Risk factors for blood transfusion and its prognostic implications in curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is still a prevalent neoplasm around the world and its main treatment modality is surgical resection. The need for perioperative blood transfusions is frequent, and there is a long-lasting debate regarding its impact on survival. AIM: To evaluate the factors related to the risk of receiving red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and its influence on surgical and survival outcomes of patients with GC. METHODS: Patients who underwent curative resection for primary gastric adenocarcinoma at our Institute between 2009 and 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. Clinicopathological and surgical characteristics data were collected. The patients were divided into transfusion and non-transfusion groups for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 718 patients were included, and 189 (26.3%) patients received perioperative RBC transfusion (23 intraoperatively, 133 postoperatively, and 33 in both periods). Patients in the RBC transfusions group were older (P < 0.001), and had more comorbidities (P = 0.014), American Society of Anesthesiologists classification III/IV (P < 0.001), and lower preoperative hemoglobin (P < 0.001) and albumin levels (P < 0.001). Larger tumors (P < 0.001) and advanced tumor node metastasis stage (P < 0.001) were also associated with the RBC transfusion group. The rates of postoperative complications (POC) and 30-d and 90-d mortality were significantly higher in the RBC transfusion group than in the non-transfusion group. Lower hemoglobin and albumin levels, total gastrectomy, open surgery, and the occurrence of POC were factors associated with the RBC transfusion. Survival analysis demonstrated that the RBC transfusions group had worse disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with patients who did not receive transfusion (P < 0.001 for both). In multivariate analysis, RBC transfusion, major POC, pT3/T4 category, pN+, D1 lymphadenectomy, and total gastrectomy were independent risk factors related to worse DFS and OS. CONCLUSION: Perioperative RBC transfusion is associated with worse clinical conditions and more advanced tumors. Further, it is an independent factor related to worse survival in the curative intent gastrectomy setting.

Efeito da estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea na dor óssea metastática vertebral em mulheres com câncer de mama: estudo experimental de caso único / Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on vertebral metastatic bone pain of breast cancer patients: single case experimental study

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a eficácia analgésica da estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea na dor óssea metastática vertebral em mulheres com câncer de mama e seu impacto no consumo de analgésicos. MÉTODOS: Foi utilizado um desenho experimental de caso único, onde foram selecionadas três mulheres com idade entre 40 e 60 anos. O desenho utilizado foi A1-B-A2-C-A3-D-A4, no qual as participantes na fase A não receberam intervenção, na fase B receberam estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea de alta frequência, na fase C, estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea de baixa frequência e na fase D, estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea desligado-placebo. Cada fase baseline durou 7 dias (A: sem intervenção) e 10 dias para B,C e D (com intervenção). Foi avaliado o consumo de analgésicos e a dor, pela escala analógica visual. A análise de dados foi realizada pelo teste Mann-Whitney para comparação do consumo de analgésicos. Para análise da escala analógica visual foram utilizados os testes split-middle line e o binomial para verificar a diferença entre as fases baseline e intervenção, considerando-se significativo quando p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Houve redução significativa no consumo do fármaco analgésico em 66,6% das voluntárias após aplicação da estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea de alta frequência e em 33,3% após a estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea de baixa frequência. A intensidade da dor pela escala analógica visual foi reduzida em 100% das voluntárias que receberam estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea de baixa frequência; em 33,3% que receberam estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea de alta frequência e em 33,3% que receberam estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea desligada (placebo), entre as intervenções e seus respectivos baselines anteriores. Em 66,6% das participantes, houve diferença significativa da estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea de alta frequência comparada aos seus baselines posteriores, assim como em 33,3% na comparação da estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea desligada (placebo) e seu respectivo baseline posterior. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados sugerem que estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea de alta e baixa frequência podem contribuir como coadjuvante no controle da dor óssea vertebral metastática e reduzir o consumo de medicamento analgésico em mulheres com câncer mamário.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on vertebral metastatic bone pain of breast cancer patients and its impact on analgesic consumption. METHODS: A single case experimental design was used where three females aged between 40 and 60 years were selected. Design was A1-B-A2-C-A3-D-A4, where in phase A participants received no intervention, in phase B they received high frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, in phase C low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and in phase D, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation turned off - placebo. Each baseline phase lasted 7 days (A: no intervention) and phases B, C and D lasted 10 days (with intervention). Analgesic consumption and pain were evaluated with the visual analog scale. Data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney test to compare analgesic consumption. For visual analog scale analysis, split-middle line and binomial tests were used to verify difference between baseline and intervention phases, considering significant p<0.05. RESULTS: There has been significant analgesic consumption decrease in 66.6% of volunteers after high frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and in 33.3% after low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Pain intensity by the visual analog scale was decreased in 100% of volunteers receiving low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, in 33.3% of those receiving high frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and in 33.3% of those receiving transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation turned off (placebo), between interventions and their respective previous baselines. In 66.6% of participants there has been significant difference of high frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation compared to their posterior baselines, as well as in 33.3% when comparing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation turned off (placebo) and their respective posterior baseline. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that both high and low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulations may contribute as adjuvant in controlling metastatic vertebral bone pain and decreasing analgesic consumption in breast cancer patients.

