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Screening for colorectal cancer in a Hungarian county.

An initial screening for colorectal cancer in asymptomatic adults was performed with Haemoccult in 26,357 persons, rigid rectoscopy in 10,673 and flexible sigmoidoscopy in 3,963 persons. The rate of cancer detection was 4.4% in screenees with a positive Haemoccult test, 0.08% using rigid rectoscopy and 0.28% using flexible sigmoidoscopy. The respective frequency of patients discovered to have polyps was 16.2%, 1.32% and 8.49%. 77% of the 36 colorectal cancers detected due to the Haemoccult test program were either Dukes A or B. A comparison of these screening results indicates that Haemoccult screening markedly increases the yield of colorectal neoplasms when asymptomatic persons are examined. This screening should be repeated annually to reduce the morbidity and mortality of colorectal cancer.

Adenoma↗

Prevalence of enteric pathogens in HIV-related diarrhea in the midwest.

HIV disease is often associated with the condition of diarrhea, which may be accompanied by enteric infection or gastrointestinal tumor. This study prospectively investigated 27 episodes of chronic diarrhea in 24 patients with HIV infection. Upper endoscopy and sigmoidoscopy with biopsies at three sites (distal duodenum, sigmoid colon, and rectum) and viral and mycobacterial blood cultures were performed. Stool specimens were sent for standard tests. A primary infectious diagnosis was found in 10 (37%) of 27 episodes: cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis (n = 4), 3 microsporidiosis (n = 3), cryptosporidiosis (n = 2), and colonic histoplasmosis (n = 1). Patients with CD4 counts of less than 50 cells/mm3 and with lower albumin levels were more likely to have a primary infectious diagnosis. Adenovirus was found in 7 cases but was often associated with another organism; these were not considered to be primary diagnoses. Blood cultures for viruses were not useful, and all mycobacterial cultures were negative. A flexible sigmoidoscopy with histologic examination and culture of biopsy samples were the diagnostic tools that yielded most infectious diagnoses. Follow-up showed that two thirds of patients improved with nonspecific antidiarrheal medications regardless of diagnosis. The study supports a minimalistic approach to the problem of diarrhea in patients with HIV infection. Upper and lower endoscopy lead to a precise diagnosis in a minority of cases, and the outcome was similar in patients with or without a primary infectious diagnosis.

Adult↗

Carbohydrate, glycemic index, and glycemic load and colorectal adenomas in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Screening Study.

BACKGROUND: It is possible that high-glycemic-load diets, through their hyperinsulinemic effects, can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed data from a cancer screening study to determine whether persons with high-glycemic-load diets would be at an increased risk of distal adenomas. DESIGN: We included subjects with no prior adenoma or cancer from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian screening trial and whose results from flexible sigmoidoscopy exams indicated either no lesions (n = 34 817) or >/=1 distal adenoma (n = 3696). We used a 137-item food-frequency questionnaire to assess usual dietary intake over the preceding 12 mo. Using logistic regression analysis, we calculated, separately for men and women, prevalence odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs of sigmoidoscopy-detected, distal adenomas for quintiles of energy-adjusted dietary carbohydrate, glycemic index, and glycemic load. RESULTS: ORs decreased with increasing intakes of carbohydrate for both the men and the women in unadjusted models, but these associations were attenuated in multivariate-adjusted models. Among the men, the association remained significant after adjustment (OR: 0.71; 95% CI 0.60, 0.84; P for trend < 0.0001), but in the women it did not (OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.73, 1.10; P for trend = 0.30). The results for glycemic index showed no associations in either men or women. Results for glycemic load closely mirrored those for carbohydrate. CONCLUSION: Despite expectations that increasing glycemic load and glycemic index would increase the risk of adenoma, we observed no association in women and even an inverse association in men.

Adenoma↗

Selections from current literature: screening for colorectal cancer.

Of the five modalities currently used to screen for colorectal cancer, the DRE is the least useful as a solitary screening tool. Also, while FOBT is widely used, its high false positive rate and uncertain cost benefit ratio make it less than ideal as a screening tool. Flexible sigmoidoscopy in a well defined regimen, has been shown to result in a decrease in CRC mortality. Paramedical personnel with a moderate amount of training have been shown to be able to safely and efficiently perform screening sigmoidoscopy. This has the potential to make it widely available at an affordable cost to the general population; however, its limitations, namely its ability to detect only lesions found in the distal colon, need to be kept in mind. With all limitations in the above mentioned screening modalities, colonoscopy may be the best tool to detect colorectal cancers. It has a significant advantage over DCBE of being both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool; however, it is imperative that a randomized controlled trial be performed to fully document its potential efficacy, advantages and disadvantages. Finally while genetic testing looms on the horizon as a promising new tool for CRC screening, at this time there are still too many unanswered questions and dilemmas, ethical as well as others, to warrant its use in the general clinical setting. However, maybe in the future, CRC screening will involve a simple blood test performed at birth, or perhaps even prenatally.

