Incidence Rates, Treatment, and Survival of Rectal Cancer Among Young Patients: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing among young adults in the United States. We aim to investigate the incidence rate, the effect of multimodal therapy, and survival outcomes of rectal cancer in patients under 45 years of age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on young-onset (under 45 y) rectal cancer between 2000 and 2016 was extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Registry (SEER). RESULTS: A total of 10,375 patients with young-onset rectal cancer were identified where 54.7% were male. The median age at diagnosis was 40±5.7 years. The overall age-adjusted incidence of rectal cancer between 2000 and 2016 was 1.24 per 100,000 per year. Incidence increased with age, with the highest incidence occurring in the 40- to 44-year age group. Over the 16-year study period, rectal cancer increased by ∼2.29%. Most tumors on presentation were moderately differentiated (30.8%) while the most common stage at presentation was stage 4 (48.3%). One- and 5-year cause-specific survival for rectal cancer was 93% and 72%, respectively. According to Cox proportional hazard models, chemotherapy was associated with increased mortality in patients with localized cancer [hazard ratio (HR)=2.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.04-4.08, P<0.001], did not significantly improve mortality outcomes in patients with regional cancer (HR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.70-1.04, P=0.116), but reduced mortality in patients with distant cancer (HR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.56-0.70, P<0.001), though this effect was largely seen in patients 35 years and older. Surgery was associated with improved survival across all cancer stages. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of regional and distant rectal cancer is increasing in young patients. While patient age is an important prognostic indicator of survival, chemotherapy does not appear to improve survival in younger patients with localized and regional disease.

Clostridioides difficile infection in US hospitals: a national inpatient sample study.

BACKGROUND: Hypervirulent strains of Clostridioides difficile have altered the landscape of hospital and community outbreaks. We aim to examine and compare spatiotemporal trends, incidence, hospital teaching status, mortality, and cost associated with hospital-acquired Clostridioides difficile infection (HCDI) and community-acquired Clostridioides difficile infection (CCDI). METHODS: Retrospective cohorts were studied using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2006 to 2015. RESULTS: A total of 76,124 cases of HCDI and 190,641 cases of CCDI were identified within the study period. The incidence of HCDI decreased from 8555 in 2006 to 7191 in 2015. Mortality also decreased during the same period (5.9% in 2006 to 1.4% 2015, p < 0.0001). Conversely, CCDI cases increased from 13,823 in 2006 to 20,637 in 2015. CCDI mortality decreased during the same period (4.3% in 2006 to 1.9% 2015, p < 0.0001). Rural hospital centers experienced the sharpest decline in HCDI mortality compared to urban and urban teaching centers (3.8%, p < 0.0001 vs 2.8%, p < 0.0001 vs 2.1%, p < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that increasing age (p = 0.0001), increasing hospital length of stay (p = 0.0001), and Medicare insurance (p = 0.002) were significant predictors of mortality for CDI mortality. Geospatial mapping of CCDI and HCDI revealed that the Eastern and Southern US experienced the largest incidence of CDI over 10 years. CONCLUSION: The incidence of HCDI has decreased in the past decade while the incidence of CCDI hospitalization is sharply on the rise. While hospital length of stay and mortality has decreased over time, the cost of treating CDI remains high.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound for pre-intervention evaluation in early esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) stands as an accurate imaging modality for esophageal cancer staging, however utilization of EUS in early-stage cancer management remains controversial. Identification of non-applicability of endoscopic interventions with deep muscular invasion with EUS in pre-intervention evaluation of early-stage esophageal cancer is compared to endoscopic and histologic indicators. AIM: To display the role of EUS in pre-intervention early esophageal cancer staging and how the index endoscopic features of invasive esophageal malignancy compare for prediction of depth of invasion and cancer management. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients who underwent pre-resection EUS after a diagnosis of esophageal cancer at a tertiary medical center from 2012 to 2022. Patient clinical data, initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy/biopsy, EUS, and final resection pathology reports were abstracted, and statistical analysis was conducted to assess the role of EUS in management decisions. RESULTS: Forty nine patients were identified for this study. EUS T stage was concordant with histological T stage in 75.5% of patients. In determining submucosal involvement (T1a vs T1b), EUS had a specificity of 85.0%, sensitivity of 53.9%, and accuracy of 72.7%. Endoscopic features of tumor size > 2 cm and the presence of esophageal ulceration were significantly associated with deep invasion of cancer on histology. EUS affected management from endoscopic mucosal resection/submucosal dissection to esophagectomy in 23.5% of patients without esophageal ulceration and 6.9% of patients with tumor size < 2 cm. In patients without both endoscopic findings, EUS identified deeper cancer and changed management in 4.8% (1/20) of cases. CONCLUSION: EUS was reasonably specific in ruling out submucosal invasion but had relatively poor sensitivity. Data validated endoscopic indicators suggested superficial cancers in the group with a tumor size < 2 cm and the lack of esophageal ulceration. In patients with these findings, EUS rarely identified a deep cancer that warranted a change in management.

