Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2024
Observational StudyThe lingering symptoms of post-COVID-19 condition (long-COVID): a prospective cohort study.
Longer-term symptoms (long COVID) may be present in seemingly recovered patients for several months and can be debilitating. ⋯ Long-term COVID-19 symptoms exist among recovered patients up to 12 months after contracting the virus. Fatigue is a primary contributor, while chronic pain became more problematic after 6 months. Vaccination was a factor in preventing long-term symptoms and aiding faster recovery from symptoms. Further work exploring additional contributors to symptom prevalence would assist in developing appropriate follow-up care.
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2024
Observational StudyIncidence, prevalence and clinical management of achalasia since the introduction of high-resolution manometry in Western Australia.
Epidemiological studies in achalasia and its clinical management in Australia are limited. ⋯ The ASIR of type 2 achalasia significantly increased in WA. PBD was most commonly performed, although peroral endoscopic myotomy has recently increased as a preferred treatment option.
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2024
Colonic cytomegalovirus DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction does not influence outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease and immunosuppressed cohorts.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is associated with negative outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and immunosuppressed cohorts and therefore requires timely recognition for appropriate management. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic tools for CMV colitis and their associations with clinical outcomes. ⋯ Histopathology remains the most predictive tool in assessing CMV colitis, while qualitative tissue CMV PCR was found to have limited utility. Quantitative serum CMV PCR may be useful but requires further evaluation.
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2024
Oral antimicrobial therapy for cellulitis versus outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: a single-centre audit of cellulitis outcomes.
Cellulitis is a common acute skin and soft tissue infection that causes substantial morbidity and healthcare costs. ⋯ Implementation of a change in outpatient cellulitis treatment pathway resulted in a significant change in prescribing practice. Our findings suggest that OBLT was both tolerable and had similar outcomes to OPAT.
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2024
Clinician perceptions of research priorities for the management of noncritically ill patients admitted to hospital with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The changing phenotype of coronarvirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may quickly render guideline-recommended interventions obsolete. We developed a 40-question clinician survey in consultation with the Australasian COVID-19 Trial site investigators. The survey was designed to assess clinician perceptions of the current treatment strategies and future research priorities in the management of non-critically ill patients admitted to hospital with SARS-CoV-2 infection. ⋯ The perceived prevalence of patients with incidental COVID-19, nosocomial infection, underlying illness exacerbated by COVID-19, and/or immunocompromised status suggests new populations to target. The results highlighted clinician interest in antiviral therapies for future research in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised cohorts. These survey results underscore the need for ongoing surveillance of COVID-19 disease phenotypes and clinician and patient priorities for future research.