Aged↗

Constraints on the performance of minor surgery by family physicians: study of a 'mock' skin biopsy procedure.

Despite the availability of a procedure room equipped for the performance of common surgery procedures, physicians in a family medicine training programme have reported that minor surgery training objectives are not being accomplished. To examine this issue, the frequency of minor surgery procedures was audited among 357 randomly selected medical records. The frequency of documented sigmoidoscopy in this group of active patients over the age of 50 years was 4.8%. A similar low frequency for the performance of skin biopsy was also observed. All 15 senior residents participated in an attitude survey and a timed exercise in which they sought to find the necessary items for performance of a skin biopsy. In a questionnaire the group agreed that sigmoidoscopy and skin biopsies were procedures appropriate for their family practice goals. In their offices, these residents required over nine minutes to partially locate equipment chosen for skin biopsy. The attitude survey revealed few constraints other than insufficient time to perform indicated elective procedures. Further study of procedure room utilization and family physicians' office surgery skills is recommended.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Relation of vegetable, fruit, and grain consumption to colorectal adenomatous polyps.

Previous studies suggest that colorectal cancer risk decreases with higher intake of vegetables, fruits, and grains. Few studies, however, have examined these factors in relation to occurrence of colorectal polyps. The authors used case-control data from 488 matched pairs to evaluate associations of vegetables, fruits, and grains with polyps. Subjects were southern Californians aged 50-74 years who had a sigmoidoscopy in 1991-1993. Diet in the year before sigmoidoscopy was measured with a food frequency questionnaire. Frequent consumption of vegetables, fruits, and grains was associated with decreased polyp prevalence. Specifically, the adjusted odds ratio comparing the highest with the lowest quintile of intake for vegetables was 0.47 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29-0.76), for fruits was 0.65 (95% CI 0.40-1.05), and for grains was 0.55 (95% CI 0.33-0.91). The authors also found inverse associations for high carotenoid vegetables, cruciferae, high vitamin C fruits, garlic, and tofu (or soybeans). After further adjusting for potentially anticarcinogenic constituents of these foods, high carotenoid vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and tofu (or soybeans) remained inversely associated with polyps. These findings support the hypothesis that high intake of vegetables, fruits, or grains decreases the risk of polyps and suggest that any protective effects might reflect unmeasured constituents in these foods.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Obesity, weight gain, large weight changes, and adenomatous polyps of the left colon and rectum.

Epidemiologic studies of colorectal neoplasia have usually examined body mass index as a risk factor, but not other aspects of obesity. During 1991-1993, the authors obtained weight histories and comprehensive covariate data from men and women aged 50-75 years who underwent sigmoidoscopy at a health maintenance organization in southern California. Using 483 cases with adenomas and 483 controls, measures of obesity (body mass index), positive energy balance (net weight gain in the past 10 years), and weight variability (large weight changes) were each independently related to adenoma prevalence. Compared with subjects in the lowest quartile of body mass index, multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for subjects in increasingly higher quartiles were 2.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-2.3), 1.8 (1.1-2.9), and 1.7 (1.0-2.8), respectively. Compared with subjects who reported a net weight loss during the 10 years before sigmoidoscopy, subjects with net weight gains of 1.5-4.5 kg or > or = 4.5 kg had adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of 2.5 (1.2-5.6) and 1.8 (0.7-4.4), respectively. Compared with subjects who had no large weight changes during adulthood, subjects with 1-2, 3, or > or = 4 changes had adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of 2.0 (1.0-3.9), 2.5 (1.2-5.5), and 1.5 (0.6-3.6), respectively. Obesity, weight gain, and unstable adult weight may be independently associated with colorectal carcinogenesis.

Adenomatous Polyps↗

The utility of computed tomography in colonic diverticulitis.

