Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2021
Prevalence of polycythaemia with different formulations of testosterone therapy in transmasculine individuals.
Masculinising hormone therapy with testosterone is used to align an individual's physical characteristics with his or her gender identity. Testosterone therapy is typically administered via intramuscular or transdermal routes, and polycythaemia is the most common adverse event. ⋯ One in four individuals treated with intramuscular testosterone enantate and one in six treated with testosterone undecanoate had polycythaemia. No individual treated with transdermal testosterone had polycythaemia. This highlights the importance of regular monitoring of haematocrit in transmasculine individuals treated with testosterone, and findings may inform treatment choices.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2021
Hepatitis B in the Northern Territory: insights into the changing epidemiology of an ancient condition.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately affected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A proposed mismatch between standard vaccines and the HBV/C4 sub-genotype prevalent in Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory (NT) may reduce vaccine effectiveness. ⋯ The burden of CHB in Indigenous people in the NT has previously been underestimated. A higher HBV prevalence in the NT than described in previous cross-sectional studies was found, including a higher prevalence in Indigenous people. Evidence of suboptimal vaccine efficacy was demonstrated predominantly in Indigenous individuals.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2021
Outcomes of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Tertiary Center with Restricted ICU Bed Capacity.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute metabolic condition, sometimes requiring admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ In a setting of limited ICU capacity, DKA treatment does not necessarily require admission to the ICU. When the rising rates of diabetes mellitus and the associated elevated rates of DKA are taken into account, our results highlight the importance of including step-down units when devising local protocols for care of these patients.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2021
Lung, breast, and bowel cancer treatment for Aboriginal people in New South Wales: a population-based cohort study.
Aboriginal Australians have higher cancer mortality than non-Aboriginal Australians. Lower rates of cancer treatment among Aboriginal people can contribute to this. ⋯ Aboriginal people were significantly less likely to receive surgery for lung cancer than non-Aboriginal people and had fewer attendances with a surgeon, suggesting a need to strengthen referral pathways.