Bowel dysfunction after surgery.

The functions of the lower parts of the bowel, namely the colon and rectum, are predominantly the absorption of fluids and elimination of faeces and flatus. Bowel surgery may be carried out in the treatment of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or diverticular disease, and may involve the formation of a permanent or temporary stoma. The type of colorectal surgery carried out depends on the condition and where the problem occurs. Surgery can alter not only the bowel's anatomy but also its functioning. Bowel dysfunction can manifest as constipation, faecal incontinence or diarrhoea. Nurses are well placed to assist patients to resolve many of these problems as well as stoma issues.

Clinical Guidelines for Management of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Cancer Patients: The Japanese Society of Palliative Medicine Recommendations.

Background: Gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, bowel obstruction, ascites, constipation, and anorexia, are common and often refractory in advanced cancer patients. The palliation of gastrointestinal symptoms is important in improving the quality of life of cancer patients, as well as that of their families and caregivers. Currently published clinical guidelines for the management of gastrointestinal symptoms in cancer patients do not comprehensively cover the topics or are not based on a formal process for the development of clinical guidelines. Methods: The Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine (JSPM) developed comprehensive clinical guidelines for the management of gastrointestinal symptoms in cancer patients after a formal guideline development process. Results: This article summarizes the recommendations along with their rationale and a short summary of the development process of the JSPM gastrointestinal symptom management guidelines. We established 31 recommendations, all of which are based on the best available evidence and agreement of expert taskforce members. Discussion: Future clinical studies and continuous guideline updates are required to improve gastrointestinal symptom management in cancer patients.

Complications of Solid Organ Transplantation: Cardiovascular, Neurologic, Renal, and Gastrointestinal.

Despite improvements in overall graft function and patient survival rates after solid organ transplantation, complications can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular complications include heart failure, arrhythmias leading to sudden death, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and allograft vasculopathy in heart transplantation. Neurologic complications include stroke, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, infections, neuromuscular disease, seizure disorders, and neoplastic disease. Acute kidney injury occurs from immunosuppression with calcineurin inhibitors or as a result of graft failure after kidney transplantation. Gastrointestinal complications include infections, malignancy, mucosal ulceration, perforation, biliary tract disease, pancreatitis, and diverticular disease. Immunosuppression can predispose to infections and malignancy.

Mastocytosis.

Mastocytosis is a rare and underdiagnosed disorder characterized by mast cell proliferation in the tissues and organs of the body. The gastrointestinal manifestations of the disease can be noted in approximately 70%-80% of those patients diagnosed with the disorder. Symptomatic manifestations of systemic mastocytosis can either be triggered spontaneously or be precipitated by a variety of situations, stimuli, and exposures. Common gastrointestinal complaints include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal reflux disease. Substantial numbers of mast cells have been noted in patients who have been diagnosed with gastritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn disease. Irreversible, with symptoms that run the gamut from the merely annoying to the severely life-threatening, mastocytosis is a disease that prevents an individual from leading a normal life. As the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptomatology in those patients who have been diagnosed with mastocytosis is so significant, it is an important and relevant disease of which gastroenterology nurses should be cognizant.

Gastrointestinal Disturbances in the Elderly.

Gastrointestinal (GI) age-related changes create alterations in the body's ability to digest, absorb, and excrete nutrients, medications, and alcohol and disrupts GI immunity responses. All older adults exhibit some degree of swallowing difficulty, also known as senescent swallowing. The effects of chronic disease and sustained use of alcohol, tobacco, and medications often exacerbate age-related GI dysfunction. Older adults often have nonspecific complaints, warranting a thorough health history and physical examination, including prescription and over-the-counter medications. Colorectal cancer screening tests should be discussed with all older adults because of the high incidence of colorectal cancer in this patient population.

Late gastrointestinal effects of pelvic radiation: a nurse-led service.

There are currently at least 2 million people in the UK living with and following a cancer diagnosis. Typically four out of every ten people with cancer will receive radiotherapy, but a large proportion of people who have pelvic radiotherapy may go on to develop gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. This includes rectal bleeding and faecal incontinence, which can have a huge impact on quality of life. These problems often go under-reported by patients and are also under-recognised or under-treated by health professionals. Cancer survivorship is a growing topic that is likely to have a major impact on the NHS, with increasing numbers of patients presenting. A late GI effects of pelvic radiotherapy clinic was set up to address these growing needs of patients with GI symptoms following radiotherapy. This article also shares insights from a doctoral study that is underway looking at people's experiences of living with symptoms following their treatment, in order to improve awareness of the major impact that this can have.

