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Techniques in Coloproctology Jun 2024Patient selection is extremely important in obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) and rectal prolapse (RP) surgery. This study assessed factors that guided the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Analysis of factors that indicated surgery in 400 patients submitted to a complete diagnostic workup for obstructed defecation syndrome and rectal prolapse using a supervised machine learning algorithm.
BACKGROUND
Patient selection is extremely important in obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) and rectal prolapse (RP) surgery. This study assessed factors that guided the indications for ODS and RP surgery and their specific role in our decision-making process using a machine learning approach.
METHODS
This is a retrospective analysis of a long-term prospective observational study on female patients reporting symptoms of ODS who underwent a complete diagnostic workup from January 2010 to December 2021 at an academic tertiary referral center. Clinical, defecographic, and other functional tests data were assessed. A supervised machine learning algorithm using a classification tree model was performed and tested.
RESULTS
A total of 400 patients were included. The factors associated with a significantly higher probability of undergoing surgery were follows: as symptoms, perineal splinting, anal or vaginal self-digitations, sensation of external RP, episodes of fecal incontinence and soiling; as physical examination features, evidence of internal and external RP, rectocele, enterocele, or anterior/middle pelvic organs prolapse; as defecographic findings, intra-anal and external RP, rectocele, incomplete rectocele emptying, enterocele, cystocele, and colpo-hysterocele. Surgery was less indicated in patients with dyssynergia, severe anxiety and depression. All these factors were included in a supervised machine learning algorithm. The model showed high accuracy on the test dataset (79%, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Symptoms assessment and physical examination proved to be fundamental, but other functional tests should also be considered. By adopting a machine learning model in further ODS and RP centers, indications for surgery could be more easily and reliably identified and shared.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Rectal Prolapse; Retrospective Studies; Constipation; Aged; Supervised Machine Learning; Syndrome; Defecation; Adult; Prospective Studies; Defecography; Patient Selection; Algorithms; Clinical Decision-Making
PubMed: 38918256
DOI: 10.1007/s10151-024-02951-1 -
Current Status and Role of Artificial Intelligence in Anorectal Diseases and Pelvic Floor Disorders.JSLS : Journal of the Society of... 2024Anorectal diseases and pelvic floor disorders are prevalent among the general population. Patients may present with overlapping symptoms, delaying diagnosis, and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Anorectal diseases and pelvic floor disorders are prevalent among the general population. Patients may present with overlapping symptoms, delaying diagnosis, and lowering quality of life. Treating physicians encounter numerous challenges attributed to the complex nature of pelvic anatomy, limitations of diagnostic techniques, and lack of available resources. This article is an overview of the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) in tackling the difficulties of managing benign anorectal disorders and pelvic floor disorders.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched the PubMed database to identify all potentially relevant studies published from January 2000 to August 2023. Search queries were built using the following terms: AI, machine learning, deep learning, benign anorectal disease, pelvic floor disorder, fecal incontinence, obstructive defecation, anal fistula, rectal prolapse, and anorectal manometry. Malignant anorectal articles and abstracts were excluded. Data from selected articles were analyzed.
RESULTS
139 articles were found, 15 of which met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The most common AI module was convolutional neural network. researchers were able to develop AI modules to optimize imaging studies for pelvis, fistula, and abscess anatomy, facilitated anorectal manometry interpretation, and improved high-definition anoscope use. None of the modules were validated in an external cohort.
CONCLUSION
There is potential for AI to enhance the management of pelvic floor and benign anorectal diseases. Ongoing research necessitates the use of multidisciplinary approaches and collaboration between physicians and AI programmers to tackle pressing challenges.
Topics: Humans; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Artificial Intelligence; Rectal Diseases; Anus Diseases; Manometry; Fecal Incontinence
PubMed: 38910957
DOI: 10.4293/JSLS.2024.00007 -
BMC Public Health Jun 2024There has been extensive research conducted on open defecation in Ethiopia, but a notable gap persists in comprehensively understanding the spatial variation and...
