Clinical outcomes of patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease in Auckland, New Zealand.

This review of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease over an 11-year period identified 87 patients (74% women, mean age 66 years). Mycobacterium avium complex was isolated in 86% of patients. Antibiotics were commenced in 52% of patients; however, treatment was poorly tolerated with 36% terminating prematurely.

Autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma patients with chronic kidney disease: a safe and effective option.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a frequent complication in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and is associated with adverse outcomes. The use of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has improved disease outcomes, however, the safety and efficacy of ASCT in patients with CKD has been the subject of debate. To investigate this, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 370 MM patients who underwent their first ASCT, including those with mild, moderate and severe CKD as well as normal renal function at the time of transplant.

Tuberculosis and diabetes: increased hospitalisations and mortality associated with renal impairment.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) triples a person's risk of active tuberculosis (TB) and is associated with increased mortality. It is unclear whether diabetes status and/or the associated renal dysfunction is associated with poor TB outcomes in New Zealand, which has high diabetes screening.

Aim: To characterise the population of TB-DM and TB-alone to assess the effect of diabetes status and renal function on hospitalisation and mortality.