Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Education Intervention To Improve Decision Making And Health Literacy Among Older Australians: A Randomised Controlled Trial, Caroline A. Smith, Esther Chang, Gisselle Gallego, Afshan Khan, Mike Armour, Lynda G. Balneaves

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: National policies seek to involve older Australian’s in decisions regarding their care; however, research has found varying levels of decision self-efficacy and health literacy skills. An increasing number of older Australians use complementary medicine (CM). We examined the effectiveness of a CM educational intervention delivered using a web or DVD plus booklet format to increase older adults’ decision self-efficacy and health literacy.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted. We recruited individuals aged over 65years living in retirement villages or participating in community groups, in Sydney Australia. Participants were randomly allocated to receive a CM education intervention delivered using …

Midterm Outcomes Of Arthroscopic Reduction And Internal Fixation Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tibial Eminence Avulsion Fractures With K-Wire Fixation, Murilo Leie, Emma Heath, Sarah Shumborski, Lucy Salmon, Justin Roe, Leo Pinczewski

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Purpose: To determine the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients who underwent arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation of a tibial eminence avulsion fracture with Kirshner wires (K-wires) at a mean of 8 years following surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective study with prospectively collected data. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients who underwent arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation of tibial eminence fracture with K-wires between 1989 and 2015 at a minimum of 18 months follow-up. Assessment included the International Knee Documentation Committee Ligament Evaluation, Lysholm Knee Score, and clinical outcomes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to evaluate the anterior cruciate …

Setting Clinical Performance Specifications To Develop And Evaluate Biomarkers For Clinical Use, Sarah J. Lord, Andrew St John, Patrick M.M. Bossuyt, Sverre Sandberg, Phillip J. Monaghan, Maurice O'Kane, Christa M. Cobbaert, Ralf Roddiger, Lieselotte Lennartz, Cecilia Gelfi, Andrea R. Horvath, Test Evaluation Working Group Of The European Federation Of Clinical Chemistry And Laboratory Medicine

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Biomarker discovery studies often claim ‘promising’ findings, motivating further studies and marketing as medical tests. Unfortunately, the patient benefits promised are often inadequately explained to guide further evaluation, and few biomarkers have translated to improved patient care. We present a practical guide for setting minimum clinical performance specifications to strengthen clinical performance study design and interpretation.

Methods: We developed a step-by-step approach using test evaluation and decision-analytic frameworks and present with illustrative examples.

Results: We define clinical performance specifications as a set of criteria that quantify the clinical performance a new test must attain to allow better health outcomes …

Long-Term Prevalence And Predictors Of Prolonged Grief Disorder Amongst Bereaved Cancer Caregivers: A Cohort Study, Rachel D. Zordan, Melanie L. Bell, Melanie Price, Cheryl Remedios, Elizabeth Lobb, Christopher Hall, Peter Hudson

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Context: The short-term impact of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) following bereavement is well documented. The longer term sequelae of PGD however are poorly understood, possibly unrecognized, and may be incorrectly attributed to other mental health disorders and hence undertreated.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to prospectively evaluate the prevalence of PGD three years post bereavement and to examine the predictors of long-term PGD in a population-based cohort of bereaved cancer caregivers.

Methods: A cohort of primary family caregivers of patients admitted to one of three palliative care services in Melbourne, Australia, participated in the study (n = …

Adrenal Insufficiency Due To Bilateral Adrenal Metastases - A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Philippa H. Tallis, R Louise Rushworth, David J. Torpy, Henrik Falhammar

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: Bilateral adrenal metastases may cause adrenal insufficiency (AI) but it is unclear if screening for AI in patients with bilateral adrenal metastases is justified, despite the potential for adrenal crises.

Method: A search using PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect and Cochrane Reviews was performed to collect all original research articles and all case reports from the past 50 years that describe AI in bilateral adrenal metastases.

