Evaluation of the "Burgenland PREvention trial of colorectal cancer Disease with ImmunologiCal Testing" (B-PREDICT)-a population-based colorectal cancer screening program.

BACKGROUND: The colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program B-PREDICT is a population based invited two stage screening project using a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) for initial screening followed by a colonoscopy for those with a positive FIT. B-PREDICT was compared with the opportunistic screening colonoscopy (OPP-COL), performed in course of the nationwide screening program. METHODS: Within B-PREDICT all residents of the Austrian federal state Burgenland, aged between 40 and 80 are annually invited to FIT testing. All individuals who underwent initial colonoscopy in Burgenland between 01/2003 and 12/2014, were included in this study. Individuals from the FIT-triggered invited screening program B-PREDICT were compared with those from the non-FIT triggered OPP-COL. RESULTS: 15 133 individuals from B-PREDICT were compared to 10 045 individuals with OPP-COL. CRC detection rates were 1.34% (CI-95%, [1.15; 1.52]) in B-PREDICT compared to 0.54% in OPP-COL (95%-CI, [0.39; 0.68] p < 0.001). The decrease in the age standardized incidence rates of CRC was more pronounced in the population screened with FIT than in the general population screened with colonoscopy. Changes in incidence rates per year were -4.4% (95%-CI, [-5.1; -3.7]) vs. -1.8% (95%-CI, [-1.9; -1.6] p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: B-PREDICT shows a two-fold higher detection rate of CRC as well as HRA compared to OPP-COL.

Carboplatin and nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin in primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer: a phase 2 trial conducted by AGO Austria.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent/advanced endometrial carcinoma carries a poor prognosis. Chemotherapy usually consists of cisplatin/doxorubicin and paclitaxel or the doublet of carboplatin and paclitaxel.We report on final results of the Austrian phase 2 AGO trial of nonpegylated doxorubicin citrate and carboplatin in 39 patients with primary advanced or relapsed endometrial cancer. The main primary end point is response rate, and the main secondary end point is feasibility. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients received 60 mg/m nonpegylated doxorubicin citrate and carboplatin (area under the curve, 5) every 3 weeks for 6 to 9 cycles or until progression. Best response during therapy, progression-free survival, and the toxicity profile were recorded. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (33%) had primary advanced disease, and 26 patients (67%) had recurrent disease. Seventy-five percent of the tumors were adenocarcinomas, 15% were serous carcinomas, and 5% were clear cell and mixed müllerian carcinomas. We observed 1 complete response (3%) and 16 partial responses (41%) in the intention-to-treat population. The median progression-free survival was 7.2 months, and the median overall survival was 14.7 months. Overall, 177 cycles were administered; the mean number of cycles per patient was 4.5. Ten percent of patients received 9 cycles of chemotherapy, and 44% of patients received 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 17%, grade 3/4 anemia in 5%, and grade 3/4 thrombopenia in 12% of the cycles. In 6% of the cycles, febrile neutropenia was noticed. Grade 3/4 nausea was seen in 5% of cycles. One patient (3%) experienced cardiac toxicity and had a reduction in the left ventricular ejection fraction to below 50%. CONCLUSIONS: The reported combination demonstrates considerable activity and should be evaluated further.

Effects of red blood cell transfusion on hemodynamic parameters: a prospective study in intensive care unit patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion on hemodynamic parameters including transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD)-derived variables. METHODS: We compared hemodynamic parameters obtained before and after RBC transfusion (2 RBC units) in 34 intensive care unit (ICU) patients. RESULTS: Directly after RBC transfusion, we observed a significant increase in hematocrit (28 ± 3 vs. 22 ± 2%, p < 0.001), hemoglobin (9.4 ± 0.9 vs. 7.6 ± 0.8 g/dL, p < 0.001), arterial oxygen content (CaO2) (12.2 ± 1.2 vs. 9.9 ± 1.0 mL/dL, p < 0.001), and oxygen delivery (DO2) (1073 ± 369 vs. 934 ± 288 mL/min, p < 0.001) compared with baseline. Cardiac output (CO) (8.89 ± 3.06 vs. 9.42 ± 2.75 L/min, p = 0.020), cardiac index (CI) (4.53 ± 1.36 vs. 4.82 ± 1.21 L/min/m², p = 0.016), and heart rate (91 ± 16 vs. 95 ± 14 bpm, p = 0.007) were significantly lower following RBC transfusion while no significant change in stroke volume (SV) was observed. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) (median 87 vs. 78 mmHg, p < 0.001) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) (median 1212 vs. 1103 dyn*s*cm⁻5*m², p = 0.001) significantly increased directly after RBC transfusion. Global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI), extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) did not significantly change. CONCLUSIONS: In ICU patients, the transfusion of 2 RBC units induces a significant decrease in CO and CI because of a significant decrease in heart rate (while SV remains unchanged). Despite the decrease in CO, DO2 significantly increases because of a significant increase in CaO2. In addition, RBC transfusion results in a significant increase in MAP and SVRI. No significant changes in TPTD-parameters reflecting cardiac preload (GEDVI), pulmonary edema (EVLWI), and pulmonary vascular permeability (PVPI) are observed following RBC transfusion.

Comparison of the incidences of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in African-Americans versus Caucasian-Americans.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative incidence of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in African-Americans compared to a cohort of Caucasian-Americans. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective study of 2 groups of subjects (287 African-Americans and 236 Caucasian-Americans) to evaluate OSAHS severity based on subjective symptoms and anatomic findings. Subjects were from a public health and fitness fair attended by approximately 80,000 people where attendees were invited for an ENT screening. RESULTS: Using OSAHS scores based on subjective symptoms and anatomic findings, the African-American group had a significantly higher incidence of "probable" OSAHS. In addition to symptoms of OSAHS, the questionnaire ascertained that African-American bed partners are more likely to accept loud snoring as compared to Caucasian-American bed partners. CONCLUSIONS: OSAHS may be more common in African-Americans, but African-American bed partners are more likely to accept snoring. The medical community should strive to increase awareness and education about OSAHS in the African-American community. EBM RATING: B-3b.