Supportive Care Organization in France: a national in-depth survey among patients and oncologists.

PURPOSE: Medical doctors' (MDs), but not patients', perception of supportive care in cancer (SCC) in France has been previously assessed in a national survey. This study evaluated MDs and patients' perceptions of the SCC organization and implementation in France. METHODS: The French SCC Association conducted two observational studies: study 1 (S1), containing a 30-point questionnaire sent to 2263 MDs, and study 2 (S2), containing a 40-point questionnaire sent to 2000 patients. RESULTS: Overall, 711 MDs completed S1 and 1562 patients completed S2. In S1, 81% of MDs reported relying on a SCC organization and 76% attended SCC multidisciplinary discussions. MDs considered palliative (98%), psychological (98%), and social care (98%) as the top 3 SCC areas of importance for patients. In contrast, patients' priorities were psychology (61%), nutrition (55%) and organization of intake consultations (55%). The concept of SCC was familiar to 34% of patients; according to MDs, this concept was introduced mainly by MDs (78%) and admission nurses (41%). Outpatients identified as professional resources for SCC information general practitioners (84%), nurses (58%), and pharmacists (52%). Patients reported supportive treatment being prescribed in 63% of cases, with 64% receiving information on the negative side-effects. Among MDs, 87% reported proposing palliative and 41% adjuvant SCC treatment. Furthermore, 72% of MDs recommended SCC treatment at the metastatic stage, and 36% immediately following diagnosis. DISCUSSION: Oncologists play a vital role in enhancing SCC efficacy. This can be increased by implementing a multidisciplinary integrated approach or by assuring the availability of patient information.

Management of anemia and iron deficiency in a cancer center in France.

PURPOSE: Anemia affects most patients treated for cancer by chemotherapy. It is a known major contributor to fatigue and loss of quality of life and is likely to have a negative effect on prognosis and mortality from cancer. The main purpose of this study was to characterize the management of anemia and iron deficiency in a French oncology day-care center. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted between May and November 2012 in the oncology day unit of the Jean Godinot Cancer Center (France). The 133 patients included were all over the age of 18 and being treated by chemotherapy and had mild, moderate, or severe anemia. RESULTS: Over half (58%) the patients were shown to be receiving no specific treatment for anemia. Iron balance was assessed in 71 patients and iron deficiency diagnosed in 37. Stepwise logistic regression showed that patients with severe to moderate anemia were nearly four times more likely to have an iron balance assessment than those with mild anemia (OR, 3.78; 95% CI, 1.84-7.76; P = 0.0003). Classical logistic regression shows that older patients (≥70) are three times less likely to have an iron balance assessment than patients <70 years (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.12-0.86; P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: An ideal medical setting for the management of anemia and iron deficiency, and the associated quality-of-life concerns, has yet to be defined for patients with cancer. Screening and treatment of mild to moderate anemia are inadequate, despite the advent of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Large scale, multicenter studies are required to define a clear medical framework for the management of anemia and iron deficiency.

Venous thromboembolism: What pharmacists know? What do they need?

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism is common in cancer. Low-molecular weight heparins are recommended for prolonged treatment (3-6 months or more if the cancer is active) and prevention of recurrence of venous thromboembolism in cancer. Community pharmacists are often faced with questions from patients. The main objective of this study was to describe the organization, practices and knowledge of pharmacists in care of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients. METHODS: A descriptive survey was conducted electronically in October and November 2013 with pharmacists in the Champagne-Ardenne region. The questionnaire collected data on the general organization of the pharmacy, management of outpatients with cancer and thrombosis, and the level of knowledge regarding recommendations on the management of thrombosis in patients with cancer. RESULTS: The participation rate was 31.6%. In 93% of cases, pharmacists had no particular expertise in oncology and/or supportive care. In addition, 96% did not know the existence of recommendations for "thrombosis in cancer." Finally, 49% gave the correct answer to the case report (low-molecular weight heparins). CONCLUSION: Training sessions on the management of venous thromboembolism in cancer are currently available to pharmacists in the region. A new assessment of knowledge will be performed at the end of the year 2014. This regional experience is now extended to a national level (all French regions).

Multidisciplinary real-world management of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer: A French national study (PROFILE study).

While androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the standard of care for patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), recent strategies like intensification of systemic treatment (Rozet et al., 2020) (i.e. adding another treatment to ADT) and radiotherapy have improved overall survival. PROFILE, a national retrospective multicentric real-world study, involved patients with mCSPC recruited by medical oncologists, urologists, and radiation oncologists, and who started treatment between November 2020 and May 2021. Patients by sites were included consecutively. Data were collected from medical records. Primary objectives were to: (1) describe retrospectively the characteristics of whole population of patients with mCSPC as well as subgroups defined by prognostic factors in France at diagnosis; (2) identify current practices for managing mCSPC in a real-life clinical setting. Among the 416 patients with mCSPC included in the PROFILE study, 315 (76%) were synchronous (metastasis at the initial diagnosis) and 101 (24%) were metachronous patients (metastasis diagnosed post-progression). A majority (83% of synchronous and 73% of metachronous patients) received an intensified systemic treatment (ADT plus ARSI [androgen-receptor signaling inhibitors]±chemotherapy±primary tumour radiotherapy±metastasis-directed therapy [MDT]), while only 40% of low-volume patients received prostate radiotherapy. This study depicts the standardization of new therapeutic strategies for patients with mCSPC in France with most of them receiving an intensified treatment, mainly with ADT+ARSI (64% of synchronous intensified patients and 76% of metachronous intensified patients). Most of patients were assessed using conventional imaging (CT scan and/or bone scan). Overall, PROFILE results are in line with French and European guidelines for diagnosis, management, and follow-up of such patients (Rozet et al., 2020; Cornford et al., 2021).

Implanted carmustine wafers followed by concomitant radiochemotherapy to treat newly diagnosed malignant gliomas: prospective, observational, multicenter study on 92 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Study the feasibility and effectiveness of a treatment associated surgery, intraoperative chemotherapy (carmustine wafers), and concomitant radiochemotherapy (temozolomide) for the management of newly diagnosed, high-grade gliomas. METHODS: Prospective multicenter study conducted in 17 French centers with a total of 92 patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma treated by surgery, implanted Carmustine wafers (Gliadel(®)) followed by concomitant radiochemotherapy by temozolomide (Temodar(®)). Clinical, imaging, and survival data were collected to study toxicity-induced adverse events and efficacy. RESULTS: A total of 20.6 % presented with adverse events during surgery, potentially attributable to carmustine, including 5 severe infections. Afterwards, 37.2 % of patients showed adverse events during radiochemotherapy and 40 % during adjuvant chemotherapy by temozolomide. We report a 10.5-month, median, progression-free survival and an 18.8-month median overall survival. No significant statistical difference was observed according to age, Karnofsky Performance Scale, or grade of the tumor. A prognostic difference at the limit of the significance threshold was observed according to the extent of the resection. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal treatment associating implanted carmustine chemotherapy and concomitant radiochemotherapy with temozolomide seems to yield better survival rates than those usually described when carmustine or temozolomide are used alone independently from one another. These interesting results were obtained without increased adverse events and would need to be validated during a phase 3 study.

Prevalence of rotavirus, adenovirus, norovirus, and astrovirus infections and coinfections among hospitalized children in northern France.

From January to December 2007, 973 stool specimens were prospectively collected from children hospitalized for gastroenteritis signs or from neonates and premature cases who were born in two French hospital settings in the north of France. They were tested by rapid enzyme immunoassay (EIA) analyses for rotavirus and adenovirus and by two commercially available ELISA tests for the detection of norovirus and astrovirus. The overall rates of prevalence for rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus were 21, 13, 5, and 1.8%, respectively, and they did not significantly differ between the two hospital settings (P=0.12). Mixed virus infections were detected in 32 (3.3%) of the 973 study children and were associated with norovirus in 21 (66%) infants, including 5 premature cases. From fall to spring, norovirus infections accounted for 52% of documented gastroenteritidis viral infections at a time when rotavirus was epidemic, resulting in mixed norovirus and rotavirus gastrointestinal tract infections. Of the 367 documented viral gastroenteritis cases, 15 (4.1%) were identified as nosocomial infections, 5 of which occurred in premature cases. These findings highlight the need to implement norovirus and astrovirus ELISA detection assays in association with rapid EIA rotavirus and adenovirus detection assays for the clinical diagnosis and the nosocomial prevention of gastroenteritis viral infections in pediatric departments.