Results: Twenty studies were included with 6 original research articles, 13 case reports and one case series. The quality was generally poor. The prevalence of AI was 3–8%. Of all cases of AI (n ¼ 25) …

Social Network Analysis Of Rural Medical School Immersion In A Rural Clinical School, Denese E. Playford, Tessa Burkitt, David Atkinson

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: The impact of new medical graduates on the social dimensions of the rural medical workforce is yet to be examined. Social Network Analysis (SNA) is able to visualize and measure these dimensions. We apply this method to examine the workforce characteristics of graduates from a representative Australian Rural Clinical School.

Methods: Participants were medical graduates of the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia (RCSWA) from the 2001–2014 cohorts, identified as being in rural work in 2017 by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. SNA was used to examine the relationships between site of origin and of work destination. Data …

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Outcomes Upon Endothelin-1 Receptor Antagonist Switch To Macitentan, Timothy Tynan, Kathryn Hird, Tara Hannon, Eli Gabbay

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: To assess whether switching patients with suboptimally controlled pulmonary arterial hypertension from bosentan or ambrisentan to macitentan would improve six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance and World Health Organization functional class.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of 37 patients from a single center. Patients were separated into three heterogeneous treatment groups and followed for 18 months: switch group (n¼14): patients switched to macitentan from bosentan/ambrisentan; added group (n¼11): patients who began macitentan as de novo therapy (n¼5) or who added macitentan to an existing sildenafil regimen (n¼6); and control group (n¼12): patients for whom sildenafil and/or bosentan/ambrisentan therapy …

What Is The Prevalence, And What Are The Clinical Correlates, Of Insulin Resistance In Young People Presenting For Mental Health Care? A Cross-Sectional Study, Elizabeth M. Scott, Joanne S. Carpenter, Frank Iorfino, Shane P.M Cross, Daniel F. Hermens, Jeanne Gehue, Chloe Wilson, Django White, Sharon L. Naismith, Adam J. Guastella, Ian B. Hickie

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: To report the distribution and predictors of insulin resistance (IR) in young people presenting to primary care-based mental health services.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Headspace-linked clinics operated by the Brain and Mind Centre of the University of Sydney.

Participants: 768 young people (66% female, mean age 19.7±3.5, range 12–30 years).

Main outcome measures: IR was estimated using the updated homeostatic model assessment (HOMA2-IR). Height and weight were collected from direct measurement or self-report for body mass index (BMI).

Results: For BMI, 20.6% of the cohort were overweight and 10.2% were obese. However,6.9 mmol/L). By contrast, 9.9% had a HOMA2-IR score …

Attitudes And Factors Involved In Decision-Making Around Complementary And Alternative Medicines (Cams) By Older Australians: A Qualitative Study, Gisselle Gallego, Saira Gugnani, Mike Armour, Caroline A. Smith, Esther Chang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: Recent evidence has indicated that older Australians are increasingly turning to complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) to address a variety of health issues. This qualitative study aimed to explore the attitudes and factors involved in decision-making around CAMs by older Australians upon the completion of a CAM educational intervention.

Methods: Men and women aged over 65 years living in New South Wales, Australia were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews after taking part in a randomised control trial. Interviews were analysed using the framework approach.

Results: A total of 20 participants aged over 65 years were interviewed. Themes captured …

Reviewing The Preclinical Curriculum In A Problem Based Learning Driven Medical Program: Challenges And Strategies, Manori Amarasekera, Paul S. Noakes, Brian D. Power

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

In order for medical curricula to remain progressive and contemporary, continuous review is critical to ensure that the learners are directed to achieve the intended goals and become workforce ready. We developed a framework for continuous curriculum review at the School of Medicine Fremantle (The University of Notre Dame Australia), taking the key aspects of a curriculum review process into consideration. In planning and implementing the review process we identified several challenges, including management of metadata, work load on staff members, and evaluation. These challenges were addressed successfully by applying necessary strategies using limited resources. The framework we have developed …

Transnational Parent-Child Separation And Reunion During Early Childhood In Chinese Migrant Families: An Australian Snapshot, Yat Man Louise Hui, Julie Stevenson, Gisselle Gallego

