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Biomedical subjects

Walter E Longo

Publications and source records attributed to Walter E Longo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Prospective evaluation of quality of life of patients receiving either abdominoperineal resection or sphincter-preserving procedure for rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Study results on quality of life (QoL) between patients receiving an anterior resection (AR) or abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer vary greatly. A main reason is grounded in unequal methodology. The aims of this study were to assess differences in perceived QoL over time among patients treated with AR or APR with a recommended study design and methodology. METHODS: In a prospective study, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and a tumor-specific module were administered to patients with rectal cancer before surgery, at discharge, and 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation. Comparisons were made between patients receiving an AR and those receiving an APR. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-nine patients were included; 46 patients received an APR and 203 an AR. QoL data were available for 212 patients, of which 112 were female and 100 male. No differences in the distribution of age, sex, or tumor stage were observed between groups. EORTC function scales showed no significant differences, including body image scales, between patients receiving an AR and those receiving an APR. In symptom scores, AR patients had more difficulty with diarrhea and constipation, whereas patients with APR experienced more impaired sexuality and pain in the anoperineal region. At discharge, patients receiving an AR were more confident about their future. CONCLUSIONS: QoL in patients receiving an AR and those receiving an APR is not different. Although patients with APR experience more impaired sexuality, patients receiving an AR experience decreases in QoL because of impaired bowel function.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Impact of age on quality of life in patients with rectal cancer.

Some studies indicate that age at the time of surgery has a general effect on outcomes. The impact of age on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with rectal cancer, however, has not been investigated. The present study was conducted to address this issue. Over a 5-year period the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-QLQ-C-30 and a tumor-specific module were prospectively administered to patients before surgery, at discharge, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Comparisons were made between age groups. A total of 519 patients participated in the study. QOL data were available for 253 patients. Significant differences were observed only between patients aged 69 years and younger (< or =69 years) (169/253) and those aged 70 years and older (> or =70 years) (85/253). Physical and role functioning was better for patients < or =69 years; patients > or =70 years suffered from increased pain and fatigue. Younger patients had more difficulty with sexual enjoyment, and over time sexual strain was worse for patients aged > or =70 years during the early postoperative period but improved, whereas patients aged < or =69 years had increasing levels of strain over time. The findings in this study confirmed that QOL is dynamic over time and that age has an impact on QOL and sexuality. Patients aged > or =70 years are affected by impaired physical functioning, global health, and fatigue, whereas increased treatment strain during the early postoperative period improves over time. Patients aged < or =69 years experience increased strain because of impaired sexual function.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Ten-year historic cohort of quality of life and sexuality in patients with rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: In various studies, type of surgery, age, and gender had different impact on sexuality and quality of life in patients with rectal cancer. This study was designed to investigate how sexuality and quality of life are affected by age, gender, and type of surgery. METHODS: A total of 516 patients who had undergone surgery for rectal cancer in our department from 1992 to 2002 were included. Within one year after the operation, 117 patients died. Questionnaires were sent to 373 patients 12 to 18 months after surgery. We received quality of life data from 261 patients. Comparisons were made after adjusting age, gender, and type of surgical procedure. RESULTS: For patients receiving abdominoperineal resection sexuality was most impaired. Significant differences were seen in symptom and function scales between males and females. Females reported more distress from the medical treatment insomnia, fatigue, and constipation. Both genders had impaired sexual life; however, males had significantly higher values and felt more distressed by this impairment. Younger females felt more distress through impaired sexuality. In males sexuality was impaired independent of age. Adjuvant therapy had no influence on sexuality but on quality of life one year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Assessing quality of life with general and specific instruments is helpful to determine whether patients improved through the treatment. The study showed that gender, age, and type of surgery influence sexuality and that quality of life after surgery for rectal cancer is impacted. Because quality of life is a predictor for complications and survival, availability of such data may help to direct supportive treatment to improve outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The role of arachidonic acid regulatory enzymes in colorectal disease.

