Impact of antithrombotic therapy on acute and delayed intracranial haemorrhage and evaluation of the need of short-term hospitalisation based on CT findings after mild traumatic brain injury: experience from an oral and maxillofacial surgery unit.

PURPOSE: The primary aim was to compare the prevalence of acute and delayed intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in patients on antithrombotic medication referred to a clinic for oral and plastic maxillofacial surgery. The secondary aim was to evaluate the need for short-term hospitalisation based on initial radiological and clinical findings. METHODS: This was an observational retrospective single-centre study of all patients on antithrombotic medication who were admitted to our department of oral and plastic maxillofacial surgery with mTBI over a 5 year period. Demographic and anamnesis data, injury characteristics, antithrombotic medication, radiological findings, treatment, and outcome were analysed. Patients were divided into the following four groups based on their antithrombotic medication: (1) single antiplatelet users, (2) vitamin K antagonist users, (3) direct oral anticoagulant users, and (4) double antithrombotic users. All patients underwent an emergency cranial CT (CT0) at admission. Based on clinical and radiological evaluation, different treatment protocols were applied. Patients with positive CT0 findings and patients with secondary neurological deterioration received a control CT (CT1) before discharge. Acute and delayed ICH and patient's outcome during hospitalisation were evaluated using descriptive statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 696 patients (mean age, 71.6 years) on antithrombotic medication who presented at our department with mTBI were included in the analysis. Most injuries were caused by a ground-level fall (76.9%). Thirty-six patients (5.1%) developed an acute traumatic ICH, and 47 intracerebral lesions were detected by radiology-most of these in patients taking acetylsalicylic acid. No association was detected between ICH and antithrombotic medication (p = 0.4353). In total, 258 (37.1%) patients were admitted for 48 h in-hospital observation. The prevalence of delayed ICH was 0.1%, and the mortality rate was 0.1%. Multivariable analysis identified a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of < 15, loss of consciousness, amnesia, headache, dizziness, and nausea as clinical characteristics significantly associated with an increased risk of acute ICH, whereas age, sex, and trauma mechanism were not associated with ICH prevalence. Of the 39 patients who underwent a control CT1, most had a decreasing or at least constant intracranial lesion; in three patients, intracranial bleeding increased but was not clinically relevant. CONCLUSION: According to our experience, antithrombotic therapy does not increase the rate of ICH after mTBI. A GCS of < 15, loss of consciousness, amnesia, headache, dizziness, and nausea are indicators of higher ICH risk. A second CT scan is more effective in patients with secondary neurological deterioration. Initial CT findings were not clinically relevant and should not indicate in-hospital observation.

GDF15 linked to maternal risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

GDF15, a hormone acting on the brainstem, has been implicated in the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, including its most severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), but a full mechanistic understanding is lacking1-4. Here we report that fetal production of GDF15 and maternal sensitivity to it both contribute substantially to the risk of HG. We confirmed that higher GDF15 levels in maternal blood are associated with vomiting in pregnancy and HG. Using mass spectrometry to detect a naturally labelled GDF15 variant, we demonstrate that the vast majority of GDF15 in the maternal plasma is derived from the feto-placental unit. By studying carriers of rare and common genetic variants, we found that low levels of GDF15 in the non-pregnant state increase the risk of developing HG. Conversely, women with ß-thalassaemia, a condition in which GDF15 levels are chronically high5, report very low levels of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. In mice, the acute food intake response to a bolus of GDF15 is influenced bi-directionally by prior levels of circulating GDF15 in a manner suggesting that this system is susceptible to desensitization. Our findings support a putative causal role for fetally derived GDF15 in the nausea and vomiting of human pregnancy, with maternal sensitivity, at least partly determined by prepregnancy exposure to the hormone, being a major influence on its severity. They also suggest mechanism-based approaches to the treatment and prevention of HG.

