The Medical journal of Australia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Acupuncture for analgesia in the emergency department: a multicentre, randomised, equivalence and non-inferiority trial.
This study aimed to assess analgesia provided by acupuncture, alone or in combination with pharmacotherapy, to patients presenting to emergency departments with acute low back pain, migraine or ankle sprain. ⋯ The effectiveness of acupuncture in providing acute analgesia for patients with back pain and ankle sprain was comparable with that of pharmacotherapy. Acupuncture is a safe and acceptable form of analgesia, but none of the examined therapies provided optimal acute analgesia. More effective options are needed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Reducing cardiovascular disease risk in diabetes: a randomised controlled trial of a quality improvement initiative.
To describe the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Australian patients with diabetes; to compare the effectiveness of a quality improvement initiative for people with and without diabetes. ⋯ Adherence to CVD risk management guidelines was better for people with diabetes, but there is room for improvement. The intervention was modestly effective in people with diabetes, but further strategies are needed to close evidence-practice gaps.Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number: ACTRN12611000478910.
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Multicenter Study
Risk-adjusted hospital mortality rates for stroke: evidence from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (AuSCR).
Hospital data used to assess regional variability in disease management and outcomes, including mortality, lack information on disease severity. We describe variance between hospitals in 30-day risk-adjusted mortality rates (RAMRs) for stroke, comparing models that include or exclude stroke severity as a covariate. ⋯ Hospital stroke mortality rates and hospital performance ranking may vary widely according to the covariates included in the statistical analysis.
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Multicenter Study
Management of dengue in Australian travellers: a retrospective multicentre analysis.
To describe the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory features and outcomes of dengue in returned Australian travellers, applying the revised WHO dengue classification (2009) to this population. ⋯ A significant proportion of returning Australian travellers hospitalised for dengue have unrecognised warning signs of severe disease. Many received NSAIDs, which can increase the risk of haemorrhage in dengue. As travel to Asia from Australia continues to increase, it is vital for averting serious outcomes that clinicians can recognise and manage dengue.