Internal medicine journal
-
We examined the pattern of adrenaline administration in patients presenting with anaphylaxis. Forty-four percent required repeated adrenaline administration, among whom there had been greater cardiorespiratory compromise. Repeated administration was more frequent in males and older patients, and those triggered by insect sting or unknown cause; no other patient factors were identified. This study supports the provision of two adrenaline auto-injectors to all anaphylaxis patients.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2021
Discussion of Advance Care Planning on end of life decisions with lung cancer patients in Wuhan China: Attitude, Timing, and Future Directions.
Progress in advance care planning (ACP) in China has been hindered for decades compared with other countries. ⋯ Chinese patients showed preferences towards ACP, but with inadequate knowledge. More assistance is needed with ACP for those patients, especially for females, patients with one child and those with early stage lung cancer. For female patients and patients receiving treatment, doctors may initiate ACP dialogue first.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2021
No effect of sleeved arms on the accuracy of blood pressure measurement.
It is recommended that blood pressure should be measured on a bare upper arm with an appropriately sized cuff. However, in practice, it is more convenient to measure blood pressure on sleeved arms. ⋯ In the present study, we concluded that there was no significant effect of sleeved arms on the accuracy of blood pressure measurement by using an electronic oscillometric sphygmomanometer equipped with a conventional cuff.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2021
Acromegaly Might Not Negatively Affect Microvascular Circulation.
Endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis are well known complications of acromegaly. However, current data on microvascular circulation are limited. ⋯ Although the number of capillaries was statistically lower in patients with acromegaly, they were within a normal range and the difference was not clinically significant. Moreover, there was no difference in morphological characteristics between the groups. While endothelial dysfunction is the earliest known marker of the atherosclerotic process and is considered to be one of the complications of acromegaly, the disease may not result in impairment of microvasculature of those people afflicted by it.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2021
Pattern of prescription of psychotropics (antipsychotics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines) in Western Australian residential aged care facilities.
Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia are exhibited by up to 90% of residents in aged care facilities and are associated with a risk of inappropriate use of psychotropic drugs. This study examined the prevalence pattern of psychotropic drug use in 409 residents from 11 residential aged care facilities in Western Australia. Sixty-four (n = 64; 15.6%) residents were not prescribed any psychotropic drug, 345 (84.4%) were prescribed at least one psychotropic drug and between 4 and 10% were prescribed high doses, depending on the class of psychotropic. Despite increasing awareness of inappropriate psychotropic drug use in this population, targeted and effective interventions are required to improve psychotropic prescribing practices.