-
Diseases of the Esophagus : Official... Jun 2024Hiatus hernias (HH) are a common cause of symptoms and complications, with considerable variation in anatomy, function, diagnosis and treatment. We undertook the first...
Hiatus hernias (HH) are a common cause of symptoms and complications, with considerable variation in anatomy, function, diagnosis and treatment. We undertook the first systematic review to appraise how HH are diagnosed and classified in the literature, using randomized controlled trials as a sample. A search was performed in July 2021of the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and 2832 articles were identified and 64 were included. Median Jadad score was 2. Studies demonstrated considerable variation in diagnosis, classification and minimum surgical steps. The commonest classifications before surgery were axial length and the Type I-IV classification, variably assessed by endoscopy and contrast swallow. Intra-operatively, the commonest classification was type I-IV. A minority used more than one classification, or alternatives such as defect size and Hill classification. Most studies reported minimum steps, but these varied. Only a minority reported criteria for diagnosing recurrence. Using randomized controlled trials to appraise the highest quality evidence in the literature, we found considerable variation and inconsistency in the way HH are diagnosed and classified. This lack of a 'common language' has significant impacts for the generalizability of evidence, study synthesis and design. We propose the development of an internationally accepted classification. We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that the order of authors listed in the manuscript has been approved by all of us.
PubMed: 38944029
DOI: 10.1093/dote/doae051 -
Journal of Psychiatric Research Jun 2024Depression is a growing public health concern, and exercise is an adjunctive treatment modality to improve depression, but the optimal form of exercise and the optimal... (Review)
Review
Optimal exercise modality and dose to improve depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis of RCTs.
Depression is a growing public health concern, and exercise is an adjunctive treatment modality to improve depression, but the optimal form of exercise and the optimal dose are still unclear. This systematic review examined the efficacy of four major types of exercise (aerobic, resistance, mixed, and mind-body) on depression, as well as the dose-response relationship between total and specific exercise and depressive symptoms. We included randomized controlled trials that included participants aged 18 years or older with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder or a depressive symptom score above a threshold as determined by a validated screening measure, implemented one or more exercise therapy groups, and assessed depressive symptoms at baseline and follow-up. Forty-six studies (3164 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. Aerobic (standardised mean difference (SMD) = -0.93; 95% CI: -1.25 to -0.62) and mind-body exercise (SMD) = -0.81; 95% CI: -1.19 to -0.42) improved depressive symptoms better compared to controls, followed by mixed (SMD = -0.77; 95% CI: -1.20 to -0.34) and resistance exercise (SMD = -0.76; 95% CI: -1.24 to -0.28). This dose-response meta-analysis showed a U-shaped curve between exercise dose and depressive symptoms. The minimum effective dose was estimated to be 320 metabolic equivalent (METs) -min per week and the optimal response was 860 METs-min per week. These findings lead us to advocate that clinicians carefully select the appropriate dose of exercise based on the patient's individual characteristics and needs, in conjunction with psychological care interventions.
PubMed: 38944017
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.06.031 -
ESMO Open Jun 2024Locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is a common presentation of liposarcoma. Despite established diagnostic and treatment... (Review)
Review
Current unmet needs in locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic dedifferentiated liposarcoma, the relevance of progression-free survival as clinical endpoint, and expectations for future clinical trial design: an international Delphi consensus report.
BACKGROUND
Locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is a common presentation of liposarcoma. Despite established diagnostic and treatment guidelines for DDLPS, critical clinical gaps remain driven by diagnostic challenges, symptom burden and the lack of targeted, safe and effective treatments. The objective of this study was to gather expert opinions from Europe and the United States on the management, unmet needs and expectations for clinical trial design as well as the value of progression-free survival (PFS) in this disease. Other aims included raising awareness and educate key stakeholders across healthcare systems.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An international panel of 12 sarcoma key opinion leaders (KOLs) was recruited. The study consisted of two rounds of surveys with pre-defined statements. Experts scored each statement on a 9-point Likert scale. Consensus agreement was defined as ≥75% of experts scoring a statement with ≥7. Revised statements were discussed in a consensus meeting.
RESULTS
Consensus was reached on 43 of 55 pre-defined statements across disease burden, treatment paradigm, unmet needs, value of PFS and its association with overall survival (OS), and cross-over trial design. Twelve statements were deprioritised or merged with other statements. There were no statements where experts disagreed.