Forty-one patients admitted to our hospital during an 18-month period with the clinical diagnosis of colonic diverticulitis were analyzed to evaluate the utility of computed tomography (CT). Abdominal pain and leukocytosis were the most common presenting manifestations, 75 and 66%, respectively. Just over one-half of the patients also demonstrated hematuria. Twenty patients required surgical intervention, most commonly for failure to improve despite medical management. Preoperative studies included 10 sigmoidoscopies, 30 plain abdominal roentgenograms, 20 barium enemas (BE), and 24 CT scans. Two CT scans were also obtained after operation for successful percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses. Abdominal roentgenograms were most commonly obtained but least helpful, with only one third demonstrating any abnormality whatsoever. Sigmoidoscopy was least commonly performed but almost universally abnormal. Specificity was low, however, in that spasm with inability to advance the endoscope was the most common finding. Of the 20 barium enemas obtained, 60% had findings consistent with diverticulitis, most commonly localized perforation or fixed narrow segment. Sixty-three per cent of CT scans were abnormal. The most frequent findings were localized thickening of the colonic wall and increased density in the pericolic fat. Diverticular abscess, which may be inferred by other studies, was definitely diagnosed in one third of the patients with abnormal CT scans. CT also provided the ability to identify extracolonic intra-abdominal pathology. The study demonstrates that both barium enema and CT are effective in diagnosing diverticulitis, although CT can be performed without risk. CT played no therapeutic role before operation, although two patients benefited after operation by CT-guided drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses. The decision for surgery was most frequently dependent on clinical examination and never solely on the basis of either the barium enema or CT in this study. The major benefit of CT appears to be its ability to identify both gross and subtle changes indicative of diverticular disease and extracolonic pathology in a relatively noninvasive manner.

Adult↗

Extent of colonic visualization with the fiberoptic sigmoidoscope.

Forty-two patients underwent flexible sigmoidoscopy in the radiology department. After maximal insertion of the sigmoidoscope, a supine abdominal film documented the position of the tip of the instrument. Correlation with barium enema in all patients determined the extent of visualization of the colon relative to the length of insertion of the sigmoidoscope. Insertion to 60 cm was achieved in 31 (74%), 40-59 cm in six (14%), 25-39 cm in three (7%), and under 25 cm in two (5%), with a mean depth of insertion of 54 cm. Full insertion examined the entire sigmoid colon in 14 (45%) of 31 patients. Insertion between 40-59 cm achieved complete sigmoid evaluation in only one (17%) of six patients. Thus, flexible sigmoidoscopy does not necessarily guarantee evaluation of the entire sigmoid colon.

Adult↗

The fate of the rectal segment after diversion of the fecal stream in Crohn's disease: its implications for surgical management.

Diverting the fecal stream has been considered to benefit the course of Crohn's disease. Clinical signs and symptoms have not, however, been distinguished previously from the objective inflammatory changes in the distal segment. We reviewed the course of 16 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease in whom sigmoidoscopy showed normal mucosa at the time of diversion and who underwent an ileostomy or colostomy, the rectal segment being left in place. As early as 3 months after diversion, all 16 patients showed progressive friability, ulceration, and exudation in the retained rectum. Stricture occurred in four and lead to abdominoperineal resection in three. Four of eight patients with only moderate inflammation on sigmoidoscopy underwent reanastomosis which was followed by a return to a normal-appearing rectal mucosa. The rectal segment inflammed after diversion rarely shows the histological characteristics of Crohn's disease when resected. This leads us to suspect that the disorder of nonspecific "diversion colitis" might account for this phenomenon entirely, or at least it may accelerate the Crohn's disease process. Continuity of the intestinal tract should be maintained in the course of Crohn's disease surgery if feasible. If a diversion is clinically warranted, reanastomosis should be considered as early as possible despite progressive inflammation of the rectal mucosa.

Adult↗

Management of complex perineal soft-tissue injuries.

Debridement, fecal diversion, and rectal washout have been proposed as the primary therapy for complex perineal lacerations, but, in most series, survivors have a pelvic sepsis rate of 40-80%. In a retrospective study, six of 18 patients sustaining severe perineal lacerations died within the first few hours of injury due to exsanguination from pelvic injuries. The remaining 12 patients underwent sigmoidoscopy, diversion of the fecal stream with irrigation of the distal rectal stump, and radical initial debridement of necrotic soft tissue. Enteral access was obtained in two patients. In the patients with mandatory daily debridement and pulsatile irrigation, no pelvic sepsis occurred. In three patients without daily debridement, pelvic sepsis complicated recovery. The ability of patients to resume oral nutrition was significantly delayed, necessitating total parenteral nutrition in three patients. We conclude that sigmoidoscopy, total diversion of the fecal stream with irrigation of the distal rectal stump, enteral access for feeding, radical initial debridement of necrotic soft tissue, and mandatory daily debridement with pulsatile irrigation optimize recovery from this devastating injury.

Adult↗

The risk factor profile of recto-sigmoid adenomas: a prospective screening study of 665 patients in a clinical rehabilitation centre.

