Screen-detected colorectal cancers are associated with an improved outcome compared with stage-matched interval cancers.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancers (CRCs) detected through the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) have been shown to have a more favourable outcome compared to non-screen-detected cancers. The aim was to identify whether this was solely due to the earlier stage shift of these cancers, or whether other factors were involved. METHODS: A combination of a regional CRC registry (Northern Colorectal Cancer Audit Group) and the BCSP database were used to identify screen-detected and interval cancers (diagnosed after a negative faecal occult blood test, before the next screening round), diagnosed between April 2007 and March 2010, within the North East of England. For each Dukes' stage, patient demographics, tumour characteristics, and survival rates were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Overall, 322 screen-detected cancers were compared against 192 interval cancers. Screen-detected Dukes' C and D CRCs had a superior survival rate compared with interval cancers (P=0.014 and P=0.04, respectively). Cox proportional hazards regression showed that Dukes' stage, tumour location, and diagnostic group (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.29-0.69, P<0.001 for screen-detected CRCs) were all found to have a significant impact on the survival of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The improved survival of screen-detected over interval cancers for stages C and D suggest that there may be a biological difference in the cancers in each group. Although lead-time bias may have a role, this may be related to a tumour's propensity to bleed and therefore may reflect detection through current screening tests.

Comparison of screen-detected and interval colorectal cancers in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.

BACKGROUND: The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) offers biennial faecal occult blood testing (FOBt) followed by colonoscopy after positive results. Colorectal cancers (CRCs) registered with the Northern Colorectal Cancer Audit Group database were cross-referenced with the BCSP database to analyse their screening history. METHODS: The CRCs in the screening population between April 2007 and March 2010 were identified and classified into four groups: control (diagnosed before first screening invite), screen-detected, interval (diagnosed between screening rounds after a negative FOBt), and non-uptake (declined screening). Patient demographics, tumour characteristics and survival were compared between groups. RESULTS: In all, 511 out of 1336 (38.2%) CRCs were controls; 825 (61.8%) were in individuals invited for screening of which 322 (39.0%) were screen detected, 311 (37.7%) were in the non-uptake group, and 192 (23.3%) were interval cancers. Compared with the control and interval cancer group, the screen-detected group had a higher proportion of men (P=0.002, P=0.003 respectively), left colon tumours (P=0.007, P=0.003), and superior survival (both P<0.001). There was no difference in demographics, tumour location/stage, or survival between control and interval groups. CONCLUSION: The FOBt is better at detecting cancers in the left colon and in men. The significant numbers of interval cancers weren't found to have an improved outcome compared with the non-screened population.

Achieving high quality colonoscopy: using graphical representation to measure performance and reset standards.

AIM: Completeness and thoroughness of colonoscopy are measured by the caecal intubation rate (CIR) and the adenoma detection rate (ADR). National standards are ≥ 90% and ≥ 10% respectively. Variability in CIR and ADR have been demonstrated but comparison between individuals and units is difficult. We aimed to assess the performance of colonoscopy in endoscopy units in the northeast of England. METHOD: Data on colonoscopy performance and sedation use were collected over 3 months from 12 units. Colonoscopies performed by screening colonoscopists were included for the CIR only. Funnel plots with upper and lower 95% confidence limits for CIR and ADR were created. RESULTS: CIR was 92.5% (n = 5720) and ADR 15.9% (n = 4748). All units and 128 (99.2%) colonoscopists were above the lower limit for CIR. All units achieved the ADR standard with 10 above the upper limit. Ninety-nine (76.7%) colonoscopists were above 10%, 16 (12.4%) above the upper limit and 7 (5.4%) below the lower limit. Median medication doses were 2.2 mg midazolam, 29.4 mg pethidine and 83.3 µg fentanyl. In all, 15.1% of colonoscopies were unsedated. Complications were bleeding (0.10%) and perforation (0.02%). There was one death possibly related to bowel preparation. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that colonoscopies are performed safely and to a high standard. Funnel plots can highlight variability and areas for improvement. Analyses of ADR presented graphically around the global mean suggest that the national standard should be reset at 15%.

Drug-induced gastrointestinal disease.

Clinicians administering potent therapeutic agents must be aware of their side-effects. The gut is an important site of adverse drug reactions and drug-induced disease must always be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms. A careful drug history must therefore be taken in all such patients. Symptoms can often be related to drug ingestion, but late effects also occur. The presence of blood in vomitus or stool is pathognomonic of serious pathology which may be drug-induced and requires further investigation. Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage and pseudomembranous colitis are potentially fatal manifestations of drug therapy. Gastrointestinal symptoms can often be avoided if therapy is taken with meals or in a smaller dose, but drug withdrawal is always the first line of management in patients whose symptoms may be drug-induced.

Empirical use of antisecretory drug therapy delays diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma but does not effect outcome.

BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal cancer carries a poor prognosis. Although the incidence of gastric adenocarcinoma is falling, oesophageal adenocarcinoma is increasing. This has been attributed to an increasing prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, commonly treated empirically in primary care with antisecretory drugs. Treatment has been associated with delayed diagnosis but it is unclear if this influences prognosis. AIMS: To ascertain the effect of antisecretory drugs on time to diagnosis, symptoms, tumour stage and outcome. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of primary care records for 747 patients diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma at South Tees NHS Trust between 1991 and 2001. RESULTS: Mean time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 30 weeks. Mean and median times at the primary care stage were longer than at the hospital stage for both oesophageal and gastric cancer (P < 0.0001). Patients with benign symptoms prescribed antisecretory drugs were referred later than those not on antisecretory drugs (P < 0.0001), as were patients with alarm symptoms (P = 0.0008). Prior use of antisecretory drugs delayed diagnosis by 17.6 weeks (mean) but had no effect on tumour stage at diagnosis or survival. CONCLUSION: Prior antisecretory drug therapy was associated with delayed diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma irrespective of presenting symptoms. Concerns that delays might adversely affect tumour stage or long-term survival were not substantiated.

Oral antioxidant supplementation for fatigue associated with primary biliary cirrhosis: results of a multicentre, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported, in an uncontrolled trial, an improvement in fatigue scores in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis given oral antioxidant supplementation. We now present data from a controlled trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients with primary biliary cirrhosis-associated fatigue were randomized into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Participants received 12 weeks each of placebo and antioxidant supplementation (vitamins A, C and E, selenium, methionine and ubiquinone) in random order, separated by a 4-week washout period. The primary trial outcome (fatigue) was assessed using the Fisk scale. Other symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis were measured using Likert and visual analogue scales. RESULTS: Forty-four patients completed both arms of the trial. No significant changes in fatigue were recorded in the active phase of treatment (median improvement in Fisk score, 1; P = 0.61). Small improvements in Fisk scores were recorded during placebo therapy (median improvement, 4; P = 0.03). Neither medication was associated with improvement in any other symptoms related to primary biliary cirrhosis. Adverse effects were more common during active therapy and were mild and self-limiting. One patient died from unrelated causes during active treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although oral antioxidant supplementation appears to be safe, we could not find any evidence for a beneficial effect on fatigue or other liver-related symptoms.

Loop diuretics cause less postural hypotension than thiazide diuretics in the frail elderly.

Seventy frail elderly patients attending a day hospital were studied to investigate the incidence of postural hypotension in control patients on no diuretic treatment (n = 30), patients on loop diuretics (frusemide) for mild cardiac failure (n = 20) and patients on thiazide diuretics for mild cardiac failure (n = 20). The results showed that patients on thiazide diuretics had a higher incidence of postural hypotension (reduction in systolic blood pressure greater than 20 mmHg on standing after 2 minutes) than patients on loop diuretics (12 out of 20 vs 4 out of 20, p less than 0.05). Mean plasma potassium levels were lower in the thiazide group than in the frusemide group (p less than 0.05) and this correlated significantly with change in systolic blood pressure from supine to standing position (r = -0.56, p less than 0.01). These findings indicate that a loop diuretic (frusemide) is as safe if not safer than thiazides in older patients and the latter have an unjustified reputation of being safer first-line drugs for the treatment of cardiac failure.

Necrotizing fasciitis in Crohn's disease.

We report a case of a 34-year-old woman, presenting initially with anaemia followed by sacro-iliac pain, and subsequently found to have necrotizing fasciitis complicating Crohn's disease where the organisms were introduced via a fistulous tract. It is perhaps surprising that this is not a more common complication of fistulating Crohn's disease, but we believe this is the first case report of this particular complication.

Open access gastroscopy findings are unrelated to the use of aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

This study aims to determine whether priority should be given to patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin when selecting which dyspeptic patients to refer for open access gastroscopy. A total of 8156 patients underwent gastroscopy, all of whom had upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients taking NSAIDs or aspirin showed no significant differences in the frequency of ulcer disease when age-matched groups were compared. Although NSAIDs and aspirin are frequently implicated in gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly, patients referred for investigation of dyspepsia show no increase in major endoscopic pathology.

What happens to patients following open access gastroscopy? An outcome study from general practice.