Noise-induced hearing loss in French police officers.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of data about police officers' hearing thresholds and the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) associated with this occupation. In France, 129,000 national police officers, 96,000 state police force members and 16000 municipal police officers may be affected by occupational noise exposure. AIMS: To evaluate the association between police employment and NIHL. METHODS: We undertook a cross-sectional study using review of medical records. Audiometric and otological data and information on potential confounders were extracted from medical records. Global hearing loss and selective 4000 Hz hearing loss were analysed. RESULTS: Of total, 1692 subjects (887 policemen and 805 civil servants) participated in the study. After adjusting for potential cofounders, police officers were 1.4 times more likely to have a selective 4000 Hz hearing loss than civil servants (95% CI 1.1-1.9). This difference was greater between motorcycle police officers and civil servants (OR = 3; 95% CI 1.4-6.3). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that occupational noise exposure in police work, particularly in motorcycle police officers, may induce hearing loss. Noise sources need to be more accurately defined to confirm high-level noise exposures, to better define significant sources of noise and to identify effective solutions.

[Antineoplastic drug induced nausea and vomiting: What is the clinical practice in 2018? An update of AFSOS clinical guidelines]. / Nausées-vomissements induits par les traitements anti-cancéreux (NVITAC) : quelle prise en charge en 2018 ? Mise à jour du référentiel AFSOS.

Antineoplastic drug induced nausea and vomiting (ANDINV) (previously named: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting [CINV]) are one of the most feared adverse effect for patients who begin treatment with anti-cancer treatments and their bad control have a negative impact in the management of these patients. In this review article, it is proposed an update of French-speaking Association for oncologic supportive care (AFSOS) clinical practice of CINV guidelines. This update became necessary for several reasons: newly available anti-emetic drugs; new data published about individual risk factors of CINV; new antineoplastic agents available; changing in emetic risk levels for some molecules in the international guidelines. To address these guidelines, the various clinical presentations of ANDINV and their intensity classification are discussed. Then, the different therapeutic solutions are presented: classes of conventional drug therapies, complementary therapies and advice to patients. Then, the implementation of primary prophylaxis are presented in four steps: (1) to evaluate the emetic risk level of antineoplastic agent; (2) to set the emetic risk level of antineoplastic protocols; (3) to set types of antiemetic drugs to implement; (4) "Outperform" prophylaxis in case of individual risk factors. Finally, implementation of secondary prophylaxis and rescue treatments are adressed.

Epidemiological, molecular, and clinical features of enterovirus respiratory infections in French children between 1999 and 2005.

Enteroviruses (EVs) can induce nonspecific respiratory tract infections in children, but their epidemiological, virological, and clinical features remain to be assessed. In the present study, we analyzed 252 EV-related infection cases (median age of subjects, 5.1 years) diagnosed among 11,509 consecutive children visiting emergency departments within a 7-year period in the north of France. EV strains were isolated from nasopharyngeal samples by viral cell culture, identified by seroneutralization assay, and genetically compared by partial amplification and sequencing of the VP1 gene. The respiratory syndromes (79 [31%] of 252 EV infections) appeared as the second most common EV-induced pediatric pathology after meningitis (111 [44%] of 252 cases) (44 versus 31%, P < 10(-3)), contributing to lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in 43 (54%) of 79 EV respiratory infection cases. Bronchiolitis was the most common EV-induced LRTI (34 [43%] of 79 cases, P < 10(-3)) occurring more often in infants aged 1 to 12 months (P = 0.0002), with spring-fall seasonality. Viruses ECHO 11, 6, and 13 were the more frequently identified respiratory strains (24, 13, and 11%, respectively). The VP1 gene phylogenetic analysis showed the concomitant or successive circulation of genetically distinct EV respiratory strains (species A or B) during the same month or annual epidemic period. Our findings indicated that respiratory tract infections accounted for the 30% of EV-induced pediatric pathologies, contributing to LRTIs in 54% of these cases. Moreover, the concomitant or successive circulation of genetically distinct EV strains indicated the possibility of pediatric repeated respiratory infections within the same epidemic season.