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Limited international research exists on reasons for transnational child care, or developmental consequences of separations and reunions on young Chinese children. This descriptive study portrays a sample of children from Chinese migrant families residing in western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, whose parents temporarily relinquished their care to grandparents in China. Data were collected via retrospective health record audits. The majority of parents were first-time parents and the majority of children were first-borns sent back to China during infancy. The average duration of transnational parent–child separation was 20 months. Results showed that male child subjects who experienced multiple transnational separations …

'Links2healthierbubs' Cohort Study: Protocol For A Record Linkage Study On The Safety, Uptake And Effectiveness Of Influenza And Pertussis Vaccines Among Pregnant Australian Women, Mohinder Sarna, Ross M. Andrews, Hannah C. Moore, Michael J. Binks, Lisa Mchugh, Gavin F. Pereira, Christopher C. Blyth, Paul Van Buynder, Karin Lust, Paul Effler, Stephen B. Lambert, Saad B. Omer, Donna Mak, Thomas Snelling, Heather A. D'Antoine, Peter Mcintyre, Nicholas De Klerk, Damien Foo, Annette K. Regan

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: Pregnant women and infants are at risk of severe influenza and pertussis infection. Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (dTpa) are recommended during pregnancy to protect both mothers and infants. In Australia, uptake is not routinely monitored but coverage appears sub-optimal. Evidence on the safety of combined antenatal IIV and dTpa is fragmented or deficient, and there remain knowledge gaps of population-level vaccine effectiveness. We aim to establish a large, population-based, multi-jurisdictional cohort of mother-infant pairs to measure the uptake, safety and effectiveness of antenatal IIV and dTpa vaccines in three Australian jurisdictions. This is a first …

Where's My What? A Survey Of Anatomical Knowledge In A Community In Western Melbourne, Morgan Jones, Catherine Krejany, Moyez Jiwa

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background and Aims: This study aimed to explore if members of the public could identify the location of major body organs as well as pain associated with major organ pathologies.

Method: A survey of 100 participants was conducted in Melbourne, Australia. Participants were invited to mark the location of two internal organs and the site of pain for two pathologies on a manikin. Five anatomical questions and four clinical scenario questions were randomised prior to data collection. Photographs of participant responses were compared to responses of a doctor, and if a site within the same area was identified the participant …

Developing A Practice-Based Research Agenda For Grief And Bereavement Care, Ashton Hay, Christopher W. Hall, Margaret Sealey, Elizabeth Lobb, Lauren J. Breen

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

We aimed to identify practitioners’ perspectives on current research priorities in grief and bereavement care. Grief and bereavement care providers were invited to participate in a three-phase Delphi study to create expert consensus on the top priorities for grief and bereavement research. A total of 140 participants completed Phase 1, 84 completed Phase 2, and 70 completed Phase 3. These top 10 research priorities form the basis of a practice-based research agenda for grief and bereavement care to enable researchers to respond to key issues in grief and bereavement care that will ultimately improve the lives of bereaved people.

Turning Conceptual Systems Maps Into Dynamic Simulation Models: An Australian Case Study For Diabetes In Pregnancy, Louise Freebairn, Jo-An Atkinson, Nathaniel D. Osgood, Paul M. Kelly, Geoff Mcdonnell, Lucie Rychetnik

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: System science approaches are increasingly used to explore complex public health problems. Quantitative methods, such as participatory dynamic simulation modelling, can mobilise knowledge to inform health policy decisions. However, the analytic and practical steps required to turn collaboratively developed, qualitative system maps into rigorous and policy relevant quantified dynamic simulation models are not well described. This paper reports on the processes, interactions and decisions that occurred at the interface between modellers and end-user participants in an applied health sector case study focusing on diabetes in pregnancy.

Methods: An analysis was conducted using qualitative data from a participatory dynamic simulation …

Characteristics Of Gay, Bisexual And Other Men Who Have Sex With Men With Multiple Diagnoses Of Infectious Syphilis In British Columbia, Canada, 2005-2014, Stephanie Konrad, Donna B. Mak, Troy Grennan, Bernadette Zakher, Bobbi Brownrigg, Gina Ogilvie, Muhammad Morshed, Mark Tyndall, Mark Gilbert, Mel Krajden, Jason Wong

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Infectious syphilis has increased substantially over the past decade. Targeting limited public health resources toward subpopulations with multiple reinfections may have a large impact in reducing onward transmission within a community.

