Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zhihan Zhou, Meng Shi, Mengzhu Liu, Jianqin Gu, Clifford Silver Tarimo, Jian Wu, Yudong Miao
Summary: The study revealed that 93.1% of inpatients attending the general practice department of tertiary Grade-A Hospitals in China have multimorbidity, with higher prevalence in patients aged 45-59, 60-74, and >=75 years, and significant involvement of the circulatory system.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, Sara Holloway, Rosie Polya, Rebecca Sloan, Linxuan Zhang, Edward W. Gregg, Katy Harrison, Jamie Elvidge, Pall Jonsson, Thomas Porter
Summary: Multimorbidity is common among people with T2DM, with the comorbidity profiles varying substantially. Two out of the top five comorbidities at diagnosis are traditional T2DM conditions, while the other three are not. The prevalence of each comorbidity increases over time, and patients with five or more comorbidities at diagnosis have a higher prevalence of each of the 35 comorbidities. People with obesity at diagnosis have significantly different comorbidity profiles, with the five commonest comorbidities being 50% more common in this group.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yizhou Ye, Baoguo Jiang, Sudhakar Manne, Peter L. Moses, Cristina Almansa, Dimitri Bennett, Paul Dolin, Alexander C. Ford
Summary: Through analysis of the CPRD database, it was found that the standardized prevalence of gastroparesis in 2016 was 13.8 per 100,000 persons, while the standardized incidence increased from 1.5 per 100,000 person-years in 2004 to 1.9 in 2016. Diabetic gastroparesis and idiopathic gastroparesis were the most common disease etiologies, with diabetic gastroparesis patients having a significantly higher risk of mortality after diagnosis compared to idiopathic gastroparesis patients.
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Mayra Tisminetzky, Christopher Delude, Tara Hebert, Catherine Carr, Robert J. Goldberg, Jerry H. Gurwitz
Summary: Various patient demographic and clinical characteristics have been associated with poor outcomes for individuals with COVID-19. Older adults and patients with chronic conditions have a higher case fatality rate. Additionally, individuals with chronic conditions have an increased risk of dying across different age groups.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Clare MacRae, Daniel Morales, Stewart W. Mercer, Nazir Lone, Andrew Lawson, Emily Jefferson, David McAllister, Marjan van den Akker, Alan Marshall, Sohan Seth, Anna Rawlings, Jane Lyons, Ronan A. Lyons, Amy Mizen, Eleojo Abubakar, Chris Dibben, Bruce Guthrie
Summary: The choice of data source used to determine conditions affects the measurement of multimorbidity. This study compared the prevalence of multimorbidity and its associations with mortality using different data sources. The results showed that using linked primary care and hospital inpatient data yielded higher prevalence of multimorbidity and stronger associations with mortality. The agreement in ascertainment of conditions between the two data sources varied considerably, especially for mental and behavioural disorders.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Racha Onaisi, Roxane Dumont, Jennifer Hasselgard-Rowe, David Safar, Dagmar M. Haller, Hubert Maisonneuve
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the association between multimorbidity and prescription of statins according to the 2016 ESC recommendations, and to identify factors and conditions associated with these prescriptions. The study found that multimorbidity itself does not appear to be a determinant factor for appropriate statin prescription, but rather depends on the type of multimorbidity, particularly the presence or absence of diabetes. Differentiating between diabetic and non-diabetic multimorbidity may be a pragmatic approach for general practitioners to improve primary prevention.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kirill Lomonosov, Alyona Lomonosova, Alla Mindlina, Roman Polibin, Maksim Antipov, Gleb Grimm
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of vaccination against COVID-19 on the outcome of the disease in patients with multimorbidity. The results showed that receiving two doses of Sputnik V vaccine significantly reduced the risk of death and increased the likelihood of recovery in patients with multimorbidity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew O'Regan, Jane O'Doherty, Ray O'Connor, Walter Cullen, Vikram Niranjan, Liam Glynn, Ailish Hannigan
Summary: This retrospective study analyzed the impact of age, number of chronic illnesses, and medications on healthcare utilization metrics in general practice. The study found that increasing age, number of chronic illnesses, and medications were associated with increased attendance rates, but did not significantly impact the attendance to referral ratio. This highlights the need for person-centered care in general practice for an aging population with multimorbidity and polypharmacy.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Bruno Stricker, Kiki Cheung, Katia Verhamme
Summary: The use of methylphenidate in adults is associated with an increased risk of depression and suicide attempts, especially in individuals with a history of alcohol and substance abuse and psychiatric diseases. The overall mortality risk is also increased in users of methylphenidate.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Lee Smith, Jae Il Shin, Louis Jacob, Felipe Schuch, Damiano Pizzol, Guillermo F. Lopez Sanchez, Pinar Soysal, Mark A. Tully, Laurie T. Butler, Yvonne Barnett, Nicola Veronese, Seoyeon Park, Ai Koyanagi
