Surgical quality in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the quality of surgical management offered to patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) as measured by adequacy of nodal resections and compare variations across the major hospitals in Jamaica. METHOD: Data was obtained from the CRC Registry of patients diagnosed and treated surgically for CRC during the 3-year period commencing January 1, 2011. Variables analyzed included tumor site, stage and number of lymph nodes resected across hospitals. RESULTS: During the period under review 60% (349) of 586 patients had resections and formed the basis of this study. Of these 49% were treated at the UHWI, 27% from the KPH and STH, 15% from CRH and MRH and 8% from a private laboratory (DPS). Patient distribution was similar at UHWI compared to the others with mean age (61 vs 62) and with slightly more women having surgery (53% Vs 54%) (UHWI vs Others). For tumor grade, margin status, lymphovascular and depth of invasion (majority T3) there was no difference between UHWI and the other sites, although a smaller percentage of tumors treated at UHWI had Crohn's like reaction (p = 0.01). There was a larger proportion of sigmoid cancer at UHWI while the reverse trend was seen in cancers of the rectum (p = 0.027). The tumors treated at UHWI have a larger median number of regional nodes when compared to the other facilities (14 vs 10; p < 0.001) and also more likely to have positive nodes, as were women and younger patients. Comparison across facilities revealed that the proportion of tumors classed as well differentiated, circumferential margin involvement, and having lymphovascular invasion were higher for specimens processed at the private facility (p = 0.021, 0.035, 0.01 respectively). Histopathology reports of tumors treated at UHWI and DPS had median 14 and 18 nodes respectively while at NPH laboratory and CRH they were 9 and 10 respectively (p < 0.001), whilst those of the ascending, descending, sigmoid colon and rectum had median 15, 11, 13, 11 nodes respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrates measurable differences in the surgery and histopathological reports for CRC patients treated across the island. Given adjuvant treatment and prognostic implications there is room for improvement.

Colorectal cancer survival in Jamaica.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the intermediate and long-term survival of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) and to determine factors that affect survival. METHOD: Patients were identified from a prospectively maintained colonoscopy database. All patients who underwent colonoscopy during the period January 2008 to December 2012 and had histologically confirmed invasive carcinoma were included. These patients were contacted at the end of 2013 to determine their survival status. In addition to demographics, variables analyzed included presenting complaint and tumor site and stage at presentation. RESULTS: Of 1757 patients being subjected to colonoscopy, 118 had endoscopic and histologic documentation of invasive CRC. Of these the survival status of 102 was determined as of December 2013 and they formed the basis of our study. The mean age of the group was 62 years with approximately 20% of the group being age 50 years or younger. Females (54%) slightly outnumbered males. Anemia or overt rectal bleeding was a dominant indication (44%) and 65% of the tumours were left sided. There were 58 (57%) deaths and the median overall survival time was two years post diagnosis. Log rank tests for equality of survivorship looking at age, gender, tumor site and presentation revealed that only presenting complaint was a predictor of survivorship (p < 0.001). Patients presenting with bleeding or anemia have the best survival. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survival from colorectal cancer remains poor with only about 33% of patients being alive five years after their diagnosis.

Complicações pós-operatórias menores relacionadas à anestesia em pacientes de cirurgias eletivas ginecológicas e ortopédicas em um hospital universitário de Kingston, Jamaica / Minor postoperative complications related to anesthesia in elective gynecological and orthopedic surgical patients at a teaching hospital in Kingston, Jamaica / Complicaciones postoperatorias menores relacionadas con la anestesia en pacientes para cirugías electivas ginecológicas y ortopédicas en un hospital universitario de Kingston, Jamaica