Gastrointestinal care for older people.

This article discusses gastrointestinal (GI) healthcare in older people. It outlines the physiological changes that occur in the GI tract as a result of ageing, and discusses common GI disorders in older people. These GI disorders include dysphagia, gastrointestinal reflux disease, colorectal cancer, diverticular disease, constipation and anaemia. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the factors that may influence gastrointestinal health in older people, including nutrition, hydration and alcohol use, which are important considerations when delivering person-centred care.

Prognostic factors of surgically-treated patients with cancer of the right colon: a ten years' experience of a single universitary institution / Fatores prognósticos de pacientes com câncer de cólon direito tratados cirurgicamente: experiência de 10 anos de uma instituição universitária

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world. There are many controversies in the literature about the prognostic value of primary tumor location. Many studies have shown higher survival rates for tumors in the right colon, and worse prognosis for lesions located more distally in the colon. AIM: To analyze the results of surgical treatment of right-sided colon cancers patients operated in one decade period and identify the prognostic factors that were associated with lower overall survival in stages I-IV patients. METHODS: A retrospective review from the prospectively collected database identified 178 patients with right-sided colon cancer surgically treated with curative intent. Demographic factors (gender and age), tumor factors (site, T stage, N stage, M stage, histological type and tumor differentiation), and lymph node yield were extracted to identify those associated with lower overall survival. RESULTS: Mean age was 65 (±12) years old, and 105 (56.1%) patients were female. Most common affected site was ascending colon (48.1%), followed by cecum (41.7%) and hepatic flexure (10.2%). Mean length of hospital stay was 14 (±2.8) days. T stage distribution was T1 (4.8%), T2 (7.5%), T3 (74.9%), and T4 (12.8%). Nodal involvement was present in 46.0%, and metastatic disease in 3.7%. Twelve or more lymph nodes were obtained in 87.2% of surgical specimens and 84.5% were non-mucinous tumors. Mean survival time was 38.3 (±30.8) months. Overall survival was affected by T stage, N stage, M stage, and final stage. Lymph node involvement (OR=2.06) and stage III/IV (OR=2.81) were independent negative prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Right-sided colon cancer presented commonly at advanced stage. Advanced stage and lymph node involvement were factors associated with poor long term survival. .

RACIONAL: Câncer colorretal é o tipo mais comum das neoplasias gastrointestinais. Há muitas controvérsias na literatura acerca do valor prognóstico do sítio da neoplasia. Muitos estudos revelam maiores taxas de sobrevida para tumores em cólon direito, com piora do prognóstico à medida que as lesões se situam mais distalmente. OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico de pacientes com câncer de cólon direito estádios I-IV operados em um período de dez anos e identificar os fatores prognósticos que foram associados com menor sobrevida global. MÉTODOS: Em 10 anos, 187 pacientes foram submetidos à colectomia direita com intenção curativa. Foram estudados os seguintes fatores: gênero, idade, localização do tumor, o número de linfonodos obtidos no espécime, comprometimento linfonodal, estádio T e presença de metástases à distância. Estes fatores foram avaliados quanto à possibilidade de serem indicadores prognósticos na sobrevida em cinco anos. RESULTADOS: A idade média foi de 65 (±12) anos e 105 (56,1%) eram mulheres. A localização, mas comum foi o cólon ascendente (48,1%), seguido do ceco (41,7%) e o ângulo hepático (10,2%). A média de tempo de internação hospitalar foi 14 (±2.8) dias. A distribuição do estádio T foi T1 (4,8%), T2 (7,5%), T3 (74,9%) e T4 (12,8%). Acometimento linfonodal ocorreu em 46,0% e metástases à distância em 3,7%. Um mínimo de 12 linfonodos ressecados foram obtidos em 87,2% dos espécimes cirúrgicos. Em 84.5% os tumores eram não-mucinosos. A média de sobrevida foi de 38,3 (±30.8) meses. A sobrevida geral foi afetada pelo estádio T, N, M e pelo estádio final. O acometimento linfonodal (RR=2,06) e os estádios III/IV (RR=2,81) foram fatores prognósticos negativos independentes. CONCLUSÕES: Estádio avançado e envolvimento linfonodal foram os fatores associados com a pior sobrevida em longo prazo. .