Liquid and solid gastric emptying and correlation with clinical characteristics in pediatric patients with dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on gastric emptying in dyspeptic children. We aimed to determine solid and liquid emptying rates in dyspeptic children and correlate with clinical characteristics. METHODS: Charts of dyspeptic children undergoing 4-hour dual-phase gastric scintigraphy were reviewed for demographics, symptoms, and comorbidities. KEY RESULTS: In 1078 dyspeptic patients (65% females, median age 13 years) vomiting (55%), nausea (53%), and abdominal pain (52%) were the most common symptoms. The most common comorbidities were mental health (32%), neurologic (27%), and hypermobility spectrum disorders (20%). Solid and liquid emptying rates were aligned in 61.23%. Delayed solid with normal liquid emptying were noted in 2.5%, compared to delayed liquid with normal solid emptying in 26.16%. Abdominal pain had a trend for association with delayed or normal solid emptying (p = 0.06). Nausea was mostly reported with normal solid emptying (p < 0.0001) and underreported in patients <12 years with vomiting (29%). Abnormal solid emptying (rapid and delayed) was noted more frequently in children with mental health disorders (p = 0.027). Rapid liquid emptying was more common in children with genetic disorders (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION AND INFERENCES: Over half of children with dyspepsia had delayed liquid gastric emptying, and one quarter had delayed liquid with normal solid emptying. Dual-phase gastric emptying studies may help target therapy in dyspeptic children. Nausea is not a reliable symptom for dyspepsia in younger children. Given the significant association of abnormal gastric emptying in children with mental health disorders, we recommend screening and treating children with dyspepsia.

The acute vestibular syndrome: prevalence of new hearing loss and its diagnostic value.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of new hearing losses in patients with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) and to start to evaluate its diagnostic value for the differentiation between peripheral and central causes. DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional prospective study in AVS patients presenting to our Emergency Department (ED) from February 2015 to November 2020. All patients received an MRI, Head-impulse test, Nystagmus test and Test of skew ('HINTS'), caloric testing and a pure-tone audiometry. RESULTS: We assessed 71 AVS patients, 17 of whom had a central and 54 a peripheral cause of dizziness. 12.7% had an objective hearing loss. 'HINTS' had an accuracy of 78.9% to diagnose stroke, whereas 'HINTS' plus audiometry 73.2%. 'HINTS' sensitivity was 82.4% and specificity 77.8% compared to 'HINTS' plus audiometry showing a sensitivity of 82.4% and specificity of 70.4%. The four patients with stroke and minor stroke had all central 'HINTS'. 55% of the patients did not perceive their new unilateral hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: We found that almost one-eighth of the AVS patients had a new onset of hearing loss and only half had self-reported it. 'HINTS' plus audiometry proved to be less accurate to diagnose a central cause than 'HINTS' alone. Audiometry offered little diagnostic accuracy to detect strokes in the ED but might be useful to objectify a new hearing loss that was underestimated in the acute phase. Complete hearing loss should be considered a red flag, as three in four patients suffered from a central cause.

Recognising and managing migraine.

Migraine is a common neurological disorder characterised by a severe, pulsating headache, sometimes accompanied with photophobia or phonophobia and nausea and/or vomiting. The symptoms of migraine can have a significant adverse effect on a person's ability to undertake normal activities. Nurses have an important role in assisting patients in identifying migraine triggers and in supporting them to manage the symptoms of migraines through lifestyle changes and pharmacological treatments. This article describes different types of migraines and some differential diagnoses and 'red flag' symptoms that could indicate a more serious condition. The author also discusses non-pharmacological and pharmacological management strategies and treatments.

Prevention of postoperative stroke in pediatric moyamoya patients: a standardized perioperative care protocol.

OBJECTIVE: Perioperative stroke is a major complication of revascularization surgery in patients with moyamoya. Vomiting is common after neurosurgical procedures and may result in acute changes in intracranial pressure and cerebral blood flow. The authors instituted a standardized perioperative nausea and vomiting protocol for children with moyamoya undergoing indirect bypass surgery at their institution and analyzed its association with perioperative stroke. They hypothesized that instituting a standardized perioperative nausea and vomiting protocol would be associated with reduction in the number of perioperative strokes in children with moyamoya undergoing indirect bypass surgery. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed consecutive cases of children and young adults with moyamoya who underwent indirect bypass surgery before and after implementation of a new perioperative nausea and vomiting protocol at a single institution. They compared the rate of strokes in the perioperative period (postoperative days 0 and 1) in the 31 months following implementation to 31 months prior to implementation using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The median ages pre- and postimplementation were 8.5 (IQR 4-12) years and 8.3 (IQR 5-15) years, respectively. There were no significant differences between the cohorts in disease severity or other potentially confounding factors. In the 31 months prior to initiation of the perioperative nausea and vomiting protocol, there were 5 strokes in 137 surgically treated hemispheres (3.6%). After initiation of the protocol, there were no strokes in 114 surgically treated hemispheres (p = 0.065). CONCLUSIONS: Instituting a standardized perioperative nausea and vomiting protocol was associated with reduction in perioperative strokes in children with moyamoya treated with indirect bypass surgery.