Incidence and main factors associated with early unplanned hospital readmission among French medical inpatients aged 75 and over admitted through emergency units.

BACKGROUND: among elderly patients, readmission in the month following hospital discharge is a frequent occurrence which involves a risk of functional decline, particularly among frail subjects. While previous studies have identified risk factors of early readmission, geriatric syndromes, as markers of frailty have not been assessed as potential predictors. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the risk of early unplanned readmission, and to identify predictors in inpatients aged 75 and over, admitted to medical wards through emergency departments. DESIGN: prospective multi-centre study. SETTING: nine French hospitals. SUBJECTS: one thousand three hundred and six medical inpatients, aged 75 and older admitted through emergency departments (SAFES cohort). METHODS: using logistic regressions, factors associated with early unplanned re-hospitalisation (defined as first unplanned readmission in the thirty days after discharge) were identified using data from the first week of hospital index stay obtained by comprehensive geriatric assessment. RESULTS: data from a thousand out of 1,306 inpatients were analysed. Early unplanned readmission occurred in 14.2% of inpatients and was not related with sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity burden or cognitive impairment. Pressure sores (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.0-3.9), poor overall condition (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.3-3.0), recent loss of ability for self-feeding (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2-2.9), prior hospitalisation during the last 3 months (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.5) were found to be risk factors, while sight disorders appeared as negatively associated (OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3--0.8). CONCLUSIONS: markers of frailty (poor overall condition, pressure sores, prior hospitalisation) or severe disability (for self-feeding) were the most important predictors of early readmission among elderly medical inpatients. Early identification could facilitate preventive strategies in risk group.

Melanoma, past severe sunburns and multiple solar lentigines of the upper back and shoulders.

BACKGROUND: Multiple solar lentigines of the upper back and shoulders (MSLBS) have recently been demonstrated as being associated with intense sunburns in the past. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of MSLBS among patients with cutaneous melanoma. METHODS: Thisprevalence study was conducted prospectively from October 2003 to November 2004 in a single department of dermatology (Reims University Hospital, north of France). One hundred and twenty-five adult patients, followed up for a cutaneous melanoma, were included, and the prevalence of MSLBS was determined, with comparison of clinical characteristics of patients with and without these lesions. RESULTS: The prevalence of MSLBS among patients with cutaneous melanoma was 37.6%. MSLBS were significantly and independently associated with cutaneous melanoma of the back in multivariate analysis (adjusted odds ratio, OR = 4.3, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.5-12.3) and with recalled episodes of severe sunburn before the age of 28 (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.3-9.4). CONCLUSION: Large irregularly shaped brown macules of the upper back and shoulders or MSLBS are frequent among adult patients with cutaneous melanoma. They are associated with melanoma located on the upper back. This topographical association further illustrates the relation between past intense sunburns and cutaneous melanoma. MSLBS should be evaluated as an easily recognizable clinical marker of the risk of cutaneous melanoma.

[Opioid switch and change of route of administration in cancer patients treated by morphine]. / La morphine dans le cadre du changement d'opioïdes ou de voie d'administration, chez l'adulte avec une douleur due au cancer.

This paper reviewed the 2002 guidelines established by the National Federation of Cancer Centres. A group of experts nominated by the 3 French Societies involved in the treatment of cancer pain (AFSOS, SFAP, SFETD), established new guidelines ratios for morphine switching and/or changing of route of administration, in patients for whom either pain was not adequatly managed or adverse effects were unbearable. After a rapid reminder of the pharmacokinetics and metabolism properties of morphine, experts explained why the theory of opioid rotation (oxycodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl, methadone, tapentadol) using fixed equianalgesic ratios is not any more appropriate for a secure clinical practice. In the light of recent publications enhancing our knowledge on the efficacy of new drug switching ratios and for changing the route of administration of morphine, the group of experts recommended to use reconsidered switching ratios favoring security upon efficacy, to minimize overdosing and adverse effects. Consequently, after the new conversion ratio (using slow release opioids) was applied, a second titration should be done by means of normal release rescue formulations for breakthrough pain episodes. A smartphone App. OpioConvert® will be available for rapid and secure dose conversions.

