Topical Versus Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: The DEPOSITION Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Although intravenous tranexamic acid is used in cardiac surgery to reduce bleeding and transfusion, topical tranexamic acid results in lower plasma concentrations compared to intravenous tranexamic acid, which may lower the risk of seizures. We aimed to determine whether topical tranexamic acid reduces the risk of in-hospital seizure without increasing the risk of transfusion among cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, double dummy, blinded, randomized controlled trial of patients recruited by convenience sampling in academic hospitals undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Between September 17, 2019, and November 28, 2023, a total of 3242 patients from 16 hospitals in 6 countries were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to receive either intravenous tranexamic acid (control) through surgery or topical tranexamic acid (treatment) at the end of surgery. The primary outcome was seizure, and the secondary outcome was red blood cell transfusion. After the last planned interim analysis-when 75% of anticipated participants had completed follow up-the Data and Safety Monitoring Board recommended to terminate the trial, and upon unblinding, the Operations Committee stopped the trial for safety. RESULTS: Among 3242 randomized patients (mean age, 66.0 years; 77.7% male), in-hospital seizure occurred in 4 of 1624 patients (0.2%) in the topical group and in 11 of 1628 patients (0.7%) in the intravenous group (absolute risk difference, -0.5%; 95% CI, -0.9 to 0.03; P = .07). Red blood cell transfusion occurred in 570 patients (35.1%) in the topical group and in 433 (26.8%) in the intravenous group (absolute risk difference, 8.3%; 95% CI, 5.2 to 11.5; P = .007). The absolute risk difference in transfusion of ≥4 units of red blood cells in the topical group compared to the intravenous group was 8.2% (95% CI, 3.4 to 12.9). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients having cardiac surgery, topical administration of tranexamic acid resulted in an 8.3% absolute increase in transfusion without reducing the incidence of seizure, compared to intravenous tranexamic acid.

Face-to-face interviews versus Internet surveys: Comparison of two data collection methods in the Rome foundation global epidemiology study: Implications for population-based research.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study (RFGES) assessed the prevalence, burden, and associated factors of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) in 33 countries around the world. Achieving worldwide sampling necessitated use of two different surveying methods: In-person household interviews (9 countries) and Internet surveys (26 countries). Two countries, China and Turkey, were surveyed with both methods. This paper examines the differences in the survey results with the two methods, as well as likely reasons for those differences. METHODS: The two RFGES survey methods are described in detail, and differences in DGBI findings summarized for household versus Internet surveys globally, and in more detail for China and Turkey. Logistic regression analysis was used to elucidate factors contributing to these differences. RESULTS: Overall, DGBI were only half as prevalent when assessed with household vs Internet surveys. Similar patterns of methodology-related DGBI differences were seen within both China and Turkey, but prevalence differences between the survey methods were dramatically larger in Turkey. No clear reasons for outcome differences by survey method were identified, although greater relative reduction in bowel and anorectal versus upper gastrointestinal disorders when household versus Internet surveying was used suggests an inhibiting influence of social sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The findings strongly indicate that besides affecting data quality, manpower needs and data collection time and costs, the choice of survey method is a substantial determinant of symptom reporting and DGBI prevalence outcomes. This has important implications for future DGBI research and epidemiological research more broadly.

Gender differences in cardiovascular risk, treatment, and outcomes: a post hoc analysis from the REWIND trial.

Objectives. To assess whether the use of cardioprotective therapies for type 2 diabetes varies by gender and whether the risk of cardiovascular events is higher in women versus men in the REWIND trial, including an international type 2 diabetes patient population with a wide range of baseline risk. Design. Gender differences in baseline characteristics, cardioprotective therapy, and the achieved clinical targets at baseline and two years were analyzed. Hazards for cardiovascular outcomes (fatal/nonfatal stroke, fatal/nonfatal myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, and heart failure hospitalization), in women versus men were analyzed using two Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for randomized treatment and key baseline characteristics respectively. Time-to-event analyses were performed in subgroups with or without history of cardiovascular disease using Cox proportional hazards models that included gender, subgroup, randomized treatment, and gender-by-subgroup interactions. Results. Of 9901 participants, 46.3% were women. Significantly fewer women than men had a cardiovascular disease history. Although most women met treatment targets for blood pressure (96.7%) and lipids (72.8%), fewer women than men met the target for cardioprotective therapies at baseline and after two years, particularly those with prior cardiovascular disease, who used less renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, statins, and aspirin than men. Despite these differences, women had lower hazards than men for all outcomes except stroke. No significant gender and cardiovascular disease history interactions were identified for cardiovascular outcomes. Conclusions. In REWIND, most women met clinically relevant treatment targets, but in lower proportions than men. Women had a lower risk for all cardiovascular outcomes except stroke. Clinical trials.gov registration number: NCT01394952.