Anesthesia via peripheral nerve blocks during total knee replacement has no effect on postoperative inflammation in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that, compared with general anesthesia (GA), the procedure of peripheral nerve blocks (PNB) facilitates faster recovery of elderly patients from total knee replacement (TKR). Here, we investigated whether the faster recovery is associated with decreased perioperative stress and inflammation and decreased incidences of postoperative complications. METHODS: After randomization, 165 patients aged ≥65 years underwent TKR under GA or PNB. The primary outcomes were the perioperative inflammation and stress levels, based on the serum C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white-blood cell and neutrophil counts, and blood-sugar level. The secondary outcomes were the postoperative complications, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and hepatic or renal complications, insomnia, delirium, electrolyte disturbances, and nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: The two groups were not significantly demographically different (p > .05). Of the cytokines related to stress and inflammation, the differences of time points were statistically significant between the two groups (p < .01), but two-way ANOVA revealed no interaction between the time points and groups. Incidences of postoperative complications were far lower in PNB group than in GA group (p = .006). Incidences of postoperative respiratory complications (p = .005) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (p = .040) were significantly lower in PNB group than in GA group. There were no significant differences in other complications between the two groups (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: PNB does not alleviate the stress and inflammation in elderly patients post TKR but significantly reduces the incidences of postoperative complications, especially respiratory complications, and nausea and vomiting. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01871012).

Safety and efficacy of combined ropivacaine and sufentanil compared with ropivacaine for cesarean sections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cesarean sections are the most common operations in the United States and one of the most common worldwide. Using the lowest possible dose of anesthetic that provides painless delivery with the lowest adverse events is a major concern. We investigated the efficacy and safety of combined ropivacaine and sufentanil by pooling data from relevant studies. We searched PubMed, Web of sciences, Scopus, and Cochrane Library until the end of December 2021 and included all records with data about combined ropivacaine and sufentanil. We used Review Manager to pool data as a mean difference for continuous outcomes or risk ratio for dichotomous outcomes with a 95% confidence interval. Methodological quality was appraised using version one of the Cochrane risks of bias tool. Seven Randomized clinical trials with a total sample size of 730 women were included; the mean age of enrolled parturients ranged from 28 to 35 years. We found that combined sufentanil and ropivacaine were significantly associated with decreased risk of being aware and nervous during CS (presented by Sedation level 1) (RR: 0.05, 95%CI [0.01,0.33], P=0.002), decreased risk of shivering (RR=0.29, 95%CI [0.19,0.44], P<0.00001), nausea (RR=0.62, 95%CI [0.41, 0.92], P=0.02), and vomiting (RR=0.27, 95% CI [0.12, 0.61], P=0.002). However, combined sufentanil and ropivacaine slightly were associated with late-onset of sensory blockade (MD=0.41, 95%CI [0.13, 0.68], P=0.004) and less motor blockade of leg flexion at hip joint presented by Bromage Scale 0 (RR=7.15 95%CI [2.71, 18.86], P<0.0001). Combined ropivacaine and sufentanil were associated with a reduction in visceral pain and lower risks of hypotension, shivering, nausea, and vomiting, compared to isolated ropivacaine, with no difference regarding the incidence of bradycardia. Although Combined ropivacaine and sufentanil were associated with a higher risk of pruritus, the incidence of pruritus was reportedly proportionate with the used dose of sufentanil. However, combined ropivacaine and sufentanil may slightly delay the onset of the sensory blockade to pinprick at T10 with less motor blockade but with a smaller probability for women to be aware and nervous during CS.

Impact of Sleep Disturbance on Fatigue, Nausea, and Pain: Mediating Role of Depressive Symptoms Among Youth With Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction.