Methods: A chart review was conducted for individuals with 4 or more infectious syphilis diagnoses between 2005 and 2014 (the top 1% of all syphilis diagnoses in British Columbia, Canada). We characterized the sociodemographics, partner notification outcomes and social network.

Results: Between 2005 and 2014, there were 30 individuals with 4 or more syphilis diagnoses, accounting for 139 diagnoses. All were men who have sex with men and …

Obesity Prevention And The Role Of Hospital And Community-Based Health Services: A Scoping Review, Claire Pearce, Lucie Rychetnik, Sonia Wutzke, Andrew Wilson

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Control of obesity is an important priority to reduce the burden of chronic disease. Clinical guidelines focus on the role of primary healthcare in obesity prevention. The purpose of this scoping review is to examine what the published literature indicates about the role of hospital and community based health services in adult obesity prevention in order to map the evidence and identify gaps in existing research.

Methods: Databases were searched for articles published in English between 2006 and 2016 and screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Further papers were highlighted through a manual search of the reference lists. Included …

Genetic Influence On Scar Height And Pliability After Burn Injury In Individuals Of European Ancestry: A Prospective Cohort Study, Hilary J. Wallace, Gemma Cadby, Phillip E. Melton, Fiona M. Wood, Sian Falder, Margaret M. Crowe, Lisa J. Martin, Karen Marlow, Sarah V. Ward, Mark W. Fear

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

After similar extent of injury there is considerable variability in scarring between individuals, in part due to genetic factors. This study aimed to identify genetic variants associated with scar height and pliability after burn injury. An exome-wide array association study and gene pathway analysis were performed on a prospective cohort of 665 patients treated for burn injury. Outcomes were scar height (SH) and scar pliability (SP) sub-scores of the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS). DNA was genotyped using the Infinium^® HumanCoreExome-24 BeadChip. Associations between genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and SH and SP were estimated using an additive genetic …

Trans-Generational Stress Regulation: Mother-Infant Cortisol And Maternal Mental Health Across The Perinatal Period, Megan Galbally, Elisabeth F.C Van Rossum, Stuart J. Watson, Edo Ronald De Kloet, Andrew J. Lewis

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Understanding maternal mental health and cortisol regulation across pregnancy and the relationship to the development of the offspring’s stress regulation is critical to a range of health outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate infant and maternal cortisol in women with depression. Data were obtained from 241 pregnant women within the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study (MPEWS), a selected pregnancy cohort study. Depression was measured using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV) and repeat Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Repeated measures of antidepressant use, stressful events, anxiety symptoms and maternal hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) and infant …

Adrenal Crisis, R Louise Rushworth, David J. Torpy, Henrik Falhammar

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Glucocorticoid replacement therapy, available since the 1950s, has prolonged the survival of patients with adrenal insufficiency. However, adrenal crises, which are life-threatening medical emergencies, still develop in many affected patients. Adrenal crisis appears to be increasing in frequency, despite the availability of effective preventive strategies. This review examines the definitions, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and treatment of adrenal crises.

Reducing Stroke Risk In Atrial Fibrillation: Adherence To Guidelines Has Improved, But Patient Persistence With Anticoagulant Therapy Remains Suboptimal., Nicole Lowres, Katrina Giskes, Charlotte Hespe, Ben Freedman

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a significant risk factor for avoidable stroke. Among high-risk patients with AF, stroke risk can be mitigated using oral anticoagulants (OACs), however reduction is largely contingent on physician prescription and patient persistence with OAC therapy. Over the past decade significant advances have occurred, with revisions to clinical practice guidelines relating to management of stroke risk in AF in several countries, and the introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist OACs (NOACs). This paper summarises the evolving body of research examining guideline-based clinician prescription over the past decade, and patient-level factors associated with OAC persistence. The review shows clinicians' …

Machine Learning Classification Of Human Joint Tissue From Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy Data, Rajitha Gunaratne, Issac Monteath, Joshua Goncalves, Raymond Sheh, Charles N. Ironside, Michael Kapfer, Richard Chipper, Brett Robertson, Riaz Khan, Daniel Fick

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: To assess if incorporation of DRS sensing into real-time robotic surgery systems has merit. DRS as a technology is relatively simple, cost-effective and provides a non-contact approach to tissue differentiation.