INTRODUCTION
There has been extensive research conducted on open defecation in Ethiopia, but a notable gap persists in comprehensively understanding the spatial variation and predictors at the household level. This study utilizes data from the 2021 Performance Monitoring for Action Ethiopia (PMA-ET) to address this gap by identifying hotspots and predictors of open defecation. Employing geographically weighted regression analysis, it goes beyond traditional models to account for spatial heterogeneity, offering a nuanced understanding of geographical variations in open defecation prevalence and its determinants. This research pinpoints hotspot areas and significant predictors, aiding policymakers and practitioners in tailoring interventions effectively. It not only fills the knowledge gap in Ethiopia but also informs global sanitation initiatives.
METHODS
The study comprised a total weighted sample of 24,747 household participants. ArcGIS version 10.7 and SaT Scan version 9.6 were used to handle mapping, hotspots, ordinary least squares, Bernoulli model analysis, and Spatial regression. Bernoulli-based model was used to analyze the purely spatial cluster detection of open defecation at the household level in Ethiopia. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) analysis and geographically weighted regression analysis were employed to assess the association between an open defecation and explanatory variables.
RESULTS
The spatial distribution of open defecation at the household level exhibited clustering (global Moran's I index value of 4.540385, coupled with a p-value of less than 0.001), with significant hotspots identified in Amhara, Afar, Harari, and parts of Dire Dawa. Spatial analysis using Kuldorff's Scan identified six clusters, with four showing statistical significance (P-value < 0.05) in Amhara, Afar, Harari, Tigray, and southwest Ethiopia. In the geographically weighted regression model, being male [coefficient = 0.87, P-value < 0.05] and having no media exposure (not watching TV or listening to the radio) [coefficient = 0.47, P-value < 0.05] emerged as statistically significant predictors of household-level open defecation in Ethiopia.
CONCLUSION
The study revealed that open defecation at the household level in Ethiopia varies across the regions, with significant hotspots identified in Amhara, Afar, Harari, and parts of Dire Dawa. Geographically weighted regression analysis highlights male participants lacking media exposure as substantial predictors of open defecation. Targeted interventions in Ethiopia should improve media exposure among males in hotspot regions, tailored sanitation programs, and region-specific awareness campaigns. Collaboration with local communities is crucial.
Topics: Ethiopia; Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Defecation; Sanitation; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Spatial Regression; Spatial Analysis; Family Characteristics; Toilet Facilities; Adolescent
PubMed: 38910246
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19222-1 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jun 2024Biliary atresia (BA) is characterized by the presence of persistent cholestatic jaundice during the neonatal period. This group of patients is at higher risk for liver...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
Biliary atresia (BA) is characterized by the presence of persistent cholestatic jaundice during the neonatal period. This group of patients is at higher risk for liver disease and/or portal hypertension compared with other chronic liver diseases.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present a newborn patient who had biliary stools early postnatally, but her gallbladder was not seen on radiological examination and was referred to our clinic. On examination, polysplenia was seen, and the inferior vena cava was not seen. The patient's stool color changed to a creamy stool without bile three weeks postnatally. The neonate was diagnosed with biliary atresia and splenic malformation (BASM) syndrome. The patient underwent a Kasai portoenterostomy in the 3rd week of age and was preoperatively diagnosed with malrotation and treated with a Ladd procedure at the same time. The patient had a postoperative stool with bile and decreased bilirubinemia with a normal defecation period.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
BASM syndrome, clinically has different causes and a worse prognosis than isolated BA. The syndrome can lead to end-stage cirrhosis and liver failure if left untreated. Although timely Kasai surgery is the standard treatment for BA, the age of the patient at the time of the surgery is different depending on BA groups.
CONCLUSION
The most important prognostic factors for BASM syndrome are early diagnosis and treatment. Despite this, the patients need careful follow-up. Postoperative adjuvant steroid therapy may have a good impact on the outcomes.
PubMed: 38909387
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109937 -
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County,... May 2024Street children are poverty-stricken and have insufficient money to meet their daily nutritional requirements. They do not have a proper place to sleep and defecate....
BACKGROUND
Street children are poverty-stricken and have insufficient money to meet their daily nutritional requirements. They do not have a proper place to sleep and defecate. They sleep at traffic signals, in religious places, and on footpaths. This exposes them to pollution, dirt, and other pathogens.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to measure the nutritional status of street children in Delhi using Z-scores and Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF).
