Internal medicine journal
-
Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
Clostridioides difficile Infection in a Rural New Zealand Secondary Care Centre: An Incidence Case-Control Study.
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a form of antibiotic-associated infectious diarrhoea resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Community-acquired disease in low-risk individuals is increasingly recognised. There are limited New Zealand data published. ⋯ Our data are similar to previous national data. RT 023 has not been previously reported in New Zealand and has been associated with severe colitis. We demonstrated a significant proportion of community-acquired cases and the true incidence might be higher. Vigilance for community onset disease is required. These data may allow observation of temporal changes in incidence and infection patterns of CDI in New Zealand.
-
Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
Prevalence of gestational diabetes in the Waikato region of New Zealand.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy is associated with health complications for both mother and infant, but patient numbers in the Waikato District Health Board region of New Zealand have not been well characterised. This study reviewed the full 2018 cohort of Waikato District Health Board hospital births (n = 4970) to report on GDM prevalence by ethnicity and age. The overall prevalence of GDM was 5.7% and is more likely to affect Asian, Pacific and Māori women as well as those of advanced maternal age.
-
Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
A pilot study of a machine-learning tool to assist in the diagnosis of hand arthritis.
Arthritis is a common condition, which frequently involves the hands. Patients with inflammatory arthritis have been shown to experience significant delays in diagnosis. ⋯ The present study demonstrates a novel application combining image processing and a patient questionnaire with applied machine-learning methods to facilitate the diagnosis of patients presenting with hand arthritis. Preliminary results are encouraging for the application of such techniques in clinical practice.
-
Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
Diabetic ketoacidosis: a canary in the mine for mental health disorders?
Recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has been linked to mental health disorders, but less is known about single DKA episodes. Most studies are retrospective, lacking control groups. ⋯ Mental health disorders and adverse socioeconomic factors appear to be common in patients with DKA. The diagnosis of DKA presents an excellent opportunity to screen for depression and offer appropriate intervention.
-
Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
Outcomes Of Non-Cystic Fibrosis Related Bronchiectasis Post Lung Transplantation.
Lung transplantation is a recognised treatment for end-stage lung disease due to bronchiectasis. Non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis and CF are often combined into one cohort; however, outcomes for non-CF bronchiectasis patients vary between centres, and in comparison with those for CF. ⋯ Bronchiectasis patients in the present study had a lower 5-year survival and poorer outcomes in comparison with other indications including CF. Bronchiectasis should be considered a separate entity to CF in survival analysis.