bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wait Times from Presentation to Treatment for Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Singh H , De Coster C , Shu E , Fradette K , Latosinksy S , Pitz M , Cheang M , Turner D 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: The wait time from cancer diagnosis to treatment has been a recent focus of cancer care in Canada.OBJECTIVE: To examine the trends in wait times from patient presentation to treatment (overall health system wait time [OWT]) for colorectal cancer (CRC).METHODS: Patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas, diagnosed between 2001 and 2005, and their first definitive treatments were identified from the population-based Manitoba Cancer Registry (Winnipeg, Manitoba). By linkage to Manitoba Health and Healthy Living’s administrative databases, a patient’s first gastrointestinal investigation (abdominal radiological imaging, lower gastrointestinal endoscopy or fecal occult blood test) before CRC diagnosis was identified. The index contact with the health care system was estimated from the date of the visit with the physician who ordered the first gastroenterological investigation. The OWT was defined as the time from the index contact to the first treatment, while diagnostic delay was defined as the time from the index contact to the diagnosis of CRC. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of OWT.RESULTS: The OWT was estimated for 2552 cases of CRC over the five years that were examined. The median OWT increased from 61 days in 2001 to 95 days in 2005 (P<0.001). Most of the increase was in diagnostic wait times (median of 44 days in 2001 versus 64 days in 2005 [P<0.001]). Year of diagnosis, older age, urban residence and diagnosis at a teaching facility were independent predictors of OWT.CONCLUSIONS: The OWT from presentation to treatment of CRC in Manitoba steadily increased between 2001 and 2005, mostly due to diagnostic delays.
The Impact of Patient Education on the Quality of Inpatient Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy
Authors: Rosenfeld Greg , Krygier Darin , Enns Robert A , Singham Janakie , Wiesinger Holly , Bressler Brian 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: For patients requiring colonoscopy while admitted to hospital, achieving adequate cleansing of the colon is often difficult.OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of patient education, in the form of both counselling and written instructions, on bowel cleanliness at colonoscopy.METHODS: A total of 38 inpatients at a tertiary care hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, who were referred to the gastroenterology service for colonoscopy were enrolled in the present study. Sixteen patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group, while 22 patients comprised the control group. Both groups received a clear liquid diet and 4 L of a commercially available bowel preparation. The intervention group also received a brief counselling session and written instructions outlining the methods and rationale for bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Bowel cleanliness was assessed by the endoscopist using a five‐point rating scale.RESULTS: The two groups were similar with respect to demographics, the indication for colonoscopy and findings at colonoscopy. The median bowel cleanliness scores in the control group and the enhanced‐instruction group were 3.0 and 2.0, respectively (P=0.001).CONCLUSION: Patient counselling and written instructions are inexpensive, safe and simple interventions. Such interventions are an effective means of optimizing colonoscopy preparation in the inpatient setting.
Social Functioning and Peer Relationships in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review
Authors: Forgeron Paula A , King Sara , Stinson Jennifer N , McGrath Patrick J , MacDonald Amanda J , Chambers Christine T 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: Peer relationships during childhood and adolescence are acknowledged to be negatively impacted by chronic pain; however, to date there has been no synthesis of this literature.OBJECTIVE: To systematically review existing literature describing the social functioning and peer relationships in children and adolescents with recurrent or continuous chronic pain.METHODS: Articles on peer relationship factors studied in samples of children and adolescents with chronic pain published in English or French were identified using EMBASE, Medline, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Two independent reviewers performed initial screenings using study titles and abstracts, and reviewed each eligible article in full.RESULTS: Of 1740 published papers yielded by the search, 42 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present review. Nine studies had peer relationship investigation as the primary purpose of the study; the remaining 33 examined peer relationships as part of a broader study. A range of specific and more general measures was used to examine peer relationships. Across studies, children and adolescents with chronic pain were reported to have fewer friends, be subjected to more peer victimization, and were viewed as more isolated and less likeable than healthy peers.CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with chronic pain have peer relationship deficiencies. However, the majority of studies to date measure peer relationships as part of a broader study and, thus, little attention has been paid specifically to peer relationships in this group. Additional research examining the quality of peer relationships of children and adolescents with chronic pain, as well as development of measures specifically designed to assess these relationships, is needed.
