Clinical profile of 1208 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients in Tamil Nadu-A multi-centric survey.

BACKGROUND: An increasing incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is being reported in developing countries, including India. Most Indian studies on CRC are retrospective and single-centered. The present study is an attempt to understand the current clinical profile and stage of newly diagnosed CRCs across multiple centers in Tamil Nadu, India. METHODS: A multi-centric observational survey was conducted between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022, under the aegis of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology - Tamil Nadu chapter. Patients 18 years of age and older with a recent diagnosis of CRC fulfilling the inclusion criteria were prospectively recruited at the participating centers. Their demographic, clinical, biochemical, endoscopic, histopathologic, radiologic and risk factor details were systematically collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Across 23 centers in Tamil Nadu, 1208 patients were recruited. The male:female ratio was 1.49:1, while mean (SD) age was 57.7 (13.5) years. A majority (81.9%) were Tamils and 78.5% belonged to lower socioeconomic classes. The predominant symptoms were hematochezia (30.2%) and a change in bowel habits (27.5%). The most common locations were the rectum (34.3%) and rectosigmoid (15.1%). Synchronous CRCs were seen in 3.3% and synchronous colorectal polyps in 12.8%. Predisposing factors for CRC were seen in 2%. A past history of any cancer among CRC patients was obtained in 3.1% and a family history of any cancer was found in 7.6%. Patients who were either overweight or obese constituted 46.4% of the study population. At presentation, the predominant stages were stage III (44.7%) and stage IV (20.8%). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of patients with newly diagnosed CRC in Tamil Nadu belonged to the lower socioeconomic classes. About 60% had CRCs located within the reach of the flexible sigmoidoscope. Two-thirds of the patients exceeded stage II disease at presentation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Prevalence of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: A Cross-Sectional, Clinicoepidemiological, Multicenter, Nationwide Study in India: The PREDICT Study.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed at assessing the prevalence and clinical profile of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in patients with cirrhosis using neuropsychological assessment and at understanding the management practices of MHE in the Indian clinical setting. METHODS: This cross-sectional, clinicoepidemiological study conducted at 20 sites enrolled liver cirrhosis patients with Grade 0 hepatic encephalopathy according to West-Haven Criteria. Patients were subjected to mini-mental state examination and those with a score of ≥24 were assessed using psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score. Short Form-36 questionnaire was administered to assess the impact on health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Of the 1260 enrolled patients, 1114 were included in the analysis. The mean age was 49.5 years and majority were males (901 [81%]). The prevalence of MHE was found to be 59.7% (665/1114) based on the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score of ≤-5. Alcohol-related liver disease was the most common etiology (482 [43.27%]) followed by viral infection (239 [21.45%]). Past smokers as well as those currently smoking were more likely to have MHE than nonsmokers. A significant association was found between tobacco chewing, smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, and the presence of MHE. Multivariable analysis revealed smoking as the only parameter associated with MHE. A total of 300 (26.9%) patients were on prophylaxis with lactulose/lactitol or rifaximin. These patients were less likely to have MHE as compared to those not on prophylaxis (odds ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.88; P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The disease burden of MHE is quite substantial in patients with cirrhosis with no apparent cognitive defect. Smoking, whether past or current, has significant association with the presence of MHE. Although MHE has been shown to adversely affect quality of life, prophylaxis for MHE is not routinely practiced in the Indian setting.The study has been registered under clinical trials registry of India (CTRI/2014/01/004306).