A self administered reliable questionnaire to assess lower bowel symptoms

Regular gastroscopy and colonoscopy during the evaluation of urachal cancer: do we really need them?

PURPOSE

Urachal cancer is similar to gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma in histology, and gastroscopy/colonoscopy is often administered during perioperative evaluation. However, gastroscopy and colonoscopy have corresponding disadvantages. This study discusses whether gastroscopy/colonoscopy is truly necessary for patients with urachal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 166 bladder adenocarcinoma cases diagnosed at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups (urachal cancer and nonurachal cancer), and perioperative evaluations were retrieved.

RESULTS

There were 78 patients with urachal cancer, the median age was 48 years, and 59 were male. Perioperative gastroscopy/colonoscopy revealed 5 intestinal polyps and 1 adenoma during these evaluations, and no primary gastrointestinal cancer was found. Meanwhile, preoperative imaging evaluation did not detect significant gastrointestinal lesions. For 88 patients with nonurachal cancer, including primary bladder adenocarcinoma and metastatic tumors from gastrointestinal cancer, the median age was 56 years, and 64 were male. Preoperative imaging evaluation demonstrated 36 cases of gastrointestinal lesions, and 32 were confirmed by gastroscopy/colonoscopy; the other 4 were negative. Another 4 cases of colon cancer were detected by regular colonoscopy for suspected primary bladder adenocarcinoma. In all, 35 cases of colon cancer and 1 case of gastric cancer were identified by endoscopic examination. The diagnostic consistency of imaging and gastrointestinal endoscopy was favorable (P < 0.001), and the negative predictive value and diagnostic efficiency of imaging were 96.9% and 94.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The vast majority of gastrointestinal cancer cases can be identified by assessment of the patient's clinical symptoms, meticulous physical examination, and imaging evaluation. We recommend that gastroscopy/colonoscopy only be applied to patients with urachal cancer when the above examinations are positive.

Early onset colorectal cancer: Challenges across the cancer care continuum

Early Onset Colorectal cancer (EOCRC) incidence is increasing at an alarming pace. An increase of 90% in colon cancer and 124% in rectal cancer is expected by 2030. Patients with EOCRC are not receiving additional attention compared to older patients despite having a unique molecular pattern, majority of cases are sporadic, and related short- and long-term treatment and disease complications. The current management and screening guidelines have been constructed from studies on late onset CRC. Plethora of studies are ongoing to understand this disease entity in order to construct a tailored prevention, detection and management plans. While waiting for a better understanding of the disease, efforts should be directed toward improving the quality of care across the cancer continuum. Here we aim to address the challenges faced by EOCRC patients across the cancer continuum. This will facilitate directing future efforts and research toward construction of a personalized and precise guidelines.

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Studies showed that Ealy onset colorectal cancer is caused by an accumulative risk exposure.

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Indirect cost of premature death and reduced productivity due to EOCRC exceeds direct costs.

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Patients, system and physicians related diagnosis delays should be improved.

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Young cancer patients have unique survivorship concerns different from old patients.

Validity and Reliability of the Malay Versions of Bloating Severity (BSQ-M) and Quality of Life (BLQoL-M) Questionnaires

Abdominal bloating (AB) is a prevalent and bothersome symptom, but there are no specific measures for severity and quality of life (QoL) other than the Bloating Severity Questionnaire (BSQ) and Bloating Quality of Life (BLQoL). We aimed to translate the BSQ and BLQoL into the Malay language and to validate them using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approaches. The 12-item BSQ has two components, seven-item severity in general (SevGen) and five-item severity in the past 24 h (Sev24), and BLQOL has five items. Translation to the Malay language (BSQ-M and BLQoL-M) was performed using standard forward and backward processes. EFA followed by CFA were performed in participants with AB due to functional bowel disorders, with the purpose of examining the validity and reliability of the questionnaires translated into Malay. After EFA with 152 participants, all the items of BSQ-M remained in the model. Total variance extracted was 53.26% for BSQ-M and 58.79% for BLQoL-M. The internal consistency based on Cronbach's alpha values was 0.52 for SevGen, 0.86 for Sev24, and 0.81 for BLQoL-M. After performing CFA with another 323 participants, the final measurement model for BSQ-M and BLQoL-M fit the data well in terms of several fit indices (BSQ-M: root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.050, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.966, Tucker-Lewis Fit Index (TLI) = 0.956, and standardized root mean squared residual (SRMR) = 0.051; BLQoL-M: RMSEA = 0.071, CFI = 0.985, TLI = 0.962, SRMR = 0.021). The composite reliability for BSQ-M and BLQoL-M were satisfactory (SevGen = 0.83, Sev24 = 0.89, BLQoL = 0.80). The intraclass correlation (ICC) results showed excellent stability for BSQ-M and BLQoL-M, ranging from 0.74 to 0.93. The Malay language versions of BSQ-M and BLQoL-M are valid and reliable instruments for measuring the severity and QoL of AB for the Asian population with functional bowel disorders.