The Long‐Term Safety and Efficacy of Opioids: A Survey of 84 Selected Patients with Intractable Chronic Noncancer Pain
Authors: Watson C Peter N , Watt-Watson Judy , Chipman Mary 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: The use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) remains controversial. Despite a number of randomized controlled trials showing efficacy and safety in the short term, long‐term data are limited.OBJECTIVE: To survey a selected cohort of patients with intractable CNCP with regard to long‐term efficacy and safety of opioids.METHODS: The present study reports long‐term results from a survey of 84 patients with CNCP. The majority of patients had neuropathic pain, were treated with opioids and were followed every three months for a median of 8.4 years. Outcomes examined were pain severity, adverse effects, pain relief, satisfaction, mood, problematic opioid use, tolerance, physical dependency, functional status, health‐related quality of life, immune status, sexual function, morbidity and mortality. Measures included a numerical rating scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Brief Pain Inventory interference scale, Pain Disability Index and Short‐Form Health Survey 12, version 2.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Both long‐ and short‐acting opioids were reported to be effective, with few significant long‐term adverse effects in many subjects in the present selected cohort. The majority of patients reported at least 50% or greater pain relief and a moderate improvement in disability. Functional status and health‐related quality of life scores were not severely affected. Problematic opioid use, tolerance and serious adverse effects, including constipation, were not major issues. The authors emphasize that the results obtained in the present selected group may not be generalizable to all CNCP patients in whom opioids are being initiated.
Overexpression of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Noncancerous Liver Tissue Increases the Postoperative Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Cirrhosis
Authors: He Yi-Fu , Jin Juan , Wei Wei , Chang Yan , Hu Bing , Ji Chu-Shu , Jia Wei-Dong , Wang Xiao-Qiu , Chen Ke , Chen Jian 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: Many previous studies have evaluated the histopathological features of tumours as risk factors for postoperative recurrence in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there have been few large studies investigating the relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in non-cancerous regions of the liver and postoperative recurrence in the remnant liver, especially in HBV-related HCC.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of COX-2 expression levels in noncancerous liver regions as a prognostic indicator of HCC in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis.METHODS: A total of 124 patients who underwent curative resection for HCC were reviewed retrospectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of COX-2 in noncancerous liver tissue. Clinicopathological variables were compared between patients with high COX-2 expression (n=58 [COX-2-positive group]) and patients with low COX-2 expression (n=66; [COX-2-negative group]). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors that affected disease recurrence.RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between COX-2 expression and alanine aminotransferase levels and vascular invasion. The recurrence-free survival rates in the COX-2-positive group were significantly lower than the rates in the COX-2-negative group. On multivariate analysis, the overexpression of COX-2 in noncancerous liver regions was found to be an unfavourable prognostic indicator for the recurrence of HCC.CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study suggest that over-expression of COX-2 in noncancerous liver regions is an independent and significant indicator predictive of early recurrence of HCC in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis.
Barriers to the Implementation of Practice Guidelines in Managing Patients with Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Hayes Sean M , Murray Suzanne , Dupuis Martin , Dawes Martin , Hawes Ian A , Barkun Alan N 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Guidelines for the management of patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) are inconsistently applied by health care providers, potentially resulting in suboptimal care and patient outcomes. A needs assessment was performed to assess health care providers’ barriers to the implementation of these guidelines in Canada.METHODS: Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted by trained research personnel with 22 selectively sampled health care professionals actively treating and managing NVUGIB patients, including emergency room physicians (ER), intensivists (ICU), gastroenterologists (GI), gastroenterology nurses and hospital administrators. Participants were chosen from a representative sample of six Canadian community‐ and academic‐based hospitals that participated in a national Canadian audit on the management of NVUGIB.RESULTS: Participants reported substantive gaps in the implementation of NVUGIB guidelines that included the following: lack of knowledge of the specifics of the NVUGIB guidelines (ER, ICU, nurses); limited belief in the value of guidelines, especially in areas where evidence is lacking (ER, ICU); limited belief in the value of available tools to support implementation of guidelines (GI); lack of knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of health care professions and disciplines, and lack of effective collaboration skills (ER, ICU and GI); variability of knowledge and skills of health care professionals within professions (eg, variability of nurses’ knowledge and skills in endoscopic procedures); and perceived overuse of intravenous proton pump inhibitor treatment, with limited concern regarding cost or side effect implications (all participants).CONCLUSIONS: In the present study population, ER, ICU and nurses did not adhere to NVUGIB guidelines because they were neither aware of nor familiar with them, whereas the GI lack of adherence to NVUGIB guidelines was influenced more by attitudinal and contextual barriers. These findings can guide the design of multifaceted educational and behavioural interventions when attempting to effectively disseminate existing guidelines, and for guideline implementation into practice.