Effect of a Novel Patient Garment on Perceived Privacy during Colonoscopy: A Simple Approach to Minimize Embarrassment.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, patients wear a one-piece, reusable cloth gown during colonoscopy procedures. Many patients report embarrassment related to bodily exposure during colonoscopy. This may limit participation in colorectal cancer screening programs. AIMS: To assess whether the use of a novel, disposable patient garment (Privacy Pants, Jackson, MS), which increases patient coverage, can reduce embarrassment related to bodily exposure and increase colonoscopy acceptance rates. METHODS: Patients were offered a novel gown, and they completed questionnaires before and after colonoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients participated. 54% were female and 82% were Caucasian. The novel gown had high overall satisfaction (8.3) and was associated with a sense of respect during the procedure (9.4). 67% (80) of the patients had a prior colonoscopy, and of these, 76% would request a novel gown over a traditional gown for future procedures. Among all study participants, a high rate of acceptability for repeat colonoscopy if recommended by their doctors was reported (mean of 9.4). Nonwhites were more likely to have a concern for embarrassment addressed by using novel gowns as compared to whites (P value 0.02). CONCLUSION: All participants, particularly women and nonwhite participants, reported high rates of respect and satisfaction and decrease in embarrassment utilizing the novel gown during colonoscopy. Patients who had prior colonoscopy with a traditional gown preferred the novel garment. A novel procedure gown may enhance colonoscopy acceptance by minimizing embarrassment.

Impact of endoscopic ultrasound on diagnosis and management of presumed mucinous neoplasms when done for pancreatic cyst morphology change on non-invasive surveillance imaging.

Background and study aims Guidelines for management of presumed neoplastic pancreatic cysts have encouraged noninvasive imaging for low-risk surveillance, while reserving endoscopic ultrasound for worrisome features including morphologic change. We aim to study the impact of endoscopic ultrasound on diagnosis and management compared with non-invasive imaging. Patients and methods A single-institution pancreatic cyst database was retrospectively queried for patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound for the indication of change in cyst morphology. Diagnoses were classified as presumed mucinous neoplasm with or without worrisome features or high-risk stigmata and non-mucinous lesions. Management decisions were defined a priori as surgical evaluation for patients with high-risk stigmata, positive cytology or mural nodule, or continued surveillance for all others. Results Between January 2013 and October 2016, 709 pancreas cyst endoscopic ultrasounds were performed of which 89 were for cyst morphology change seen on noninvasive imaging including 10 presumed pseudocysts, nine presumed serous cystadenomas, and 70 presumed mucinous cystic neoplasms. Cyst morphologic changes included increase in caliber of the main pancreatic duct (7 cases), increase in cyst size (68 cases), cyst ≥ 30 mm (10 cases), and presence of a solid nodule (1 case). Median cyst size increase was 5 mm with interquartile range of 4 mm over 2.1 ±â€Š1.9 years. Endoscopic ultrasound done for morphologic change resulted in a change in diagnosis and management in 16 % and 13 % of cases, respectively. Conclusion Endoscopic ultrasound has a modest but clinically significant role in impacting diagnosis and management for presumed mucinous cystic neoplasms when performed for the indication of cyst morphology change.

Hepatitis C Screening: The Downstream Dissemination of Evolving Guidelines in a Resident Continuity Clinic.

