Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
Influence of side effect information on patient willingness to take medication: consequences for informed consent and medication adherence.
Medication side effect information can create negative patient expectations of side effects, but such information is considered crucial to informed consent. The current study investigated the effect of informing participants of different numbers of medication side effects. Willingness to take the medication was highest for those informed of one or four compared with none or 26 side effects, and memory of side effects was also more accurate. Findings suggest that informing patients of some, but not several, side effects may optimise both medication adherence and accuracy of informed consent.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
Review Meta AnalysisEfficacy and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients(≥80 Years of Age) with atrial fibrillation: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Findings of prior studies about the efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients (≥80 years of age) with atrial fibrillation (AF) are controversial. So we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NOACs versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients (≥80 years of age) with AF. A systematic review of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science and Chinese BioMedical databases was conducted until 1 October 2022. ⋯ In conclusion, for patients (≥80 years of age) with AF, the risks of stroke and systemic embolism, all-cause mortality, were lower in NOACs compared to warfarin. The risks of major bleeding and ICH were also lower in NOACs compared to warfarin. NOACs showed better efficacy and safety than warfarin.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
CommentA Guideline-Based Audit of the Hospital Management of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.
Heart failure is a major burden in Australia in terms of morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditure. Multiple evidence-based therapies are recommended for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), but data on physician adherence to therapy guidelines are limited. ⋯ Hospitalisation is a key mechanism for initiation of HFrEF therapies. The large evidence-practice gaps for ACEI/ARB and aldosterone antagonists represent potential avenues for improved HFrEF management.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
Observational StudyHigh incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Northern Australia: a prospective community population-based Australian incidence study in the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region.
To determine the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region in Northern Queensland (-21.14° S) and to allow a comparison with Southern Australian and New Zealand data (Geelong, Australia -38.14° S; Tasmania -41.43° S and -42.88° S (Launceston and Hobart) and Canterbury, New Zealand -43.46 °S). ⋯ This is the first study to define the incidence of IBD in a Northern Australian cohort and to allow a comparison between North and Southern Australia. The IBD crude is the highest reported in Australia. Like others, we found a high and low incidence of upper gastrointestinal Crohn's disease and complicated disease at diagnosis respectively, likely reflective of the increased availability and early uptake of endoscopic procedures.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
Correlation of exit sites of inducible ventricular tachycardia post-ST elevation myocardial infarction on electrophysiology study, with region of infarct.
Ventricular arrhythmia (VA) is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death post-ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Ventricular tachycardia (VT) may be inducible in electrophysiology studies (EPS) early (<40 days) post-STEMI. Whether it originates from the infarct site remains unknown. We examined the correlation between inducible VT and infarct location post-STEMI. ⋯ The majority of early inducible post-infarct VT arises from acute myocardial scar; however, a small portion arises from sites remote from scars with a possible focal aetiology.