In-hospital weight loss, prescribed diet and food acceptance / Perda de peso hospitalar, dieta prescrita e aceitação de alimentos

BACKGROUND: Weight loss and malnutrition may be caused by many factors, including type of disease and treatment. AIM: The present study investigated the occurrence of in-hospital weight loss and related factors. METHOD: This cross-sectional study investigated the following variables of 456 hospitalized patients: gender, age, disease, weight variation during hospital stay, and type and acceptance of the prescribed diet. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparing patients' weight in the first three days in hospital stay and determining which factors affect weight. The generalized estimating equation was used for comparing the food acceptance rates. The significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: The most prescribed diet was the regular (28.8%) and 45.5% of the patients lost weight during their stay. Acceptance of hospital food increased from the first to the third days of stay (p=0.0022) but weight loss was still significant (p<0.0001). Age and type of prescribed diet did not affect weight loss during the study period but type of disease and gender did. Patients with neoplasms (p=0.0052) and males (p=0.0002) lost more weight. CONCLUSION: Weight loss during hospital stay was associated only with gender and type of disease. .

RACIONAL: A perda de peso e a desnutrição podem ser desencadeadas por vários fatores, além de estar relacionada com o tipo de doença e com a terapia empregada. OBJETIVO: Investigar a ocorrência de perda de peso e fatores relacionados, durante a internação. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal com 456 pacientes hospitalizados, sendo estudadas as seguintes variáveis: sexo, idade, doença, evolução de peso, tipo e aceitação da dieta prescrita. Para comparar o peso entre os três primeiros dias de internação e para o estudo dos fatores que interferiram na alteração do peso, foi utilizada a Análise de Variância (ANOVA) para medidas repetidas. Para comparar a proporção de respostas na aceitação da dieta, foi utilizado o método das Equações de Estimação Generalizadas (EEG), com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: A dieta mais prescrita foi a geral (28.8%) e 45.5% dos pacientes perderam peso durante a internação. A aceitação da dieta hospitalar melhorou do 1º para o 3º dia de internação (p=0.0022), mas mesmo assim, a perda foi significativa (p<0.0001). Verificou-se que a idade e o tipo de dieta prescrita não influenciaram na perda de peso no período; mas, o tipo de doença e o sexo, apresentaram influência nos pacientes portadores de neoplasias (p=0.0052) e o sexo masculino (p=0.0002) apresentou mais perda de peso. CONCLUSÃO: A perda de peso no decorrer da internação foi relacionada apenas ao sexo e ao tipo de doença. .

Outcomes evaluation of a weekly nurse practitioner-managed symptom management clinic for patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine whether improved monitoring through close follow-up with a nurse practitioner (NP) could enhance treatment compliance and decrease frequency of hospitalizations. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: An academic National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. SAMPLE: 151 patients aged 45-65 years diagnosed with stage III or IV oropharyngeal cancer. METHODS: Patients were nonrandomized to one of two groups: a prechemotherapy clinic group and a weekly NP-led clinic group. After examination of descriptive statistics, multiple linear and logistic regressions were used to compare groups across patient outcomes. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Hospitalization, chemotherapy dose deviations, and chemotherapy treatment completion. FINDINGS: The average number of visits during traditional treatment was three and, after initiation of the NP-led clinic, the number was six. The hospitalization rate was 28% in the traditional clinic group compared to 12% in the NP-led group. The rate of chemotherapy dose deviations was 48% in the traditional clinic group compared to 6% in the NP-led clinic group. Forty-six percent of patients in the traditional clinic group received the full seven scheduled doses of chemotherapy compared to 90% of patients seen in the NP-led clinic group. CONCLUSIONS: A weekly NP-led symptom management clinic reduces rates of hospitalization and chemotherapy dose deviations and increases chemotherapy completion in patients receiving intensive chemoradiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Patients receiving chemoradiotherapy benefit from close monitoring for toxicities by NPs to successfully complete their treatment and avoid hospitalization. KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION: Early interventions to manage toxicities in patients with head and neck cancer can improve outcomes. NPs are in a key position to manage these toxicities and, when symptoms are controlled, costs are reduced.

Nickel allergy: what it is and how it can affect our patient care.

