Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2023
Observational StudyAccuracy of medication histories derived from an Australian cloud-based repository of prescribed and dispensed medication records.
Obtaining accurate medication histories at transitions of care is challenging, but important for patient safety. Prescription exchange services (PES) securely transfer electronic prescription and dispensing records between prescribers and pharmacies, which is potentially useful data for determining medication histories. ⋯ Medication histories derived solely from a cloud-based medication record repository had a high error rate compared with patients' actual medication use. Like all medication history sources, data from cloud-based repositories need to be verified with additional sources including the patient and/or their carer.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2023
Changes in inpatient medicine prescribing during Covid-19 lockdown.
New Zealand went into lockdown March 2020 successfully eliminating the circulation of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus. During lockdown there were reduced rates of respiratory infections and hospital admission numbers were low. At the time, rumours of benefit and harm of medicines for COVID-19 were widespread in the lay and medical media. ⋯ Acute medical admissions decreased 20% during lockdown for COVID-19, with a proportional decrease in prescriptions. Reduced rates of respiratory tract infections did not lead to decreased prescribing of antibacterial medicines. Rumour-based prescribing did not eventuate.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2023
Predictors and Outcomes of Dose Reduction of Methotrexate and Cyclosporin Graft-Versus-Host-Disease Prophylaxis Following Allogeneic Haematopoietic Cell Transplantation.
Concern regarding dose-related toxicities of methotrexate (MTX) and cyclosporin (CYA) graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis occasionally leads to dose alterations post allogeneic haemopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT). ⋯ Our findings suggest dose alteration in MTX and CYA GVHD prophylaxis is associated with adverse survival outcomes in alloHCT, without a significant impact on GVHD rates.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2023
Outcomes of de-prescribing proton pump inhibitors during acute admissions in a general medical unit: a pilot study.
The study describes the feasibility and short-to-medium-term efficacy of an evidence-based proton pump inhibitor (PPI) de-prescribing initiative undertaken as part of routine clinical care during acute admissions in a general medical unit. Of the 44 (median (IQR) age 75.5 (13.75) years; females 25 (57%)) who participated in the study, de-prescription was maintained in 29 (66%) and 27 (61%) patients at 12 and 26 weeks respectively.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2023
A cross-sectional web-based survey among haematologists and gastroenterologists in Japan to identify the key factors for early diagnosis of Gaucher Disease.
Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder resulting from glucocerebrosidase deficiency. Patients benefit from early treatment as complications can arise from delayed diagnosis. ⋯ The present study showed that haematologists had greater awareness of GD than gastroenterologists, and that bone pain may be a key sign of GD to enhance early diagnosis.