CONCLUSION
This study constitutes the first international Delphi panel on DDLPS. It aimed to explore KOL perception of the disease burden and unmet need in DDLPS, the value of PFS, and its potential translation to OS benefit, as well as the relevance of a cross-over trial design for DDLPS therapies. Results indicate an alignment across Europe and the United States regarding DDLPS management, unmet needs, and expectations for clinical trials. Raising awareness of critical clinical gaps in relation to DDLPS can contribute to improving patient outcomes and supporting the development of innovative treatments.
PubMed: 38943735
DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2024.103487 -
The American Journal of Emergency... Jun 2024Ultrasound is used for peripheral intravenous (PIV) cannulation in patients with difficult landmark-guided IV access in the Emergency Department. Distal-to-proximal...
INTRODUCTION
Ultrasound is used for peripheral intravenous (PIV) cannulation in patients with difficult landmark-guided IV access in the Emergency Department. Distal-to-proximal application of an Esmarch bandage on the target limb has been suggested as a method for increasing vein size and ease of cannulation.
METHODS
This study was a single-blinded crossover randomized controlled trial comparing basilic vein size under ultrasound with use of an Esmarch bandage in addition to standard IV tourniquet ("tourniquet + Esmarch") compared to use of a standard IV tourniquet alone. Participant discomfort with the tourniquet + Esmarch was also compared to that with standard IV tourniquet alone.
RESULTS
Twenty-two healthy volunteers were used to measure basilic vein size with and without the Esmarch bandage. There was no difference in basilic vein size between the two groups, with a mean diameter of 6.0 ± 1.5 mm in the tourniquet + Esmarch group and 6.0 ± 1.4 mm in the control group, p = 0.89. Discomfort score (from 0 to 10) was different between the groups, with a mean discomfort score of 2.1 in the tourniquet + Esmarch group and 1.1 in the standard IV tourniquet alone group (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that the use of an Esmarch bandage does not increase basilic vein size in healthy volunteers but is associated with a mild increase in discomfort.
PubMed: 38943708
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.06.033 -
Neuro-oncology Jun 2024IDH-wildtype (-wt) status is a pre-requisite for the diagnosis of glioblastoma (GBM); however, IDH-wt gliomas with low grade or anaplastic morphology have historically...
BACKGROUND
IDH-wildtype (-wt) status is a pre-requisite for the diagnosis of glioblastoma (GBM); however, IDH-wt gliomas with low grade or anaplastic morphology have historically been excluded from GBM trials and may represent a distinct prognostic entity. While alkylating agent chemotherapy improves overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for IDH-wt GBM and also IDH-mutant gliomas, irrespective of grade, the benefit for IDH-wt diffuse histologic lower grade gliomas is unclear.
METHODS
We performed a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials for World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2-3 gliomas (2009 to present) to determine the effect of alkylating chemotherapy on IDH-wt and -mutant gliomas using a random-effects model with inverse-variance pooling.
RESULTS
We identified six trials with 1,204 patients (430 IDH-wt, 774 IDH-mutant) that evaluated alkylating chemoradiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone, allowing us to perform an analysis focused on the value of adding alkylating chemotherapy to radiotherapy. For patients with IDH-wt tumors, alkylating chemotherapy added to radiotherapy was associated with improved PFS (HR:0.77 [95%CI 0.62-0.97], P=.03) but not OS (HR:0.87 [95%CI 0.64-1.18], P=.17). For patients with IDH-mutant tumors, alkylating chemotherapy added to radiotherapy improved both OS (HR:0.52 [95%CI 0.42-0.64], P<.001) and PFS (HR=0.47 [95%CI 0.39-0.57], P<.001) compared to radiotherapy alone. The magnitude of benefit was similar for IDH-mutant gliomas with or without 1p19q-codeletion.
CONCLUSIONS
Alkylating chemotherapy reduces mortality by 48% and progression by 53% for patients with IDH-mutant gliomas. Optimal management of IDH-wt diffuse histologic lower grade gliomas remains to be determined, as there is little evidence supporting an OS benefit from alkylating chemotherapy.
PubMed: 38943513
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noae102 -
Bratislavske Lekarske Listy 2024Increased serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity is considered as a marker of cellular necrosis and serves as a metabolomic diagnostic marker in several types of...
