The Medical journal of Australia
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To discuss the clinical and social phenomenon of refractory cervicobrachial pain, more popularly known as repetitive strain injury (RSI), from the standpoint of medical knowledge and to present the phenomenon as a problem of chronic musculoskeletal pain in which clinical clues suggest a neuropathic pathogenesis. ⋯ We doubt that clinical method and diagnostic logic were rigorously applied to the RSI phenomenon, which helped to produce an unresolved controversy with widespread ramifications. Our hypothesis is that there is a central disturbance of nociception in this syndrome, induced by continual afferent barrage from nociceptors in anatomically relevant sites in the neck and upper limbs. Initial and proposed testing of this hypothesis are discussed.
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Comparative Study
Readability and sensitivity of a new faecal occult blood test in a hospital ward environment. Comparison with an established test.
To compare the readability and sensitivity of a new guaiac faecal occult blood test, HemoccultSENSA, with those of a standard guaiac-based test, Hemoccult, in a normal working environment. ⋯ These results demonstrate the better readability and slightly higher sensitivity of the new test. They justify its use in the ward environment or doctor's office. Patients being tested should consume a low peroxidase diet until the specificity of the new test has been fully evaluated.
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To report the findings of health screening of 100 international adoptees. ⋯ International adoptees constitute a special paediatric subgroup requiring assessment and screening investigations as soon as possible after arrival in their adoptive country.
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Rapid evolution of palliative care programs in Australia over recent years has brought the role of traditional inpatient hospices under review. This study attempts to define the clinical characteristics of patients referred for inpatient palliative care. ⋯ The data show that patients selected for hospice care were highly dependent, with major functional impairments and short life expectancy. The medical, social and economic implications of these findings are discussed.