PURPOSE: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a wide ranging effect on diseases of the colon and rectum. Interestingly, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs seem to play a beneficial role in colorectal cancer chemoprevention and adenoma regression, but may have a deleterious effect in inflammatory bowel disease. Prostaglandin inhibition is central to both the beneficial and toxic effects of this class of drugs. Arachidonic acid metabolism is essential to prostaglandin synthesis. METHODS: A Medline search using "nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs," "colon cancer," "inflammatory bowel disease," "colitis," "COX inhibitors," "arachidonic acid," and "chemoprevention" as key words was performed for English-language articles. Further references were obtained through cross-referencing the bibliography cited in each work. RESULTS: Based on numerous studies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a beneficial role in colon cancer and colonic adenomas. However, they have been reported to have a deleterious effect on the colon in inflammatory bowel disease and have been shown to cause colitis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work via multiple pathways, some well defined, and others unknown. CONCLUSIONS: In the new millennium, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used for chemoprevention of colorectal and other cancers. In addition, they may be used in combination with surgery and chemotherapy to primarily treat colorectal carcinoma. Undoubtedly, the use of novel cyclooxygenase inhibitors with less of a toxicity profile will allow more widespread use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a variety of diseases. The future of this class of drugs is promising.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2005

Colorectal manifestations of collagen vascular disease.

BACKGROUND: The collagen vascular diseases are a collection of conditions, which are thought to be secondary to pathologic alterations in the immune system. Deposition of immune complexes in blood vessel walls resulting in either ischemia or thrombosis is the most widely accepted pathologic mechanism. The lack of familiarity with this subgroup of disease can lead to unnecessary surgical intervention. DATA SOURCES: A Medline search was performed of all the English-language literature. Further references were obtained through cross-referencing the bibliography cited in each work. CONCLUSION: Clinical manifestations are varied and complications include constipation, fecal incontinence, pseudoobstruction, perforation, hemorrhage, and mesenteric ischemia. Colorectal manifestations typically follow dermal presentations. Management should be conservative especially for pseudo-obstructions. Surgical intervention increases morbidity and should be chosen when absolutely necessary. Because of the high incidence of colorectal malignancies in patients with dermatomyositis, aggressive screening should be performed.

Connective Tissue Diseases↗
PubMed2005

Preoperative assessment of surgical risk in oncogeriatric patients.

Cancer is a prevalent disease in our aging population; however, few oncologists are familiar with caring for oncogeriatric patients. Surgery is presently the treatment of choice for most solid tumors, but it is frequently delivered in a suboptimal way in this patient subsetting. Undertreatment is often justified with the concern of an unsustainable toxicity, while overtreatment can be related to the lack of knowledge in optimizing preoperative risk assessment. To draw new light on this issue, several surgeons presented their series, providing hard evidence that surgical options can be offered to the elderly with cancer, with only a limited postoperative mortality and morbidity. As it is likely that much of these data suffer from selection bias, we concentrated on Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), which can add substantial information on the functional assessment of elderly cancer patients. A validated instrument such as the CGA allows a comparison of series, predicting short-term surgical outcomes more precisely, and offers appropriate information when consenting elderly patients. Preoperative Assessment of Cancer in the Elderly is a prospective international study conceived and launched to outline the fitness of elderly surgical patients with malignant tumors. This paper reports on preliminary results and analysis from the ongoing study.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Colorectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are subject to increased risks for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), risks that are attributed to the duration and anatomic extent of disease in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Although IBD contributes only 1%-2% to all cases of CRC, the mortality rate in patients with a diagnosis of CRC in the setting of IBD is higher than for those afflicted with sporadic cases of CRC. Given the length of time from IBD onset to the development of CRC, surveillance continues to be widely practiced. Although still under development, novel techniques for the earlier detection of dysplastic lesions have moved to the forefront in an attempt to optimize surveillance strategies and decrease the risk of CRC development.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2005

Patient surveillance after curative-intent surgery for rectal cancer.

