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CA: a Cancer Journal For Clinicians Nov 2022Patients with advanced cancer generate 4 million visits annually to emergency departments (EDs) and other dedicated, high-acuity oncology urgent care centers. Because of... (Review)
Review
Patients with advanced cancer generate 4 million visits annually to emergency departments (EDs) and other dedicated, high-acuity oncology urgent care centers. Because of both the increasing complexity of systemic treatments overall and the higher rates of active therapy in the geriatric population, many patients experiencing acute decompensations are frail and acutely ill. This article comprehensively reviews the spectrum of oncologic emergencies and urgencies typically encountered in acute care settings. Presentation, underlying etiology, and up-to-date clinical pathways are discussed. Criteria for either a safe discharge to home or a transition of care to the inpatient oncology hospitalist team are emphasized. This review extends beyond familiar conditions such as febrile neutropenia, hypercalcemia, tumor lysis syndrome, malignant spinal cord compression, mechanical bowel obstruction, and breakthrough pain crises to include a broader spectrum of topics encompassing the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, venous thromboembolism and malignant effusions, as well as chemotherapy-induced mucositis, cardiomyopathy, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Emergent and urgent complications associated with targeted therapeutics, including small molecules, naked and drug-conjugated monoclonal antibodies, as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, are summarized. Finally, strategies for facilitating same-day direct admission to hospice from the ED are discussed. This article not only can serve as a point-of-care reference for the ED physician but also can assist outpatient oncologists as well as inpatient hospitalists in coordinating care around the ED visit.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Emergencies; Medical Oncology; Neoplasms; Nausea; Hypercalcemia
PubMed: 35653456
DOI: 10.3322/caac.21727 -
American Family Physician Apr 2022Ulcerative colitis is a relapsing and remitting inflammatory bowel disease of the large intestine. Risk factors include recent Salmonella or Campylobacter infection and... (Review)
Review
Ulcerative colitis is a relapsing and remitting inflammatory bowel disease of the large intestine. Risk factors include recent Salmonella or Campylobacter infection and a family history of ulcerative colitis. Diagnosis is suspected based on symptoms of urgency, tenesmus, and hematochezia and is confirmed with endoscopic findings of continuous inflammation from the rectum to more proximal colon, depending on the extent of disease. Fecal calprotectin may be used to assess disease activity and relapse. Medications available to treat the inflammation include 5-aminosalicylic acid, corticosteroids, tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibodies, anti-integrin antibodies, anti-interleukin-12 and -23 antibodies, and Janus kinase inhibitors. Choice of medication and method of delivery depend on the location and severity of mucosal inflammation. Other treatments such as fecal microbiota transplantation are considered experimental, and complementary therapies such as probiotics and curcumin have mixed data. Surgical treatment may be needed for fulminant or refractory disease. Increased risk of colorectal cancer and use of immunosuppressive therapies affect the preventive care needs for these patients.
Topics: Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Colitis, Ulcerative; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation; Humans; Inflammation; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
PubMed: 35426646
DOI: No ID Found -
The American Journal of Gastroenterology Nov 2023Bowel urgency (BU), the sudden or immediate need for a bowel movement, is one of the most common and disruptive symptoms experienced by patients with ulcerative colitis... (Review)
Review
Bowel urgency (BU), the sudden or immediate need for a bowel movement, is one of the most common and disruptive symptoms experienced by patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Distinct from the separate symptom of increased stool frequency, BU has a substantial negative impact on quality of life and psychosocial functioning. Among patients with UC, BU is one of the top reasons for treatment dissatisfaction and one of the symptoms patients most want improved. Patients may not discuss BU often due to embarrassment, and healthcare providers may not address the symptom adequately due to the lack of awareness of validated tools and/or knowledge of the importance of assessing BU. The mechanism of BU in UC is multifactorial and includes inflammatory changes in the rectum that may be linked to hypersensitivity and reduced compliance of the rectum. Responsive and reliable patient-reported outcome measures of BU are needed to provide evidence of treatment benefits in clinical trials and facilitate communication in clinical practice. This review discusses the pathophysiology and clinical importance of BU in UC and its impact on the quality of life and psychosocial functioning. Patient-reported outcome measures developed to assess the severity of BU in UC are discussed alongside overviews of treatment options and clinical guidelines. Implications for the future management of UC from the perspective of BU are also explored.
