Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Jul 2020
Observational StudyLupus nephritis in Indigenous Australians: a single-centre study.
The incidence, presentation and outcomes of lupus nephritis (LN) vary with geography, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and gender. There are relatively few data on LN in the non-Caucasian populations in Australia. ⋯ The clinical presentation of LN in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Far North Queensland is severe and the response to standard immunosuppressive therapy is unsatisfactory. Larger prospective multi-centre studies are required to better understand ethnic disparities in prognosis and response to immunosuppressive therapy in this specific population.
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Internal medicine journal · Jul 2020
Case ReportsLeft anterior descending artery dissection: a rare sequela of blunt chest trauma.
Traumatic coronary artery (CA) dissection is an extremely rare sequela of blunt chest trauma. Diagnosis of CA dissection in the setting of chest trauma is challenging. ⋯ The ideal treatment modality for managing CA dissection has not been established with case reports revealing a range of treatment strategies ranging from CA bypass grafting to a completely conservative management. Here we present a case report of a 68-year-old man who suffered a traumatic proximal left anterior descending artery dissection as a consequence of a motor-vehicle accident and was subsequently treated with a combination of conservative and interventional strategy with optimal patient outcome.
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Internal medicine journal · Jul 2020
Taking the pulse of Timor-Leste's cardiac needs: a 10-year descriptive time-trend analysis.
Timor-Leste is one of the poorest countries in the world. The East Timor Hearts Fund is a charitable organisation involving Australian cardiologists providing outreach screening and access to cardiac interventions. ⋯ Demand for cardiac services in Timor-Leste is rising exponentially, with inequitable geographic coverage. Rheumatic and congenital cardiac diseases remain priorities for assessment, and paediatric case volume is increasing. Patients undergoing intervention experience good medical outcomes.
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Internal medicine journal · Jul 2020
Comparison of the effects of oral iron treatment every day and every other day in female patients with iron deficiency anaemia.
It is known that daily divided doses and high doses of iron increase hepcidin and reduce iron absorption. ⋯ A low-dosage of iron treatment every other day may be used in the place of providing iron once or twice every day with similar effectiveness and lower rates of GIS side effects.
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The optimal duration of immunotherapy treatment for cancer patients is unknown. As the survival data from early immunotherapy trials mature we are beginning to appreciate how durable responses can be post-discontinuation. The purpose of this brief communication is to comment on treatment duration of immunotherapy in patients with melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer and to provide practice guidance in support of discontinuation.