Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialEffectiveness of patient-oriented education and medication management intervention in people with decompensated cirrhosis.
People with chronic disease often have poor comprehension of their disease and medications, which can negatively affect health outcomes. In a randomised-controlled trial, we found that patients with decompensated cirrhosis who received a pharmacist-led, patient-oriented education and medication management intervention (n = 57) had greater knowledge of cirrhosis and key self-care tasks compared with usual care (n = 59). Intervention patients also experienced improved quality of life. Dedicated resources are needed to support implementation of evidence-based measures at local centres to improve outcomes.
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The corrected QT (QTc) interval is a strong predictor of ischaemic heart disease and cardiovascular mortality. It may trigger lethal arrhythmias and sudden death. Risk factors include electrolyte disorders, medications, prior cardiovascular disease and genetic predisposition. We previously demonstrated that QTc intervals are prolonged in patients hospitalised with pneumonia, regardless which antibiotics were given. It is unclear whether QTc prolongation is associated with pneumonia itself or whether it occurs with other infections. ⋯ We found no association between hospitalisation due to infection and prolongation of the QTc interval.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2020
Use of a limited-channel device for obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosis in a tertiary sleep disorders centre.
A major impediment to the provision of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) treatment is reliance on labour-intensive and costly laboratory-based polysomnography (PSG). ⋯ AL is useful in the diagnosis of moderate-severe OSA in patients referred to a tertiary sleep disorders centre. This could lessen reliance on PSG, expedite OSA care, lead to significant cost savings and make diagnosis of OSA more available in non-urban areas.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2020
Future needs of young people receiving botulinum toxin A in paediatric rehabilitation services of New South Wales: focus on transition.
Young people (YP) with neurological disabilities such as cerebral palsy are increasingly living into adulthood and require healthcare transition for services including for botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A). We analysed medical records in the three children's hospitals in New South Wales (NSW) and identified 253 YP who are expected to transition from paediatric to adult BoNT-A services in NSW and Australian Capital Territory during 2018-2023. A substantial proportion of these YP have additional needs that will require paediatric and adult health services to work together to improve their life-long health outcomes.