Background In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published guidelines supporting one-time screening for hepatitis C (HCV) in all persons born between 1945 and 1965. It is estimated that 75% of adults infected with HCV fall within this cohort. Furthermore, it is projected that this preventative health intervention would lead to the diagnosis of 800,000 unknown cases and the prevention of 120,000 deaths. Objectives The primary objectives are to measure adherence to HCV screening in a continuity practice staffed by internal medicine residents and attending physicians and to measure the effect of educational interventions to enhance HCV screening. The secondary objectives include finding whether insurance or provider status affects adherence to HCV screening. Methods In 2015, we performed a retrospective chart review of asymptomatic patients born between 1945 and 1965 to estimate the rate of HCV screening. In order to meet inclusion criteria, the patients must have had an HCV status that was unknown and must have been seen by a primary care provider ≥ 2 times between January 1 and December 31, 2013. The data extracted included whether HCV testing was ordered, whether testing was performed primarily for screening purposes, demographic information, insurance status, number of clinic visits, and whether the primary provider was a resident or attending physician. Subsequently, in 2016 we implemented an educational intervention aimed at improving these rates. Afterwards, we repeated the chart review to determine if screening rates had improved. Results Out of 294 patients reviewed pre-intervention, 200 patients were eligible for inclusion, of which 17 (8.5%) patients were offered screening for HCV, of which 13 (76.5%) patients completed testing. Following an educational intervention, 484 patients were reviewed and 100 patients were included, of which 34 (34%) patients were screened. Compared to a pre-intervention screening rate of 8.5%, post-intervention screening had improved to 34%, a 300% increase (p<0.001). Conclusions Educational interventions are feasible and can lead to significant improvements in clinical practice enabling for the rapid dissemination of evolving guidelines.

Whipple's Disease Manifested as Recurrent Ascites.

Whipple's disease commonly presents as chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain. Ascites is an uncommon presentation of Whipple's disease. Here, we report a rare case of a 47-year-old male who presented with diarrhea and abdominal distention for three months. The physical examination was significant for ascites. Serum albumin was low and serum-to-ascites albumin gradient was < 1.1 g/dl. This suggested that ascites was less likely to be present due to portal hypertension. Enteroscopy showed erythematous duodenum and jejunum; biopsy was suggestive of periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS) positive macrophages consistent with Whipple's disease. During the hospital course, the patient improved with intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone.

Collagenous Gastritis in a Young Female With IgA Deficiency.

Collagenous gastritis, without colonic involvement, is exceptionally rare. It is not known to be associated with IgA deficiency and scleroderma. This is the first report of this type of association. We present a 26-year-old white female with a past medical history of gastroesophageal reflux disease and scleroderma. She was evaluated for complaints of abdominal pain and diarrhea. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed gastritis and duodenitis. Colonoscopy was normal. The histopathological report showed collagenous gastritis and focal lymphocytic duodenitis. A definitive treatment has not been established for this condition. Reporting such cases furthers understanding of the disease and will help to establish diagnostic criteria and to develop therapeutic strategies.

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: A Rare Case of Chronic Diarrhea.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is caused by hypersecretion of gastrin from duodenal or pancreatic gastrinomas. We report a case of a 57-year-old female who presented with chronic diarrhea. CT abdomen showed multiple liver masses. Liver biopsy suggested metastatic well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. Serum gastrin level was markedly elevated. MRI abdomen, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy and endoscopic ultrasound failed to reveal primary site of the tumor. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed hyperplastic gastric folds and multiple duodenal ulcers consistent with ZES. Patient was started on high-dose omeprazole and octreotide resulting in improvement in diarrhea.

Predictors of Non-Adherence to Breast Cancer Screening among Hospitalized Women.

OBJECTIVE: Disparities in screening mammography use persists among low income women, even those who are insured, despite the proven mortality benefit. A recent study reported that more than a third of hospitalized women were non-adherent with breast cancer screening. The current study explores prevalence of socio-demographic and clinical variables associated with non-adherence to screening mammography recommendations among hospitalized women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross sectional bedside survey was conducted to collect socio-demographic and clinical comorbidity data thought to effect breast cancer screening adherence of hospitalized women aged 50-75 years. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between these factors and non-adherence to screening mammography. RESULTS: Of 250 enrolled women, 61% were of low income, and 42% reported non-adherence to screening guidelines. After adjustment for socio-demographic and clinical predictors, three variables were found to be independently associated with non-adherence to breast cancer screening: low income (OR = 3.81, 95%CI; 1.84-7.89), current or ex-smoker (OR = 2.29, 95%CI; 1.12-4.67), and history of stroke (OR = 2.83, 95%CI; 1.21-6.60). By contrast, hospitalized women with diabetes were more likely to be compliant with breast cancer screening (OR = 2.70, 95%CI 1.35-5.34). CONCLUSION: Because hospitalization creates the scenario wherein patients are in close proximity to healthcare resources, at a time when they may be reflecting upon their health status, strategies could be employed to counsel, educate, and motivate these patients towards health maintenance. Capitalizing on this opportunity would involve offering screening during hospitalization for those who are overdue, particularly for those who are at higher risk of disease.