During a prospective screening study for recto-sigmoid adenomatous polyps, the influence of the following risk factors was evaluated: age; gender; body mass index; heredity for colorectal malignancy; diabetes; hypertension; constipation; previous gastric surgery; previous gastric acid inhibition; alcohol and cigarette consumption; serum cholesterol; serum triglycerides; and serum gastrin. Screening fibre-sigmoidoscopy of 665 patients (aged between 50 and 60 years) at a clinical rehabilitation centre for gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases showed that 146 had one or several adenomas. The study population was overweight by a mean of about 15%. Comparison of those with and those without adenoma using univariate analysis, showed that the group with adenomas had higher serum triglyceride values, drank more alcohol on a regular or excessive basis, were more frequent smokers, and had a tendency to raised fasting serum glucose. In a multivariate analysis, age, high serum triglycerides and high alcohol consumption were risk factors for recto-sigmoid adenomas. The risk factor profile identified in this study may help in the selection of individuals for screening sigmoidoscopy from a similar background population. It also identifies target conditions for primary prevention of colorectal neoplasia.

Adenoma↗

Correlation of polypoid lesions in the distal colorectum and proximal colon in asymptomatic screening subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge of a possible correlation between distal polyps found at screening sigmoidoscopy and proximal colonic lesions is important for deciding whether to perform total colonoscopy or not. PATIENTS: A prospective analysis of 2439 consecutive patients with colorectal polyps. Of these, 304 were asymptomatic subjects who underwent complete colonoscopy for screening and were found to have adenomatous or hyperplastic polyps in the distal colorectum. RESULTS: Ten (15%) out of 65 patients with distal hyperplastic polyps only and 86 (36%) out of 239 with distal adenomatous polyps were found to have adenomatous polyps in the proximal colon as well (P < 0.001). The frequency of synchronous proximal adenomas in patients with small (< or = 5 mm) or large distal adenomas (> 5 mm) was comparable (37% and 35%, respectively). However, patients with small distal adenomas had significantly smaller proximal adenomas (P = 0.004) containing less villous component (P = 0.017) than those with large distal adenomas. Neither the patient's age nor the presence of multiple distal adenomas increased the prevalence of proximal adenomas. CONCLUSION: Hyperplastic polyps found on rectosigmoidoscopy do not indicate a need for a complete colorectal examination, as 15% of patients with distal hyperplastic polyps will have proximal adenomatous polyps, a figure that is comparable with that of asymptomatic patients having no distal polyps, either hyperplastic or adenomatous. When only small distal adenomas are found at screening sigmoidoscopy in asymptomatic persons the decision to do a total colonoscopy should be based on individual considerations, as in such cases only small polyps are to be expected in the proximal colon.

Adenomatous Polyps↗

Lifestyle characteristics among participants in a Norwegian colorectal cancer screening trial.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate to what extent lifestyle-related variables predict participation for flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) screening when the compliance is relatively high. During 2001, a randomized sample of 6961 men and women, born between 1946 and 1950, were invited to have a flexible sigmoidoscopy screening examination. Attendees (n = 4111) were asked to fill in a questionnaire focusing on physical activity, body weight, smoking habits and diet. The questionnaire was sent by mail to non-attendees (n = 2628) and a randomized corresponding control group not invited to screening (n = 7000). Sixty-one percent attended for screening. The questionnaire response rate among attendees, non-attendees and controls was 97, 11 and 61%, respectively. Attendees were more physically active (P < 0.001), and showed more adherence to general dietary recommendations, compared with controls. Opposing their healthy exercise and dietary habits, however, attendees were more likely to be moderate smokers compared with controls. The present offer of FS screening, achieving a relatively high compliance rate, may have reached attendees using screening as a supplement to an already healthy lifestyle, but also those who seek amelioration through health checks for risks behaviour that they are perfectly well aware of, such as smoking.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

Eliciting relative preferences for two methods of colorectal cancer screening.

Two methods of mass population screening for colorectal cancer - faecal occult blood testing and sigmoidoscopy - have been the subject of randomized controlled trials in the UK. A national screening programme is currently under consideration and the choice of screening method remains open. To be successful, a programme will require high levels of uptake, and uptake is likely to depend upon subjects' attitudes towards the screening method introduced. Although a preferred screening method has already been identified from a questionnaire survey, we undertook a further interview study (n = 106), with a view to comparing the results of two different approaches to eliciting public preferences. In comparison with the questionnaire study, a higher proportion of interview subjects stated a preference. Interview subjects were generally more favourably disposed towards sigmoidoscopy, excepting those with previous experience. Compared with the questionnaire survey, the interviews provided richer information on the reasons for preferences offered. Individual preferences were evidently subjective and dependant on attitudes towards a variety of method characteristics, such as discomfort, convenience and perceived sophistication. Characteristics such as age and low income, which had predicted preferences in the questionnaire study, predicted preferences in the interview study also. The difference between the results obtained by the different elicitation techniques can be explained in terms of the differential provision of information and sample selection. Conclusions made about public preferences are likely to depend on the technique employed in eliciting them.