BACKGROUND: Open access gastroscopy allows general practitioners to request a gastroscopy without prior referral to a specialist. The effect of open access gastroscopy upon patient management is poorly explored. Most studies have been hospital based and have focused on diagnostic yields and on means of tightening requests to reduce inefficient use. A user evaluation can only be made by measuring outcomes in primary care. AIM: A study was undertaken to determine the impact of open access gastroscopy in general practice and in particular, the value of a normal result. METHOD: All general practices in South Tees District Health Authority were asked to participate. Any of their patients who had had open access gastroscopy in the year prior to July 1990 were identified from the hospital computer and their general practitioner notes examined. Patient management during the year prior to the open access gastroscopy was compared with the year after. The main outcome measures were: detection rate and grade of lesion, change in graded score of prescribed drugs, consultation rate for dyspepsia and non-dyspepsia problems, and further hospital referral and investigations. Outcomes among those with normal and abnormal gastroscopy results were compared. RESULTS: The study sample comprised 715 patients, 36% of whom had a normal gastroscopy result, 34% a major abnormality and 26% a minor abnormality (4% of patients had miscellaneous diagnoses). It was found that 39% of all patients, and 60% of those with normal findings on open access gastroscopy had their drug treatment stopped or reduced in grade after the investigation. Of those with a major endoscopic abnormality 58% increased their treatment score. Consultations for dyspepsia in the year before and after gastroscopy fell by 57% overall among those with a normal gastroscopy result, by 37% among those with a minor finding and by 33% in those with a major finding. There was a 21% fall in consultations for all reasons among those with a normal gastroscopy result but those with a minor abnormality had a 23% increase in non-dyspepsia consultations. Of all patients 19% were referred to hospital subsequently. CONCLUSION: Open access gastroscopy has a major effect upon patient management in general practice, and a normal endoscopy result has an important an impact as an abnormal one. Open access gastroscopy is associated with a rationalization of drug therapy, reduced consultations and a low hospital referral rate.

Paracetamol poisoning in the north east of England: presentation, early management and outcome.

1. Paracetamol is increasingly involved in self-poisoning in the United Kingdom and remains a common cause of fatal poisoning. 2. To document the epidemiology and early management of paracetamol poisoning data were collected on consecutive patients with suspected paracetamol poisoning presenting to 6 hospitals in the North East of England over 12 weeks in 1994. 3. There were 400 presentations (attendance rate 1.14/10(3) population/yr) involving 343 persons (45% male). Paracetamol concentrations at 4 h correlated weakly with reported paracetamol dose (R = 0.49, P < 0.0001) and were similar comparing those treated and not treated by gastric decontamination. 4. In 38 (9%) cases paracetamol concentrations were above the appropriate nomogram treatment line, including 3% and 20% of patients who reported ingesting less than and more than 12 g respectively. In 21 patients acetylcysteine treatment was deferred until admission to the ward, the mean delay involved was 2.8 h. 5. One patient died, from arrhythmias caused by co-ingested dothiepin. 6. Paracetamol poisoning is common. Most cases do not have potentially toxic plasma paracetamol concentrations, but those who do often present late and antidotal treatment may be delayed inappropriately.

Presentation of poisoned patients to accident and emergency departments in the north of England.

1. A 12 week prospective survey of all patients of any age with confirmed or suspected poisoning presenting to six accident and emergency departments in the North East of England was performed to establish the local incidence and patterns of presentation of poisoning. 2. 945 episodes of poisoning involving 852 patients were recorded representing approximately 1.2% of all A&E presentations and suggesting an annual attendance rate of 2.7 per 1000 persons per year. 3. Attendance rates varied threefold between hospitals and were similar in males and females overall; between the ages of five and 14 attendances were more common in females (1.9 vs 0.6/10(3)/y) while between 0 and 4 y (3.1 vs 2.4) and 25 and 34 y (3.9 vs 2.9/10(3)/y) they were more common in males. 4. The median interval between poisoning and presentation was 2 h (mean 4.1 h) and only 19% of cases presented within 1 h. Presentation was most common between Friday evening and Tuesday morning and in the late afternoon and evening. 5. 6% of the patients presented more than once with poisoning during the study period and 37% had a past history of deliberate self-harm. The most common poisons involved were paracetamol (43%), opioids (15%) and benzodiazepines (15%). 6. The study illustrates the frequency of presentations of poisoning to A&E departments. The high rate of poisoning in young men and the increasing use of paracetamol are particular causes for concern.

Factors affecting hospital admission and length of stay of poisoned patients in the north east of England.