OBJECTIVES: A high degree of sleep disturbance is reported among youth with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). Given that sleep quality impacts a range of pediatric health outcomes including somatic sensations (eg, pain) and depressive mood occurs relatively frequently among youth with DGBIs, there is a dire need to disentangle the unique contributions of sleep and depressive mood on the somatic sensations experienced by youth with DGBIs. We aimed to examine whether depressive mood mediates the relations among sleep disturbance and pain intensity, nausea, and fatigue among youth with DGBIs. METHODS: One hundred eighteen patients aged 8-17 years ( Mage = 14.05, SD = 2.88; 70.34% female), 83.05% White/non-Hispanic recruited at a pediatric neurogastroenterology clinic completed measures of sleep disturbance, nausea, fatigue, pain intensity, and depressive mood. Three mediation models examined the effect of sleep disturbance on nausea, fatigue, and pain, with depressive mood as a mediator. RESULTS: Participants reported moderate sleep disturbance. Depressive mood partially mediated the significant, respective relations between greater sleep disturbance and more severe nausea and fatigue. Sleep disturbance was significantly associated with higher pain intensity; however, depressive mood was not a significant mediator of this relation. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep quality is a major concern among youth with DGBIs. Low sleep quality may worsen nausea and fatigue via co-occurring increases in depressive mood symptoms. In contrast, sleep disturbance may directly increase pain, regardless of youths' depressive mood symptoms. Future research should explore these relations through prospective studies leveraging a combination of subjective and objective assessment approaches.

Treatment of postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome with Fu's subcutaneous needling: A case report.

Postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome is a syndrome of significantly delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction after surgery. We presented a case of 69-year-old male patient who suffered from progressive nausea, vomiting and stomach fullness, with a bloating abdomen ten days after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Conventional treatments such as gastrointestinal decompression, gastric acid suppression therapy and intravenous nutritional support were administrated, but there were no obvious improvements in nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension of this patient. Fu's subcutaneous needling was performed once a day for three days, for a total of three treatments. After three days of Fu's subcutaneous needling intervention, he was free of symptoms of nausea, vomiting and stomach fullness. His gastric drainage volume reduced from 1000 ml per day to 10 ml per day. Upper gastrointestinal angiography showed normal peristalsis of remnant stomach. In this case report, Fu's subcutaneous needling showed a potential role of gastrointestinal motility enhancement and gastric drainage volume decrement, which provided a safe and convenient method in palliative care of postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome.

Can robotic-assisted surgery support enhanced recovery programs?

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols comprise a multimodal approach to optimize patient outcome and recovery. ERAS guidelines recommend minimally invasive surgery (MIS) when possible. Key components in MIS include preoperative patient education and optimization; multimodal and narcotic-sparing analgesia; prophylactic measures regarding nausea, infection, and venous thrombosis; maintenance of euvolemia; and promotion of the early activity. ERAS protocols in MIS improve outcome mainly in terms of reduced length of stay and subsequently reduced cost. In addition, ERAS protocols in MIS reduce postoperative pain and nausea, increase patient satisfaction, and might reduce the rate of postoperative complications. Robotic surgery supports ERAS through facilitating MIS in complex procedures where laparotomy is an alternative approach.

Isolated Area Postrema Syndrome Preceding the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: We report a case of biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis after an initial presentation of area postrema syndrome. METHODS: A 65-year-old man was evaluated using MRI, temporal artery biopsy, and ultrasound. RESULTS: The patient presented with refractory nausea, vomiting, and hiccups that caused weight loss without any other neurologic or clinical symptoms. His MRI scan 15 days later revealed a hyperintense sign on the area postrema with no abnormal diffusion or contrast enhancement, compatible with isolated area postrema syndrome. An extensive workup for inflammation and other etiologies including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disorder, and multiple sclerosis (MS) showed negative results. The patient responded to treatment with methylprednisolone. Two months after the initial clinical manifestation, the patient developed fatigue, headache, and scalp tenderness. He was diagnosed with giant cell arteritis after ultrasonography and biopsy were performed. He responded well to oral glucocorticoids and had only 1 relapse during tapering. He has not had arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy or any new episodes of area postrema syndrome. DISCUSSION: This case demonstrates the importance of expanding the differential diagnosis in patients with area postrema syndrome and no other signs of NMOSD.

