Coronal Plane Alignment of the Knee (CPAK) Type Shifts Toward Constitutional Varus with Increasing Kellgren and Lawrence Grade: A Radiographic Analysis of 17,365 Knees.

Background: Studies investigating constitutional alignment across various grades of osteoarthritis (OA) are limited. This study explored the distribution of Coronal Plane Alignment of the Knee (CPAK) types and associated radiographic parameters with increasing OA severity.

Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 17,365 knees were analyzed using deep learning software for radiographic measurements.

Quality of life and quality of care experience in Australian residential aged care: a retrospective cohort study of 1,772 residents.

Background: In April 2023, quality of life (QOL) and quality of care experience (QCE) indicators were introduced as mandatory indicators in Australian residential aged care (RAC) to measure and monitor wellbeing and consumer experience respectively. In this study, we used data for the initial four months after their introduction to describe QOL and QCE scores, explore related factors and assess variations by completion mode and facility.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study using electronic data (Mar-Jun 2023) from 1,772 residents in 22 RAC facilities in metropolitan Sydney, Australia.

GLP-1RA based therapies in the young and old.

Purpose Of Review: Obesity is recognized as a "gateway" chronic, progressive disease of dysfunctional adipocytes. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist-based therapies (GLP1BTs), including glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) with/without glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), have demonstrated clinically significant weight loss and health gains in adults, hence interest in using them in younger and older people. Therefore, reviewing the role of GLP1BTs in these populations is pertinent and timely.

Caregiver Medication Information Needs and Medication Management Challenges in Pediatric Cancer: A Systematic Review.

The objective of this systematic review was to identify the medication information needs and preferences of caregivers of children with cancer and explore the medication management challenges these caregivers experienced. We conducted a systematic search of three databases (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, and Medline) for studies published from database inception to February 27, 2024, and assessed the medication information needs of caregivers of children with cancer. The methodological quality of qualitative studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Research Checklist.

Lumbar intervertebral disc replacement in Australia: An epidemiological study.

Introduction: Favorable short- and long-term outcomes have been reported for lumbar intervertebral total disc replacement (L-TDR). However, there is little evidence regarding the uptake of L-TDR in practice. The objective of this study was to analyze Australian-based population trends in L-TDR over the past 5 years.

A case of cardiorespiratory collapse following bilateral sub-Tenon's blocks from brainstem anaesthesia.

Sub-Tenon's block has a superior safety profile and life-threatening complications such as cardiovascular collapse and brainstem anaesthesia are extremely rare. We report a case of cardiorespiratory collapse following bilateral sub-Tenon's blocks at the conclusion of a laser photocoagulation procedure under general anaesthesia. The cause was most likely brainstem anaesthesia.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitors in Kidney Disease.

Background: Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors are an oral treatment for anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we assessed long-term safety of HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized trials comparing HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors with an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) or placebo with greater than or equal to 48 weeks of follow-up.

Vitamin D supplementation and falls in residential aged care: A longitudinal multisite cohort study.

Background: Vitamin D is vital for musculoskeletal health, and supplementation may lower risk of falls. Past research in residential aged care (RAC) settings on the effects of vitamin D on falls have reported inconclusive findings, partly due to study design limitations. We utilised a longitudinal study design to assess the association between the use of vitamin D and falls over 36 months in RAC.

A multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing three-times-a-day intermittent enteral postural feeding to continuous enteral feeding among mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care.

Background And Aims: Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing intermittent feeding versus continuous feeding used different methods, employed shorter fasting intervals, ignored patients' posture in bed during feeds, and showed mixed results. Prolonged fasting intervals are hypothesized to have several benefits. Additionally, there is evidence for more efficient gastric emptying in the right lateral position.

Rising rates of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in Australian adults: An analysis of Australian Medicare Benefits Schedule database.

Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is an evolving field, though there remains sparse epidemiological data on the treatment of ACL ruptures. The objective of this study is to analyse the trends in the rate of ACL reconstruction (ACLR) in adult patients over the past two decades in the Australian population.

Methods: The incidence of ACLR between 2001 and 2020 in patients 15 years and over was analysed using the Australian Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) database.