1. Poisoning is a common reason for presentation to hospital and hospital admission but there is no agreed policy for managing these patients. This study examined the management of patients presenting with poisoning and the factors affecting the probability of hospital admission and prolonged stay. 2. Data on all cases of poisoning presenting to six Accident and Emergency departments in the North East of England over 12 weeks in 1994 was collected prospectively from A&E notes. Length of stay and outcome were recorded from hospital computer records. 3. Overall, 73% of patients were admitted to a medical ward. Probability of admission was not independently affected by age or gender but was increased in those with intentional poisoning (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.3 [95% CI 1.8, 6.1]), a history of self harm (OR 1.7, [1.0, 2.9]) or potentially hazardous poisoning (OR 3.7 [2.1, 6.6]). There were significant variations between hospitals (50-80%) which could not be attributed to case mix. 4. Prolonged stay (> 2 nights) was more common in patients over 65 years (OR 6.8 [2.9, 16.1]), those with intentional poisoning (OR 2.7 [1.1, 6.6]) and those with potentially hazardous poisoning (OR 2.6 [1.4, 4.9]). Mean hospital stay was 1.5 days and varied significantly between hospitals from 0.8 to 2.1 days and this was independent of case mix. 5. There are appreciable variations in the management of poisoning between hospitals which are not explained by patient characteristics. Savings would occur if rates of admission and duration of stay were reduced by those hospitals where admission is more frequent or hospital stay is longer. However, the impact of this on long term morbidity is unknown.

Open access endoscopy--a nationwide survey of current practice.

In a postal survey of 450 members of the Endoscopy Section of the British Society of Gastroenterology carried out during 1990, 47% of respondants stated that they were offering some form of open access endoscopy. Virtually all of these were offering open access gastroscopy, but one in three were also performing open access flexible sigmoidoscopy. Those units that offered open access endoscopy had significantly more endoscopists sharing the workload, including a greater number of clinical assistants. Only 10% of those who replied, however, were offering 'true' open access endoscopy, the remainder used some form of 'censoring'. There were also important differences in consultants' attitudes to the investigation and management of patients referred with dyspepsia, which may account for the patchy availability of the service. Some 71% of those who did not offer open access endoscopy cited an inability to cope with numbers as their main reason for not doing so. Support for these concerns is gained from the finding that 52% of those that offered the service have had a waiting list exceeding six weeks at some time. Nevertheless, open access endoscopy is becoming more widely available with a large increase in participating units during the past 12 months.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: implications for gastroenterology.

The current clinical views regarding variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and in particular transmission via endoscopy, of those representing both gastroenterology and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee are presented in an attempt to guide clinicians as to "best practice" given the current state of our knowledge.

Open access gastroscopy: second survey of current practice in the United Kingdom.

In June 1990 a survey of members of the endoscopy section of the British Society of Gastroenterology showed that 47% of respondents were offering some form of open access gastroscopy (OAG). Only 10% offered true (non-censored) OAG. The survey was repeated in June 1994. The overall provision of OAG had risen to 74%, most of whom were offering true OAG. Censored OAG is still widely practised and characterised by referral letters to a consultant in contrast with the use of referral forms (p < 0.001). Referral forms are being increasingly used and are an effective way of capturing important data such as the patients' symptoms (100%), previous treatment (87%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or aspirin use (78%), suspected diagnosis (74%), and other medical conditions (72%). Forms were used to establish clinical responsibility with the general practitioner in 64% of units. Standardised referral and reporting forms were used by 27% of respondents. A perceived inability to cope with the expected workload was still the most commonly cited reason for not being able to offer OAG. Although 20% of units with a single handed endoscopist were able to offer OAG, this compared with 68% of units with two or more endoscopists (p < 0.001). Only three units indicated that an OAG service had had to be withdrawn, but a further 12 consultants (nine units) were now offering an age restricted service because of excessive workload. Two thirds of the respondents not offering OAG were hoping to do so in the near future. True OAG has increased from 10% to 41% in four years.

Is there excessive use of gastric lavage in the treatment of self-poisoning?

An attempt to identify those factors which influenced the decision to perform gastric lavage in 236 cases of deliberate self-poisoning seen over 6 months showed that 87% of patients seen within 4 hours of ingestion of the poison had a lavage, irrespective of the number of tablets and nature of drug taken. Overall, 77% had a gastric lavage. Most of the late lavages were carried out for salicylate ingestion. The changing pattern of drugs used for attempted selfpoisoning suggests that at least 50% of patients are being unnecessarily subjected to gastric lavage.

Information for patients about inflammatory bowel disease.

In inflammatory bowel disease it is important that patients understand their condition since this helps to improve long-term management of the disease. The aim of this study was to assess the information given to patients with inflammatory bowel disease about their condition, its treatment and the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's disease. Two surveys were performed, using anonymous questionnaires. One was of all association members in north-east England, the other was a sample of patients attending medical outpatients. The surveys showed that more patients heard of the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's disease from the media than from medical sources. Of patients seen in medical clinics, 75% would welcome more information about their disease. In four of the six participating centres less than half the patients had been told about the existence of a patients' association. There was considerable variation in the instructions on what action to take in the event of a relapse. These findings suggest that the opportunity offered by out-patient clinics to educate and inform patients is often wasted. Clinicians often neglect to mention the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's disease, especially to patients with long-standing disease. A higher priority should be given to providing patients with appropriate information on inflammatory bowel disease. Three simple audit standards for the organisation of outpatient clinic information are proposed.