Reproducibility, feasibility and validity of the Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence questionnaires

OBJECTIVES

Current questionnaires on defecation disorders are often brief and fail to include questions considering causative factors. Furthermore, adult and pediatric questionnaires differ, which makes it impossible to monitor defecation disorders during the transition from childhood to adulthood. With these points in mind, we developed the Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence (DeFeC) questionnaire and its pediatric equivalent, the P-DeFeC. The aim of this paper is to introduce the questionnaires and to assess their feasibility, reproducibility and validity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Various Rome IV criteria and scoring tools for constipation and fecal incontinence were incorporated, resulting in nine categories. Feasibility and reproducibility were assessed by performing a test-retest survey in 100 adult participants. Concurrent validity was assessed in 27 patients and 18 healthy volunteers by comparing questionnaire-based diagnoses of constipation and fecal incontinence to final diagnoses based on anorectal function tests.

RESULTS

There were no remarks on the understandability of any questions. The Cohen's kappa coefficient of all main questions ranged from 0.26 to 1.00, with an average of 0.57. All but one category showed moderate agreement or higher. The sensitivity of the questionnaire-based diagnosis of constipation was 75%; specificity was 100%. The sensitivity of the questionnaire-based diagnosis of fecal incontinence was 77%; specificity was 94%.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall reproducibility of the Groningen DeFeC questionnaire is acceptable and its validity is good. This makes it a feasible screening tool for defecation disorders and, equally important, with these questionnaires defecation disorders can now be monitored during the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Symptom or faecal immunochemical test based referral criteria for colorectal cancer detection in symptomatic patients: a diagnostic tests study

BACKGROUND

Symptom based referral criteria for colorectal cancer (CRC) detection are the cornerstone of the strategy to improve prognosis in CRC. In 2017, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated their referral criteria (2017 NG12). Recently, several studies have evaluated the faecal haemoglobin (f-Hb) concentration in this setting. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the 2017 NG12 referral criteria and to compare them with the CG27 referral criteria, the f-Hb concentration and two f-Hb based prediction model: COLONPREDICT and FAST Score.

METHODS

This is a post-hoc diagnostic test study performed within the COLONPREDICT study database (1572 patients, CRC prevalence 13.6%). We assessed symptoms, the 2017 NG12 and CG27 referral criteria and determined the f-Hb before performing a colonoscopy. We compared the discriminatory ability using the area under the curve (AUC) and the sensitivity and specificity at pre-stablished thresholds with the McNemar's test.

RESULTS

The 2017 NG12 referral criteria discriminatory ability (AUC 0.53; 95% confidence interval- CI 0.49-0.57) was inferior to the CG27 version (AUC 0.59; 95% CI 0.55-0.63; p = 0.01), the f-Hb concentration (AUC 0.86; 95% CI 0.84-0-89; p < 0.001), the COLONPREDICT Score (AUC 0.92; 95% CI 0.91-0.94; p < 0.001) or the FAST Score (AUC 0.87; 95% CI 0.85-0.89; p < 0.001). The number of patients meeting each criteria were as follows: 2017 NG12 and CG27 = 94.1% and 52.2%; f-Hb ≥20 and ≥ 10 μg/g faeces = 38.6 and 44.3%; COLONPREDICT Score ≥ 5.6 and ≥ 3.2 = 29.4 and 63.2% and FAST Score ≥ 4.50 and ≥ 2.12 = 37.1 and 87.0%. The 2017 NG12 criteria were more sensitive (100%) than the CG27 criteria (68.2%), the f-Hb (≥20 μg/g) (91.2%), the f-Hb (≥10 μg/g) (93.5%), the COLONPREDICT Score (≥5.6) (90.1%) and the FAST Score (≥4.50) (89.8%) (p ≤ 0.001) and equivalent to the COLONPREDICT Score (≥3.5) (99.5%) or the FAST Score (≥2.12) (100.0%) (p = 1). However, their specificity (6.8%) was significantly lower than any of the evaluated criteria (50.3%, 69.6%, 63.4%, 78.7%, 45.8%, 71.3%, 13.9%; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Referral criteria based on f-Hb measurement, either as a single test or within prediction models, are more accurate than symptom-based referral criteria for CRC detection in symptomatic patients.