Topics: Humans; Colitis, Ulcerative; Quality of Life; Rectum; Patient Reported Outcome Measures
PubMed: 37436151
DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002404 -
Current Gastroenterology Reports Aug 2020Low anterior resection syndrome is a highly prevalent condition that can develop after anal sphincter-sparing surgery for rectal cancer and impair quality of life. In... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Low anterior resection syndrome is a highly prevalent condition that can develop after anal sphincter-sparing surgery for rectal cancer and impair quality of life. In this review, we summarize the major features and pathophysiology of this syndrome and discuss treatment approaches.
RECENT FINDINGS
Quality of life correlates significantly with severity of low anterior resection syndrome. Prompt assessment and initiation of therapy are essential to rehabilitating damaged mechanical and neural structures. Anorectal manometry demonstrates a global decrease in sphincteric function postoperatively, though in many patients, function does recover. Transanal irrigation, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and biofeedback are the mainstays of the treatment of major LARS. Definitive stoma can be considered in therapy refractory LARS > 2 years. The development of low anterior resection syndrome likely involves an interplay between mechanical and neural pathways. Clinically, patients present at varying levels of severity, and scoring systems are available to help assess patient symptoms and guide therapy. Treatment approaches range from conservative therapies to biofeedback and sacral nerve stimulation. Future randomized controlled trials aimed at risk stratification of patients and development of severity-based treatment algorithms are warranted.
Topics: Anal Canal; Biofeedback, Psychology; Constipation; Diet; Fecal Incontinence; Humans; Manometry; Organ Sparing Treatments; Postoperative Complications; Quality of Life; Rectal Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Syndrome; Therapeutic Irrigation
PubMed: 32749603
DOI: 10.1007/s11894-020-00785-z -
World Journal of Emergency Surgery :... 2019Duodeno-pancreatic and extrahepatic biliary tree injuries are rare in both adult and pediatric trauma patients, and due to their anatomical location, associated injuries... (Review)
Review
Duodeno-pancreatic and extrahepatic biliary tree injuries are rare in both adult and pediatric trauma patients, and due to their anatomical location, associated injuries are very common. Mortality is primarily related to associated injuries, but morbidity remains high even in isolated injuries. Optimal management of duodeno-bilio-pancreatic injuries is dictated primarily by hemodynamic stability, clinical presentation, and grade of injury. Endoscopic and percutaneous interventions have increased the ability to non-operatively manage these injuries. Late diagnosis and treatment are both associated to increased morbidity and mortality. Sequelae of late presentations of pancreatic injury and complications of severe pancreatic trauma are also increasingly addressed endoscopically and with interventional radiology procedures. However, for moderate and severe extrahepatic biliary and severe duodeno-pancreatic injuries, immediate operative intervention is preferred as associated injuries are frequent and commonly present with hemodynamic instability or peritonitis. The aim of this paper is to present the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) and American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) duodenal, pancreatic, and extrahepatic biliary tree trauma management guidelines.
Topics: Abdominal Injuries; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic; Duodenum; Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma; General Surgery; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Pancreas; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Trauma Centers; Triage; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 31867050
DOI: 10.1186/s13017-019-0278-6 -
Clinical Gastroenterology and... Aug 2023We evaluated the efficacy of once-daily (QD) upadacitinib 45 mg, an oral, reversible Janus kinase inhibitor, on early symptomatic improvement for ulcerative colitis...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
We evaluated the efficacy of once-daily (QD) upadacitinib 45 mg, an oral, reversible Janus kinase inhibitor, on early symptomatic improvement for ulcerative colitis (UC). Post hoc analyses were performed on pooled data from 2 replicate, phase 3, multicenter induction trials, U-ACHIEVE Induction and U-ACCOMPLISH, to determine the earliest time point of efficacy onset.
METHODS
Diary entry data through 14 days from the first dose of placebo or upadacitinib 45 mg QD were analyzed for daily improvement in UC symptoms (stool frequency, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and bowel urgency). Changes in inflammatory markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and fecal calprotectin (FCP) were assessed at week 2 and quality of life (QoL) at weeks 2 and 8. Regression analysis determined the association between changes in UC symptoms and the likelihood of achieving clinical remission/response per Adapted Mayo score at week 8.
RESULTS
Overall, 988 patients (n = 328 placebo, n = 660 upadacitinib) were analyzed. Patients treated with upadacitinib demonstrated significant improvements vs placebo in all UC symptoms between days 1 and 3 and maintained through day 14. A >50% reduction from baseline in hs-CRP and FCP levels was achieved by 75.7% and 48.2% of patients, respectively (P < .001 vs placebo). Increased rates of clinical remission/response per Partial Mayo score from week 2 (26.9%/59.4% upadacitinib 45 mg QD vs 4.3%/22.3% placebo, P < .001) and significant improvements in QoL at weeks 2 and 8 were observed. Early improvement in stool frequency and bowel urgency by day 3 and reductions in hs-CRP and FCP by week 2 were significantly associated with clinical remission/response at week 8.