Methods: Supervised machine learning analysis of diffuse reflectance spectra was performed to classify human joint tissue that was collected from surgical procedures.

Results: We have used supervised machine learning in the classification of a DRS human joint tissue data set and achieved classification accuracy in excess of 99%. Sensitivity for the various classes were; cartilage 99.7%, subchondral 99.2%, meniscus 100% and cancellous 100%. Full wavelength range is required for …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Peek Versus Titanium Interference Screws For Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With 2-Year Follow-Up, Sarah Shumborski, Emma Heath, Lucy J. Salmon, Justin P. Roe, James P. Linklater, Michael Facek, Leo Pinczewski

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Purpose: To compare the clinical performance of ACL reconstruction with PEEK and titanium interference screws at 2 years and to evaluate a novel method of measuring tunnel volume.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods: A total of 133 patients underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with 4-strand hamstring autografts and were randomized to have titanium or PEEK interference screws for femoral and tibial tunnel fixation. At 2 years, subjective Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scores were assessed and clinical examination performed. At 12 months, MRI was performed to assess graft incorporation and cyst formation, and a novel …

Cyanoacrylate Closure For Peripheral Veins: Consensus Document Of The Australasian College Of Phlebology, Kurosh Parsi, Stefania Roberts, Mina Kang, Stephen Benson, Luke Baker, Ivor Berman, Lourens J. Bester, David E. Connor, Paul Dinnen, Joseph Grace, Andrew Stirling, Nabeel Ibrahim, Christopher Lekich, Adrian Lim, Luke Matar, Sanjay Nadkarni, Peter Paraskevas, Christopher Rogan, Paul K. Thibault, Simon Thibault, Andre Van Rij, Anes Yang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Cyanoacrylates are fast-acting adhesives used in procedural medicine including closure of superficial wounds, embolization of truncal vessels pre-operatively, vascular anomalies, visceral false aneurysms, endoleaks, gastrointestinal varices and gastrointestinal bleeding. More recently, catheter-directed cyanoacrylate adhesive closure was introduced as an alternative to endovenous thermal ablation (ETA) to occlude superficial veins of the lower limbs.

Objectives: To formulate policies for the safe and effective delivery of cyanoacrylate adhesive closure procedures in Australasia, based on current experience and evidence.

Methods: A panel of phlebologists including vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, dermatologists and research scientists systematically reviewed the available data on cyanoacrylate products used …

Using Participatory Design Methodologies To Co-Design And Culturally Adapt The Spanish Version Of The Mental Health Eclinic: Qualitative Study, Laura Ospina-Pinillos, Tracey Davenport, Antonio Mendoza Diaz, Alvaro Navarro-Mancilla, Elizabeth M. Scott, Ian B. Hickie

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: The Mental Health eClinic (MHeC) aims to deliver best-practice clinical services to young people experiencing mental health problems by making clinical care accessible, affordable, and available to young people whenever and wherever they need it most. The original MHeC consists of home page with a visible triage system for those requiring urgent help; a online physical and mental health self-report assessment; a results dashboard; a booking and videoconferencing system; and the generation of a personalized well-being plan. Populations who do not speak English and reside in English-speaking countries are less likely to receive mental health care. In Australia, international …

Pre-Hospital Management Of Acute Addison’S Disease – Audit Of Patients Attending A Referral Hospital In A Regional Area, Thomas Goubar, David J. Torpy, Shaun Mcgrath, R Louise Rushworth

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Context: Adrenal crises (AC) cause morbidity and mortality in patients with Addison’s disease [primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI)]. Patient-initiated oral stress dosing, with parenteral hydrocortisone, is recommended to avert ACs. While these should be effective, the continued incidence of ACs remains largely unexplained.