Elevated pretreatment lactate dehydrogenase and albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio predict poor prognosis and early treatment discontinuation in head and neck cancer patients with preexistent diabetes mellitus.
Increased serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity is considered as a marker of cellular necrosis and serves as a metabolomic diagnostic marker in several types of cancer including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). LDH, an enzyme involved in the glycolytic cycle, is correlated not only with the activation of oncogenes such as HIF-α and Myc, but also with effects such as tumor proliferation and metastasis. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a marker of cell differentiation and tumor induction. Albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) could be an advantageous biomarker due to its easily accessible dynamics and cost-effectiveness. Elevated values of AAPR could be associated with longer overall survival (OS) in cases with solid tumors. Diabetes mellitus (DM) could influence the outcome of patients with HNSCC by contributing to insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, and by being involved in various aspects of carcinogenesis, disease progression and metastasis. However, the use of antihyperglycemic medications (metformin) can have beneficial effects by inhibiting tumor metabolic pathways. The biomarker role of LDH and AAPR in HNSCC patients with DM has been less evaluated. The purpose of the study was to assess the prognostic value of pretreatment serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) in predicting the duration of non-surgical oncological treatment and glycemic control in cases of head and neck cancers patients with DM, including cases selected from the database of the oncology clinic and oncology outpatient clinic of the Craiova County Hospital. Both LDH and AAPR can be used as pre-treatment biomarkers predictive of treatment response, or prognostic tools included in complex multi-parametric models in HNC associated with DM. However, given the impact of short-term glycemic control on the LDH level, it is necessary to evaluate these biomarkers after assessing and controlling for DM, and with the recommended cut-off value set around 0.5. Due to the limited number of cases, it is necessary to validate the results in multicentric trials with a larger number of patients (Tab. 5, Ref. 50). Keywords: diabetes mellitus, HNC, LDH, AAPR, biomarkers, predictive, head and neck cancers, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio.
Topics: Humans; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Alkaline Phosphatase; Male; Prognosis; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Female; Middle Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Aged; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Diabetes Mellitus; Adult
PubMed: 38943508
DOI: 10.4149/BLL_2024_70 -
Bratislavske Lekarske Listy 2024This study aimed to assess the perceived need among surgical residents to revisit their anatomical knowledge and evaluate their attitude towards integrating clinical...
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the perceived need among surgical residents to revisit their anatomical knowledge and evaluate their attitude towards integrating clinical anatomists into surgical residency program curriculum.
BACKGROUND
While medical students learn human anatomy during undergraduate years, the practical application of clinically oriented anatomy becomes vital in surgical specialties. However, this aspect has not been adequately addressed in Indian surgical residency programs.
METHODS
An 11-item questionnaire, including closed-ended and Likert-scale questions, was administered to 153 surgical residents. Consent was obtained, and responses were collected via Google Forms.
RESULTS
Half of the respondents (50%) felt confident in their self-directed anatomy learning, but 87% believed integrating clinical anatomists would enhance their surgical expertise. Additionally, 88% saw value in revisiting cadaveric dissection. Third-year residents showed a significantly higher inclination towards cadaveric dissection. Deficiencies in the curriculum and time constraints were identified as major barriers.
CONCLUSION
The study highlights a perceived need among surgical residents to augment their anatomical knowledge, advocating for the integration of clinical anatomists and cadaveric dissection into training. A collaborative approach, emphasizing both horizontal and vertical integration of anatomy, is recommended to enhance surgical education and practice. (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 25).
Topics: Humans; Internship and Residency; Anatomy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Curriculum; Anatomists; India; Female; Male; Surgeons; Dissection; Attitude of Health Personnel; General Surgery
PubMed: 38943507
DOI: 10.4149/BLL_2024_69 -
Cancer Jul 2024Hospitalized patients with cancer often experience acute and/or chronic pain. Although virtual reality (VR) has been extensively studied across a wide range of clinical... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Hospitalized patients with cancer often experience acute and/or chronic pain. Although virtual reality (VR) has been extensively studied across a wide range of clinical settings, no studies have yet evaluated potential impact on pain management in this patient population.
METHODS
Prospective randomized controlled trial at an urban academic hospital comparing VR against an active control to mitigate moderate-severe cancer disease and treatment-related pain.
