Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · May 2017
Multicenter StudyBronchial thermoplasty in severe asthma in Australia.
Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is an approved bronchoscopic intervention for the treatment of severe asthma. However, limited published experience exists outside of clinical trials regarding patient selection and outcomes achieved. ⋯ BT is a safe procedure which can achieve clinical improvement in those with uncontrolled symptoms and severe airflow obstruction.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2016
Multicenter StudyInconsistencies and time delays in site-specific research approvals hinder collaborative clinical research in Australia.
The aim of this study was to describe the time and documentation needed to gain ethics and governance approvals in Australian states with and without a centralised ethical review system. ⋯ The benefits of centralised ethics review systems have not been realised due to duplicative, inflexible governance processes. A system that allowed the recognition of prior ethical approval and low-risk applications was more efficient than a central ethics and site-specific governance process.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2016
Multicenter Study Observational StudyEffectiveness and response predictors of omalizumab in a severe allergic asthma population with a high prevalence of comorbidities: the Australian Xolair Registry.
Severe asthma is a high impact disease. Omalizumab targets the allergic inflammatory pathway; however, effectiveness data in a population with significant comorbidities are limited. ⋯ Australian patients with severe allergic asthma report a high disease burden and have extensive comorbidity. Symptomatic response to omalizumab was high despite significant comorbid disease. Omalizumab is an effective targeted therapy for severe allergic asthma with comorbidity in a real-life setting.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2016
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyA prospective comparison of times to presentation and treatment of regional and remote head and neck patients in North Queensland, Australia.
This study aims to examine differences between outer regional (OR) and remote/very remote (RVR) patients in northern Queensland, Australia in the times taken to receive various aspects of head and neck cancer management. ⋯ Significant delays in various aspects of head and neck cancer management were associated with remoteness, Indigenous and socioeconomic status. While patient and professional factors could be addressed at local levels, sustainable improvement in outcomes requires a state and national level approach.
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Internal medicine journal · Jul 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyNew oral anticoagulants: appropriateness of prescribing in real-world setting.
The new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) have been extensively studied in the clinical trial setting; however, concerns remain about the safety of prescribing in the elderly and patients with renal impairment. ⋯ Our findings imply that there remains considerable uncertainty about appropriate prescribing and dosing of NOAC, particularly in patients with impaired renal function. We recommend judicious prescribing and regular monitoring of renal function in patients at high risk of complications from NOAC therapy.