Evidence of advanced stage colorectal cancer with longer diagnostic intervals: a pooled analysis of seven primary care cohorts comprising 11 720 patients in five countries

BACKGROUND

The benefits from expedited diagnosis of symptomatic cancer are uncertain. We aimed to analyse the relationship between stage of colorectal cancer (CRC) and the primary and specialist care components of the diagnostic interval.

METHODS

We identified seven independent data sets from population-based studies in Scotland, England, Canada, Denmark and Spain during 1997-2010 with a total of 11 720 newly diagnosed CRC patients, who had initially presented with symptoms to a primary care physician. Data were extracted from patient records, registries, audits and questionnaires, respectively. Data sets were required to hold information on dates in the diagnostic interval (defined as the time from the first presentation of symptoms in primary care until the date of diagnosis), symptoms at first presentation in primary care, route of referral, gender, age and histologically confirmed stage. We carried out reanalysis of all individual data sets and, using the same method, analysed a pooled individual patient data set.

RESULTS

The association between intervals and stage was similar in the individual and combined data set. There was a statistically significant convex (∩-shaped) association between primary care interval and diagnosis of advanced (i.e., distant or regional) rather than localised CRC (P=0.004), with odds beginning to increase from the first day on and peaking at 90 days. For specialist care, we saw an opposite and statistically significant concave (∪-shaped) association, with a trough at 60 days, between the interval and diagnosis of advanced CRC (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that longer diagnostic intervals are associated with more advanced CRC. Furthermore, the study cannot define a specific 'safe' waiting time as the length of the primary care interval appears to have negative impact from day one.

The contribution of body mass index to appraisal delay in colorectal cancer diagnosis: a structural equation modelling study

Background:

Appraisal delay (AD) refers to the time interval between onset of symptoms and the date a patient first seeks healthcare. Because studies have shown that individuals who are overweight or obese may delay or avoid seeking healthcare due to stigma, this study aims to investigate the role that weight plays in AD among symptomatic individuals subsequently diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods:

Structural equation modelling tested the relationship between AD, body mass index (BMI), financial barriers, cognitive barriers, and reported symptoms among 179 newly diagnosed CRC patients in two U.S. healthcare systems.

Results:

BMI was directly and significantly related to AD (β=0.10; P=0.044) and to cognitive barriers (β=0.24; P=0.005). Cognitive barriers were direct and significant predictors of increased AD (β=0.32; P=0.000). Symptom experience and financial barriers were mediated through cognitive barriers.

Conclusions:

Model results support the hypothesis that increased BMI is significantly and directly associated with increased AD and key cognitive barriers relevant to care-seeking behaviour.

Development and external validation of a faecal immunochemical test-based prediction model for colorectal cancer detection in symptomatic patients

BACKGROUND

Risk prediction models for colorectal cancer (CRC) detection in symptomatic patients based on available biomarkers may improve CRC diagnosis. Our aim was to develop, compare with the NICE referral criteria and externally validate a CRC prediction model, COLONPREDICT, based on clinical and laboratory variables.

METHODS

This prospective cross-sectional study included consecutive patients with gastrointestinal symptoms referred for colonoscopy between March 2012 and September 2013 in a derivation cohort and between March 2014 and March 2015 in a validation cohort. In the derivation cohort, we assessed symptoms and the NICE referral criteria, and determined levels of faecal haemoglobin and calprotectin, blood haemoglobin, and serum carcinoembryonic antigen before performing an anorectal examination and a colonoscopy. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop the model with diagnostic accuracy with CRC detection as the main outcome.

RESULTS

We included 1572 patients in the derivation cohort and 1481 in the validation cohorts, with a 13.6 % and 9.1 % CRC prevalence respectively. The final prediction model included 11 variables: age (years) (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.06), male gender (OR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.5-3.4), faecal haemoglobin ≥20 μg/g (OR 17.0, 95 % CI 10.0-28.6), blood haemoglobin <10 g/dL (OR 4.8, 95 % CI 2.2-10.3), blood haemoglobin 10-12 g/dL (OR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.1-3.0), carcinoembryonic antigen ≥3 ng/mL (OR 4.5, 95 % CI 3.0-6.8), acetylsalicylic acid treatment (OR 0.4, 95 % CI 0.2-0.7), previous colonoscopy (OR 0.1, 95 % CI 0.06-0.2), rectal mass (OR 14.8, 95 % CI 5.3-41.0), benign anorectal lesion (OR 0.3, 95 % CI 0.2-0.4), rectal bleeding (OR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.4-3.4) and change in bowel habit (OR 1.7, 95 % CI 1.1-2.5). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.92 (95 % CI 0.91-0.94), higher than the NICE referral criteria (AUC 0.59, 95 % CI 0.55-0.63; p < 0.001). On the basis of the thresholds with 90 % (5.6) and 99 % (3.5) sensitivity, we divided the derivation cohort into three risk groups for CRC detection: high (30.9 % of the cohort, positive predictive value [PPV] 40.7 %, 95 % CI 36.7-45.9 %), intermediate (29.5 %, PPV 4.4 %, 95 % CI 2.8-6.8 %) and low (39.5 %, PPV 0.2 %, 95 % CI 0.0-1.1 %). The discriminatory ability was equivalent in the validation cohort (AUC 0.92, 95 % CI 0.90-0.94; p = 0.7).

