Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in Japanese hospitals: Real status and challenges.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding the status of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) in Japanese hospitals is lacking. This study aimed to explore the status of SAP prescriptions for surgeries and adherence to Japanese SAP guidelines. METHODS: From February to July 2020, a 1-day multicentre point prevalent survey was conducted at 27 hospitals in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Patients prescribed SAP were included in this study. The appropriateness of the SAP was evaluated based on the guidelines for selection of antimicrobials and their duration. Surgery was defined as appropriate when all the items were appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 728 patients (7.1 %; 728/10,199) received antimicrobials for SAP. Among them, 557 patients (76.5 %, 557/728) underwent the surgeries described in the guidelines. The overall appropriateness of all surgeries was 33.9 % (189/557). The appropriate selection of antimicrobial before/during and after surgery and their durations were 67.5 % (376/557), 67.5 % (376/557), and 43.3 % (241/557), respectively. The overall appropriateness ranged from 0 % (0/37, oral and maxillofacial surgery) to 58.7 % (88/150, orthopaedic surgery) and 27.7 % (36/130, community hospitals with 400-599 beds) to 47.2 % (17/36, specific hospitals). Cefazolin was the most prevalent antimicrobial prescribed before/during (55.5 %, 299/539), and after (45.1 %, 249/552) surgery. In total, 101 oral antimicrobials were prescribed postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: SAP adherence by specific surgical fields and hospitals was shown in this study. Intensive intervention and repeated surveillance are necessary to improve SAP prescriptions in Japanese hospitals.

[Depression screening test for patients with metastatic gastric and colorectal cancer].

The prevalence of depression has been reported to be higher in cancer patients, especially those of advanced stage, compared to normal controls. However, depression is often under-recognized in clinical oncology settings. And this psychological problem is not routinely assessed even in patients with inoperable metastatic cancer who often have psychological disorders. Psychological distress including depression, is affected by physical, psychosocial, and clinical factors. In order to detect psychiatric problems at the early stage, we assessed the mental conditions of 47 inpatients with metastatic gastric and colorectal cancerusing the Japanese version of Zung's Self Rating Depression Scale(SDS)and analyzed the relationships between these factors and SDS scores. While SDS scores of our patients did not differ according to their gender, age, performance status (PS), ortypes of patients' character, they were significantly higher in Group B(cancer patients with palliative care alone), compared to Group A(those receiving chemotherapy)(p<0. 001). As the disease in the four identical patients progressed to the terminal stage, their scores were significantly increased, respectively(p<0. 05). These results suggest that psychological intervention should be more critical for terminally ill patients without any indication of chemotherapy.

[A phase I study of modified FOLFOX 6 therapy for advanced colorectal cancer].

Oxaliplatin (L-OHP) has been established as a key drug for advanced colorectal cancer, and combination therapy with 5-FU/Leucovorin (LV)(FOLFOX regimen) is commonly used in Europe and the US. A phase I study of modified (m) FOLFOX 6 therapy was conducted to determine the recommended dose (RD) of 5-FU infused for 46 hours. Inclusion criteria were unresectable advanced colorectal cancer,measurable lesions, performance status (PS; ECOG) 0-2, age 20-75 years, and adequate organ functions. L-OHP and l-LV was administered over 2 hours and followed by bolus injection and continuous infusion of 5-FU for 46 hours every 2 weeks. Two cycles of mFOLFOX 6 therapy were performed. Doses of L-OHP, l-LV, and bolus injection of 5-FU were fixed at 85 mg/m(2), 200 mg/m(2), and 400 mg/m(2), respectively. The dose of continuous infused 5-FU was escalated from 1,600 mg/m(2), (level 1), 2,000 mg/m(2), (level 2), 2,400 mg/m(2), (level 3), and 2,800 mg/m(2), (level 4). RD was determined in a dose escalation manner, and safety was evaluated according to NCI-CTC Ver 2.0. A total of 13 patients were enrolled. Male/female=7/6, PS 0/1/2=2/4/7, mean age 64 years (range 55-75). Thrombocytopenia was not observed, and grade 2 of neutropenia and peripheral neuropathy was observed in 4 and 6 out of 13 patients. No dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed at level 1 (n=3), 2 (n=4), and 3 (n=4), but at level 4 (n=2), 2 patients experienced DLT; grade 3 easy fatigue and anorexia required treatment delay over 7 days. Level 3 was therefore determined as RD. A phase II study is ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of mFOLFOX 6 therapy.