Transfusion of older red blood cell units, cytokine burst and alloimmunization: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: Experimental data have shown that the transfusion of older red blood cell units causes alloimmunization, but the clinical applicability of this statement has never been properly assessed in non-sickle cell patients. It has been hypothesized that older units have higher numbers of cytokines, increasing the risk of alloimmunization related to antigen-presenting events. The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between the transfusion of older red blood cell units subjected to bedside leukodepletion and alloimmunization.METHODS: All patients submitted to transfusions of bedside leukodepletion red blood cell units proven to have become alloimmunized in one oncologic service between 2009 and 2013 were enrolled in this study. A control group was formed by matching patients without alloimmunization in terms of number of transfusions and medical specialty. The median age of transfused units, the percentage of transfused red blood cell units >14 days of storage in relation to fresher red cell units (≤14 days of storage) and the mean age of transfused units older than 14 days were compared between the groups.RESULTS: Alloimmunized and control groups were homogeneous regarding the most relevant clinical variables (age, gender, type of oncological disease) and inflammatory background (C-reactive protein and Karnofsky scale). The median age of transfused red blood cell units, the ratio of older units transfused compared to fresher units and the mean age of transfused units older than 14 days did not differ between alloimmunized and control patients (17 vs. 17; 68/32 vs. 63.2/36.8 and 21.8 ± 7.0 vs. 21.04 ± 7.9; respectively).CONCLUSION: The transfusion of older red blood cell units subjected to bedside leukodepletion is not a key risk factor for alloimmunization. Strategies of providing fresh red cell units aiming to avoid alloimmunization are thus not justified.

Transfusion of older red blood cell units, cytokine burst and alloimmunization: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Experimental data have shown that the transfusion of older red blood cell units causes alloimmunization, but the clinical applicability of this statement has never been properly assessed in non-sickle cell patients. It has been hypothesized that older units have higher numbers of cytokines, increasing the risk of alloimmunization related to antigen-presenting events. The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between the transfusion of older red blood cell units subjected to bedside leukodepletion and alloimmunization. METHODS: All patients submitted to transfusions of bedside leukodepletion red blood cell units proven to have become alloimmunized in one oncologic service between 2009 and 2013 were enrolled in this study. A control group was formed by matching patients without alloimmunization in terms of number of transfusions and medical specialty. The median age of transfused units, the percentage of transfused red blood cell units >14 days of storage in relation to fresher red cell units (≤14 days of storage) and the mean age of transfused units older than 14 days were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Alloimmunized and control groups were homogeneous regarding the most relevant clinical variables (age, gender, type of oncological disease) and inflammatory background (C-reactive protein and Karnofsky scale). The median age of transfused red blood cell units, the ratio of older units transfused compared to fresher units and the mean age of transfused units older than 14 days did not differ between alloimmunized and control patients (17 vs. 17; 68/32 vs. 63.2/36.8 and 21.8±7.0 vs. 21.04±7.9; respectively). CONCLUSION: The transfusion of older red blood cell units subjected to bedside leukodepletion is not a key risk factor for alloimmunization. Strategies of providing fresh red cell units aiming to avoid alloimmunization are thus not justified.

Real-time symptomatic case of transfusion-transmitted dengue.

BACKGROUND: Dengue virus transmission by blood transfusion is a rarely reported event. CASE REPORT: During a dengue outbreak in São Paulo city, a regular plateletpheresis donor informed the blood bank of being diagnosed a few days after donation. The recipient was hospitalized and displayed symptoms and laboratory evidence of dengue after transfusion. RESULTS: The donor was immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM, and polymerase chain reaction nonreactive on the index sample, seroconverting 20 days later. The platelet units were transfused into two patients. One of them developed fever 3 days after transfusion, with high viral load. His pretransfusion sample was negative for IgG, IgM, and dengue RNA, while the second recipient did not show any symptoms nor laboratory evidence of dengue infection. CONCLUSIONS: This case brings additional evidence that dengue is indeed transmissible by blood transfusion and clinical manifestations, although rare, do occur.