Switching from Dose-Intensified intravenous to SubCutaneoUS infliximab in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (DISCUS-IBD): protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: A substantial proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on intravenous infliximab require dose intensification. Accessing additional intravenous infliximab is labour-intensive and expensive, depending on insurance and pharmaceutical reimbursement. Observational data suggest that subcutaneous infliximab may offer a convenient and safe alternative to maintain disease remission in patients requiring dose-intensified infliximab.

EPIC-CP pilot trial study protocol: a multicentre, randomised controlled trial investigating the feasibility and acceptability of social prescribing for Australian children with cerebral palsy.

Introduction: The social determinants of health contribute to poorer health outcomes for children with cerebral palsy (CP) and are barriers to families accessing health services. At an individual level, social determinants of health are experienced as unmet social needs, for example, unsafe housing conditions. There is emerging evidence that clinical pathways for the systematic identification and referral to services for unmet social needs can support families to address these needs.

Remote Delivery of Partial Meal Replacement for Weight Loss in People Awaiting Arthroplasty.

: Obesity is linked to higher rates of complications; lower absolute recovery of mobility, pain, and function; and increased costs of care following total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA). The aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week partial meal replacement (PMR) weight loss program for people awaiting TKA or THA and living with obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m). : The intervention was delivered remotely and included a 12-week PMR plan of 1200 calories/day, incorporating two meal replacement shakes/soups and a third suitable simple meal option.

Trajectories of Opioid Use Before and After Cancer Diagnosis: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Opioid use prior to cancer diagnosis increases the likelihood of long-term use during survivorship, however, patterns of use before and after diagnosis are not understood.

Methods: We used population-based dispensing data linked with cancer and death notifications to identify two cohorts of adults residing in New South Wales initiating opioids within 24 months prior to a first cancer diagnosed between 2014 and 2016: 'survivors' (alive 24 months following diagnosis) and 'decedents' (died within 24 months). We used group-based trajectory modelling to identify trajectories of monthly opioid dispensings and dispensed oral morphine equivalent milligrams (OMEmg) during the 24 months before/after cancer diagnosis.

A Longitudinal Study of the Use and Effects of Fall-Risk-Increasing Drugs in Residential Aged Care.

Objectives: Fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs)-psychotropics and cardiovascular disease (CVD) drugs-may elevate the risk of falling, with strong evidence observed in psychotropic FRIDs, whereas findings from cardiovascular disease (CVD) FRIDs remain inconclusive. Existing studies on FRIDs and falls are often hampered by methodologic limitations. Leveraging longitudinal observational data, we aimed to determine the long-term patterns of FRID use and their association with falls in residential aged care (RAC) homes.

Preceptorship in robotic colorectal surgery: experience from the Australian private sector.

This article describes a post-fellowship preceptorship training program to train sub-specialty colorectal surgeons in gaining proficiency in robotic colorectal surgery using a dual-surgeon model in the Australian private sector. The Australian colorectal surgeon faces challenges in gaining robotic colorectal surgery proficiency with limited exposure and experience in the public setting where the majority of general and colorectal surgery training is currently conducted. This training model uses graded exposure with a range of simulation training, wet lab training, and clinical operative cases to progress through both competency and proficiency in robotic colorectal surgery which is mutually beneficial to surgeons and patients alike.

Endometriosis MRI: Atypical cases, pitfalls and mimics.

Endometriosis is a common but often underdiagnosed chronic gynaecological disease. Endometriosis mimics other diagnoses both clinically and radiographically, presenting a diagnostic challenge. Endometriosis can be categorised as superficial pelvic endometriosis, deep invasive endometriosis (DIE) or endometrioma.

Clinical assessment and management of lumbar spinal stenosis: clinical dilemmas and considerations for surgical referral.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is the leading indication for spine surgery in older adults. Surgery is recommended in clinical guidelines if non-surgical treatments have been provided with insufficient benefit. The difficulty for clinicians is that the current number of randomised controlled trials is low, which creates uncertainty about which treatments to provide.

Economic Evaluation of HLA-B*15:02 Genotyping for Asian Australian Patients With Epilepsy.

Importance: The HLA-B*15:02 allele has been associated with an increased risk of carbamazepine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in specific Asian populations (including Han Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese individuals). While HLA-B*15:02 genotype testing in Asian populations is recommended by several international prescribing guidelines, it is not subsidized by the Medicare Benefits Schedule in Australia.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of HLA-B*15:02 genotyping in Asian Australian patients with epilepsy.