Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Beyond platitudes: A qualitative study of Australian Aboriginal people's perspectives on biobanking.
Biobanks are vital resources for genetics and genomics, and it is broadly recognised that for maximal benefit it is essential that they include samples and data from diverse ancestral groups. The inclusion of First Nations people, in particular, is important to prevent biobanking research from exacerbating existing health inequities, and to ensure that these communities share in the benefits arising from research. ⋯ This research reminds us (again) of the need to engage deeply with communities in order to respond appropriately with respect for their cultural values and norms, and to develop culturally relevant policies and processes that enhance the benefits of biobank participation and minimise potential harms.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Validation of Australian and Victorian guidelines for colonoscopy triage.
Managing the growing demand for colonoscopies is challenging. ⋯ The Victorian guidelines could reduce the proportion of Category 1 colonoscopies by 10% without reducing conversion or detection rates. This would require improvements in the quality of referrals and ordering faecal occult blood tests in 6% of symptomatic patients.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Observational StudyImpacts of multidisciplinary meeting case discussion on palliative care referral and end-of-life care in lung cancer: A retrospective observational study.
Multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) discussion and early palliative care are recommended in lung cancer management. The literature is unclear whether MDM discussion leads to early palliative care and improved end-of-life care. ⋯ Discussion at lung MDM did not increase palliative care referral, but did reduce ICU admission among metastatic patients at the end of life. Longer palliative care referral-to-death interval was associated with reduced aggressive end-of-life care. Further research is needed in these areas.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Retrospective analysis of the efficacy and duration of botulinum toxin A injections in 30 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis.
Palmar hyperhidrosis is a common disorder characterised by excessive sweating due to hyperfunction of the sweat glands. It can be classified as primary disease, or secondary to other causes. It has a high morbidity, and a range of treatment options. ⋯ There was evidence for a median reduction in the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale, a qualitative self-reported score, as well as an increasing duration of efficacy with repeated injections. There were minimal side-effects of weakness and numbness. There is also an association between treatment of palmar disease and improvement in plantar disease, which suggests that treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis should be considered earlier and more frequently.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Outcomes of artery embolisation for cystic fibrosis patients with haemoptysis: a 20-year experience at a major Australian tertiary centre.
There are no published data on Australian adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patient outcomes post bronchial arterial embolisation (BAE). We report 20 years of experience of BAE at a major Australian tertiary adult CF centre, where 46 patients underwent 100 BAE during this period. ⋯ A higher proportion (9 out of 45) of patients were transplanted compared to previous publications. Repeat BAE was common and significantly higher in patients already on tranexamic acid.