Study of possible clinical and laboratory predictors of alloimmunization against red blood cell antigens in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory background of patients influences the process of alloimmunization against red blood cell antigens. Proof of this statement to clinical practice is still lacking. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify whether factors related to disease severity and inflammatory status of cancer patients can predict alloimmunization. METHODS: This was a case-control study in which alloimmunized oncologic patients treated between 2009 and 2012 were compared with a non-alloimmunized control group regarding the severity of the disease (metastasis/performance status/body mass index) and C-reactive protein levels. RESULTS: The groups did not differ significantly in terms of C-reactive protein, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)/Karnofsky performance status, presence of metastasis and body mass index. CONCLUSION: It is not possible to predict alloimmunization in cancer patients based on severity of illness and inflammatory markers. Strategies of screening patients by phenotyping blood based on these criteria are not justified.

Study of possible clinical and laboratory predictors of alloimmunization against red blood cell antigens in cancer patients

Background: The inflammatory background of patients influences the process of alloimmunization against red blood cell antigens. Proof of this statement to clinical practice is still lacking. Objective: The aim of this study was to verify whether factors related to disease severity and inflammatory status of cancer patients can predict alloimmunization. Methods: This was a case-control study in which alloimmunized oncologic patients treated between 2009 and 2012 were compared with a non-alloimmunized control group regarding the severity of the disease (metastasis/performance status/body mass index) and C-reactive protein levels. Results: The groups did not differ significantly in terms of C-reactive protein, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)/Karnofsky performance status, presence of metastasis and body mass index. Conclusion: It is not possible to predict alloimmunization in cancer patients based on severity of illness and inflammatory markers. Strategies of screening patients by phenotyping blood based on these criteria are not justified. .

Recursos fisioterapêuticos no controle da dor oncológica: revisão de literatura / Physiotherapeutic resources in the treatment of oncological pain: literature review

O tratamento não farmacológico da dor do câncer ainda é pouco explorado e utilizado na área da saúde. A falta de maior fundamentação científica para a utilização dos recursos fisioterapêuticos, e mesmo o desconhecimento da existência desses recursos dificulta sua implementação como instrumento para o tratamento da dor oncológica. Entretanto, esses recursos não invasivos podem, em muito, beneficiar os pacientes que sofrem com a dor do câncer.O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão da literatura sobre o assunto, com o propósito de conhecer melhor alguns dos recursos fisioterapêuticos no controle da dor oncológica. Os recursos mais citados como coadjuvantes no controle desse tipo de dor são estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea (TENS), termoterapia, crioterapia, massagem terapêutica e cinesioterapia, além da orientação específica aos pacientes, cuidadores e familiares. A associação dos recursos fisioterapêuticos com o tratamento farmacológico pode ser de grande valia para o paciente com dor oncológica. Essa associação pode ajudar na redução da medicação analgésica e, consequentemente, minimizar os efeitos colaterais causados pela medicação de longo prazo. No entanto, os resultados da revisão da literatura demonstraram que os estudos desenvolvidos, até agora, não oferecem evidências suficientes para recomendar ou rejeitar a utilização dos recursos citados para o controle da dor do paciente com câncer. Estudos mais controlados e metodologias adequadas são necessários para que a fisioterapia possa desenvolver sua prática baseada em evidência.

The non-pharmacological treatment of cancer pain has been little explored and yet little used. Lack of a scientificsupport for the use of physiotherapeutic resources and, in some cases, the ignorance about the existence of suchresources has hindered their implementation as effective tools for the treatment of cancer pain. However, these non invasive methods can be of great help to patients suffering from cancer pain. This study aims at reviewing the literature on the subject in search of more information about some physiotherapeutic resources to the treatment of oncological pain. The most common resources recommended for the treatment of cancer pain are: transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), thermotherapy, cryotheraphy, therapeutic massage and therapeutic exercise together with specific guidelines offered to patients, caretakers and families. Cancer patients can greatly benefit from the association of physiotherapeutic resources with the pharmacological treatment. This association can help reduce the use of analgesic medication, thus minimizing the side effects caused by long term medication. However, the results of this review of the literature demonstrate that the studies on the subject developed so far are not enough to recommend or reject the use of those resources for the treatment of oncological pain. The issue demands more research and appropriate methodology to allow physical therapy to better develop its evidencebasedpractice.