The follow-up of patients with rectal cancer after potentially curative resection has significant financial and clinical implications for patients and society. The ideal regimen for monitoring patients is unknown. We evaluated the self-reported practice patterns of a large, diverse group of experts. There is little information available describing the actual practice of clinicians who perform potentially curative surgery on rectal cancer patients and follow them after recovery. The 1795 members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons were asked, via a detailed questionnaire, how often they request 14 discrete follow-up modalities in their patients treated for cure with TNM stage I, II, or III rectal cancer over the first five post-treatment years. 566/1782 (32%) responded and 347 of the respondents (61%) provided evaluable data. Members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons typically follow their own patients postoperatively rather than sending them back to their referral source. Office visit and serum CEA level are the most frequently requested items for each of the first five postoperative years. Endoscopy and imaging tests are also used regularly. Considerable variation exists among these highly experienced, highly credentialed experts. The surveillance strategies reported here rely most heavily on relatively simple and inexpensive tests. Endoscopy is employed frequently; imaging tests are employed less often. The observed variation in the intensity of postoperative monitoring is of concern.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The demographics, histopathology and patterns of treatment of anal cancer in Connecticut: 1980-2000.

OBJECTIVES: Examine the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of anal cancer in the State of Connecticut. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Department of Health Connecticut Tumor Registry resources were utilized for the years 1980-2000. RESULTS: A total of 646 anal cancers (410 females, 236 males) were diagnosed (mean age: 63.4 years). The most prominent histological type was squamous cell carcinoma, followed by adenocarcinoma and cloacogenic carcinoma. Females predominated in both the first and second decade of the study period. Black males accounted for 2.3% of all cases during the first decade, compared to 5% during the second decade. Surgery alone was the most common treatment modality, followed by radiation alone and a combination of surgery and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy data were not available although it is currently considered an important part of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Anal cancer incidence in Connecticut increased in the 21-year period 1980 to 2000, affecting the rate for African-American men more than other race-specific and gender-specific population subgroups. Anal cancer affects women more often than men. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Outcome after colectomy for Clostridium difficile colitis.

PURPOSE: Clostridium difficile colitis is a relatively common entity, yet large series of patients with fulminant C. difficile colitis are infrequently reported. This study was designed to identify risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcome of patients who required colectomy for fulminant C. difficile colitis. METHODS: A population-based study on all patients in 159 hospitals of the Department of Veterans Affairs from 1997 to 2001 was performed. Data were compiled from several national computerized Department of Veterans Affairs data sets. Supplementary information including demographic information, discharge summaries, operative reports, and pathology reports were obtained from local medical records. Patient variables were entered into a computerized database and analyzed using the Pearson chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. Statistical significance was designated as P < 0.05. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients (mean age, 69 (range, 40-86) years; 99 percent males) were identified. All 67 patients had C. difficile verified in the colectomy specimens. Thirty-six of 67 patients (54 percent) developed C. difficile colitis during a hospitalization for an unrelated illness, and 30 of 36 patients (87 percent) after a surgical procedure. Thirty-one of 67 (46 percent) developed C. difficile colitis at home. There was no history of diarrhea in 25 of 67 patients (37 percent). Thirty of 67 patients (45 percent) presented in shock (blood pressure, <90 mmHg). Forty-three of 67 patients (64 percent) presented with an acute surgical abdomen. Mean white blood cell count was 27.2; mean percent bands was 12. Twelve of 67 patients (18 percent) had a negative C difficile colitis stool assay. Abdominal computed tomography correctly diagnosed 45 of 46 patients (98 percent) who were imaged. Twenty-six of 67 patients (39 percent) underwent colonoscopy; all 26 were found to have severe inflammation or pseudomembranes. Fifty-three of 67 patients (80 percent) underwent total colectomy; 14 of 67 underwent segmental colonic resection. Perforation and infarction were found in 59 of 67 patients (58 percent) at surgery. Overall mortality was 48 percent (32/67). Mean hospitalization was 36 (range, 2-297) days. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with fulminant C. difficile colitis often present with an unexplained abdominal illness with a marked leukocytosis that rapidly progresses to shock and peritonitis. Although frequently developed during a hospitalization and often after a surgical procedure, it may develop outside of a hospital setting. Diarrhea may be absent and stool cytology may be negative for C. difficile toxin. Perforation and infarction are frequently found at surgery. In those patients who survive, a prolonged hospitalization is common. Mortality from fulminant C. difficile colitis remains high despite surgical intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The management of rectal cancer in the elderly.

