Internal medicine journal
-
Recent trials within the past few years have influenced not only how we treat patients immediately after acute ischaemic stroke, but also how we investigate for aetiology. With the advent of improved medications, procedures and monitoring devices, modern stroke prevention strategies are more individualised, but the decision-making process is more complex. We provide an approach to navigating these management options.
-
Internal medicine journal · Oct 2019
Review Practice GuidelineDiagnosis, management and prevention of Candida auris in hospitals: position statement of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases.
Candida auris is an emerging drug-resistant yeast responsible for hospital outbreaks. This statement reviews the evidence regarding diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this organism and provides consensus recommendations for clinicians and microbiologists in Australia and New Zealand. C. auris has been isolated in over 30 countries (including Australia). ⋯ Composite swabs of the axilla and groin should be collected. Routine screening of healthcare workers and the environment is not recommended. Detergents and sporicidal disinfectants should be used for environmental decontamination.
-
Internal medicine journal · Oct 2019
Multicenter StudySafety and outcomes of 177 Lu-DOTATATE for neuroendocrine tumours: experience in New South Wales, Australia.
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with 177 Lu-DOTATATE is a promising treatment for inoperable or metastatic neuroendocrine tumours (NET). In 2015, the NSW Ministry of Health provided funding for 177 Lu-DOTATATE treatment of NET under an evaluation framework. ⋯ 177 Lu-DOTATATE is a promising treatment for advanced NET. Superior survival in patients who met selection criteria emphasise the importance of protocol adherence.
-
Internal medicine journal · Oct 2019
Results of a survey of cancer patients' willingness to travel to participate in a clinical trial.
Only 2-3% of cancer patients enrol in a trial. We surveyed patients' willingness to change clinician or treating centre, or to travel, to participate in trials, to improve trial recruitment. ⋯ Rural and regional patients, and those from lower socio-economic areas, were more willing to travel. To optimise access to trials, clinicians should refer within and between institutions.
-
Internal medicine journal · Oct 2019
Behaviour change techniques to optimise participation in physical activity or exercise in adolescents and young adults with chronic cardiorespiratory conditions: a systematic review.
Participation in regular physical activity decreases the risk of developing cardiometabolic disease. However, the proportion of people who participate in the recommended amount of physical activity is low, with common barriers including competing interests and inclement weather. In people with chronic cardiorespiratory conditions, participation in physical activity is reduced further by disease-specific barriers, time burden of treatment and unpleasant symptoms during physical activity. ⋯ The most commonly used BCT comprised goal setting, action planning and social support. Five BCT were solely used in 'promising' interventions. Our review demonstrated that only 20% of BCT have been utilised, and those BCT that were used only in 'promising' physical activity interventions in adolescents and adults with chronic cardiorespiratory conditions were isolated.