Internal medicine journal
-
Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a familial cardiac ion channelopathy first described over 60 years ago. It is characterised by prolonged ventricular repolarisation (long QT on electrocardiography), ventricular arrhythmias and associated syncope or sudden cardiac death. ⋯ In recent times, progress has been made in diagnostic method, risk stratification and treatment options. This review has been written as a guide for the general cardiologist to understand the basic pathophysiology, diagnosis and management priorities for the most encountered LQTS subtypes: LQT1, LQT2 and LQT3.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2021
Psychometric validation of the Partners in Health scale as a self-management tool in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Liver cirrhosis is a chronic disease complicated by recurrent hospital admissions. Self-management skills could facilitate optimal disease management. At present there is no validated instrument for measuring self-management in these patients. Hence, we evaluated the internal reliability and construct validity of the Partners in Health (PIH) scale, a chronic condition self-management tool in cirrhotic patients. ⋯ The dimensionality, known-group validity and reliability of the PIH scale for measuring self-management in patients with liver cirrhosis were confirmed. Its clinical predictive value requires further assessment.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2021
Frailty status, timely goals of care documentation and clinical outcomes in older hospitalised medical patients.
Hospitalised frail older patients are at risk of clinical deterioration. Early goals of care (GOC) documentation is vital to avoid futile/unwarranted interventions in the event of deterioration. ⋯ Older frail hospitalised patients were more likely to have timely GOC than older non-frail patients. Timely GOC in such patients may avoid burdensome treatments.