Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Mar 2023
Meta AnalysisPrevalence and clinical risk prediction of hypertriglyceridaemia in a community cohort.
Hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG; defined as ≥1.7 mmol/L) has a prevalence of 18-33% with significant inter-regional variation. Despite meta-analysis demonstrating its association with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, only 40% of HTG is identified in the community resulting in underutilisation of lipid-lowering therapy and specialist clinics. An increase in awareness of its clinical risk factors is needed to improve the identification and management of HTG to prevent cardiovascular risk. ⋯ HTG ≥1.7 mmol/L is common, affecting 24% of the HCS. Clinical predictors identify modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular risk management. Clinician education to promote awareness is required to improve patient outcomes.
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Internal medicine journal · Mar 2023
Multicenter StudyBurden of primary influenza and respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia in hospitalized adults: insights from a two-year multi-centre cohort study (2017-2018).
Viral community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a potentially serious illness, particularly in adult patients with underlying chronic conditions. In addition to the most recent SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are considered the most relevant causes of viral CAP. ⋯ The increased knowledge of influenza-A/B and RSV pneumonia burden may contribute to a better management of patients with viral CAP.
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Internal medicine journal · Mar 2023
ReviewHow toxic is an old friend? A review of the safety of hydroxychloroquine in clinical practice.
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its close relative chloroquine (CQ) were initially used as antimalarial agents but are now widely prescribed in rheumatology, dermatology and immunology for the management of autoimmune diseases. HCQ is considered to have a better long-term safety profile than CQ and is therefore more commonly used. ⋯ Debate around toxicity of HCQ in COVID-19 has challenged those who regularly prescribe HCQ to discuss its potential toxicities. Accordingly, we have reviewed the adverse effect profile of HCQ to provide guidance about this therapeutic agent in clinical practice.
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Internal medicine journal · Mar 2023
Validity of the New "Top End Sleepiness Scale" (TESS) against the STOP-Bang Tool in Predicting Obstructive Sleep Apnoea among Indigenous Australian Adults.
The validity of the newly developed sleepiness assessment tool, the 'Top End Sleepiness Scale' (TESS), against other established obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) screening tools has not been evaluated. ⋯ The TESS screening tool could be a useful standalone or could be adopted alongside the STOP-Bang OSA screening tools in the clinical assessment of sleep disorders among Indigenous Australians.