Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · May 2024
Heart failure among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in remote Central Australia.
There is a paucity of data on the burden of heart failure (HF) in Central Australia, the most populous Indigenous region in the country. ⋯ HF is more than two times as prevalent among Indigenous Central Australians, particularly among younger individuals and females. Despite similar HF aetiologies and GDMT, MACE and mortality outcomes are higher in Indigenous individuals with HF. These data have implications for efforts to close the Indigenous gap in morbidity and mortality.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2024
Sickle cell disease in Australia: a snapshot from the Australian Haemoglobinopathy Registry.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common monogenic disorder worldwide. In deoxygenated conditions, the altered beta chain (haemoglobin S [HbS]) polymerises and distorts the erythrocyte, resulting in pain crises, vasculopathy and end-organ damage. Clinical complications of SCD cause substantial morbidity, and therapy demands expertise and resources. Optimising care for patients and planning resource allocation for the future requires an understanding of the disease in the Australian population. The Australian Haemoglobinopathy Registry (HbR) is a collaborative initiative of specialist centres collating and analysing data on patients with haemoglobin disorders. ⋯ This study provides the first national picture of SCD in Australia, describing the characteristics and needs of SCD patients, elucidating demand for current and novel therapy and facilitating the planning of services for this vulnerable population.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2024
Comparative StudyComparative effectiveness of etanercept originator and biosimilar for treating rheumatoid arthritis: implications for cost-savings.
This study aimed to assess the comparative effectiveness of the etanercept (ETN) originator (Enbrel) and ETN biosimilar SB4 (Brenzys) as first-line treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), while also exploring the potential cost-savings associated with this approach in Australia. ⋯ Treatment persistence using either ETN originator or biosimilar was similar. The cost of all brands of ETN markedly reduced upon listing of the ETN biosimilar, resulting in significant savings for the Australian Government.