Methods: Audit of all attendances between 2000 and 2017 by adult patients with treated PAI to one large regional referral centre in New South Wales, Australia. Measurements were those taken on arrival at hospital.

Results: There were 252 attendances by 56 patients with treated PAI during the study period. Women comprised 60.7% (n=34) of the patients. The mean …

Prevalence Of Sexual Harassment Of Nurses And Nursing Students In China: A Meta-Analysis Of Observational Studies, Liang-Nan Zeng, Qian-Qian Zong, Ji-Wen Zhang, Li Lu, Feng-Rong An, Chee H. Ng, Gabor S. Ungvari, Fang-Yu Yang, Teris Cheung, Ligang Chen, Yu-Tao Xiang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Sexual harassment experienced by nurses and nursing students is common and significantly associated with negative consequences. This study is a meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of sexual harassment of nurses and nursing students in China. Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Ovid, China National Knowledge Internet, WanFang, SinoMed and Chinese VIP Information) were independently and systematically searched by two reviewers from their commencement date to 12 March 2018. Forty-one studies that reported the prevalence of sexual harassment were analyzed using the random-effects model. The pooled prevalence of sexual harassment was 7.5% (95% CI: 5.5%-10.1%), with 7.5% (5.5%-10.2%) …

Patients’ And Caregivers’ Contested Perspectives On Spiritual Care For Those Affected By Advanced Illnesses: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Clare O'Callaghan, Joanne Brooker, William De Silva, David Glenister, Adelaide Melia, Xavier Symons, David Kissane, Natasha Michael

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Context; Spiritual care refers to practices and rituals addressing spiritual/religious concerns. It supports coping with loss and finding hope, meaning, and peace. Although integral to palliative care, its implementation is challenging.

Objective: To understand an Australian cohort of patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives about experiencing and optimizing spiritual care in the context of advanced illness.

Methods: Patients and caregivers of patients with #12 month prognosis were recruited from a broader spiritual study via criterion sampling and agreed to opt-in interviews. Participants from an Australian, metropolitan health service received a spiritual care definition and were interviewed. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative description. …

How Does The Duration Of Consults Vary For Upper Respiratory Tract Infections In General Practice Where An Antibiotic Has Been Prescribed?, Phoebe R. Darlison Shepherd, Catherine J. Krejany, Moyez Jiwa

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: There is limited data on the duration of consults resulting in the prescription of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in general practice.

Objective: To explore how demographic factors influence consult duration where antibiotics have been prescribed for URTI in Australian general practice.

Methods: 2985 URTI-specific presentations were identified from a national study of patients who were prescribed an antibiotic after presenting to general practice between June and September 2017. Consult duration was analysed to assess for any variation in visit length based on demographic factors.

Results: The overall median consult duration was 11.42 minutes [interquartile range (IQR) …

Impulse Control Disorders In Dopamine Agonist-Treated Hyperprolactinemia: Prevalence And Risk Factors, Sunita M.C De Sousa, John Baranoff, R Louise Rushworth, Jessica Butler, Jane Sorbello, Juanita Vorster, Tanya Thompson, Ann I. Mccormack, Warrick J. Inder, David J. Torpy

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Context: There are growing reports of dopamine agonist (DA)-induced impulse control disorders (ICDs) in hyperprolactinemic patients. However, the magnitude of this risk and predictive factors remain uncertain.

Objective: To determine ICD prevalence and risk factors in DA-treated hyperprolactinemic patients compared to community controls.

Design, Setting and Participants: Multicenter cross-sectional analysis of 113 patients and 99 healthy controls.

Main Outcome Measures: Participants completed a neuropsychological questionnaire consisting of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21), Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson’s disease (QUIP-S), Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI), Hypersexual Behavior Consequences Scale and Social Desirability Response Set Scale. Demographic and clinical data were …