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As complicações anestésicas pós-operatórias menores podem aumentar o desconforto e a insatisfação do paciente e retardar sua recuperação. Este trabalho procurou determinar a frequência das complicações menores relatadas nas primeiras 48 horas do período pós-operatório por pacientes de cirurgias eletivas (ginecológicas e ortopédicas) no University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica. A satisfação geral com os cuidados anestésicos e os possíveis fatores de risco para desenvolver complicações também foram avaliados. MÉTODOS: Um estudo prospectivo e descritivo de coorte foi realizado por meio de entrevistas com pacientes operados 24 e 48 horas após a anestesia. Os dados foram analisados usando SPSS versão 12 e avaliados pelo teste do χ2-quadrado e modelos de regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 505 pacientes, sendo 374 do sexo feminino (74 por cento). A maioria era ASA I (55 por cento) ou ASA II (38 por cento) e foi submetida à anestesia geral (80 por cento). Um total de 419 (83 por cento) pacientes relataram pelo menos uma complicação pós-operatória. As complicações mais relatadas foram dor de garganta (44 por cento), náusea (30 por cento), vômito (24 por cento) e tromboflebite (20 por cento). A moda do Índice de Classificação Numérica Verbal (ICNV) para cada complicação variou entre 2 e 5, sugerindo que a maioria não causa desconforto grave. Idade inferior a 45 anos (OR 2,22, IC de 95 por cento 1,34-3,69, p = 0,002) e sexo feminino (OR 3,64, IC de 95 por cento 2,14-6,20, p < 0,001) foram identificados como variáveis independentes significativas. A maioria dos pacientes considerou sua experiência anestésica como excelente (51 por cento) ou muito boa (22 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo mostrou uma incidência relativamente alta de complicações menores pós-operatórias (83 por cento), mas baixa gravidade dos sintomas relatados e um alto grau de satisfação geral. Deve ser dada atenção especial à redução dessas complicações menores por meio de técnicas anestésicas mais meticulosas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Minor postoperative anesthetic complications may increase patient discomfort and dissatisfaction and delay recovery. This paper sought to determine the frequency of minor complications in the first 48 hours postoperatively reported by elective gynecological and orthopedic surgical patients at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica. Overall satisfaction with anesthetic care and possible risk factors for developing complications were also assessed. METHODS: A prospective, descriptive cohort study was undertaken with patient interviews 24 to 48 hours after anesthesia. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 12 and assessed using the χ2-square test and multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: Five hundred and five (505) patients were included, with 374 females (74 percent). Most were ASA I (55 percent) or ASA II (38 percent) and had general anesthesia (80 percent). A total of 419 (83 percent) patients reported at least one complication postoperatively. The most frequently reported complications were sore throat (44 percent), nausea (30 percent), vomiting (24 percent), and thrombophlebitis (20 percent). The mode of the Verbal Numerical Rating Score (VNRS) for each complication ranged between 2 and 5, suggesting that most did not cause severe distress. Age less than 45 years (OR 2.22, 95 percent CI 1.34-3.69, p = 0.002) and female gender (OR 3.64, 95 percent CI 2.14-6.20, p < 0.001) were identified as significant independent variables. Most patients regarded their anesthetic experience as excellent (51 percent) or very good (22 percent). CONCLUSION: This study showed a comparatively high incidence of minor postoperative complications (83 percent), but low reported severity of symptoms and a high overall satisfaction rate. Special attention should be paid to reduce these minor complications through more meticulous anesthetic technique.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Las complicaciones anestésicas postoperatorias menores pueden aumentar la incomodidad y la insatisfacción del paciente y retardar la recuperación. Este trabajo intentó determinar la frecuencia de las complicaciones menores relatadas en las primeras 48 horas del período postoperatorio por pacientes de cirugías electivas (ginecológicas y ortopédicas), en el University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica. También se evaluaron, la satisfacción general con los cuidados anestésicos y los posibles factores de riesgo para desarrollar complicaciones. MÉTODOS: Un estudio prospectivo y descriptivo de cohorte fue realizado por medio de entrevistas con pacientes operados 24 y 48 horas después de la anestesia. Los datos fueron analizados usando SPSS versión 12 y evaluados por el test del χ2-cuadrado y modelos de regresión logística múltiple. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 505 pacientes, siendo que 374 eran del sexo femenino (74 por ciento). La mayoría era ASA I (55 por ciento) o ASA II (38 por ciento) y se sometió a la anestesia general (80 por ciento). Un total de 419 (83 por ciento) pacientes relataron por lo menos una complicación postoperatoria. Las complicaciones más relatadas fueron el dolor de garganta (44 por ciento), náusea (30 por ciento), vómito (24 por ciento) y tromboflebitis (20 por ciento). La moda del Índice de Clasificación Numérica Verbal (ICNV), para cada complicación varió entre 2 y 5, lo que sugiere que la mayoría no causa una grave incomodidad. La edad inferior a 45 años (OR 2,22, IC de 95 por ciento 1,34-3,69, p = 0,002) y el sexo femenino (OR 3,64, IC de 95 por ciento 2,14-6,20, p < 0,001), fueron identificados como variables independentes significativas. La mayoría de los pacientes consideró su experiencia anestésica como excelente (51 por ciento) o muy buena (22 por ciento). CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio mostró una incidencia relativamente alta de complicaciones menores postoperatorias (83 por ciento), pero con una baja gravedad de los síntomas relatados y un alto grado de satisfacción general. Debemos darle una atención especial a la reducción de esas complicaciones menores por medio de técnicas anestésicas más meticulosas.

