Clinical features of young onset colorectal cancer patients from a large cohort at a single cancer center.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe the demographics and clinical features of patients with young onset (YO) CRC. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with CRC diagnosed between ages 20 and 49 years was evaluated at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 1/2004 to 6/2019. We excluded those with a hereditary CRC syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or prior CRC diagnosis. Patient demographics; presenting symptoms; medical, surgical, and smoking history; family history of cancer; tumor characteristics; and pathology were obtained from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: We identified 3856 YO CRC patients (median age CRC diagnosis 43; 52.5% male). A total of 59.1% were overweight or obese (32.2% and 26.9%, respectively). Most (90.1%) had no family history of CRC in a first-degree relative; 56.3% of patients reported being never smokers; 5.2% had diabetes. The most common presenting symptoms were rectal bleeding (47.7%), abdominal pain/bloating (33.1%), and change in bowel habits (24.7%). The majority presented with left-sided cancers (77.3%), at late-stage disease (68.4% at stages 3 or 4). CONCLUSION: Most YO CRC patients presented with rectal bleeding or abdominal pain, left-sided cancers, and later-stage disease and had no family history of CRC in a first-degree relative. Over half were overweight and obese and were more likely to have never smoked. More data are needed to better understand YO CRC risk factors and to help identify high-risk populations who may benefit from earlier screening.

Building trust in research through information and intent transparency with health information: representative cross-sectional survey of 502 US adults.

OBJECTIVE: Participation in healthcare research shapes health policy and practice; however, low trust is a barrier to participation. We evaluated whether returning health information (information transparency) and disclosing intent of data use (intent transparency) impacts trust in research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an online survey with a representative sample of 502 US adults. We assessed baseline trust and change in trust using 6 use cases representing the Social-Ecological Model. We assessed descriptive statistics and associations between trust and sociodemographic variables using logistic and multinomial regression. RESULTS: Most participants (84%) want their health research information returned. Black/African American participants were more likely to increase trust in research with individual information transparency (odds ratio (OR) 2.06 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-4.34]) and with intent transparency when sharing with chosen friends and family (3.66 [1.98-6.77]), doctors and nurses (1.96 [1.10-3.65]), or health tech companies (1.87 [1.02-3.40]). Asian, Native American or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Multirace, and individuals with a race not listed, were more likely to increase trust when sharing with health policy makers (1.88 [1.09-3.30]). Women were less likely to increase trust when sharing with friends and family (0.55 [0.35-0.87]) or health tech companies (0.46 [0.31-0.70]). DISCUSSION: Participants wanted their health information returned and would increase their trust in research with transparency when sharing health information. CONCLUSION: Trust in research is influenced by interrelated factors. Future research should recruit diverse samples with lower baseline trust levels to explore changes in trust, with variation on the type of information shared.

Racial/ethnic inequality in the association of allostatic load and dental caries in children.

OBJECTIVES: Allostatic load (AL), defined as the overtime "wear and tear" on biological systems due to stress, disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minorities and has been shown to associate with racial inequality in oral health in the adult population. This study aims to assess racial/ethnic inequality in AL and untreated dental caries (UD) in children, and to assess the association between allostatic load and UD, and whether it varies by race/ethnicity. METHODS: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2001-2010) for 8-17-year-old children (n = 11,378) was used. AL scores were generated using cardiovascular, metabolic and immune biomarkers. Multivariable log binomial regression models adjusted for age, sex, poverty: income ratio (PIR), health insurance status and the frequency of healthcare visits, were used to assess the relationships of interest. RESULTS: Racial/ethnic inequality was evident in UD and AL, where Mexican American and black children exhibited more UD and a higher AL score than white. AL was associated with UD in fully adjusted models. This association was significant across all racial/ethnic groups, but was stronger in Mexican American and black children, compared to their white counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Similar racial inequality is evident in AL and UD that is not explained by poverty and/or behavioral factors. Racial/ethnic inequality is also evident in the association between AL and UD.

Perceptions of fecal microbiota transplantation for Clostridium difficile infection: factors that predict acceptance.

BACKGROUND: Despite the effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for treating recurrent Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection, some patients are reluctant to accept this therapy. Our study examined attitudes towards FMT and factors that contribute to patients' acceptance of this treatment. METHODS: We distributed patient surveys at a Veterans Affairs hospital, a public hospital, and an academic faculty practice. Multivariable logistic regression was performed, adjusting for factors associated with FMT acceptance on univariate analysis and prior experience with C. difficile infection. RESULTS: Of 267 patients, only 12% knew of FMT prior to the survey, but 77% would undergo the procedure if medically indicated. On multivariable analysis, those with children and with college degrees or higher were more likely to agree to FMT (odds ratio [OR] 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-4.35; OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.11-4.60 respectively). Sixty-five respondents (71%) chose colonoscopy as the preferred vehicle for FMT, while nasogastric tube was least preferred. Disease transmission was the most common concern (30%, n=242), and FMT success rate was the least selected concern (9.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients in a diverse sample of gastroenterology clinics had no prior knowledge of FMT, but were receptive to the procedure. Having children and higher education levels were predictors for FMT acceptance. Our findings suggest that barriers to FMT utilization may be overcome with counseling about safety concerns. More data on the risk of transmitting diseases or clinical characteristics, such as obesity, through FMT are needed and will be important for the acceptance of this procedure.