METHODS
Anthropometric measurements are direct methods of measuring the nutritional status of humans. Anthropometric indicators such as underweight (weight-for-age), stunting (height-for-age) and BMI/wasting (weight-for-height) are used to measure the nutritional status of street children. Z-scores and CIAF are calculated for street children based on the WHO 2009 reference.
RESULTS
According to Z-scores, stunting (56%) is the most common anthropometric failure among street children followed by underweight (31%) and wasting (19%). According to the CIAF, 63% of street children are malnourished, where stunting (37%) is the highest single burden of anthropometric failure, followed by wasting (3%) and underweight (1%); children suffering from the double burden of anthropometric failure are 9%, and children suffering from the triple burden of anthropometric failure (i.e., wasting, stunting, and underweight) are 13%.
CONCLUSION
A high incidence of stunting points to poor quality of food and suggests prolonged nutrition deficiency among street children. The Z-score or conventional measures of anthropometry underestimate the total burden of malnutrition among street children, while CIAF provides an estimation of children with single-burden, double-burden, and triple-burden malnutrition or total burden of malnutrition.
PubMed: 38905910
DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2024.112487 -
JA Clinical Reports Jun 2024Hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria (HHH) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive urea cycle disorder associated with a high risk of exacerbation of...
BACKGROUND
Hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria (HHH) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive urea cycle disorder associated with a high risk of exacerbation of hyperammonemia during the perioperative period. Here, we describe an adult patient with HHH syndrome who developed hyperammonemic encephalopathy secondary to postoperative constipation.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 52-year-old patient with HHH syndrome underwent intrathecal baclofen pump insertion for lower limb spasticity under general anesthesia. The surgery was uneventful, without any increase in serum ammonia levels. However, after surgery, he was constipated, and on postoperative day (POD) 3, he fell into a coma with an exacerbation of hyperammonemia (894 µg/dL). After administering a glycerin enema, he defecated, leading to a rapid decrease in serum ammonia levels to 165 µg/dL. He regained consciousness, and serum ammonia levels remained stable as long as he defecated.
CONCLUSIONS
We suggest strict management of defecation during the perioperative period to prevent hyperammonemia in patients with HHH syndrome.
PubMed: 38904738
DOI: 10.1186/s40981-024-00726-z -
A&A Practice Jun 2024This case report presents the successful use of dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) in a 30-year-old female patient with Crohn's disease. Despite extensive...
This case report presents the successful use of dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) in a 30-year-old female patient with Crohn's disease. Despite extensive treatments, the patient experienced chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, cramping, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms. After a successful DRGS trial with leads placed on the right T6 and T10, she was implanted with a permanent system. At 18 months she continues to experience significant improvement in symptoms, including reduced abdominal pain, decreased defecation frequency, better stool consistency, less pain with eating and bowel evacuation, and enhanced quality of life.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Ganglia, Spinal; Crohn Disease; Treatment Outcome; Quality of Life; Abdominal Pain; Spinal Cord Stimulation; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Electric Stimulation Therapy
PubMed: 38904332
DOI: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000001804 -
Regenerative Biomaterials 2024Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) afflicts millions of women globally. In POP, the weakened support of the pelvic floor results in the descent of pelvic organs into the...
Promoting cell proliferation and collagen production with ascorbic acid 2-phosphate-releasing poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) membranes for treating pelvic organ prolapse.
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) afflicts millions of women globally. In POP, the weakened support of the pelvic floor results in the descent of pelvic organs into the vagina, causing a feeling of bulging, problems in urination, defaecation and/or sexual function. However, the existing surgical repair methods for relapsed POP remain insufficient, highlighting the urgent need for more effective alternatives. Collagen is an essential component in pelvic floor tissues, providing structural support, and its production is controlled by ascorbic acid. Therefore, we investigated novel ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (A2P)-releasing poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) membranes to promote cell proliferation and extracellular matrix protein production to strengthen the natural support of the pelvic fascia for POP applications. We analysed the mechanical properties and the impact of PLCL on cellular responses through cell culture analysis using human vaginal fibroblasts (hVFs) and human adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (hASCs) compared to PLCL. In addition, the A2P release from PLCL membranes was assessed . The PLCL demonstrated slightly lower tensile strength (2.2 ± 0.4 MPa) compared to PLCL (3.7 ± 0.6 MPa) for the first 4 weeks . The A2P was most rapidly released during the first 48 h of incubation. Our findings demonstrated significantly increased proliferation and collagen production of both hVFs and hASCs on A2P-releasing PLCL compared to PLCL. In addition, extracellular collagen Type I fibres were detected in hVFs, suggesting enhanced collagen maturation on PLCL. Moreover, increased extracellular matrix protein expression was detected on PLCL in both hVFs and hASCs compared to plain PLCL. In conclusion, these findings highlight the potential of PLCL as a promising candidate for promoting tissue regeneration in applications aimed for POP tissue engineering applications.