Minor postoperative complications related to anesthesia in elective gynecological and orthopedic surgical patients at a teaching hospital in Kingston, Jamaica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Minor postoperative anesthetic complications may increase patient discomfort and dissatisfaction and delay recovery. This paper sought to determine the frequency of minor complications in the first 48 hours postoperatively reported by elective gynecological and orthopedic surgical patients at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica. Overall satisfaction with anesthetic care and possible risk factors for developing complications were also assessed. METHODS: A prospective, descriptive cohort study was undertaken with patient interviews 24 to 48 hours after anesthesia. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 12 and assessed using the χ(2)-square test and multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: Five hundred and five (505) patients were included, with 374 females (74%). Most were ASA I (55%) or ASA II (38%) and had general anesthesia (80%). A total of 419 (83%) patients reported at least one complication postoperatively. The most frequently reported complications were sore throat (44%), nausea (30%), vomiting (24%), and thrombophlebitis (20%). The mode of the Verbal Numerical Rating Score (VNRS) for each complication ranged between 2 and 5, suggesting that most did not cause severe distress. Age less than 45 years (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.34-3.69, p=0.002) and female gender (OR 3.64, 95% CI 2.14-6.20, p<0.001) were identified as significant independent variables. Most patients regarded their anesthetic experience as excellent (51%) or very good (22%). CONCLUSION: This study showed a comparatively high incidence of minor postoperative complications (83%), but low reported severity of symptoms and a high overall satisfaction rate. Special attention should be paid to reduce these minor complications through more meticulous anesthetic technique.

Community participation for health - an assessment of a community's response [abstract]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors influencing community participation in promoting community health. METHODS: This operational research project was carried out in the urban community of Air Pipe and Chambers Lanes, St.Andrew. Household heads of 50 percent of the 70 families were interviewed about their health needs, values, resources, cultural beliefs and desire to improve their health status. Community participation in ensuing interventions was observed. RESULTS: Poor water supply reported by 63 percent of family heads interviewed; indiscriminate dumping of refuse and its attendant insect, rodent and odour nuisances and low levels of health literacy were the priority problems identified by the community. Community participation in the process, including relevant solutions, was influenced by a willingness among field personnel to meet with residents at their convenience. Cleaning up of the community, an intervention undertaken, had participation of 75 percent of families subsequent to an agreement that the clean-up would exclude a gully which provided Christmas work for them. Fifty percent of the families signed up for a scheme to bring water supply into their homes. This effort failed due to lack of trust, the presence of laggards in paying the required contributions and, primarily, the withdrawal of outside leadership for sustained efforts at community empowerment. CONCLUSION: Organizing this community for participation in health was facilitated by the social influence of the organizers and respect for community values. The need for sustained efforts at attaining empowerment seems relevant and vital. (AU)