Worldwide prevalence and burden of gastroparesis-like symptoms as defined by the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) and European Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) consensus on gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The global epidemiology of gastroparesis is unknown. The European UEG and European Society for Neurogastroenterology and motility consensus defines Gastroparesis as a condition characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction, with a symptom pattern of nausea and/or vomiting and overlapping postprandial distress syndrome (PDS). Real-world evidence of this gastroparesis-like symptom pattern is a crucial step in understanding the epidemiology of gastroparesis. METHODS: In the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study, 54,127 respondents from 26 countries completed the Rome IV Diagnostic Questionnaire and variables associated with disorders of gut-brain interaction via Internet. We selected subjects with gastroparesis-like symptoms (GPLS) (nausea and/or vomiting ≥1 day/week and simultaneous PDS). Patients reporting organic gastrointestinal disease, or fulfilling criteria for self-induced vomiting, cyclic vomiting or cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome were excluded. We determined prevalence, associated comorbidities, quality of life (QoL) (PROMIS Global-10), symptoms of anxiety and depression (PHQ-4), somatic symptoms (PHQ-12), and healthcare utilization. RESULTS: The global prevalence of GPLS was 0.9% overall and 1.3% among diabetic individuals. Subjects with GPLS showed frequent overlapping of epigastric pain syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome. Subjects with GPLS had significantly lower body mass index, QoL, more non-gastrointestinal somatic complaints, symptoms of anxiety and depression, higher medication usage and doctor visits in the overall and diabetic population, compared to subjects without these symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: GPLS are common worldwide and more common in diabetic patients. The symptom complex is associated with multiple aspects of illness and an increased healthcare consumption.

Greater Overlap of Rome IV Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactions Leads to Increased Disease Severity and Poorer Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, and functional constipation are among the prevalent gastrointestinal (GI) disorders classified as disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), which can adversely affect the lives of sufferers. This study aimed to assess the degree and consequences of overlapping DGBI in a large population-based global scale. METHODS: Internet survey data from 54,127 adults (49.1% women) in 26 countries were analyzed by 4 GI anatomic regions (esophageal, gastroduodenal, bowel, and anorectal). The number of DGBI-affected GI regions was assessed, including associations with sex, age, disease severity, quality of life, psychosocial variables, and health care utilization. RESULTS: A total of 40.3% of surveyed individuals met Rome IV criteria for a DGBI. The percentages with 1-4 DGBI-affected GI regions were 68.3%, 22.3%, 7.1%, and 2.3%, respectively. The IBS symptom severity score increased significantly from 1 (207.6) to 4 (291.6) regions, as did non-GI symptom reporting (somatization), anxiety and depression, concerns and embarrassment about bowel function, doctor visits, medications, and abdominal surgeries (all P < .0001). Quality of life decreased with increasing number of DGBI regions (P < .0001). In a logistic mixed model, non-GI symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.10), being very vs not concerned (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 2.27-2.90), being very vs not embarrassed about bowel function (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.08-1.33), and mean number of doctor visits (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.115-1.32) were most strongly associated with number of DGBI regions. CONCLUSIONS: DGBI in multiple anatomic GI regions is associated with increased psychological comorbidity, health care utilization, and IBS severity. Physician awareness of overlap could improve quality of care, prevent unnecessary interventions, and yield more positive health outcomes.

Worldwide Prevalence and Burden of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Results of Rome Foundation Global Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), now called disorders of gut-brain interaction, have major economic effects on health care systems and adversely affect quality of life, little is known about their global prevalence and distribution. We investigated the prevalence of and factors associated with 22 FGIDs, in 33 countries on 6 continents. METHODS: Data were collected via the Internet in 24 countries, personal interviews in 7 countries, and both in 2 countries, using the Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire, Rome III irritable bowel syndrome questions, and 80 items to identify variables associated with FGIDs. Data collection methods differed for Internet and household groups, so data analyses were conducted and reported separately. RESULTS: Among the 73,076 adult respondents (49.5% women), diagnostic criteria were met for at least 1 FGID by 40.3% persons who completed the Internet surveys (95% confidence interval [CI], 39.9-40.7) and 20.7% of persons who completed the household surveys (95% CI, 20.2-21.3). FGIDs were more prevalent among women than men, based on responses to the Internet survey (odds ratio, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.6-1.7) and household survey (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.3-1.4). FGIDs were associated with lower quality of life and more frequent doctor visits. Proportions of subjects with irritable bowel syndrome were lower when the Rome IV criteria were used, compared with the Rome III criteria, in the Internet survey (4.1% vs 10.1%) and household survey (1.5% vs 3.5%). CONCLUSIONS: In a large-scale multinational study, we found that more than 40% of persons worldwide have FGIDs, which affect quality of life and health care use. Although the absolute prevalence was higher among Internet respondents, similar trends and relative distributions were found in people who completed Internet vs personal interviews.