PubMed: 38903561
DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbae060 -
World Neurosurgery Jun 2024To investigate factors influencing the long-term prognosis of patients with sacral Tarlov syndrome after nerve root cuff reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate factors influencing the long-term prognosis of patients with sacral Tarlov syndrome after nerve root cuff reconstruction.
METHODS
A total of 42 patients with sacral Tarlov cysts who underwent nerve root cuff reconstruction at the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital between December 2015 and December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. All cases were confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging and pathology. All patients were followed up for 24 months after surgery. Improvement in self-evaluation of health was defined as a good prognosis, while a decline in self-evaluation of health was defined as a poor prognosis. The demographic characteristics and clinical data were compared between patients with good and poor prognoses. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, taking poor prognosis as the dependent variable and parameters with P<0.1 in the univariate analysis as independent variables to identify the risk factors.
RESULTS
Significant differences were observed in disease duration, lower limb weakness, defecation dysfunction, and defecation dysfunction between patients with good and poor prognoses. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that disease duration (Odds ratio [OR]: 0.961, 95% CI: 0927-0.995) and defecation dysfunction (OR: 0.005, 95% CI: 0.0-0.368) were independent risk factors for poor prognosis after nerve cuff reconstruction in patients with sacral Tarlov cysts (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with sacral Tarlov cysts undergoing nerve root cuff reconstruction, particularly those with longer preoperative disease duration and dysuria, are at increased risk of poor long-term prognosis.
PubMed: 38901478
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.06.053 -
The International Journal on Drug Policy Jun 2024People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk of developing injection-related infections, including abscesses. Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are key...
INTRODUCTION
People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk of developing injection-related infections, including abscesses. Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are key human rights and services; yet these services have been underexplored as predictors of abscesses among PWID.
METHODS
Longitudinal analysis was employed among a cohort of PWID to determine if WASH insecurity (lack of access) was associated with abscess incidence in the Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, United States metropolitan area during 24-months of follow-up survey data from 2020 to 2023. We calculated abscess prevalence at baseline and tracked the incidence of new abscesses among individuals without an abscess during the previous visit. Time dependent Cox regression modeling was employed with variance clustered by participant to characterize the relationship between WASH insecurity and abscess incidence.
RESULTS
At baseline, hand hygiene insecurity, bathing insecurity in the previous six months and open defecation in the last week, were reported by 60 %, 54 % and 38 % of participants, respectively; 21 % reported an abscess in the last six months. The incidence of abscesses was 24.4 (95 %CI: 21.1-27.6) per 100 person-years. After adjusting for covariates, the hazard of developing an abscess remained significantly elevated among individuals using non-improved (with risk of contamination) water sources (e.g., surface water) for preparing drugs (adjusted HR [adjHR]: 1.49 [95 %CI: 1.01-2.21], experiencing bathing insecurity (adjHR: 1.59 [95 %CI: 1.12-2.24]) and open defecation (adjHR: 1.65 [95 %CI: 1.16-2.35]).
CONCLUSIONS
PWID in the Tijuana-San Diego metropolitan area reported facing high rates of insecurity accessing WASH services. Abscess incidence was higher (four to nine times) than observed rate among PWID cohorts in other settings. Access to continuously available toilet facilities, bathing infrastructure, and safe water sources for preparing drugs for injection could prevent abscesses among PWID. Accessible WASH infrastructure should be ensured among PWID communities and promoted as a key component of harm reduction infrastructure.
PubMed: 38901113
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104485