Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Meta AnalysisMeta-analysis of Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled Ciprofloxacin in Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Patients.
No antibiotic therapies have been approved for reducing exacerbations and preventing disease progression in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) patients. Several recent clinical studies have investigated the feasibility of inhaled ciprofloxacin in NCFB, whereas the results were controversial. ⋯ Ciprofloxacin inhalation treatment significantly prolonged the time to first exacerbation, reduced the frequency of exacerbations and decreased sputum P. aeruginosa density and was well tolerated. Ciprofloxacin inhalation is promising in the treatment of NCFB.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
ReviewImpact of subclinical hypothyroidism on health-related quality of life: a narrative review.
A biochemical diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is defined by an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with a normal serum free thyroxine (FT4). This paper discusses SCH in the Australian population, the impact of SCH on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the evidence for thyroid hormone therapy as well as exercise therapy to improve HRQoL in SCH. The prevalence of SCH in Australia is approximately 4-5% and is higher in females and the elderly. ⋯ Because the majority of research to date has been done in elderly, largely asymptomatic individuals, this may not be representative of the entire SCH population. In addition, alternative treatments, such as exercise therapy, have not been well explored in the literature, despite exercise therapy's effects on HRQoL in other populations. Further research is required to define clearly which individuals with SCH are likely to experience an impaired HRQoL, as well as explore the effects of thyroid hormone therapy and exercise therapy in these individuals.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Alcohol Misuse and Critical Care Admissions in the Northern Territory.
The Northern Territory (NT) has a long history of heavy alcohol consumption with a correspondingly high attributable morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Alcohol misuse is associated with a substantial number of critical care admissions and consumes considerable acute care resources. Further policy directed at harm minimisation and epidemiological work at jurisdictional and national level is necessary.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Observational StudyAn Observational Study of the Incidence and Factors Associated with Patient Readmission from Home Based Care Under the Hospital in the Home Program.
Hospital in the Home (HITH) provides home-based care by hospital staff, which reduces inpatient length of stay and promotes a better quality of life. The frequency and precipitants for readmission from HITH back to the acute inpatient service are currently poorly defined. ⋯ Older age and greater comorbidity increased the odds of readmission, but patients from the ED were low risk compared to inpatient referrals.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Outcomes of artery embolisation for cystic fibrosis patients with haemoptysis: a 20-year experience at a major Australian tertiary centre.
There are no published data on Australian adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patient outcomes post bronchial arterial embolisation (BAE). We report 20 years of experience of BAE at a major Australian tertiary adult CF centre, where 46 patients underwent 100 BAE during this period. ⋯ A higher proportion (9 out of 45) of patients were transplanted compared to previous publications. Repeat BAE was common and significantly higher in patients already on tranexamic acid.