CONCLUSIONS

COLONPREDICT is a highly accurate prediction model for CRC detection.

A model for assessment and referral of clients with bowel symptoms in community pharmacies

BACKGROUND

To expedite diagnosis of serious bowel disease, efforts are required to signpost patients with high-risk symptoms to appropriate care. Community pharmacies are a recognized source of health advice regarding bowel symptoms. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a validated self-administered questionnaire, Jodi Lee Test (JLT), for detection, triage, and referral of bowel symptoms suggestive of carcinoma, in pharmacies.

METHOD

'Usual Practice' was monitored for 12 weeks in 21 pharmacies in Western Australia, documenting outcomes for 84 clients presenting with bowel symptoms. Outcome measures were: acceptance of verbal advice from the pharmacist; general practitioner consultation; and diagnosis. Trial of the JLT involved staff training in the research protocol and monitoring of outcomes for 80 recruited clients over 20 weeks. Utility of the JLT was assessed by post-trial survey of pharmacy staff.

RESULTS

Significantly more referrals were made by staff using the JLT than during Usual Practice: 30 (38%) vs 17 (20%). Clients' acceptance of referrals was also higher for the intervention group (40% vs 6%). Two-thirds of pharmacy staff agreed that the JLT could be incorporated into pharmacy practice, and 70% indicated they would use the JLT in the future.

CONCLUSION

A pre-post design was considered more appropriate than a randomized control trial due to an inability to match pharmacies. Limitations of this study were: lack of control over adherence to the study protocol by pharmacy staff; no direct measure of client feedback on the JLT; and loss to follow-up. The JLT was effective in prompting decision-making by pharmacy staff and inter-professional care between pharmacies and general practice, in triage of clients at risk of bowel cancer.

Self-reported endocrine late effects in adults treated for brain tumours, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a registry based study in Northern Germany

OBJECTIVE

Due to the increasing success and survival rates in the primary treatment of malignancies derived from the CNS as well as the hematopoietic system, endocrine late effects of cancer and its therapy are of growing importance. Despite evaluation of these late effects in patients treated for cancer in childhood, the impact on adults remains largely unclear.

METHODS

1035 adult patients primarily diagnosed with a CNS malignancy, a Hodgkin (HL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) between 1998 and 2008 were recruited via the regional epidemiological cancer registry covering ∼ 2.8 million inhabitants in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany. The prevalence of endocrine disorders and current psychosocial impairment was assessed employing several questionnaires (SF-36v1, WHO-5).

RESULTS

Fully completed questionnaires of 558 patients were available for subsequent analysis showing markedly reduced overall performance and psychological status when compared to German reference data. Thyroid disorders were reported in 16.3% of patients with 10.4% suffering from hypo- and 5.9% from hyperthyroidism. Overall, 17.6% stated to be affected by diabetes mellitus with an increased rate of 21.1% among NHL patients and 11.5% of participants were affected by osteoporosis.

CONCLUSION

Compared to German population based studies on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis and thyroid disorders the frequency of all these endocrine problems was significantly increased in CNS, HL, and NHL cancer survivors. These data confirm that not only children and adolescents but also adult cancer patients are at risk for therapy associated endocrine late effects.

Diagnostic accuracy of the faecal immunochemical test for colorectal cancer in symptomatic patients: comparison with NICE and SIGN referral criteria

AIM

The diagnostic accuracy of the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) at a 100 ng/ml threshold for colorectal cancer (CRC) was compared with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) referral criteria.

METHOD

A multicentre, prospective, blind study of diagnostic tests was carried out in two Spanish health areas. In 787 symptomatic patients referred for a diagnostic colonoscopy, we determined whether patients met NICE and SIGN referral criteria. All patients performed one FIT determination (OCsensor(™) ). The sensitivity and specificity for CRC detection were determined with McNemar's test. The diagnostic odds ratio as well as the number needed to scope (NNS) to detect a CRC were calculated.

