Internal medicine journal
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Gaucher disease (GD) manifests heterogeneously and other conditions are often misdiagnosed in its place, leading to diagnostic delays. The Gaucher Earlier Diagnosis Consensus (GED-C) initiative proposed a point-scoring system (PSS) based on the signs and covariables that are most indicative of GD to help clinicians identify which individuals to test for GD. ⋯ Preliminary validation of the GED-C PSS discriminated effectively between patients with GD and those with overlapping signs.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2020
2004 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with and without bronchiectasis in Aboriginal Australians: a comparative study.
Chronic respiratory disorders are highly prevalent in Aboriginal Australian population, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. However, there is paucity of information in the literature among Aboriginal patients with underlying COPD with and without bronchiectasis. ⋯ About 32% of Aboriginal Australians had co-existent bronchiectasis with COPD. Lower body mass index, productive cough, frequent hospital admission and marginally more severe reduction in lung function were noted among patients with COPD and bronchiectasis compared to those with COPD in isolation.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2020
Observational StudyAeromedical retrieval diagnostic trends during a period of Coronavirus 2019 lockdown.
Little is known on the trends of aeromedical retrieval (AR) during social isolation. ⋯ The lockdown period resulted in increased AR rates of circulatory and congenital conditions.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2020
Rapid response team trigger modifications: are we using them safely?
Rapid response teams (RRT) were first proposed as a means of reducing inpatient morbidity and mortality. Modifying RRT activation triggers poses a potential risk for delayed recognition of a deteriorating patient. Trigger modifications have not been validated for safety. ⋯ Trigger modifications are associated with increased hospital LOS and increased rate of in-hospital death and do not reduce the number of recurrent events. For patients in whom escalation of care is not appropriate, the presence of multiple trigger modifications at the time of an RRT activation may be a useful trigger for conversations around goals of care.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2020
Specificity of serum amyloid A as a biomarker of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an apo-lipoprotein produced by the liver in response to proinflammatory cytokines. Few data are available on SAA levels in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common idiopathic form of interstitial pneumonitis (ILD). This study compared SAA concentration in IPF patients to other ILD groups to explore its potential use as a clinical biomarker.