Nickel allergy is the second most common form of allergic contact dermatitis skin allergy, second only to poison ivy. There is no cure for a nickel allergy. The best treatment is to avoid contact with all products known to have nickel content. Because nickel is present in a vast amount of items used every day in the gastroenterology endoscopy setting, it is not possible to have a nickel-free environment. Nurses need to be aware of items in their facility, which could affect the nickel-allergic patient in an adverse way. The focus should be to limit patient exposure as much as possible. This article provides an overview of nickel allergy and areas of risk for patients in the gastroenterology endoscopy setting.

Managing side effects of the novel taxane cabazitaxel in castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

Cabazitaxel, a novel taxane, was approved in June 2010 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in men previously treated with docetaxel. In TROPIC (N = 755), an open-label, randomized, phase III trial, cabazitaxel (plus prednisone) was associated with improvement in median overall survival compared with mitoxantrone plus prednisone (15.1 versus 12.7 months, p < 0.0001) in patients with mCRPC who had progressed following docetaxel-based regimens. That corresponds to a 30% relative reduction in risk of death compared with the mitoxantrone regimen. In addition, significant benefit existed in median progression-free survival with cabazitaxel versus the mitoxantrone regimen (2.8 versus 1.4 months, p < 0.0001). Most common adverse events (AEs) associated with cabazitaxel were hematologic; the rates (all grade) of neutropenia, leukopenia, and anemia were greater than 90%. Diarrhea, fatigue, asthenia, and back pain were the most common grade 3 or higher nonhematologic AEs. Because expected AEs from cabazitaxel therapy can delay or even interrupt treatment, oncology nurses need to be aware of those risks and their management. This article reviews the vital role of nurses in identifying patients at high risk for AEs associated with cabazitaxel therapy and reviews strategies for prevention and management of symptoms.

Can nurses manage gastrointestinal symptoms arising from pelvic radiation disease?

AIMS: About 17,000 patients receive radiotherapy for pelvic cancer in the UK annually. Up to 50% are left with altered bowel function affecting quality of life. The UK National Cancer Survivorship Initiative Vision acknowledges that the needs of cancer survivors are not being met and challenges professionals to develop new models of care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, observational qualitative study was carried out to assess whether nurse-delivered care is feasible for patients with radiotherapy-induced bowel dysfunction. The experience of a senior nurse, directed by an algorithm of investigation with a comprehensive treatment pathway, is reported. RESULTS: Over 12 months, 59 new and 103 follow-up appointments were managed by the nurse. In total, 37 women and 73 men, with a median age of 69 years, were seen; 9 had been treated for gastrointestinal, 33 for gynaecological and 68 for urological cancers, 26 months (median) previously. Sixty minutes (new consultations) (median, range 35-80) and 40 minutes (follow-up consultations) (range 20-85) were required. Ordering investigations, treatment initiation, long-term care planning and discharge seemed to be manageable in 83% of patients. CONCLUSION: An experienced nurse, working within a defined scope of practice, with medical support can manage care in patients with mild or moderate symptoms arising after pelvic radiotherapy. An ongoing randomised controlled trial is assessing patient outcomes.

A study comparing an endoscopy nurse and an endoscopy physician in capsule endoscopy interpretation.

OBJECTIVE: Complete review of wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) recordings by a physician is time-consuming and laborious and may be perceived as a limitation to perform WCE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a nurse in interpreting WCE. METHODS: A total of 102 WCE videos were evaluated by a single gastroenterologist and a nurse experienced as an assistant in diagnostic and interventional endoscopy and trained in WCE. After independently reviewing WCE videos, the two readers discussed their findings and came to a consensus. RESULTS: The mean capsule reading time was significantly longer for the nurse compared with the gastroenterologist (117.3+/-24.8 vs. 63.8+/-8.5 min, P<0.001). No statistical differences were observed regarding the correct recognition of first gastric, duodenal and caecal images between the two readers. For the gastroenterologist, both sensitivity and specificity in detecting abnormal findings were 100% except for angiodysplasia [sensitivity 88.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 70-97.4]. For the nurse, the lowest sensitivity rates were in detecting polyps (70%, 95% CI: 34.9-92.3) and angiodysplasias (92.3%, 95% CI: 74.8-98.9). The interobserver agreement as determined by Cohen's κ coefficient was excellent except for polyps (k=0.71, 95% CI: 0.46-0.96). CONCLUSION: A trained nurse is highly accurate in detecting abnormal findings and interpreting WCE recordings. Physician's role could be limited to consider and confirm thumbnails created by a nurse.