Outcome after surgical treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to determine among gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors treated surgically in our unit which were gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and to describe their characteristic features and prognostic factors. METHODS: A second histological and immunohistochemical reading was performed for 56 gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors, treated surgically in the Reims University Hospital between 1990 and 2005 in order to determine which ones were GISTs. A statistical descriptive and analytical analysis of the demographic, pathological, therapeutic and prognostic factors was performed. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of the tumors were GISTs. The 5-year specific survival rate was 66.8%. The factors of good prognosis were small tumor size, low mitotic count, complete primary tumor resection without tumor effraction, age less than 60 years, absence of mucosal necrosis, ulceration, and invasion. Type of surgical resection had no impact in terms of survival. CONCLUSION: GISTs are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract. Even thought treatment with imatinib is currently available, surgery (preferably total resection without effraction) is the mainstay treatment for GISTs.

[Early indicators of prolonged hospitalization of the elderly: pilot study at Strasbourg University Hospital]. / Indicateurs précoces de durée de séjour prolongée chez les sujets âgés: étude pilote réalisée au CHRU de Strasbourg.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify early indicators of prolonged hospital stays by elderly patients. METHODS: This prospective pilot study, conducted at Strasbourg University Hospital, included patients aged 75 years or older who were hospitalized via the emergency department (SAFES cohort: Sujet Agé Fragile: Evaluation et suivi, that is, Frail Elderly Subjects: Evaluation and Follow-up). A gerontologic evaluation of these patients during the first week of their hospitalization furnished the data for an exact logistic regression. Two definitions were used for prolonged hospitalization: 30 days and a composite number adjusted for diagnosis-related group according to the French classification (f-DRG). RESULTS: The analysis examined 137 hospitalizations. More than two thirds of the patients were women (73%), with a mean age of 84 years. Twenty-four hospitalizations (17%) lasted more than 30 days, but only 6 (4%) lasted beyond the DRG-adjusted limit. No social or demographic variables appeared to affect the length of stay, regardless of the definition of prolonged stay. No indicator was associated with the 30-day limit, but clinical markers were linked to prolongation assessed by f-DRG adjustment. A "risk of malnutrition" (OR=14.07) and "mood disorders" (OR=2,5) were both early markers for prolonged hospitalization. Although not statistically significant, "walking difficulties" (OR=2.72) and "cognitive impairment" (OR=5.03) appeared to be associated with prolonged stays. No association was seen with either the variables measured by Katz's Activities of Daily Living Index or its course during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that when generally recognized indicators of frailty are taken into account, a set of simple items enables a predictive approach to the prolongation of emergency hospitalizations of the elderly.

Early markers of prolonged hospital stays in older people: a prospective, multicenter study of 908 inpatients in French acute hospitals.

OBJECTIVES: To identify early markers of prolonged hospital stays in older people in acute hospitals. DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter study. SETTING: Nine hospitals in France. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand three hundred six patients aged 75 and older were hospitalized through an emergency department (Sujet Agé Fragile: Evaluation et suivi (SAFEs)--Frail Elderly Subjects: Evaluation and follow-up). MEASUREMENTS: Data used in a logistic regression were obtained through a gerontological evaluation of inpatients, conducted in the first week of hospitalization. The center effect was considered in two models as a random and fixed effect. Two limits were used to define a prolonged hospital stay. The first was fixed at 30 days. The second was adjusted for Diagnosis Related Groups according to the French classification (f-DRG). RESULTS: Nine hundred eight of the 1,306 hospital stays that made up the cohort were analyzed. Two centers (n=298) were excluded because of a large volume of missing f-DRGs. Two-thirds of subjects in the cohort analyzed were women (64%), with a mean age of 84. One hundred thirty-eight stays (15%) lasted more than 30 days; 46 (5%) were prolonged beyond the f-DRG-adjusted limit. No sociodemographic variables seemed to influence the length of stay, regardless of the limit used. For the 30-day limit, only cognitive impairment (odds ratio (OR)=2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2-4.0) was identified as a marker for prolongation. f-DRG adjustment revealed other clinical markers. Walking difficulties (OR=2.6, 95% CI=1.2-16.7), fall risk (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.7-5.3), cognitive impairment (OR=7.1, 95% CI=2.3-49.9), and malnutrition risk (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.7-19.6) were found to be early markers for prolonged stays, although dependence level and its evolution, estimated using the Katz activity of daily living (ADL) index, were not identified as risk factors. CONCLUSION: When the generally recognized parameters of frailty are taken into account, a set of simple items (walking difficulties, risk of fall, risk of malnutrition, and cognitive impairment) enables a predictive approach to the length of stay of elderly patients hospitalized under emergency circumstances. Katz ADLs were not among the early markers identified.

