Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Oct 2023
Comment ReviewNarrative review of inpatient nutritional management of anorexia nervosa with management recommendations for Australian tertiary health services.
Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) may experience life-threatening malnutrition-related complications requiring inpatient medical stabilisation. Several management guidelines have been developed but discrepancies exist because of limited high-level evidence. ⋯ The evidence supports high-calorie refeeding of 2000 kcal/day in AN inpatient medical management and zinc supplementation in improving the rate of weight restoration. This is inconsistently reflected in different Victorian health services guidelines. Updated national consensus guidelines could assist in improving consistency of evidence-based health care.
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Internal medicine journal · Oct 2023
Anti-tumour necrosis factor-induced skin rashes in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and evidence-based management algorithm.
Anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF) agents are a highly effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Skin lesions, including psoriasiform, eczematous and lupoid eruptions, may paradoxically result from anti-TNF use and cause significant morbidity leading to discontinuation of therapy. There are no consensus guidelines on the management of these lesions. ⋯ Assessment of anti-TNF skin lesions should be performed in conjunction with a dermatologist and rheumatologist in complex cases. High-quality prospective studies are needed to clarify the validity of these algorithms in the future.
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Internal medicine journal · Oct 2023
Impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on COPD admissions to Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand 2020-2021: a combined quantitative and qualitative study.
During the year following New Zealand's first COVID-19 lockdown, a 33% reduction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related admissions occurred and persisted beyond this period at Christchurch Hospital. ⋯ A combination of patient, primary care and community-level factors led to an overall persistent decrease in COPD admissions following the COVID-19 lockdown. Future targeted and individualised measures focusing on these modifiable factors may decrease future COPD-related hospital admissions. The study design facilitated further explanation about factors that contributed to the persistent decrease in hospital admissions among people living with COPD and has underscored the importance of social support, patient empowerment and reduction in barriers in accessing care in admission reduction.
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Internal medicine journal · Oct 2023
ReviewRevisiting resistant hypertension: a comprehensive review.
Resistant hypertension (RHT) is typically defined as blood pressure that remains above guideline-directed targets despite the use of three anti-hypertensives, usually including a diuretic, at optimal or maximally tolerated doses. It is generally estimated to affect 10-30% of those diagnosed with hypertension, though the true incidence might be lower after one factor in the prevalence of non-adherence. ⋯ It is essential to exclude pseudoresistance and secondary hypertension and to ensure non-pharmacologic management is optimised prior to consideration of fourth-line anti-hypertensive agents or advanced interventions, such as device therapies. In this review, we will cover the different definitions of RHT, along with the importance of careful diagnosis and management strategies, and discuss newer agents and research needs.
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Internal medicine journal · Oct 2023
Metastatic primary breast neuroendocrine neoplasms: a case series.
Breast neuroendocrine neoplasms represent a rare subtype of breast cancer which have not been well studied or characterised, particularly in the metastatic setting. ⋯ This series shows the use of multiple modalities in treating this disease, with different sequencing in different patients. Despite multiple modalities used in the first-line setting, first-line PFS remains short. Larger series and further molecular characterisation are required to aid clinicians in managing this condition and to guide optimal treatment sequencing to improve outcomes in this rare patient group.