Children with functional gastrointestinal disorders with and without co-existing nausea: A comparison of clinical and psychological characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Nausea co-existing with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) has been suggested to negatively impact physical and psychological factors in children. This study aims to compare clinical and psychological characteristics of a large cohort of pediatric patients with an FGID with and without nausea. METHODS: Patients of two previous randomized controlled trials were included, the first assessing the effect of hypnotherapy (HT) in 260 children fulfilling Rome criteria of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional abdominal pain (FAP), the second examining the effect of HT in 100 children with nausea in children with either functional nausea (FN) or functional dyspepsia (FD). At inclusion, demographics, clinical features, including the presence of nausea, depression and anxiety, somatization, and health-related quality of life (QoL) were assessed in patients. KEY RESULTS: In total, 355 patients with IBS (n = 131), FAP (n = 127), FN (n = 62), and FD (n = 35) were included, of which 255 (72%) patients experienced nausea versus 100 (28%) without nausea. Age at onset of symptoms was higher in children experiencing nausea (12.0y vs. 9.0y, p = 0.000). Significantly higher somatization, anxiety and depression scores, and lower health-related QoL were reported for children with nausea. There were no significant differences between children with only nausea and children with nausea and abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: Children with nausea, either with or without abdominal pain, report higher somatization scores, increased anxiety and depression, and lower overall QoL, compared to children with pain-related FGIDs without accompanying nausea. Addressing the presence of nausea in children with FGIDs seems essential to customize their treatment and improve overall quality of life.

Efficacy of a propofol bolus against placebo to prevent cough at emergence from general anesthesia with desflurane: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Emergence from anesthesia is a critical period and cough can result in adverse effects. Propofol inhibits airway reflexes and when infused it reduces cough more than inhalation anesthesia does. We evaluated the effect of a propofol bolus given at emergence on the incidence of coughing following a desflurane-based anesthesia. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four patients scheduled for elective surgery were prospectively randomized to propofol (0.5 mg·kg-1) or normal saline (NS) administered at the end of the surgery at 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of desflurane. A "no touch" emergence technique was used until extubation. The primary outcome was the incidence of cough at the discontinuation of desflurane (T0) and reaching a MAC adjusted for age (MACage) of 0.15. Secondary outcomes included incidence and severity of cough until five minutes postextubation (T0-T5), time to extubation, nausea and vomiting, sedation, hemodynamic variations, postoperative hypoventilation, hypoxemia, and sore throat. RESULTS: We could not draw inferences on the incidence of cough between T0 and MACage of 0.15 because only 27/68 (40%) patients in the NS group and 13/73 (18%) patients in the propofol group regained consciousness before reaching a MACage of 0.15. There were no significant differences between the groups in coughing incidence and severity between T0 and T5 (NS group, 57/68 [84%] vs propofol group, 70/73 [96%] ). The mean time to extubation in the propofol group was prolonged by 3 min 27 sec (95% confidence interval, 1 min 7 sec to 4 min 47 sec; P < 0.001) and more vasopressors were used at emergence (P = 0.02). The incidence of respiratory complications, nausea and vomiting, agitation, and sedation were not different between groups. CONCLUSION: In the present trial, a propofol bolus administered at emergence did not reduce the incidence of cough occurring between T0 and T5 following a desflurane-based general anesthesia compared with placebo. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02932397); registered 13 October 2016.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'émergence de l'anesthésie est une période critique et la toux peut entraîner des effets indésirables. Le propofol inhibe les réflexes des voies aériennes et, lorsqu'il est perfusé, il est plus efficace pour réduire la toux que l'anesthésie inhalée. Nous avons évalué l'effet d'un bolus de propofol administré à l'émergence sur l'incidence de toux après une anesthésie à base de desflurane. MéTHODE: Cent cinquante-quatre patients devant bénéficier d'une chirurgie non urgente ont été randomisés prospectivement à recevoir du propofol (0,5 mg·kg−1) ou une solution physiologique de sérum salé (NS) administrée à la fin de la chirurgie lorsque la concentration alvéolaire minimale (MAC) de desflurane était de 1. Une technique d'émergence « sans contact ¼ a été utilisée jusqu'à l'extubation. Le critère d'évaluation principal était l'incidence de toux à l'arrêt du desflurane (T0) et à l'atteinte d'une MAC ajustée en fonction de l'âge (MACâge) de 0,15. Les critères d'évaluation secondaires comprenaient l'incidence et la gravité de la toux jusqu'à cinq minutes après l'extubation (T0-T5), le délai d'extubation, les nausées et vomissements, la sédation, les variations hémodynamiques, l'hypoventilation postopératoire, l'hypoxémie et les maux de gorge. RéSULTATS: Nous n'avons pas pu tirer de conclusions sur l'incidence de toux entre T0 et à une MACâge de 0,15 parce que seulement 27/68 (40 %) patients du groupe NS et 13/73 (18 %) patients du groupe propofol ont repris conscience avant d'atteindre une MACâge de 0,15. Il n'y avait aucune différence significative entre les groupes dans l'incidence et la gravité de la toux entre T0 et T5 (groupe NS, 57/68 [84 %] vs groupe propofol, 70/73 [96 %]). Le temps moyen d'extubation dans le groupe propofol a été prolongé de 3 min 27 sec (intervalle de confiance à 95 %, 1 min 7 sec à 4 min 47 sec; P < 0,001) et une plus grande quantité de vasopresseurs a été utilisée à l'émergence (P = 0,02). L'incidence de complications respiratoires, de nausées et vomissements, d'agitation, et de sédation n'était pas différente entre les groupes. CONCLUSION: Dans la présente étude, un bolus de propofol administré à l'émergence n'a pas réduit l'incidence de toux survenant entre T0 et T5 après une anesthésie générale à base de desflurane par rapport au placebo. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02932397); enregistrée le 13 octobre 2016.