Digestive calcitonin-secreting tumors of the foregut: comparison with non-calcitonin-secreting tumors.

OBJECTIVES: Digestive calcitonin-secreting endocrine tumors are very rare lesions of the foregut. This study was undertaken to compare the characteristics and the prognosis of these tumors and those of non-calcitonin-secreting endocrine tumors. METHODS: All patients with a digestive endocrine tumor of the foregut followed up in Reims University Hospital and whose serum calcitonin levels were determined between 1988 and 2004 were included. Clinical and tumor characteristics of calcitonin-positive and calcitonin-negative patients were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were included. Among the five (15.6%) with high calcitonin levels (median: 340 pg/ml, range: 42-7460 pg/ml), only one tumor was functioning (diarrhea). Significant differences between patients with positive and negative calcitonin levels were, respectively: liver metastases [5 (100%) versus 11 (40.7%); P=0.04], type according to the World Health Organization 2000 histological classification [notably 4 (80%) versus 3 (12.5%) poorly differentiated endocrine carcinomas; P=0.02] and Ki67 proliferation index [median: 25% (range: 20-30%) versus 7% (0-80%); P=0.03]. The only calcitonin-positive well-differentiated endocrine carcinoma had a high proliferation index (30%). Survival also differed significantly (P=0.001), as all calcitonin-positive patients died, with a median survival of 22.6 months (range: 1.2-27.2 months), versus five (18.5%) calcitonin-negative patients. Median follow-up period for the latter was 42.3 months (range: 3.4-208 months). CONCLUSIONS: The secretion of calcitonin appears predictive of a poor prognosis. Digestive endocrine calcitonin-secreting tumors correspond histopathologically to poorly differentiated or well-differentiated carcinomas with high proliferation indexes.

P16 is overexpressed in cutaneous carcinomas located on sun-exposed areas.

BACKGROUND: Recently, an increased expression of P16, a cell cycle regulatory tumor suppressor protein, has been demonstrated in cervical squamous neoplasms as a marker of malignancy. In contrast, studies performed in skin carcinomas led to contradictory results. OBJECTIVES: Our first aim was to evaluate P16 expression in different types of non-melanoma skin cancers compared with normal skin and benign tumors. The second aim was to evaluate the relationship between P16 expression and the location of skin tumors (i.e. exposed versus non exposed sites). Finally, we also studied Ki67 expression in skin carcinomas and control biopsies. METHODS: Skin biopsy specimens with typical histologic features of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; n = 30), Bowen's disease (BD; n = 17), basal cell carcinoma (BCC; n = 10), seborrheic keratosis (SK; n = 10) and normal human skin (NHS; n = 9) were obtained from 76 patients seen at our institution between 2001 and 2003. In all cases, P16 and Ki67 expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and image analysis. RESULTS: P16 overexpression was observed in 58% of cutaneous carcinomas (SCC: 60%; BD: 58%; BCC: 50%) versus 0% of SK or NHS (0%) (p = 0.006). Ki67 expression in over 5% of tumour cells was observed in 69% of cutaneous carcinomas (SCC: 54%; BD: 76%; BCC: 80%) versus 16% in the group including SK (30%) and NHS (0%) (p = 0.04). Overexpression of P16 was associated with a high rate of Ki67 positive tumour cells in 23/57 malignant skin tumors (40%). Both P16 was associated and Ki-67 were negative in 7/57 cases (12%). Sixty-eight percent of tumors located on sun-exposed areas versus 23% of those located on non sun-exposed areas overexpressed P16 (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that the expression of P16 and Ki67 is associated with skin carcinomas. No difference was observed according to histological types of carcinomas, suggesting that P16 and Ki67 expression did not correlate with the degree of proliferation and malignancy. Within cutaneous carcinoma specimens, P16 overexpression was significantly associated with the location on sun-exposed areas, suggesting a possible induction of P16 overexpression by UV radiation.

