time of surgery. The reasons for this are currently unknown and more research is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring the growth and development of the Māori health research workforce is key to achieving health equity for Māori and enabling positive change for all New Zealanders. The purpose of this study was to identify enablers and barriers to research for Māori staff in a large health organisation, and to understand how research is developed and undertaken. A Kaupapa Māori mixed-methods study was undertaken, using an electronic survey comprised of quantitative data and open-ended responses delivered to all Māori staff at the Waikato District Health Board. Following the survey were 10 one on one interviews. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and open-ended responses summarised. A descriptive thematic analysis was undertaken of the interview data. Each of the interview responses was coded and five themes emerged. Frontline Māori staff affirmed their desire to conduct, design, and undertake health research. Challenges to staff included a lack of information on research opportunities, unclear processes for initiating research, and lack of support and resource. The evidence from participants provides insights into Māori health research priorities, considerations for those wanting to undertake research, and solutions for informing, building, and sustaining the Māori health research workforce.Glossary of Māori words: Aotearoa: Māori name for New Zealand; āwhinatia i tāku hapū: help my hapū; hapū: sub-tribe; iwi: tribe; kaumatua: elder; Kaupapa Māori: Māori ideology incorporating the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of Māori society; kia ora: greeting; koinā te whakamaatauranga nēra: power of knowledge; hohā: nuisance; hui: meeting; Kaitiaki: Māori cultural support team for patients; Kīngitanga: Māori King movement; Māori: Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa; marae: ancestral meeting house; mōhio ki tēra mahi: knowledgeable in that area; Te Ao Māori: Māori world view; Te Ika-a-Māui: North Island; Te Reo Māori: Māori language; Te Tiriti o Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi; Te Whatu Ora: Health New Zealand; whakahoki ki tāku marae: to go back to my marae; wānanga: workshop; whanau: family [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]