A clinical study on the nutritional status of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer during chemo-radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Rectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies, and most cases include locally advanced cancers at the time of diagnosis (stage II/III). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to observe the dynamic changes in the nutritional status of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer during concurrent radiation therapy and chemotherapy and to evaluate the nutritional risk and incidence of malnutrition in these patients. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were enrolled in this study. The 2002 Nutritional Risk Screening and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Scales (PG-SGA) were used to assess nutritional risk and status. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) - C30 and QLQ-CR38 scales were used for the quality of life evaluation. Toxicity was evaluated using the CTC 3.0 standard. RESULTS: The incidence of nutritional risk among these 60 patients was 38.33% (23 of 60) before and 53% (32 of 60) after concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. There were 28 patients in the well-nourished group, with a PG-SGA score of <2 points, and 17 patients in the nutrition-changed group, with a PG-SGA score of <2 points before and 2 points during and after chemo-radiotherapy. In the well-nourished group, the incidence of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea mentioned in the summary was lower and the expectations for the future (according to the QLQ-CR30 and QLQ-CR28 scales) were higher than in the undernourished group. The undernourished group required delayed treatment more often and experienced nausea, vomiting and diarrhea earlier and for longer than the well-nourished group. These results show that the quality of life of the well-nourished group was better. CONCLUSIONS: There is a degree of nutritional risk and deficiency in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Chemoradiotherapy increases the incidence of nutritional risk and deficiencies. KEY WORDS: Enteral nutrition, Colorectal neoplasms, Quality of life, Chemo-radiotherapy, EORTC.

Effect of gender on presentation and outcome of renal colic.

OBJECTIVES: To examine gender-related differences in the presentation, management, and outcomes of patients admitted to the emergency department ED with ureteral stones. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to the ED at our institution, found to have a ureteral stone on CT. Clinical, laboratory, imaging parameters, and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: 778 patients were admitted with ureteral stones between January 2018 and December 2020. 78% (n = 609) were males and 22% (n = 169) were females. The mean ages were 49.4 (SD 14.4) and 51.6 (SD 15.7) in males and females, respectively (p = 0.08). Female patients presented with a higher body temperature (p = 0.01), pulse rate (p < 0.0001), nausea and vomiting (p < 0.0001), elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.002) compared to males. The prevalence of elevated serum creatinine was higher in males (p < 0.0001). Alpha-blockers were recommended on discharge in 54.8% (334) of males, compared to only 29.6% (50) of females (p < 0.0001). Spontaneous stone expulsion was significantly higher in males compared to females (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that gender does effect presentation and outcome of patients presenting with renal colic. Females were found to have elevated infectious parameters, more nausea and vomiting and a higher incidence of positive urine cultures. Males admitted to the ED were found to have significantly higher serum creatinine levels. Medical expulsive therapy (MET) with alpha-blockers was prescribed significantly less in female patients, which may have resulted in a lower spontaneous stone expulsion rate.

Diabetes is associated with increased burden of gastrointestinal symptoms in adults with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) are known to frequently experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. In contrast, the impact of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) on accentuating GI symptoms in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) is unknown. We sought to examine this. METHODS: Abdominal symptoms were measured using the validated CF-specific GI symptom questionnaire - CFAbd-Score© - as part of a multicentre cohort study in pancreatic insufficient adults with CF, not on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators. The CFAbd-Score total score (0-100pts), its 5 domains, alongside nine specific GI symptoms associated with DM, were compared between the CFRD and non-CFRD groups. RESULTS: 27 (31%) and 61 (69%) participants with CF were recruited in the CFRD and non-CFRD groups respectively. Total CFAbd-Score and the two domains: gastroesophageal reflux disease and disorders of appetite were significantly higher in the CFRD group compared to the non-CFRD group (p<0.05), with the mean total CFAbd-Score being 25.4 ± 2.5 and 18.4 ± 1.5 in the CFRD and non-CFRD groups respectively. Among the nine GI symptoms commonly reported as elevated in DM, bloating and nausea were significantly more common in individuals with CFRD compared to those without (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with CFRD overall, have a higher GI symptom burden, according to CFAbd-Scores. Specifically, they experience significantly more bloating and nausea. Close monitoring and further research is needed to better understand and manage GI symptoms in this group.

