Internal medicine journal
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
ICU trainee perception of end of life care provided during medical emergency team activation events.
Hospital medical emergency team (MET) activation events involving end-of-life care (EOLC) are common. The issues faced by medical staff attending these events are incompletely described. ⋯ Victorian intensive care trainees were confident managing EOLC MET activation events. However, distress was reported commonly and strategies are required to address the areas of concern.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
Appropriate prescribing of azithromycin for community-acquired pneumonia.
Azithromycin is prescribed for atypical antimicrobial cover in severe community-acquired pneumonia. Inappropriate azithromycin administration incurs unnecessary financial costs, exacerbates antimicrobial resistance and risks QTc interval prolongation leading to cardiac arrhythmias. The present study demonstrated that a majority of patients were prescribed azithromycin without having electrocardiograms to assess the QTc interval and without meeting criteria for severe community-acquired pneumonia based on CURB-65 score.