Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2021
Meta AnalysisImmunosuppression as a risk factor for COVID-19: a meta-analysis.
While immunosuppression poses a theoretical increase in the risk of COVID-19, the nature of this relationship is yet to be ascertained. ⋯ Compared to the general population, immunosuppressed patients were not at significantly increased risk of COVID-19 infection. This finding provides support for current expert consensus statements, which have recommended the continuation of immunosuppressant therapy in the absence of COVID-19.
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2021
Prevalence and characteristics of post-colonoscopy colorectal cancers in a New Zealand regional centre: a 10-year analysis.
Post-colonoscopy colorectal cancers (PCCRC) are cancers that appear following a colonoscopy in which no cancer is diagnosed. The occurrence of PCCRC is thought to be multifactorial, reflecting both endoscopy quality and potential differences in tumour biology between detected colorectal cancers and PCCRC. ⋯ The prevalence of PCCRC in a New Zealand cohort is consistent with other international reports. Most patients with PCCRC are older, female and have early-stage disease. Of interest, a high proportion of patients developed cancer within a colonic segment with existent pathology, suggesting either missed lesions or incomplete polyp resection.
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2021
Aetiologies and factors associated with poor clinical outcomes in rhabdomyolysis: a retrospective cohort study in an Australian trauma centre.
Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical syndrome with significant morbidity and mortality that occurs as a result of traumatic and non-traumatic aetiologies. Acute kidney injury, the need for dialysis, and death, can occur due to rhabdomyolysis. This study explores the aetiologies, clinical outcomes and associated factors for poor outcomes in a cohort of patients with rhabdomyolysis in a tertiary trauma centre in Australia.
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2021
Current issues in the prevalence, diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma in Australia.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the commonest primary liver cancer encountered in the community and a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. In Australia, there are several current important issues that need to be addressed in HCC management. There is a dramatically rising incidence of HCC in Australia with comparatively poorer outcomes in remote regions and in socioeconomic disadvantaged groups. ⋯ Managing HCC is complex involving many disciplines with the multidisciplinary team approach being the current accepted standard of care for patients. New immunotherapy combinations promise to offer patients with advanced HCC promising novel management options. However, the Australian inequities in prevalence, diagnosis and service provision, especially in Aboriginal people, need to be redressed concurrently with the adoption of new HCC management options.