Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
Tuberculosis and Diabetes: increased hospitalisations and mortality associated with renal impairment.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) triples a person's risk of active tuberculosis (TB) and is associated with increased mortality. It is unclear whether diabetes status and/or the associated renal dysfunction is associated with poor TB outcomes in New Zealand, which has high diabetes screening. ⋯ Diabetes is associated with higher TB hospitalisation and mortality; however, this is likely mediated by increased age and chronic kidney disease.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
Clinical significance of incidental 18 FDG PET uptake in the gastrointestinal tract: a retrospective cohort study.
Incidental gastrointestinal tract (GIT) uptake is found in up to 6.3% of patients undergoing positron emission tomography (PET). This may be physiologic or pathologic and requires endoscopic assessment. ⋯ Both focal and intense colonic 18 FDG uptake correlate strongly with a high-risk polyp or malignant lesion. Up to 21% of all gastroscopies performed for evaluation of incidental PET uptake diagnosed a new primary malignancy. These referrals need appropriate triaging and timely endoscopic assessment.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
A retrospective analysis of the use of electronic consultation in general internal medicine.
General internists in Canada are subspecialty providers in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Electronic consultations (eConsult) allow primary care providers (PCPs) to virtually consult specialists to address clinical questions. There is a paucity of literature examining the utility and benefits of eConsults by general internists. ⋯ The majority of eConsults to general internists sought diagnostic clarification and confirmed the view of general internists as expert diagnosticians. eConsults cost less than an in-person consultation and were viewed favourably by PCPs. Further research can consider the eConsult provider experience and whether eConsults should become a required part of GIM ambulatory practice.