Implementation of home 'finger-prick' carcino-embryonic antigen testing for colorectal cancer follow-up - A pilot study of user acceptability.

Aim: Routine carcino-embryonic antigen blood testing is required after colorectal cancer resection, requiring face-to-face appointments. This has workforce implications, and impacts patients' lives. We assessed feasibility and acceptability of self-taken blood tests. Methods: 50 colorectal cancer patients with experience of face-to-face phlebotomy surveillance agreed to self-testing finger-prick kits. Follow-up questionnaires assessed perspectives and preferences. Results: 68% (50/74) of patients agreed to participate. 76% (38/50) successfully completed samples. 62% (29/47) felt it was no worse than their previous experience. Regarding future testing, 47% (22/47) preferred finger-prick testing. 19% (9/47) expressed no preference. This was unaffected by patient age. Qualitative assessment showed difficulties with pain, discomfort, and sample collection, but was more convenient and saved time for patients. Conclusions: Many preferred finger-prick assessment, but some found it challenging, unnecessary or less preferable. This may reduce burden of follow-up blood tests but currently would only be acceptable to a limited patient cohort.

Long-term outcomes following surgical repair of giant paraoesophageal hiatus hernia.

INTRODUCTION: There are limited data regarding long-term outcomes after surgical repair of giant paraoesophageal hiatus hernia (GPHH). The aim of this study was to assess symptomatic recurrence and patient-reported outcomes following GPHH repair. METHODS: 178 patients undergoing elective (127) and emergency (51) GPHH repair between 1994 and 2015 were identified from the prospectively collected Lothian Surgical Audit database. Electronic patient records were used to determine rate of clinical recurrence. A postal questionnaire was used to assess modified DeMeester, 'Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale' symptom scores, breathing and exercise tolerance, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 35 months (range 12-238). 15 (8.4%) patients developed a clinical recurrence and 13 (7.3%) underwent a further operation. The clinical recurrence rates were similar in patients followed-up less than 5 years and beyond 5 years [10/128 (7.8%) vs 5/50 (10%)]. Mortality rate was 1.6% for elective compared with 16.7% for emergency procedures (P < 0.001). Completed questionnaires were received from 95 (78.5%) of 121 eligible patients. Mean symptom scores were low (Modified DeMeester 2.6). 83.7% of patients reported a good or excellent outcome, and 97.8% believed they had made the correct decision to undergo surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair of GPHH is associated with high levels of patient satisfaction and good overall symptom outcome. There is a clinical recurrence rate of 8.4%, which does not significantly increase with long-term follow-up.

Protein Supplementation Does Not Significantly Augment the Effects of Resistance Exercise Training in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Physical activity and nutritional supplementation interventions may be used to ameliorate age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. Previous reviews have demonstrated the beneficial effects of resistance exercise training (RET) combined with protein or essential amino acids (EAA) in younger populations. Whether or not older adults also benefit is unclear. The aim of this review was to determine whether regular dietary supplementation with protein/EAA during a RET regimen augments the effects of RET on skeletal muscle in older adults. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in August 2015 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL Plus to identify all controlled trials using a RET regimen with and without protein/EAA supplementation. Outcome variables included muscle strength, muscle size, functional ability, and body composition. RESULTS: Fifteen studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria, including 917 participants with a mean age of 77.4 years. Studies involving both healthy participants and those described as frail or sarcopenic were included. Overall, results indicated that protein supplementation did not significantly augment the effects of RET on any of the specified outcomes. Exceptions included some measures of muscle strength (3 studies) and body composition (2 studies). Meta-analyses were conducted but were limited because of methodologic differences between studies, and results were inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials reveal that protein/EAA supplementation does not significantly augment the effects of progressive RET in older adults.