RESULTS
A total of 128 adult hospitalized patients with cancer (any tumor type) were randomized to 10 minutes of immersive VR distraction therapy or 10 minutes of two-dimensional guided imagery distraction therapy delivered by handheld tablet. Participants in the two arms were similar in age, sex, race, presence of metastatic disease, concurrent pain specialist consultation, and baseline opioid use. Although both groups experienced improved self-reported pain scores (primary outcome), those randomized to VR experienced significantly greater reduction in pain immediately after intervention compared with active control (p = .03). This difference was sustained for 24 hours as well (p = .004). Within-group analysis showed significant improvement in VR arm of pain bothersomeness (p = .05) and general distress (p = .03) as well.
CONCLUSION
Among hospitalized adult patients with moderate-severe pain related to cancer and cancer therapies, VR provided more nonpharmacologic pain relief than active control and this benefit sustained long after conclusion of the intervention.
PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY
Virtual reality (VR), a developing technology that immerses the user in new environments, has been shown to improve pain in different patient populations. To test the role of VR in improving pain in hospitalized patients with cancer who report moderate-severe pain, we compared the impact of a 10-minute immersive VR intervention to that of a 10-minute two-dimensional guided imagery experience to improve self-reported pain scores. We found that, although both interventions improved pain, VR did so significantly more. Moreover, participants assigned to VR had sustained improvement in pain 24 hours later.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Pain Management; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Virtual Reality; Aged; Cancer Pain; Prospective Studies; Adult; Hospitalization; Pain Measurement; Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
PubMed: 38943468
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35282 -
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Jun 2024The creation of pneumoperitoneum using higher pressure is believed to be associated with increased postoperative abdominal pain. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
The creation of pneumoperitoneum using higher pressure is believed to be associated with increased postoperative abdominal pain.
AIM
This study aimed to compare postoperative abdominal pain following low pressure laparoscopic appendectomy and standard pressure laparoscopic appendectomy.
METHODS
This was a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial of 54 patients aged between 18 and 56 years with clinical and/or radiologic diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups: low pressure laparoscopic appendectomy (n = 26) and standard pressure laparoscopic appendectomy (n = 28). The intra-abdominal pressure was kept in either low pressure (9 mm Hg) or standard pressure (13 mm Hg). Abdominal and shoulder pain scores were assessed using the visual analog scale at 6 hours and 3 days post procedure. Postoperative analgesia requirement, duration of surgery, complications, and hospital stay were recorded.
RESULTS
Both groups match for the demographic parameters. Three patients required conversion from low to standard pressure. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of abdominal pain (P = 0.86) and shoulder pain (P = 0.33), duration of surgery (P = 0.51), complications (P = 0.17), and length of hospital stay (P = 0.83).
CONCLUSION
The use of low pressure pneumoperitoneum did not reduce the incidence of abdominal pain in patients who had laparoscopic appendectomy. Patients with acute appendicitis can be treated with either low or normal pressure pneumoperitoneum depending on the experience of the surgeon.
Topics: Humans; Appendectomy; Adult; Laparoscopy; Female; Male; Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial; Double-Blind Method; Appendicitis; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Pain, Postoperative; Young Adult; Adolescent; Pressure; Length of Stay; Pain Measurement; Treatment Outcome; Abdominal Pain
PubMed: 38943300
DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_802_23 -
International Journal of Cancer Jun 2024Patients with brain tumors suffer from intense psychosocial distress. Although the prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with brain tumors is high, the... (Review)
Review
Patients with brain tumors suffer from intense psychosocial distress. Although the prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with brain tumors is high, the pharmacological antidepressant treatment of those patients is not well defined and results from clinical trials are largely missing. In this review, we describe the current standard of evidence and clinical guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of depression in brain tumor patients. We present specific side effects and interactions that should guide treatment decisions. Furthermore, we provide evidence for the diagnosis, screening and risk factors for depression in brain tumor patients and we elaborate on potential antineoplastic effects of antidepressant drugs and ongoing clinical trials. Antidepressant drugs should not be withheld from patients with brain tumors. Future clinical trials should explore the effectiveness and side effects of antidepressants in this specific patient population.
PubMed: 38943227
DOI: 10.1002/ijc.35058