Site of care and factors associated with mortality in unvaccinated Australian aged care residents during COVID-19 outbreaks.

Background: Residential InReach presents an alternative to hospital admission for aged care residents swabbed for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), although relative outcomes remain unknown.

Aims: To compare rates and predictors of 28-day mortality for aged care residents seen by InReach with COVID-19, or 'suspected COVID-19' (sCOVID), including hospital versus InReach-based care.

Methods: Prospective observational study of consecutive patients referred to a Victorian InReach service meeting COVID-19 testing criteria between April and October 2020 (prevaccine availability).

COVID-19 pandemic: end-of-life experience in Australian residential aged care facilities.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted those in residential aged care facilities (RACF). This research was undertaken to explore and better understand the effects of the pandemic on the experience of next-of-kin and carers who encountered the death of a loved one who resided within a RACF during the pandemic.

Aims: To explore end-of-life experiences for residents who die in RACF and their next-of-kin/carers during the COVID-19 pandemic, to identify areas of concern and areas for improvement.

Clinical predictive factors in diabetic kidney disease progression.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) represents a major component of the health burden associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Recent advances have produced an explosion of 'novel' assay-based risk markers for DKD, though clinical use remains restricted. Although many patients with progressive DKD follow a classical albuminuria-based pathway, non-albuminuric DKD progression is now well recognized.

Elevated baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is independently associated with a more rapid decline in renal function of patients with type 1 diabetes.

Aims: Renal hyperfiltration is observed prior to the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM); however its significance remains uncertain. Longitudinal data were used to investigate the association between measured baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal function decline in patients with T1DM.

Methods: This study included 142 adult patients with T1DM and ≥2 measurements of glomerular filtration rate (mGFR; determined by diethylene-triamine-penta-acetic acid plasma clearance).