Internal medicine journal
-
Internal medicine journal · Aug 2024
Yield of capsule endoscopy and subsequent device-assisted enteroscopy: Experience at an Australian tertiary centre.
Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) and device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) have an established role in the investigation and management of small bowel pathology. Previous studies have reported on the yield of SBCE (60%) and DAE (57%), but none have been in an Australian setting. ⋯ In this largest single-centre cohort of patients undergoing SBCE to date, there is a similar yield of abnormal findings compared to existing literature. DAE, especially with an antegrade approach, had high diagnostic and therapeutic yield when pursued after a positive SBCE study.
-
Internal medicine journal · Aug 2024
Observational StudyCOVID-19 and autoimmune rheumatic disease: behavioural changes adopted by patients amid the pandemic.
Amid concerns about severe COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRD) during the outbreak, it is crucial to explore behavioural changes, whether healthy or unhealthy, arising from this patient population in response to the changing healthcare environment. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in behaviour changes among patients with AIRD. Despite the perceived risk, most of these patients continue to adhere to their prescribed medication regimens, especially maintaining the dosage of traditional immunosuppressive agents.
-
Internal medicine journal · Aug 2024
An audit for the inpatient management of patients with severe hypertension without acute end-organ damage at the Northern Sydney Local Health District.
Severe hypertension without acute end-organ damage is commonly encountered in inpatients. Despite this, there is a lack of international guidelines to manage this disorder. We conducted an audit to investigate the local practices within our health district. Current practices favour the use of rapidly acting antihypertensive drugs, which have been associated with iatrogenic injury.
-
Internal medicine journal · Aug 2024
The burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Australia: an analysis of Global Burden of Disease study from 1990 to 2019.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data from 1990 to 2019 reported a rise in prevalence (9-13%) in Australia, which also ranked third highest for NAFLD prevalence compared to 14 similar countries. As a result of underdiagnosis, NAFLD burden is underestimated by GBD.