RESULTS

We detected CRC in 97 (12.3%) patients; 241 (30.6%) had an FIT ≥ 100 ng/ml and 300 (38.1%) and 473 (60.1%) met NICE and SIGN referral criteria. The FIT had a higher sensitivity for CRC detection than NICE criteria (87.6%, 61.9%; P < 0.001) and SIGN criteria (82.5%; P = 0.4). The specificity of FIT was also higher than NICE and SIGN criteria (77.4%, 65.2%, 42.7%; P < 0.001). The odds ratios of FIT, NICE and SIGN criteria for the diagnosis of CRC were 24.24 (95% CI 12.91-45.53), 3.04 (95% CI 1.96-4.71) and 3.51 (95% CI 2.03-6.06). The NNS to detect a CRC in individuals with an FIT ≥ 100 ng/ml was 2.83 (95% CI 2.4-3.41) and in individuals who met NICE and SIGN criteria it was 5 (95% CI 3.98-6.37) and 5.95 (95% CI 4.85-7.35).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that FIT is more accurate for the detection of CRC than the current NICE and SIGN referral criteria in symptomatic patients referred for colonoscopy.

Development and validation of a clinical decision-making aid for screening bowel symptoms in community pharmacies

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Bowel symptoms are common, and community pharmacies are an ideal setting for health advice about these symptoms. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire for use with adults presenting to community pharmacies with lower bowel symptoms. The purpose of the questionnaire was to stratify people into those requiring medical follow-up for symptoms and those with self-limiting symptoms.

METHOD

A self-administered questionnaire, named the Jodi Lee test (JLT), was developed in three stages - review of the literature, questionnaire design and statistical validation - against a validated screening tool, the patient consultation questionnaire (PCQ), to assess the sensitivity and specificity of JLT. The questionnaire was developed to be simple, easy for all pharmacy staff to use and require no score calculation. Its application was designed to facilitate referral from pharmacy assistants to pharmacists and from pharmacists to medical practitioners.

RESULTS

The questionnaire comprises eight questions. It has a Flesh-Kincaid reading score of 79.5. By considering different score thresholds on the PCQ, a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to assess the effectiveness of the JLT. From a sample of 118 subjects, the area under the ROC curve was 0.94. At a threshold score of 30 on the PCQ, the sensitivity was 100%. The specificity was 65%.

CONCLUSION

The JLT has high sensitivity for identifying patients with symptoms of serious bowel disease. It is also likely to identify patients who have symptoms of relatively benign disease who would benefit from medical advice.

Measuring symptoms in gastrointestinal cancer: a systematic review of assessment instruments

PURPOSE

It is critical for gastrointestinal cancer researchers and clinicians to have access to comprehensive, sensitive and simple-to-use symptom measures that allow them to understand and quantify the subjective patient experience. Development and validation of such scales requires training in psychometrics and occasionally uses technical jargon that can be difficult to penetrate. This review evaluates existing measures of gastrointestinal cancer symptoms, provides tool descriptions, and uses predefined, objective quality criteria to rate psychometric quality and facilitate tool choices for researchers and clinicians.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were systematically reviewed for scales assessing gastrointestinal cancer and gastrointestinal cancer site-specific symptoms. Evaluation criteria were the following: breadth of domain coverage (content validity), high internal consistency (α ≥  .80), sensitivity to change, and extent of validation.

RESULTS

In n = 36 validation studies, 26 gastrointestinal cancer symptom measures were identified. Of these, n = 13 tools met criteria for recommendation, and six in particular showed strong psychometric properties. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal (FACT-C), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) gastric cancer module (QLQ-STO22), FACT-Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep), and EORTC oesophagus, oesophago-gastric junction and stomach module (QLQ OG-25) were identified as the most comprehensive and best validated scales for each of the major gastrointestinal cancer sites. The FACT-Colorectal Symptom Index (FCSI-9) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) FACT-Hepatobiliary Symptom Index (FHSI-18) were specifically validated in patients with advanced colorectal and liver cancer and also demonstrated superior psychometric properties.

CONCLUSIONS

Several comprehensive, well-validated scales exist to adequately assess gastrointestinal cancer site-specific symptoms. Specifically, gastrointestinal cancer submodules of the FACT quality of life questionnaire represent adequate tool choices in most instances and overall, were better validated than the respective EORTC tools. Further improvement of existing, highly rated measures is recommended.