INTRODUCTION: The majority of patients with rectal cancer are elderly. Due to the increasingly aging population the number of people with colorectal cancer is increasing. As medical advances in the areas of local therapy, radiation therapy, and surgical technique, such as, laparoscopy are made more elderly patients are offered various types of treatment for rectal cancer. As the number of treatment options increase, the debate on how to treat elderly patients' with rectal cancer intensifies. METHODS: A Medline search using "rectal cancer," "elderly," "local therapy," "radical surgery," and "radiation therapy" as key words was performed for English-language articles. Further references were obtained through cross-referencing the bibliography cited in each work. DISCUSSION: Numerous treatment options exists for elderly patients with rectal cancer. These range from transanal local excision to radical surgery. The best treatment option for a certain elderly patient is multifactorial and includes tumor stage, operative curability, preoperative functioning of the patient, patient comorbidities, quality of life goals, and patient preference. CONCLUSION: Age, taken as an independent variable, is not a contraindication to any specific type of therapy, including radical surgery with primary anastomsis. Patients' who meet the criteria for local resection should undergo this procedure. However, for tumors which are not amenable to local resection, these patients should be considered for radical surgery if this provides the best chance for cure. Elderly patients who can tolerate a major operation, and have good preoperative sphincter function should undergo a resection with primary anastomosis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis in a patient with spinal cord injury: case report.

BACKGROUND: In certain patients with Clostridium difficile colitis (CDC), a life-threatening systemic toxicity may develop despite appropriate and timely medical therapy. DESIGN: Literature search and case report. FINDINGS: A 39-year-old man with T10 paraplegia presented with a distended, quiet abdomen following recent treatment with antibiotics for pneumonia. Diarrhea was not present. Complete blood counts demonstrated a marked leukocytosis. A CT scan of the abdomen demonstrated a state of diffuse pancolonic inflammation with peritoneal fluid. The patient was taken to the operating room and underwent total abdominal colectomy with oversewing of the rectal stump and end ileostomy for treatment of the fulminant CDC. CONCLUSION: Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) often receive antibiotics for infections of the aerodigestive tree and urinary tract and for problems with skin integrity. A heightened awareness of the development of fulminant CDC remains essential in the care of patients with SCI. Any unexplained abdominal illness after recent antibiotic administration should alert the physician to CDC and its potential as a fulminant, potentially fatal illness.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Patterns of disease and surgical treatment among United States veterans more than 50 years of age with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a clinical entity that predominantly affects young adults yet large series of middle age or elderly patients with UC are infrequently reported. The aim of this study is to identify patterns of disease, indications for operation, surgical treatment, and outcome of patients more than 50 years of age who required surgery for UC in Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Medical Centers. METHODS: A population-based study on all patients in 159 hospitals of the DVA from 1997 to 2001 was carried out. Data were compiled from several national computerized VA data sets. Supplementary information including demographic information, discharge summaries, operative reports and pathology reports were obtained from local medical records. Patient variables were entered into a computerized database and analyzed using the Pearson chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Statistical significance is designated as P < 0.05. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-eight patients were evaluable. The mean age was 59 years (range 51-81); 99% were male. The mean duration of UC was 23 years (range 2 to 50). One hundred of the 158 patients had proctocolitis; 58 had either left-sided colitis or proctosigmoiditis. The mean dose of prednisone prior to surgery was 20 mg; the mean duration of steroid use was 8 years. The indications for elective surgery were intractability (59%), mass or stricture (27%), and dysplasia (14%). Twenty of the 158 patients (12%) were operated on emergently for either toxic colitis, perforation, or hemorrhage. One hundred three of the 158 underwent proctocolectomy and permanent ileostomy, 55 underwent a restorative proctocolectomy, and underwent a segmental colectomy. Twenty of the 158 patients were found to have dysplasia in their colectomy specimens; an additional 10 (7%) were found to have invasive cancer. Surgical morbidity was 22%. Overall mortality was 4% (7 of 158); all but 1 death occurred after emergent surgery. Mean hospitalization was 36 days (range 2 to 297). CONCLUSIONS: Restorative proctocolectomy was performed in 36% of veterans more than 50 years of age requiring surgery for UC. The majority required surgery for intractable symptoms. Dysplasia and invasive cancer was found in 18% of patients. Mortality after surgery for acute surgical emergencies remains high.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2003