CONCLUSIONS
Upadacitinib 45 mg QD provided rapid relief of UC symptoms from day 1.
CLINICALTRIALS
gov: U-ACHIEVE Induction (NCT02819635) and U-ACCOMPLISH (NCT03653026).
Topics: Humans; Colitis, Ulcerative; Quality of Life; C-Reactive Protein; Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; Treatment Outcome; Double-Blind Method
PubMed: 36464141
DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.11.029 -
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Nov 2021Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are complex disorders with multiple comorbidities. We conducted...
BACKGROUND
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are complex disorders with multiple comorbidities. We conducted international patient and physician surveys to evaluate current experiences and perceptions of patients with CD or UC and physicians who treat IBD.
METHODS
The IBD Global Assessment of Patient and Physician Unmet Need Surveys comprised a patient survey and a physician survey, fielded in North America and Europe between August 16, 2019, and November 10, 2019. Adults with CD or UC (targeted 1:1 ratio) were recruited from physicians, patient advocacy groups, and recruitment panels; physicians were recruited by recruitment agencies and panels.
RESULTS
In total, 2398 patients with IBD (1368 CD, 1030 UC) and 654 physicians completed surveys. Anxiety and depression were the most common comorbidities among patients with IBD. Patients and physicians were generally aligned on treatment goals and patient-physician communication. Patients with IBD reported high quality-of-life impact by rectal urgency and need to use the toilet, which were rated as lower-impact by physicians. Patients defined remission based on symptoms; physicians defined remission based primarily on clinical tests. Patients expected current treatments to control their disease for a longer duration than did physicians. Patients expressed more concern about corticosteroid use compared with physicians; many physicians reported prescribing corticosteroids for more than 4 months per year in some patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients could benefit from education about disease remission and expectations for current therapies. High corticosteroid use is concerning to patients, and physicians should minimize the use of corticosteroids for extended periods of time.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Chronic Disease; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Disease Management; Europe; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Internationality; North America; Patient Satisfaction; Physicians
PubMed: 33512475
DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izab006 -
Crohn's & Colitis 360 Jan 2023Bowel urgency reduces ulcerative colitis patients' quality of life. Mirikizumab, a p19-directed anti-IL-23 antibody, demonstrates ulcerative colitis efficacy....
Clinical Effect of Mirikizumab Treatment on Bowel Urgency in Patients with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis and the Clinical Relevance of Bowel Urgency Improvement for Disease Remission.
BACKGROUND
Bowel urgency reduces ulcerative colitis patients' quality of life. Mirikizumab, a p19-directed anti-IL-23 antibody, demonstrates ulcerative colitis efficacy. Mirikizumab efficacy to reduce bowel urgency and bowel urgency association with other endpoints were analyzed in 2 Phase 3 trials.
METHODS
LUCENT-1 (Induction): 1162 patients randomized 3:1 to intravenous 300 mg mirikizumab or placebo every 4 weeks for 12 weeks. LUCENT-2 (Maintenance): 544 mirikizumab responders during induction were re-randomized 2:1 to subcutaneous mirikizumab 200 mg or placebo every 4 weeks for 40 weeks (52 weeks of continuous treatment). Bowel urgency was measured using the Urgency Numeric Rating Scale (0-10); for patients with LUCENT-1 baseline score ≥3, bowel urgency clinically meaningful improvement (≥3-point decrease) and remission (score ≤1) rates in mirikizumab versus placebo groups were compared at Weeks 12 and 52. Associations between bowel urgency and other efficacy endpoints were assessed at Weeks 12 and 52.
RESULTS
A significantly higher proportion of mirikizumab patients versus placebo achieved clinically meaningful improvement in bowel urgency and remission at Weeks 12 and 52. Significantly higher percentages of patients achieving bowel urgency clinically meaningful improvement or remission, compared with those who did not, also achieved endpoints for clinical, corticosteroid-free, endoscopic, and symptomatic remission; clinical response; normalized fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein; and improved quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS
In patients with ulcerative colitis, bowel urgency improvement was associated with better clinical outcomes than in patients without improvement during induction and maintenance. A greater proportion of mirikizumab patients achieved sustainable bowel urgency improvement and remission compared to placebo patients.
PubMed: 36777368
DOI: 10.1093/crocol/otac044