Patients and Methods of the PATH Biobank - A Resource for Breast Cancer Research

Introduction: The foundation PATH (Patients' Tumour Bank of Hope) collects in a tumour bank samples of blood, tumour, and tumour-near normal tissue from breast cancer patients and supplements them systematically with health-care data. Material and Methods: For patients from the diagnosis years 2006-2009 quantitative data were evaluated with the help of mean values and standard deviations while for qualitative data absolute and relative incidences were assessed. Demographic and clinical features of women who used different numbers of information sources were tested for statistical significance by means of ANOVA and χ² tests. The benchmark report of the WBC and two DMP reports were used to compare oncological care. Results: For research purposes tumour tissue samples are available for 59 % of the cases, normal tissue for 62 % and blood serum samples for 92 %. From 3573 women (diagnoses 2006-2009), a total of 2697 women (75.5 %) took part in follow-up. The characteristics of the follow-up patients did not relevantly differ from those of all the patients. The responsible physician was named as the most important source of information about the disease. Young women in particular consulted several sources and also used the internet to obtain information. Discussion: Compared with data on therapy from WBC and the DMP breast cancer in Bavaria or, respectively, North Rhineland reports, the PATH patients represent an only slightly selected sample. The PATH biobank is a (still) poorly used data and sample source, which is made available upon request and positive evaluation of the study protocol. Thus, it is possible to address current questions in a short time without having to undertake extensive recruiting procedures.

Factors associated with delayed patient appraisal of colorectal cancer symptoms

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between symptoms, financial and cognitive barriers with patient delays in seeking evaluation of symptoms.

METHODS

Data were collected from 252 colorectal cancer patients from academic and community oncology practices in Virginia and Ohio. We used a cross-sectional, mixed methods design collected data through patient interviews and medical record reviews. Structural equation modeling (SEM) tested the hypothesized relationships between symptoms, financial and cognitive barriers and patient care seeking delays.

RESULTS

In bivariate analyses, patients who reported a financial barrier to accessing health care (t (246) = -2.6, p < 0.01) were more likely to have greater care-seeking delays. Model testing revealed that experiencing cognitive barriers was a significant, positive, direct predictor of appraisal delay (0.35; p < 0.01). Indirect pathways from symptoms (0.07; p < 0.05) and financial barriers (0.09; p < 0.05) to appraisal delay via cognitive barriers were significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient interpretations of symptoms were influenced by financial barriers. Conceptualizing financial barriers as a component of the symptom appraisal process is conceptually different from viewing it as only a structural barrier preventing healthcare access. Implications for practice These findings extend our understanding of why and how patients seemingly ignore serious symptoms, which hamper physician ability to provide curative therapy. In addition to uninsured patients, this may have important implications for the treatment and care of those who are underinsured.

Bisphosphonates and their Role in Therapy for Breast Cancer - Results from the PATH Biobank

Introduction: Bisphosphonates are well known above all for their use in the treatment of osteoporosis. They also play an important role as accompanying therapy for advanced tumour diseases with extensive spread into the skeletal system. Their adjuvant use in the treatment of breast cancer without bony metastases is currently a subject of controversial discussion. The objective of the present evaluation is to describe the use of bisphosphonates in the therapy for breast cancer. We will show how frequently bisphosphonates are used, which bisphosphonates are preferred and what specific features patients under bisphosphonate therapy exhibit. Methods and Materials: The pseudonymous data set from the biobank of the German PATH foundation was used for the evaluation. From the total collective, 2492 patients were selected after consideration of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selected patient collective was divided into two groups (with and without bisphosphonate therapy) and the two groups compared with one another with the help of descriptive statistics. Results: 17.5 % of the 2492 patients had prescriptions for a bisphosphonate as part of their therapy. The most frequently administered bisphosphonate was zoledronate. Pathological (induced by tumour therapy) osteoporosis was the most frequently stated indication among the bisphosphonate patients, followed by consumption starting prior to the breast cancer therapy and treatment of bony metastases. Patients under bisphosphonate and antihormonal therapy frequently received an aromatase inhibitor as the active principle in the antihormonal therapy whereas patients under antihormonal therapy but without bisphosphonates more frequently received tamoxifen as active principle. Ten of the 2492 patients reported receiving bisphosphonate therapy as prophylaxis for bony metastases without a documented and approved indication. Use of bisphosphonates in the course of the GAIN, ICE, SUCCESS or, respectively, NATAN trials was reported by 29 of the 2492 patients. Conclusions: In the PATH collective, bisphosphonates were employed above all for the treatment of (tumour therapy-induced) osteoporosis and bony metastases. Off-label use and participation in clinical trials played only a minor role in this patient collective. Against the background of the uncertain data status for the adjuvant use of bisphosphonates, the development (and use) of standardised, validated questionnaires to record the indications for and frequency of use of bisphosphonate therapy is recommended.