Spectrum of disease and outcome of complicated diverticular disease.

BACKGROUND: Diverticular disease is a common entity. The presentation, investigations performed, and management are variable. Our objectives were to assess the presentation, extent of disease, and treatment of a cohort of patients with colonic diverticulitis. METHODS: All patients with a diagnosis of diverticulitis over a 9-year period were reviewed. Patients were assessed as to age, sex, presenting symptoms, diagnostic studies, extent of disease, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: Over a 9-year period (1992 to 2001), 192 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of colonic diverticulitis. The mean age was 61 years (range 28 to 90); 113 of 192 (59%) were female. The mean duration of symptoms prior to presentation was 14 days (range 1 to 270 days). One hundred eighteen of 192 (61%) had a previous documented attack of diverticulitis. Of the investigations performed 128 of 192 (66.7%) had a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis, 37 of 192 (20%) underwent a contrast enema, 61 of 192 (32%) underwent colonoscopy and 2 of 192 (1%) underwent a small bowel series. The abnormal findings on the CT scan were as follows: diverticular abscess (16%), diverticulitis (37%), diverticulosis without inflammation (15%), free air (10%) and fistula (1%). The locations of the diverticular abscesses were: pelvic (36%), pericolic sigmoid (36%), and "other," which included interloop (28%). Preoperative abscess drainage occurred in 10 of 192 (5%), which were either percutaneous, 6 of 192 (3%), or transrectal, 4 of 192 (2%). Nine of 192 (6%) presented with a fistula, colovesical fistulae (3%), colocutaneous (1%), enterocolic (1%), or colovaginal (1%). Overall, 73 of 192 (38%) underwent surgery. All patients undergoing surgery had a resection of their colon. The operative findings were localized abscess in 16 of 73 (22%), purulent/feculent peritonitis in 12 of 73 (17%), and phlegmon in 10 of 73 (14%). Sixty-seven of 73 (92%) had a primary resection with anastomosis; 38 of 67 (56%) had a protecting stoma. Five of 73 (7%) patients were found to have an unsuspected carcinoma. Overall, 29 of 192 (15%) developed a complication related to diverticulitis. Morbidity was 15.1%, of which 34% was infection related. Four of 192 patients (2%) died. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, most patients presented with abdominal pain predominantly in the left lower quadrant. The symptoms were present on average of 14 days, most were female (59%), and most patients had a previous attack of diverticulitis. The commonest investigation performed was a CT scan (66.7%); however, other investigations were performed, for example, barium enemas. The practice of resection and primary anastomosis for acute diverticulitis has an acceptable morbidity and mortality. For high-risk anastomoses, a covering loop ileostomy and not a Hartmann's procedure is preferred. Surgery remains safe for the majority of patients and is associated with resolution of symptoms. We believe that because of the high number of patients in our series who had a previous attack of diverticulitis, therapy should be focused on preventing recurrent and virulent attacks by earlier operative intervention.

Adult↗