Age Factors↗

The role of colonoscopy in screening persons with family history of colorectal cancer.

First-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients are at increased risk for developing colorectal neoplasms. In order to assess the potentiality of colonoscopy screening in this high-risk population, 213 asymptomatic family members (age range 30-69 years, mean 42.8 years) of those patients with colorectal cancer received colonoscopic examination at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital from April 1992 to May 1994. Twenty-eight persons with 42 lesions (polyps or cancer) were identified, including 28 adenomas, nine hyperplastic polyps and five adenocarcinomas. The positive detection rate was 9.9% for adenoma and 2.3% for cancer. Colorectal neoplasms afflicted males more frequently than females (16.7 vs 5.7%, P < 0.05) and occurred less frequently in those < 40 years of age (5.5 vs 17.2%, P < 0.05). Forty-two per cent of the detected neoplastic lesions were beyond the reach of 60 cm flexible sigmoidoscopy and 36% of adenomas were < 0.5 cm in size and would be missed if patients were screened by air contrast barium enema. Cost analysis revealed that the charges of both screening colonoscopy and screening flexible sigmoidoscopy/air contrast barium enema were approximate. Colonoscopy also has a high acceptability and safety. It appears appropriate to use colonoscopy, rather than flexible sigmoidoscopy or air contrast barium enema, as an initial screening procedure for persons with a family history of colorectal cancer, especially those > 40 years of age.

Adenoma↗

Colorectal cancer: knowledge and attitudes of doctors in Victoria.

Successful introduction of screening for early colorectal cancer will depend, at least in part, on doctors' knowledge and attitudes. A 34-item questionnaire was sent to a random sample of one in five doctors in Victoria, with a final completion rate of 65%. The survey revealed gaps of knowledge, particularly about recognition of high-risk groups. Only 12% were aware of the degree of increased risk faced by first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer and only 10% recognised the similar increase in risk for people with a history of resected colorectal cancer. While 73% of doctors order faecal occult blood tests, only 9% were aware that the more reliable quaiac method was used for their patients. Overall, 38% considered that faecal occult blood testing was a practical method for screening for colorectal cancer. Most of the doctors who accepted occult blood screening would follow up a positive test with digital rectal examination (80%) and barium enema (75%), but only 58% would want sigmoidoscopy performed and 34% colonoscopy. The diagnostic potential of digital rectal examination and sigmoidoscopy was over-estimated by half of the doctors surveyed. Recognition of subjects at high risk for colorectal cancer, and knowledge about the proper use, follow-up, and potential for screening of faecal occult blood tests need emphasis in medical educational programmes.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Variations in the evaluation of colorectal cancer risk.

OBJECTIVES: To test the variability in estimating cancer risk and demonstrate the consequences that subjectivity has on patient care. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-three clinicians were each asked to assess 40 symptomatic colorectal referrals. Each clinician was provided with a comprehensive history on the 40 patients. The clinicians graded the referral according to a malignancy risk score, decided on the required first line investigation and the priority of that investigation. The main outcome measures used was accuracy in cancer detection and appropriateness of investigations selected. RESULTS: There was a wide degree of variation among all clinicians grading both benign and malignant disease with the overall correct classification of 54% (P-value of <0.001). On average, the clinicians correctly diagnosed 71.3% of the cancer patients as compared to 44% of the benign patients. Of the cancer patients, 47% were correctly classified as an urgent referral whilst 52% of the benign patients were over classified and graded as an urgent referral. The mean number chosen by clinicians to have a flexible sigmoidoscopy as the appropriate first investigation was 13 (of 40 patients); this was despite the diagnosis being possible in all cases with a flexible sigmoidoscopy. The choice to use full colonic investigation was seen throughout all disciplines. Junior doctors demonstrated the highest tendency choosing full colonic investigation in 92.3%. Consultants and senior grades showed the least tendency to choose full colonic imaging although even here colonoscopy or barium enema represented 48.5%. CONCLUSION: Subjective assessment of cancer referrals is a significant problem that needs to be confronted. Improvements are needed to resolve the inherent problems of subjectivity and operator bias if uniform quality of patient care and best use of resources is to be achieved.

Adult↗