Complementary and alternative medicine use by patients with inflammatory bowel disease: results from a postal survey.

AIMS: Thirty to 50% of north American patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). There is no data in France. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of CAM use and the reasons in a French population of patients with IBD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An anonymous postal survey was done with a questionnaire mailed to all the patients with IBD, 16 to 79 year-old, followed-up in a public and a private medical centre of Reims, between January 2001 and December 2003. RESULTS: The final sample included 447 patients; 325 (72.7%) filled up the questionnaire: 219 (67.4%) had Crohn's disease, 94 (28.8%) ulcerative colitis and 12 (3.7%) indeterminate colitis. Sixty-nine patients (21.2%) reported CAM use for IBD. The mean number of CAM used simultaneously was 2.9. The most frequently used CAM treatment was homeopathy (40.6%), followed by magnetism (34.8%) and acupuncture (33.3%). The majority of patients (74.8%) never talked about CAM use with their IBD physician. Multivariate analysis showed that the factors significantly associated with CAM use were female gender (odds ratio (OR)=3.5, CI95%: 1.8-6.9), the low level of confidence in their doctor (OR=4.8, CI95%: 1.1-19.8) and the research of informations about their disease (OR=4.6, CI 95%: 2.0-10.7). CONCLUSION: Twenty-one percent of patients with IBD are using CAM, most of the time without talking about it with their physician. The quality of the relationship between the patient and his physician and female sex, more than the perceived severity of the disease, were the main determinants of that use.

Is there any relationship between pernicious anemia and iron deficiency?

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have suggested that iron deficiency could be due to atrophic gastritis of the body/fundus. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency among patients with pernicious anemia and associated factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with pernicious anemia diagnosed at our institution between January 1990 and February 2005 were included. Inclusion criteria were: 1- histological diagnosis of atrophic fundic gastritis and 2- criteria of gastric autoimmune involvement. Histology of gastric biopsies was performed in a blinded manner. Iron deficiency was defined as serum ferritin level<15 microg/L in women and<40 microg/L in men. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients (69 women), mean age 60 years (range: 23-90) were included. Twenty patients (21.1%) had normal blood cell counts; 12 patients (12.6%) had microcytosis with or without anemia and 53 patients (55.8%) macrocytosis with or without anemia. Serum ferritin levels were measured in 58 patients, 16 (27.6%) of whom, all women, had iron deficiency. They were significantly younger (39.2 years) than patients without iron deficiency (61.6 years, P<0.0001). Serum gastrin levels did not differ between the groups with and without iron deficiency. A significantly more severe inflammatory infiltrate of the fundus and endocrine cell hyperplasia was observed in iron deficiency patients. Multivariate analysis showed that iron deficiency was linked to female gender and age<50 years. CONCLUSION: Iron deficiency and microcytic anemia are not rare in patients with pernicious anemia and should not rule out the diagnosis. Iron deficiency does not appear to be related to the degree of atrophic fundic gastritis but is linked to female gender and young age, suggesting menstrual blood loss could play a role. Whether decreased iron absorption due to reduced acid secretion favors the expression of gynecological iron loss cannot be ascertained.

[Constipation and cancer: Current strategies]. / Constipation et cancer : stratégies actuelles.

Digestive disorders, in particular constipation, are symptoms very often reported by cancer patients as having a major impact on their quality of life. An accurate diagnosis of bowel delayed transit and defecation disorders is required to best adapt therapeutic management. Constipation associated with cancer may be related to several causes, which can be placed in three nosological categories that sometimes overlap: chronic constipation prior to cancer and having its own evolution; constipation related to the cancer condition, in particular the occlusive syndrome, and constipation induced by cancer therapies. The stricter application of diet and lifestyle measures is often necessary and sometimes sufficient. Laxative drug treatments come under various galenic forms and administration routes and must be selected according to the clinical features of constipation. Surgical management can be indicated in case of ileus or pelvic static disorders. In the case of refractory constipation induced by opioids and within the framework of palliative care to treat an advanced pathology, a peripheral morphinic antagonist can offer fast symptom relief. A way forward to improve the patients' quality of life could be to identify the contributing factors (in particular, genetic factors) to determine which patients are the more at risk and anticipate their management.