Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2023
Observational StudyLifestyle changes and quality of life a year after attending Rapid Access Cardiology Clinics: an observational study.
We examined behavioural risk factors and quality of life (QoL) in women and men, younger and older adults 12 months after a Rapid Access Cardiology Clinic (RACC) visit. Routine clinical care data were collected in person from three Sydney hospitals between 2017 and 2018 and followed up by questionnaire at 365 days. 1491 completed the baseline survey, at 1 year, 1092 provided follow-up data on lifestyle changes, and 811 completed the EQ-5D-5L (QoL) survey. 666 (44.7%) were women, and 416 (27.9%) were older than 60 years of age. Almost 50% of participants reported improving physical activity and diet a year after their RACC visit. These changes were less likely in women and older participants.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2023
Creatinine Index: A retrospective cohort study in an urban Australian dialysis context.
This study aimed to described the relationship between the CI and mortality in an Australian context. ⋯ In a single-centre Australian haemodialysis cohort, the CI was strongly associated with mortality and stroke risk. The CI is an accurate and simple method to identify patients with low LBM at risk for significant morbidity and mortality.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2023
ReviewA review of the utility of prognostic tools in predicting 6-month mortality in cancer patients, conducted in the context of Voluntary Assisted Dying.
Eligibility to access the Victorian voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation requires that people have a prognosis of 6 months or less (or 12 months or less in the setting of a neurodegenerative diagnosis). Yet prognostic determination is frequently inaccurate and prompts clinician discomfort. Based on functional capacity and clinical and biochemical markers, prognostic tools have been developed to increase the accuracy of life expectancy predictions. ⋯ Prognostication is a significant aspect of VAD, and the utility of the currently available prognostic tools appears limited but may prompt discussions about prognosis and alternative means (other than prognostic estimates) to identify those eligible for VAD.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2023
Multicenter StudyClinical variation in the early assessment and management of suspected community-acquired meningitis: a multi-centre retrospective study.
Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and timely management has been shown to improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the early assessment and management of adults with suspected community-onset meningitis between hospitals and identify opportunities for clinical practice improvement. ⋯ Opportunities for improvement include reducing the time to LP and antibiotic administration, improving coadministration of corticosteroids and avoiding potentially unnecessary CT scanning.