Internal medicine journal
-
Internal medicine journal · Feb 2023
CommentUsefulness and yield of routine electroencephalography: a retrospective study.
The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a common diagnostic tool used to investigate patients for various indications including seizure disorders. ⋯ Our findings suggest that careful selection of patients based on appropriate indications for EEG referral would likely improve the yield of an EEG. Depending on the indication, a normal EEG result can be of similar usefulness to an abnormal EEG demonstrating epileptiform abnormalities.
-
Internal medicine journal · Feb 2023
Diabetes and Hyperglycaemia amongst Hospitalised Patients with COVID-19 in Western Sydney: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Diabetes has been recognised as a major risk factor for COVID-19 mortality and hospital complications in earlier studies. ⋯ There is a high prevalence of diabetes among patients hospitalised with COVID-19, with worse outcomes. In contrast to previous studies, the association of diabetes with mortality was not significant when adjusted for other variables. This is possibly related to the benefits of vaccination and current medical and ICU interventions.
-
Internal medicine journal · Feb 2023
CommentImpact of travel distance on outcomes for clinical trial patients - The Kinghorn Cancer Centre (TKCC) Experience.
Geographic isolation and travel distance to specialist care is a known social determinant of health and contributes to poorer oncology survival outcomes. ⋯ All patients should be considered for clinical trial referral based on clinical parameters and preference, regardless of geographic proximity. In the meantime, improving access to clinical trials for rural and regional patients continues to be a priority.
-
Internal medicine journal · Feb 2023
Observational StudyManagement of Single Subsegmental Pulmonary Embolism - a Prospective Observational Study at North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals, Auckland.
Single subsegmental pulmonary embolism is increasingly diagnosed but the benefit to anticoagulate in the absence of concurrent deep vein thrombosis is not consistently established. ⋯ Withholding anticoagulation was a feasible management option for this cohort of patients with single subsegmental pulmonary embolisms with an absence of deep vein thrombosis. The utility of a second lower limb ultrasound is questionable and would warrant further assessment in a prospective study.
-
Internal medicine journal · Feb 2023
Idiopathic factor V inhibitor in a patient starting haemodialysis.
A 74-year-old Pacific Island man with end-stage renal failure planning to start haemodialysis presented with persistent bleeding after tunnelled dialysis catheter insertion. The laboratory findings revealed a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time of 118 s, prothrombin ratio of 4.2, factor V activity of <2% and a factor V inhibitor of 40 Bethesda Units. No clear underlying aetiology was identified. The bleeding settled with conservative measures and the factor V inhibitor was successfully treated with oral cyclophosphamide for 6 weeks.