Factors related with symptom duration until diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic colorectal cancer

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) survival depends mostly on stage at the time of diagnosis. However, symptom duration at diagnosis or treatment have also been considered as predictors of stage and survival. This study was designed to: 1) establish the distinct time-symptom duration intervals; 2) identify factors associated with symptom duration until diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study of all incident cases of symptomatic CRC during 2006–2009 (795 incident cases) in 5 Spanish regions. Data were obtained from patients’ interviews and reviews of primary care and hospital clinical records. Measurements: CRC symptoms, symptom perception, trust in the general practitioner (GP), primary care and hospital examinations/visits before diagnosis, type of referral and tumor characteristics at diagnosis. Symptom Diagnosis Interval (SDI) was calculated as time from first CRC symptoms to date of diagnosis. Symptom Treatment Interval (STI) was defined as time from first CRC symptoms until start of treatment. Nonparametric tests were used to compare SDI and STI according to different variables.

Results

Symptom to diagnosis interval for CRC was 128 days and symptom treatment interval was 155. No statistically significant differences were observed between colon and rectum cancers. Women experienced longer intervals than men. Symptom presentation such as vomiting or abdominal pain and the presence of obstruction led to shorter diagnostic or treatment intervals. Time elapsed was also shorter in those patients that perceived their first symptom/s as serious, disclosed it to their acquaintances, contacted emergencies services or had trust in their GPs. Primary care and hospital doctor examinations and investigations appeared to be related to time elapsed to diagnosis or treatment.

Conclusions

Results show that gender, symptom perception and help-seeking behaviour are the main patient factors related to interval duration. Health service performance also has a very important role in symptom to diagnosis and treatment interval. If time to diagnosis is to be reduced, interventions and guidelines must be developed to ensure appropriate examination and diagnosis during both primary and hospital care.

Patients who take their symptoms less seriously are more likely to have colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

People vary in how they respond to symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess whether serious disease is more likely to be present in patients who report that they take any symptoms less seriously than other people do, and to assess the reliability of a question which can be used to identify the extent to which patients take any symptom seriously. To do this we assessed whether the likelihood of detecting colorectal cancer is higher in patients who report that they take symptoms less seriously than other people do.

METHODS

Cross sectional study of 7736 patients who had colonoscopy to find colorectal cancer. Before colonoscopy, patients completed a questionnaire on bowel symptoms and were also asked: "Compared to other people of your age and sex, how seriously do you think you take any symptoms?" Likelihood of detecting colorectal cancer according to responses to this question was assessed by logistic regression models, unadjusted and adjusted for symptoms and other known predictors of colorectal cancer.Question reliability was assessed in a different sample using percentage agreement and the kappa statistic for the answers given by each patient on two occasions. Agreement between patient and doctor responses was also assessed (n = 108).

RESULTS

Patients who reported they took symptoms less seriously were 3.28 (95%CI: 2.02, 5.33) times more likely to have colorectal cancer than patients who took symptoms more seriously than others. The effect was smaller (1.85 (95%CI: 1.11, 3.09)), but remained statistically significant in models including symptoms and other predictors of colorectal cancer. The question was reliable: on repeat questioning, 70% of responses were in absolute agreement and 92% were within 1 category, kappa 57%. Patient-doctor agreement was 66%, within 1 category 92%, kappa 48%.

CONCLUSION

Patients who take their symptoms less seriously have a considerably higher likelihood of colorectal cancer than those who identify themselves as taking any symptoms more seriously than other people. The question is easy to ask and has good reliability. Doctors also reliably identify how patients assess themselves. Assessment of how seriously patients take any symptoms can contribute to the clinical assessment of a patient.

Serum matrix metalloproteinase 9 and colorectal neoplasia: a community-based evaluation of a potential diagnostic test

Background:

A blood test may be a more acceptable routine colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test than faecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, and could be safer and cheaper. We evaluated the accuracy of a serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9) test for CRC in a non-presenting symptomatic population.

Methods:

A cohort, aged 50–69 with lower gastrointestinal symptoms, was identified by community-based survey. Accuracy of serum MMP9 was assessed by comparison with colonoscopy. Logistic regression identified predictors of neoplasia and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses determined the cutoff to maximise the sensitivity.

Results:

Data were available for 748 patients. Overall, 46 cases of neoplasia were identified. Univariate analysis demonstrated that demographic characteristics, behavioural factors, clinical symptoms and raised serum MMP9 concentration were all significantly associated with the presence of neoplasia. Our final logistic regression model had a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 70%.

Conclusion:

We demonstrated a significant association between serum MMP9 concentration and the presence of neoplasia. Serum MMP9 levels are raised in those with cancer and high-risk adenomas, although MMP9 estimation is likely to have the greatest predictive utility when used as part of a panel of biomarkers. Further work is required to identify biomarkers that are sufficiently accurate for implementing into routine practice.