Preventing Spinal Hypotension During Cesarean Birth With Two Initial Boluses of Norepinephrine in Chinese Parturients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Norepinephrine is effective in preventing spinal hypotension during cesarean birth; however, an optimal regimen has not been determined. We hypothesized that an initial bolus of norepinephrine improves efficacy of spinal hypotension prophylaxis beyond continuous norepinephrine alone. METHODS: In this double-blind, controlled study, 120 patients scheduled for cesarean birth under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive a norepinephrine bolus at 0.05 or 0.10 µg/kg, followed by norepinephrine infusion at a rate of 0.05 µg·kg -1 ·min -1 . The primary outcome was the frequency of spinal hypotension during cesarean birth. The doses of the rescue drug (phenylephrine), frequency of nausea or vomiting, duration of hypotension, frequency of intraoperative hypertension, frequency of bradycardia, and fetal outcomes were also compared. RESULTS: One-hundred-fifteen patients were included in the analysis. Compared with the 0.05 µg/kg group, the frequency of spinal hypotension was lower in the 0.10 µg/kg group (20.7% vs 45.6%; odds ratio [OR], 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14-0.71; P = .004). Fewer rescue doses of phenylephrine (0 [0,0] vs 0 [0,80]; 95% CI for the difference, 0 (0-0); P = .006) were required, and the frequency of nausea or vomiting was lower (5.2% vs 17.5%; OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07-0.99; P = .04) in the 0.10 µg/kg group. The duration of hypotension was shorter in the 0.10 µg/kg group than that in the 0.05 µg/kg group (0 [0,0] vs 0 [0,2]; 95% CI for the difference, 0 [0-0]; P = .006). The incidence of intraoperative hypertension, frequency of bradycardia, and fetal outcomes were comparable between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: With a fixed-rate norepinephrine infusion of 0.05 µg·kg -1 ·min -1 , the 0.10 µg/kg initial bolus was more effective in reducing the incidence of spinal hypotension compared with the 0.05 µg/kg initial bolus.

Associations between postprandial symptoms, hydrogen and methane production, and transit time in irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal oroanal transit time (OATT) and visceral hypersensitivity are key pathophysiological factors in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The lactulose nutrient challenge test (LNCT) has been developed to assess the postprandial symptoms and gut microbial fermentation. We aimed to investigate associations between OATT, rectal sensitivity, and LNCT in IBS patients. METHODS: We included 263 IBS patients from two study cohorts, where the link between pathophysiology and symptoms was investigated. During the LNCT, severity of postprandial symptoms was graded, and breath hydrogen/methane concentrations were measured after ingestion of a combined lactulose nutrient drink every 15 min for 4 h. The patients underwent rectal sensitivity (rectal barostat) and OATT (radiopaque markers) investigations. Comorbid conditions (functional dyspepsia, anxiety, depression, and somatization) were assessed with questionnaires. KEY RESULTS: After controlling for comorbid conditions, rectal sensitivity was associated with abdominal pain (p < 0.05), and more rapid OATT was associated with higher severity of abdominal discomfort, rumbling, nausea, and urgency (p < 0.05 for all) both pre- and post-prandially. Postprandial nausea, urgency, and abdominal pain changed differently over time depending on OATT (p < 0.05 for all). OATT, but not rectal sensitivity, was associated with hydrogen and methane concentrations (p = 0.002 for both). Trajectories over time of postprandial symptoms and exhaled hydrogen/methane concentrations were correlated with different correlations depending on OATT. CONCLUSION AND INFERENCES: This study highlights the importance of oroanal transit and hydrogen and methane production in the pathophysiology of IBS and increases our understanding of pathophysiological factors involved in postprandial symptom generation. Treatments targeting oroanal transit and hydrogen and methane production may improve specific postprandial symptoms.