Sarcopenic obesity in patients with head and neck cancer is predictive of critical weight loss during radiotherapy.

The impact of computed tomography-defined sarcopenia on outcomes in head and neck cancer has been well described. Sarcopenic obesity (SO) (depleted muscle mass combined with obesity) may pose a more serious risk than either condition alone. We investigated SO and its impact on survival and critical weight loss (≥ 5 %) in patients with head and neck cancer who received curative radiotherapy (± other modalities).

Non-index hospital re-admissions after hospitalisation with acute myocardial infarction and geographic remoteness, New South Wales, 2005-2020: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To examine the frequency of re-admissions to non-index hospitals (hospitals other than the initial discharging hospital) within 30 days of admission with acute myocardial infarction in New South Wales; to examine the relationship between non-index hospital re-admissions and 30-day mortality.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study; analysis of hospital admissions (Admitted Patient Data Collection) and mortality data (Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages).

Setting, Participants: Adults admitted to NSW hospitals with acute myocardial infarction re-admitted to any hospital within 30 days of discharge from the initial hospitalisation, 1 January 2005 - 31 December 2020.

CSANZ and RANZCR Position Statement on Initial Certification and Maintenance of Recognition for Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRI).

The CSANZ/RANZCR Position Statement on Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRI) is intended to support and foster the provision of quality, safe CMRI services in Australia and New Zealand. This document specifically pertains to CMRI in adults, as distinct from general vascular MRI or paediatric imaging, and provides certification and recertification requirements.

Regulating antimicrobial use within hospitals: A qualitative study.

Objectives: To examine how regulatory structures and processes focused on antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial resistance are experienced by hospital managers and clinicians.

Methods: Forty-two hospital managers and clinicians working within accreditation and antimicrobial stewardship teams in three Australian hospitals participated in individual in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was performed.

Intestinal injury in paracetamol overdose (ATOM-8).

Background And Aim: Paracetamol, a widely used medication, is known for its delayed hepatotoxicity in cases of overdose. However, the potential for intestinal toxicity resulting from very high paracetamol concentrations during absorption is not well explored. This study aims to investigate the presence of intestinal toxicity and its correlation with observations in early and late paracetamol toxicity.

Biallellic variants in CACNA1S cause fetal akinesia sequence, progressive hydrops and stillbirth.

Fetal arthrogryposis is a well-recognised ultrasonographic phenotype, caused by both genetic, maternal and extrinsic factors. When present with fetal growth restriction, pulmonary hypoplasia and multiple joint contractures, it is often referred to as fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS). Historically, elucidating genetic causes of arthryogryposis/FADS has been challenging; there are now more than 150 genes known to cause arthrogryposis through myopathic, neuromuscular and metabolic pathways affecting fetal movement.

Safer medicines To reduce falls and refractures for OsteoPorosis (#STOP): a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of medical specialist-initiated pharmacist-led medication management reviews in primary care.

Introduction: Minimal trauma fractures (MTFs) often occur in older patients with osteoporosis and may be precipitated by falls risk-increasing drugs. One category of falls risk-increasing drugs of concern are those with sedative/anticholinergic properties. Collaborative medication management services such as Australia's Home Medicine Review (HMR) can reduce patients' intake of sedative/anticholinergics and improve continuity of care.

Thoracic skeletal muscle index is effective for CT-defined sarcopenia evaluation in patients with head and neck cancer.

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT)-defined sarcopenia, as a measurement of low skeletal muscle (SM), is a poor prognostic indicator in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), independent of weight or nutritional status. We used SM measures at the second thoracic vertebra (T2) to determine T2-SM index (SMI) thresholds for sarcopenia, and investigate the impact of low T2-SMI on overall survival (OS), and weight loss during radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: Adult patients with newly diagnosed HNC with a diagnostic PET-CT or RT planning CT scan were included.

Inter-hospital variation in data collection, radiotherapy treatment, and survival in patients with head and neck cancer: A multisite study.

Background And Purpose: Inter-hospital inequalities in head and neck cancer (HNC) survival may exist due to variation in radiotherapy treatment-related factors. This study investigated inter-hospital variation in data collection, primary radiotherapy treatment, and survival in HNC patients from an Australian setting.

Materials And Methods: Data collected in oncology information systems (OIS) from seven Australian hospitals was extracted for 3,182 adults treated with curative radiotherapy, with or without surgery or chemotherapy, for primary, non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (2000-2017).

Clinical practice guideline for deprescribing opioid analgesics: summary of recommendations.

Introduction: Long term opioids are commonly prescribed to manage pain. Dose reduction or discontinuation (deprescribing) can be challenging, even when the potential harms of continuation outweigh the perceived benefits. The Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for deprescribing opioid analgesics was developed using robust guideline development processes and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, and contains deprescribing recommendations for adults prescribed opioids for pain.

Factors Affecting Early Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis in Older People-A Population-Based Study.

Objectives: Acute cholecystitis is one of the most common surgical presentations in Australia and increases with age. Guidelines recommend early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (within 7 days), as it results in shorter length of stay, reduced costs and readmission rates. Despite this, there is a perception that early cholecystectomy may result in higher morbidity and conversion to open surgery in older patients.

The use of the second thoracic vertebral landmark for skeletal muscle assessment and computed tomography-defined sarcopenia evaluation in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: The cross-sectional area (CSA) of skeletal muscle (SM) at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) is used to determine computed tomography (CT)-defined sarcopenia. We investigated the feasibility of SM assessment at the second thoracic vertebra (T2) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: Diagnostic PET-CT scans were used to develop a prediction model for L3-CSA using T2-CSA.