Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Jan 2014
Twenty-year trends in benzodiazepine dispensing in the Australian population.
Considerable concern has been expressed about overprescribing of benzodiazepines and related harms. Past analyses have relied on World Health Organization-defined daily doses (DDD) which are sometimes out of keeping with clinical usage. This study examines 20-year (1992-2011) trends of benzodiazepine dispensing in Australia using both DDD and Ashton equivalent dose. ⋯ Despite a modest overall decline in the amount of benzodiazepine dispensed, the level of use is still likely to reflect relative over-prescribing given the paucity of accepted indications for long-term use. Since 1998, there was a polynomial increase in quantity dispensed per script. The WHO-defined DDD for clonazepam seems inappropriate and could impede monitoring of its abuse. Other problems include lack of national data for medications not subsidised on PBS/Repatriation PBS. A broad policy approach is required, not one which targets only one particular benzodiazepine.
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Internal medicine journal · Jan 2014
Increased cardiovascular risk in patients with severe mental illness.
People with severe mental illness (SMI) have a reduced life expectancy. A major cause of mortality is cardiovascular disease. ⋯ Australians living with SMI have very high rates of cardiovascular risk factors, far in excess of the general Australian population and comparable with the ATSI population.
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Internal medicine journal · Jan 2014
Epidemiology of biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis in South Australia.
To determine the epidemiology and clinical features of biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) in South Australia (SA). ⋯ This is the first epidemiological study of Australian biopsy-proven GCA patients. Age at onset and gender associations were similar to other Western populations. There was a high burden of steroid use in these patients.
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Internal medicine journal · Jan 2014
Direct ultrasound localisation for pleural aspiration: translating evidence into action.
There is strong evidence that direct ultrasound localisation for pleural aspiration reduces complications, but this practice is not universal in Australia and New Zealand. ⋯ Many respiratory physicians have not adopted direct ultrasound localisation for pleural aspiration because they lack equipment and expertise. However, purchase of ultrasound equipment is cost-beneficial, and there is already sufficient capacity to deliver accredited ultrasound training through existing services.
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Internal medicine journal · Jan 2014
Inadequate resuscitation documentation in older patients' clinical case notes.
This research examined the quality of resuscitation decisions documented in the clinical notes of 99 older patients within 48 h of admission. Only 34 had current documentation that was frequently inconsistent and ambiguous, leaving patients at risk of receiving inappropriate and unwanted resuscitation. Clear guidelines with community input to guide the implementation and documentation of end-of-life decisions are essential.