Summary: This study aimed to examine the prospective associations between multimorbidity and anxiety among Irish older adults, and to investigate the mediating role of sleep, pain, and disability. The findings showed that multimorbidity was significantly associated with both new onset and persistent anxiety, and sleep problems, pain, and disability mediated a substantial portion of these associations.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Rieko Mutai, Yoshifumi Sugiyama, Takuya Aoki, Masato Matsushima
Summary: The social determinants of health have focused on the importance of multidimensional biopsychosocial assessment for improving individual health. However, the concept of "patient complexity" has led to confusion and lack of consensus in its definition and conceptualization. This scoping review aims to identify and map the key characteristics of patient complexity through a comprehensive literature search.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Premysl Velek, Annemarie Luik, Guy G. O. Brusselle, Bruno Ch Stricker, Patrick J. E. Bindels, Maryam Kavousi, Brenda C. T. Kieboom, Trudy Voortman, Rikje Ruiter, M. Arfan Ikram, M. Kamran Ikram, Evelien I. T. de Schepper, Silvan Licher
Summary: Multimorbidity poses a major challenge for care coordination. A study on the sex-specific patterns of multimorbidity and lifetime risk in the general population reveals that two-thirds of people over 45 will develop multimorbidity, with women at higher risk of multimorbidity involving depression than men.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kevin Joyce, Terezija Zermanos, Padmanabhan Badrinath
Summary: The study found that factors such as trust in healthcare professionals, higher 2WW referral rates, higher QOF scores, and satisfaction with appointment times or being able to see a preferred GP were associated with a lower proportion of emergency cancer diagnoses. Additionally, practices in more deprived areas were significantly associated with a higher proportion of emergency cancer diagnoses. Regional cancer networks should focus on improving the quantity and appropriateness of 2WW referrals and supporting primary care clinicians in providing high quality consultations.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Michael K. Sullivan, Bhautesh Dinesh Jani, Alex McConnachie, Peter Hanlon, Philip McLoone, Barbara I. Nicholl, Juan-Jesus Carrero, Dorothea Nitsch, David McAllister, Frances S. Mair, Patrick B. Mark
Summary: This study aimed to examine hospitalisation rates in people with multimorbidity with and without CKD, and to identify risk factors for hospitalisation among CKD patients. The research found that individuals with multimorbidity, especially with CKD, have higher rates of hospitalisation, emphasizing the need for further research into strategies to prevent hospitalisation in this high-risk group.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Daniel R. Morales, David Moreno-Martos, Nashaba Matin, Patricia McGettigan
Summary: Comorbidity is common in adults with HIV, with a wide spectrum of physical and mental health conditions. Certain conditions, such as lipid disorder and hypertension, are prevalent in both HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected adults. However, there are differences in the likelihood of certain conditions, with some being less likely (e.g., atrial fibrillation and rheumatoid arthritis) and others being more likely (e.g., liver fibrosis and bipolar disorder) in adults with HIV. Multidisciplinary care models should be considered for optimal patient care.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Timothy C. Nielsen, Natasha Nassar, Christopher Harrison, Antonia Shand, Russell C. Dale, Sandra Lowe, Samantha J. Lain
Summary: The prevalence of autoimmune diseases among reproductive age and pregnant women is increasing in New South Wales, which may impact their health outcomes.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Lorraine Ivancic, Sarah Maguire, Jane Miskovic-Wheatley, Christopher Harrison, Natasha Nassar
Summary: The study estimated the prevalence of management of eating disorders in primary care in Australia, finding that these disorders were managed in a very small percentage of encounters, with the majority being initiated for reasons other than the eating disorder itself; Primary care presents an opportunity to improve detection and management of eating disorders, particularly when patients present for 'other' issues or with unexplained low body mass index and one or more symptoms related to an eating disorder.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
H. B. Menz, C. Harrison, C. Bayram
Summary: The study found that GP referral to podiatrists in Australia significantly increased after the introduction of Medicare funding, mainly targeting older patients with conditions such as diabetes. Further research is needed to determine whether this policy has improved outcomes and is cost-effective.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julie Gordon, Helena Britt, Graeme C. Miller, Joan Henderson, Anthony Scott, Christopher Harrison
Summary: General practice plays a crucial role in the Australian health system, with general practitioners responsible for managing patient care across their lifespan and playing roles in preventive healthcare, chronic disease management, and population health. The Australian Government has released draft reforms that may change the current model of general practice. Reliable and valid data about general practice clinical activity over time will be necessary to quantify the impact and effectiveness of these reforms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
