Internal medicine journal
-
Internal medicine journal · May 2024
Multicenter Study Observational StudyIncidence, risk factors and treatment of central nervous system immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in non-HIV patients with tuberculous meningitis: a multicentre observational study.
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) affecting the central nervous system (CNS) is associated with poor outcomes. ⋯ CNS-IRIS following TBM in non-HIV patients appears frequent and severe. Meningeal enhancement on brain MRI at tuberculosis diagnosis is a risk factor for CNS-IRIS.
-
Internal medicine journal · Apr 2024
Multicenter StudyPre-stroke anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation in primary English speakers and non-primary English speakers: a multicentre retrospective cohort study.
Anticoagulation can prevent most strokes in individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF); however, many people presenting with stroke and known AF are not anticoagulated. Language barriers and poor health literacy have previously been associated with decreased patient medication adherence. The association between language barriers and initiation of anticoagulation therapy for AF is uncertain. ⋯ A significant proportion of patients with stroke have pre-existing unanticoagulated AF; these rates are substantially higher if the primary language is other than English. Targeted research and interventions to minimise evidence-treatment gaps in this cohort may significantly reduce stroke burden.
-
Internal medicine journal · Jan 2024
Multicenter Study Observational StudyAutomated insulin delivery among adults with type 1 diabetes for up to 2 years: a real-world, multicentre study.
Automated insulin delivery (AID) improves glycaemia among people with type 1 diabetes in clinical trials and overseas real-world studies. Whether improvements are sustained beyond 12 months in the real world, and whether they occur in the Australian context, has not yet been established. We aimed to observe, up to 2 years, the effectiveness of initiating first-generation AID for type 1 diabetes management. ⋯ Early glucose improvements were observed after real-world AID initiation, sustained up to 2 years, without excess adverse events. The greatest benefits were observed among individuals with highest glycaemia before initiation. Future-generation systems with increased user-friendliness may enhance therapy continuation.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2023
Multicenter StudyClinical variation in the early assessment and management of suspected community-acquired meningitis: a multi-centre retrospective study.
Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and timely management has been shown to improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the early assessment and management of adults with suspected community-onset meningitis between hospitals and identify opportunities for clinical practice improvement. ⋯ Opportunities for improvement include reducing the time to LP and antibiotic administration, improving coadministration of corticosteroids and avoiding potentially unnecessary CT scanning.
-
Internal medicine journal · Nov 2023
Multicenter StudyRefractory Helicobacter pylori infection in Australia: updated multicentre antimicrobial resistance.
Helicobacter pylori infection is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide and eradication rates are falling globally because of increasing antimicrobial resistance. However, there is a paucity of local data to guide the choice of eradication therapy in Australia. This study aimed to evaluate current Australian rates of H. pylori antibiotic resistance in patients who had failed prior eradication therapy. ⋯ This first multicentre, multistate study of H. pylori resistance in Australian patients exposed to prior therapy demonstrated high rates of antimicrobial resistance, including levofloxacin (>20%). This raises concern about recommending levofloxacin in empirical second-line therapies. Increased monitoring and awareness of current H. pylori resistance rates in Australia are needed to guide local eradication practices.