The value of age and medical history for predicting colorectal cancer and adenomas in people referred for colonoscopy

BACKGROUND

Colonoscopy is an invasive and costly procedure with a risk of serious complications. It would therefore be useful to prioritise colonoscopies by identifying people at higher risk of either cancer or premalignant adenomas. The aim of this study is to assess a model that identifies people with colorectal cancer, advanced, large and small adenomas.

METHODS

Patients seen by gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons between April 2004 and December 2006 completed a validated, structured self-administered questionnaire prior to colonoscopy. Information was collected on symptoms, demographics and medical history. Multinomial logistic regression was used to simultaneously assess factors associated with findings on colonoscopy of cancer, advanced adenomas and adenomas sized 6 -9 mm, and ≤ 5 mm. The area under the curve of ROC curve was used to assess the incremental gain of adding demographic variables, medical history and symptoms (in that order) to a base model that included only age.

RESULTS

Sociodemographic variables, medical history and symptoms (from 8,204 patients) jointly provide good discrimination between colorectal cancer and no abnormality (AUC 0.83), but discriminate less well between adenomas and no abnormality (AUC advanced adenoma 0.70; other adenomas 0.67). Age is the dominant risk factor for cancer and adenomas of all sizes. Having a colonoscopy within the last 10 years confers protection for cancers and advanced adenomas.

CONCLUSIONS

Our models provide guidance about which factors can assist in identifying people at higher risk of disease using easily elicited information. This would allow colonoscopy to be prioritised for those for whom it would be of most benefit.

Most bowel cancer symptoms do not indicate colorectal cancer and polyps: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Bowel symptoms are often considered an indication to perform colonoscopy to identify or rule out colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps. Investigation of bowel symptoms for this purpose is recommended by numerous clinical guidelines. However, the evidence for this practice is unclear. The objective of this study is to systematically review the evidence about the association between bowel symptoms and colorectal cancer or polyps.

METHODS

We searched the literature extensively up to December 2008, using MEDLINE and EMBASE and following references. For inclusion in the review, papers from cross sectional, case control and cohort studies had to provide a 2×2 table of symptoms by diagnosis (colorectal cancer or polyps) or sufficient data from which that table could be constructed. The search procedure, quality appraisal, and data extraction was done twice, with disagreements resolved with another reviewer. Summary ROC analysis was used to assess the diagnostic performance of symptoms to detect colorectal cancer and polyps.

RESULTS

Colorectal cancer was associated with rectal bleeding (AUC 0.66; LR+ 1.9; LR- 0.7) and weight loss (AUC 0.67, LR+ 2.5, LR- 0.9). Neither of these symptoms was associated with the presence of polyps. There was no significant association of colorectal cancer or polyps with change in bowel habit, constipation, diarrhoea or abdominal pain. Neither the clinical setting (primary or specialist care) nor study type was associated with accuracy.Most studies had methodological flaws. There was no consistency in the way symptoms were elicited or interpreted in the studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence suggests that the common practice of performing colonoscopies to identify cancers in people with bowel symptoms is warranted only for rectal bleeding and the general symptom of weight loss. Bodies preparing guidelines for clinicians and consumers to improve early detection of colorectal cancer need to take into account the limited value of symptoms.

Who needs colonoscopy to identify colorectal cancer? Bowel symptoms do not add substantially to age and other medical history

BACKGROUND

Many bodies advise that people with bowel symptoms undergo colonoscopy to detect colorectal cancer.

AIM

To determine which bowel symptoms predict cancer on colonoscopy.

METHODS

Information was collected on symptoms, demographics and medical history from patients subsequently undergoing colonoscopy. Multiple logistic regression modelling was used to identify predictors of colorectal cancer. An ROC curve was estimated for each model, and the area under the curve (AUC) was computed.

RESULTS

Cancer was found in 159 patients and no cancer or adenoma in 7577 patients. Bowel symptoms that predicted cancer were rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit and rectal mucus. Prediction was the strongest in patients who had symptoms at least weekly and commencing within the previous 12 months; abdominal pain was predictive only in such patients. The odds ratios never exceeded 4.27. A model based on age, gender, and medical history was highly predictive (AUC = 0.79). Adding symptoms to this model increased the AUC to 0.85.

CONCLUSIONS

This model predicts patients in whom colonoscopy will have the highest yield. Conversely, colonoscopy can be avoided in people at low risk: in our study, 95% of cancers could have been detected by doing only 60% of the colonoscopies.