Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2022
Differences in retinopathy prevalence and progression between Anglo-Celt and Aboriginal Australians: The Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II.
Indigenous populations have higher rates of diabetes and diabetic complications, yet there is a paucity of contemporary data on diabetic retinopathy (DR) prevalence and incidence in urban dwelling Aboriginal Australians. ⋯ Aboriginal participants had a higher prevalence of DR and new or worsening DR, reflecting conventional risk factors including suboptimal glycaemic control. Their significantly higher odds of moderate NPDR or worse in adjusted models suggest ethnic-specific determinants of DR severity. These findings highlight the need for equitable, culturally appropriate diabetes/ophthalmic care.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2022
Ten year trends in cardiac implantable electronic devices in New Zealand: a national data linkage study (ANZACS-QI 51).
Implant rates for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED), including permanent pacemakers (PPM) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), have increased globally in recent decades. ⋯ CIED implant rates have increased steadily in NZ over the past decade but remain low compared with international benchmarks. Males had substantially higher CIED implant rates compared with females, with a growing gender disparity in ICD implant rates.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2022
Prior oral proton-pump inhibitor use is associated with reduced severity of aspirin-related upper gastrointestinal bleeding in older people.
Low-dose aspirin is commonly used for primary or secondary prophylaxis against cardiovascular disease in older people. However, the potential risk of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) ulceration and bleeding associated with low-dose aspirin use is often not appreciated by prescribers and older consumers. Among 133 serial patients with UGI bleeding, aspirin-users aged ≥70 years had a ninefold increased likelihood of overt UGI bleeding compared with non-users, reducing by 90% in regular proton-pump inhibitor users (adjusted odds ratio 0.10). We recommend risk-versus-benefit discussions when recommending aspirin to older people.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2022
Factors associated with the development of acute general surgical pathology in medical in-patients.
Medical inpatients can develop acute general surgical conditions. However, this is rare. The presence of multiple acute pathologies delays diagnosis and these patients have poorer prognoses. ⋯ The development of acute surgical pathology in medical inpatients is rare but associated with longer inpatient stays and higher mortality. We have identified risk-factors associated with the development of surgical pathology, which can be used to identify patients at risk of surgical pathology.