Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
COVID-19 End-of-life Care: Symptoms and Supportive Therapy Use in an Australian Hospital.
Descriptions of symptoms and medication use at end of life in COVID-19 are limited to small cross-sectional studies, with no Australian longitudinal data. ⋯ This study presents one of the first and largest Australian report of the end of life and symptom experience of people dying of COVID-19. This information should help clinicians to anticipate palliative care needs of these patients, for example, recognising that higher starting doses of opioids and sedatives may help reduce prevalence and severity of breathlessness and agitation near death.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Documentation of Adverse Drug Reactions to Opioids in an Electronic Health Record.
Allergy to opioids is the second most common drug allergy label in electronic health records (EHR). Adverse drug reactions (ADR) to opioids cause significant morbidity and contribute to healthcare costs, while incorrect opioid allergy labels may unnecessarily complicate patient management. ⋯ This large EHR-based study demonstrates the high rate of opioid ADR labels in EHR. The majority of these labels were for symptoms suggestive of pharmacological intolerance. Reactions consistent with true allergy were uncommon. Systematic review of ADR by a dedicated clinical service would improve the accuracy of documentation.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Beyond platitudes: A qualitative study of Australian Aboriginal people's perspectives on biobanking.
Biobanks are vital resources for genetics and genomics, and it is broadly recognised that for maximal benefit it is essential that they include samples and data from diverse ancestral groups. The inclusion of First Nations people, in particular, is important to prevent biobanking research from exacerbating existing health inequities, and to ensure that these communities share in the benefits arising from research. ⋯ This research reminds us (again) of the need to engage deeply with communities in order to respond appropriately with respect for their cultural values and norms, and to develop culturally relevant policies and processes that enhance the benefits of biobank participation and minimise potential harms.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Validation of Australian and Victorian guidelines for colonoscopy triage.
Managing the growing demand for colonoscopies is challenging. ⋯ The Victorian guidelines could reduce the proportion of Category 1 colonoscopies by 10% without reducing conversion or detection rates. This would require improvements in the quality of referrals and ordering faecal occult blood tests in 6% of symptomatic patients.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Retrospective analysis of the efficacy and duration of botulinum toxin A injections in 30 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis.
Palmar hyperhidrosis is a common disorder characterised by excessive sweating due to hyperfunction of the sweat glands. It can be classified as primary disease, or secondary to other causes. It has a high morbidity, and a range of treatment options. ⋯ There was evidence for a median reduction in the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale, a qualitative self-reported score, as well as an increasing duration of efficacy with repeated injections. There were minimal side-effects of weakness and numbness. There is also an association between treatment of palmar disease and improvement in plantar disease, which suggests that treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis should be considered earlier and more frequently.