Genetics and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort/pain, and heartburn are ubiquitous and as such are often the focus of nursing interventions. The etiologies of these symptoms include GI pathology (e.g., cancer, inflammation), dietary factors (e.g., lactose intolerance), infection, stress, autonomic nervous system dysregulation, medications, as well as a host of diseases outside the GI tract. This review focuses on a common condition (irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]) that is linked with both bowel pattern and abdominal discomfort/pain symptoms. Family and twin studies give evidence for a role of genetic factors in IBS. Whether genes are directly associated with IBS or influence disease risk indirectly by modulating the response to environmental factors remains unknown at this time. Given the multifactorial nature of IBS, it is unlikely that a single genetic factor is responsible for IBS. In addition, gene-gene (epistatic) interactions are also likely to play a role. Four genes coding for proteins involved in neurotransmission (i.e., the serotonin reuptake transporter [SERT], tryptophan hydroxylase [TPH], alpha2-adrenergic receptor [alpha2-ADR], catechol-o-methyl transferase [COMT]) and their potential relevance to GI symptoms and IBS will be reviewed. Further research using genome-wide association approaches with samples well characterized by ethnicity and standardized symptom subgrouping is needed.

Symptom clusters in individuals living with advanced cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To discuss issues related to symptom clusters in patients living with advanced cancer. DATA SOURCES: Research and review articles. CONCLUSION: The importance for symptom cluster evaluation in oncology has been documented; however, there remain a number of inconsistencies in the literature as to the best way to accomplish this. Individuals living with advanced cancer are often dealing with symptoms from their disease, as well as prior and current therapies. Research related to patients receiving long-term cancer therapies and the symptom clusters experienced by this group of individuals is needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Understanding the intricacies of symptom clusters in this population is an area for future research.

Effect of kefir on the quality of life of patients being treated for colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine kefir's effect on the prevention of gastrointestinal complaints and quality of life (QOL) in patients being treated for colorectal cancer. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, prospective, interventional study. SETTING: Istanbul University Oncology Institute in Turkey. SAMPLE: 40 patients, 20 of whom were randomized to the experimental (kefir) arm and 20 who were randomized to the control arm. METHODS: Informed consent to participate in the study was obtained. Before treatment began, demographics, illness-related characteristics, complaints, and QOL of participants were evaluated. During treatment, side effects were evaluated one week after every cycle of therapy. QOL was evaluated after the third and sixth cycles of treatment. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: The effect of kefir on the prevention of gastrointestinal complaints and QOL in patients being treated for colorectal cancer. FINDINGS: Following chemotherapy, the experimental (kefir) group had more treatment-related gastrointestinal complaints but a decrease in sleep disturbance. No difference was found between the two groups for QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Kefir does not prevent or decrease gastrointestinal complaints in patients undergoing chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Kefir did decrease sleep disturbances in the experimental group. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Many patients use complementary and alternative medicine during cancer therapy. This study may provide information about the effectiveness of kefir in patients with cancer.

Effectiveness of nurse delivered endoscopy: findings from randomised multi-institution nurse endoscopy trial (MINuET).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effectiveness of doctors and nurses in undertaking upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. DESIGN: Pragmatic trial with Zelen's randomisation before consent to minimise distortion of existing practice. SETTING: 23 hospitals in the United Kingdom. In six hospitals, nurses undertook both upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy, yielding a total of 29 centres. PARTICIPANTS: 67 doctors and 30 nurses. Of 4964 potentially eligible patients, we randomised 4128 (83%) and recruited 1888 (38%) from July 2002 to June 2003. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy, undertaken with or without sedation, with the standard preparation, techniques, and protocols of participating hospitals. After referral for either procedure, patients were randomised between doctors and nurses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gastrointestinal symptom rating questionnaire (primary outcome), gastrointestinal endoscopy satisfaction questionnaire and state-trait anxiety inventory (all analysed by intention to treat); immediate and delayed complications; quality of examination and corresponding report; patients' preferences for operator; and new diagnoses at one year (all analysed according to who carried out the procedure). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups in outcome at one day, one month, or one year after endoscopy, except that patients were more satisfied with nurses after one day. Nurses were also more thorough than doctors in examining the stomach and oesophagus. While quality of life scores were slightly better in patients the doctor group, this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic endoscopy can be undertaken safely and effectively by nurses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International standard RCT 82765705.