An-Lun Cheng, Joerg Eberhard, Julie Gordon, Madhan Balasubramanian, Amber Willink, Woosung Sohn, Jennifer Dai, Christopher Harrison
Summary: This study provides an overview of GP management of oral conditions in Australia. Patients from certain vulnerable demographic groups are more likely to seek GP care for oral conditions. Common oral conditions and management approaches were identified.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Bruce E. Landon, Clare Bayram, Christopher Harrison
Summary: Compared to Australia, primary care visits in the USA have become increasingly complex, longer in duration, with more problems addressed, and with more content.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cylie M. Williams, Hylton B. Menz, Peter A. Lazzarini, Julie Gordon, Christopher Harrison
Summary: This study explored the consultation patterns and management practices for foot, ankle, and leg problems in Australian primary care for children. The results showed that children frequently seek medical care for these issues, with varying frequencies based on age. The findings highlight the importance of supporting primary care in the diagnosis and management of pediatric lower limb problems.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Laila Tanana, Christopher Harrison, Prasad S. Nishtala, Timothy F. Chen
Summary: General practitioners in Australia have been increasingly prescribing psychotropic medicines to pediatric patients. Female, older, socio-economically disadvantaged, and English-speaking patients are more likely to receive psychotropic medications. Depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and autism are the most common indications for psychotropic medication use.
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Gillian Reyes-Marcelino, Kirstie McLoughlin, Christopher Harrison, Caroline G. Watts, Yoon-Jung Kang, Sanchia Aranda, Joanne F. Aitken, Pascale Guitera, Anne E. Cust
Summary: This study investigated the frequency of general practice consultations for skin cancer-related conditions in Australia. The results showed different patterns of consultations based on patient and general practitioner characteristics as well as time periods. The most common conditions managed were solar keratosis and keratinocyte cancer. Higher consultation rates were observed for patients aged 65-89 years, males, those living in Queensland or in regional or remote areas, with lower socioeconomic status, English-speaking background, Veteran card holders and non-healthcare card holders; as well as for GPs aged 35-44 years or males.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Christopher Harrison, Julie Gordon, Joan Henderson, Graeme Miller, Helena Britt
Summary: Based on the analysis of data from the "BEACH" program from 2013 to 2016, this study found that Australian general practitioners (GPs) undercharged in 11.8% of consultations and overcharged in 1.6% of consultations. However, overall, their billing patterns saved the Medicare system $351.7 million.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Primary Health Care
Andrew Leigh, Jennifer Hunter, Christopher Harrison, Helena Britt, Eugen Molodysky
Summary: The study findings suggest that Australian General Practitioners are increasingly requesting hyperglycaemia-related testing for patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus, in alignment with the rising incidence of these conditions. The trends in testing may be influenced by changes in national insurance schemes and clinical guidelines, with some evidence of 'unendorsed' testing that warrants further investigation.
Article
Primary Health Care
Sharon Reid, Carolyn Day, Natalie White, Christopher Harrison, Paul Haber, Clare Bayram
Summary: This study analyzed the prescribing patterns of opioids in general practice and found that only 5% of GP encounters involved an opioid prescription. Concerning findings include the prescribing of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain, potentially high-risk opioid encounters with doses exceeding 100 OME daily, and/or co-prescription of sedating psychoactive medications. However, approximately one-third of opioid prescribing encounters also involved non-pharmacological interventions.
Article
Rheumatology
Glen A. Whittaker, Hylton B. Menz, Karl B. Landorf, Shannon E. Munteanu, Christopher Harrison
Summary: This study found that plantar heel pain is a frequently managed foot condition in Australian general practice. Medication, counselling and education, diagnostic imaging, and referrals to podiatrists are commonly used management actions for plantar heel pain. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of these management strategies.
MUSCULOSKELETAL CARE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Kim L. Bennell, Clare Bayram, Christopher Harrison, Caroline Brand, Rachelle Buchbinder, Romi Haas, Rana S. Hinman
Summary: The study showed that GPs in Australia are increasingly managing knee and hip OA, with low utilization of recommended non-pharmacological treatments and high rates of imaging, medication, and surgical referrals. Strategies are needed to optimize lifestyle management and reduce low-value care in OA management.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Josiah Harris, Joan Henderson, Christopher Harrison
Summary: The study examined the management of rheumatoid arthritis by Australian general practitioners over a decade, revealing stable proportions of RA management encounters, with higher rates for female patients and increasing with patient and GP age.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
(2021)