Internal medicine journal
-
Internal medicine journal · Sep 2019
Case ReportsLeukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with use of aromatase inhibitors.
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis is an uncommon but important complication of aromatase inhibitor use which may have cosmetic and systemic ramifications. We present a case in which this reaction was observed and aim to compare the characteristics of patients and trajectory of disease in order to assist with early identification and treatment.
-
Internal medicine journal · Sep 2019
Evaluation of screening practices for low bone mass and prevalence of osteoporosis and fractures in people living with human immunodeficiency virus attending a sexual health clinic.
Adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection commonly experience fractures and have a high prevalence of osteoporosis. The reasons for low bone mineral density (BMD) in HIV patients are multifactorial and there are now guidelines for screening. ⋯ In this cohort, there was a high prevalence of low bone mass and BMD screening rates of 60%. Our results highlight the importance of this condition and the need to improve screening and availability of BMD assessment.
-
Internal medicine journal · Sep 2019
Retrospective pharmaceutical financial benefits and cost avoidance analysis of clinical trial participation in the Australian haematology setting.
Clinical trial participants receiving investigational new drugs, which subsequently become approved by a medicines regulatory authority for its trialled indication, effectively gain free early access to efficacious treatment. Participants may also benefit from receiving approved, but unsubsidised medicines. These financial benefits of clinical trial participation have not previously been defined or quantified. Additionally, there are limited Australian pharmaceutical cost avoidance studies quantifying government savings through sponsored clinical trials. ⋯ Pharmaceutical financial benefit is a previously unquantified aspect of clinical trial participation, its assigned value reflecting a measure of the quality and quantity of life delivered to patients. These data, albeit from a single discipline and institution, suggest that financial benefit represents a greater value than cost avoidance, and that its inclusion in cost-analyses may better reflect the monetary benefits of accessing efficacious pharmaceutical agents through clinical trials.
-
Internal medicine journal · Sep 2019
Case ReportsPseudotumours in haemophilia: non-adherence, under-reporting bleeds or bad luck?
Pseudotumours are a rare, severe complication of haemophilia which can occur in a spectrum of bones and soft tissues. It consists of an encapsulated blood collection, and as the swelling increases causes compression and eventual slow destruction of surrounding structures. Presented here are two cases of patients with haemophilia and pseudotumours, which demonstrate the heterogeneity of presenting symptoms and of treatment options.
-
Internal medicine journal · Sep 2019
Prevalence and healthcare usage of knee pain in South Australia: a population-based study.
It is known that South Australia (SA) has the highest rate of knee arthroscopy use of any state in Australia; however, Level 1 evidence demonstrates that knee arthroscopy in patients with uncomplicated knee osteoarthritis confers no benefit. In SA, which patients are presenting with knee pain and what treatments are they receiving? ⋯ Knee pain affects large proportions of the SA population. Knee pain was persistent with underuse of non-pharmacological treatments and high use of specialist referral. These data support the need for a national strategy to manage osteoarthritis effectively.