Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2017
ReviewDental complications of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: guidance for physicians.
There is potential for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) to be under-diagnosed by physicians. A quick, focused examination, requiring no special equipment, of a patients' dentition can assist in making a more accurate diagnosis where GORD is suspected. Guidance is provided for physicians as to what intra-oral signs are suggestive of intrinsic dental erosion, which is a clinical feature of GORD and its associated conditions. Use of this information will, it is suggested, improve outcomes for patients where GORD is suspected.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2017
ReviewOpioid addiction and misuse in adult and adolescent patients with cancer.
In the context of a therapeutic opioid epidemic, particularly in the USA, where increasingly stringent screening for 'at risk' individuals and close monitoring of opioid prescription and use is strongly recommended, the issue of misuse within the cancer population must be addressed. Most patients with advanced cancer will have pain requiring opioid therapy at some stage during their disease course. In the majority, this will provide good pain relief with no short- or longer-term adverse sequelae. ⋯ Ignoring the situation will not be in the patient's best interest, but an undue focus on this aspect may damage therapeutic relationships with clinicians and adversely affect a holistic approach to care. Clinical practitioners must be aware of the risk factors for opioid misuse and in patients who are not under palliative care consider screening prior to commencing opioids. Clinicians must be able to manage and monitor those identified as having an opioid misuse problem.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2017
Infectious complications in indigenous renal transplant recipients in Western Australia.
Infectious complications remain a significant risk following renal transplantation. ⋯ ATSI are at high risk of infectious complications after renal transplantation associated with a burden of hospitalisation and death. Augmented screening and prophylaxis for infectious diseases should be considered. Further study needs to identify contributing environmental and immunity factors.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2017
Treatment of gonorrhoea in Auckland, New Zealand: marked variation in prescriber adherence to treatment guidelines.
The relentless emergence and spread of strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae that are resistant to many antimicrobial agents has led to frequent changes in treatment guidelines, with a consequent risk that prescribers may not be aware of current guidelines. ⋯ Low levels of compliance with treatment guidelines increase the risk that antibiotic-resistant strains of N. gonorrhoeae will spread within the Auckland region. Improved compliance with treatment guidelines, particularly in patients who present either to general practice or to hospitals, is necessary to maintain the efficacy of current treatment regimens.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2017
Case ReportsEuglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis in patients using sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors.
Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are an increasingly prescribed class of medication for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA) has been reported in association with SGLT2i use. Clinicians need to understand how to recognise and treat this complication. We describe three cases of euDKA in patients treated with SGLT2i.