Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
Flexible bronchoscopy indications and outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients in the Northern Territory of Australia.
There is sparse evidence in the literature in relation to indications and outcomes among adult indigenous patients requiring a flexible bronchoscopy (FB). In this study, FB indications and outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous patients were assessed. ⋯ This study has demonstrated that adult indigenous patients requiring a FB are significantly younger, tend to reside in remote communities and demonstrate differing microbiology with no significant difference in the diagnostic outcomes for lung malignancy. Ethnic status or remoteness should not preclude indigenous patients to undergo a FB if clinically indicated.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
Compliance with TGA prescribing information - Weekly or second weekly cetuximab for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.
Treatment with cetuximab provides a survival benefit for patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Practice-defining cetuximab studies utilised weekly (q1w) administration. More convenient second weekly (q2w) administration is supported by pharmacokinetic data and a recent meta-analysis, but large head-to-head studies have not been conducted. Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) prescribing information states cetuximab be administered q1w for all indications. ⋯ This real-world analysis shows q2w cetuximab has become the dominant method of administration, despite TGA guidance. Our outcome data adds to other data supporting the use of q2w cetuximab as the standard option. Consideration could be given to modifying current TGA advice.
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Extrapulmonary small cell cancer (EPSCC) is a rare malignancy with an incidence of approximately 0.1%-0.4% of all cancers. Treatment of this disease is often based on small cell lung cancer. ⋯ Patients with ES EPSCC had good response to palliative chemotherapy, but OS remained poor. Further research is required to improve the prognosis in this population.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
Associations between symptoms and functional capacity in patients after COVID-19 infection and community controls.
Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC or 'long COVID') reflect ongoing symptoms, but these are non-specific and common in the wider community. Few reports of PASC have been compared with a control group. ⋯ Although most participants (69%) had symptoms consistent with long COVID, significant subjective functional impairment was documented in 27% and objective functional impairment in 14%. An exercise training programme might be beneficial for appropriately selected patients.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
The development of Jack Jumper ant venom immunotherapy: our 25 years' experience.
Jack Jumper ant venom allergy is a uniquely Australian medical issue. The stinging ant is a leading cause of insect venom allergy in south-eastern Australia. An effective venom immunotherapy-based treatment was successfully developed by the Tasmanian Jack Jumper Allergy Research group. This paper provides a synopsis of our 25 years' research journey in developing this evidence-based treatment modality.