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection: Early Experience in British Columbia
Authors: Brahmania Mayur , Lam Eric , Telford Jennifer , Enns Robert 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been proposed as a primary method of managing patients with dysplasia‐ or mucosal‐based cancers of the esophagus.OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of EMR for the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus with dysplasia or early adenocarcinoma, assessing efficacy, complication rates and long‐term outcomes.METHODS: All patients who underwent EMR at St Paul’s Hospital (Vancouver, British Columbia) were reviewed. Eligible patients were assessed with aggressive biopsy protocols. Detected cancers were staged with both endoscopic ultrasound imaging and computed tomography. Appropriate patients were offered EMR using a commercially available mucosectomy device. EMR was repeated at six‐ to eight‐week intervals until complete. Patients with less than one year of follow‐up or who were undergoing other ablative methods were excluded.RESULTS: Twenty‐two patients (all men) with a mean (± SD) age of 67±10.6 years were identified. The mean duration of gastroesophageal reflux disease was 17 years (range four to 40 years) and all were receiving proton pump inhibitor therapy. The mean length of Barrett’s esophagus was 5.5±3.5 cm. One patient had no dysplasia (isolated nodule), three had low‐grade dysplasia, 15 had high‐grade dysplasia (HGD) and three had adenocarcinoma. A mean of 1.7±0.83 endoscopic sessions were performed, with a mean of 6±5.4 sections removed. Following EMR, three patients developed strictures; two of these patients had pre‐existing strictures and the third required two dilations, which resolved his symptoms. There were no other complications. Three patients underwent esophagectomy. Two had adenocarcinoma or HGD in a pre‐existing stricture. The third patient had an adenocarcinoma not amenable to EMR. One patient with a long segment of Barrett’s esophagus underwent radiofrequency ablation. At a median follow‐up of two years (range one to three years), the remaining 18 patients (82%) had no evidence of HGD or cancer.CONCLUSION: Most patients with esophageal dysplasia can be managed with EMR. Individuals with pre‐existing strictures require other endoscopic and/or surgical methods to manage their dysplasia or adenocarcinoma.
What Do the Parents of Children Who Have Chronic Pain Expect from Their First Visit to a Pediatric Chronic Pain Clinic?
Authors: Reid Kathy , Lander Janice , Scott Shannon , Dick Bruce 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain in childhood is increasingly recognized as a significant clinical problem. Best‐practice management of pediatric chronic pain in a multidisciplinary pain clinic involves a variety of treatment modalities. It is important that parents of children treated in these settings understand the different treatment options available for their children. By involving parents more effectively, care providers may more efficiently address unmet treatment needs and improve tailoring of treatment programs aimed at increasing function, reducing pain‐related disability and improving quality of life.OBJECTIVES: To explore the expectations held by parents for their first visit to a pediatric multidisciplinary pain clinic.METHODS: Fourteen parents completed a paper‐based survey exploring their expectations immediately before their first visit to a multidisciplinary pediatric pain clinic in a tertiary care children’s hospital.RESULTS: Responses from parents suggest a clear desire for information about the causes of their child’s pain, treatment options available at the pain clinic, effective strategies to enhance children’s ability to cope with pain, and the effects of pain on both body and mood. Most parents rated the various treatment options as important for their child. All parents indicated it was very important to have the pain team ‘be there’ for them.CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that parents want more information about chronic pain and treatment options. Pediatric chronic pain clinics have the ability to assist children with chronic pain and their families considerably by providing information about chronic pain and the various treatment options available to them.
Does Adjuvant Steroid Therapy Post-Kasai Portoenterostomy Improve the Outcome of Biliary Atresia? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sarkhy Ahmed , Schreiber Richard A , Milner Ruth , Barker Collin C 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: The role of adjuvant steroid therapy in the postoperative management of patients with biliary atresia (BA) is unclear.OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature and perform a meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of adjuvant steroid therapy post-Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) on BA outcome.METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials and/or observational studies that examined the role of steroids on BA outcomes published between January 1969 and June 2010 was conducted. Studies were identified using the Medline, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases.RESULTS: Sixteen observational studies and one randomized controlled trial (RCT) were found. Four of the 16 observational studies (160 participants) and the RCT (73 participants) met the entry criteria and were eligible to be included in the analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in the effect of steroids either on normalizing serum bilirubin levels at six months (pooled OR 1.48 [95% CI 0.67 to 3.28]) or in delaying the need for early liver transplantation (within the first year post-KP (pooled OR 0.59 [95% CI 0.21 to 1.72]).CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis did not find a significant effect of steroid over standard therapy, either in normalizing serum bilirubin levels at six months or at delaying the need for early liver transplantation post-KP. RCT studies of sufficient size and comprehensive design using high-dose steroids are needed to determine the effectiveness of steroids on the short and intermediate post-KP outcomes for BA patients.
Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis in Alberta pre‐ and postintroduction of the 7‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Authors: Johnstone Jennie , Tyrrell Gregory J. , Marrie Thomas J. , Garg Sipi , Kellner James D. , the Streptococcus pneumoniae Alberta Team (SPAT) group  
Published: March 2016

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, microbiology and outcomes of patients of all ages with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis between 2000 and 2004; two years pre‐ and postintroduction of an S pneumoniae 7‐valent conjugate vaccine program in Alberta in children younger than two years of age. The high mortality rate associated with S pneumoniae meningitis, despite appropriate therapy, suggests that prevention of S pneumoniae meningitis is critical. Despite implementation of a PCV‐7 program in Alberta, rates of S pneumoniae meningitis in children younger than two years of age is still high. Thus, continued research into safe and efficacious vaccines covering a broader range of S pneumoniae serotypes is necessary.OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, microbiology and outcomes of patients of all ages with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis two years pre‐ and postintroduction of a S pneumoniae 7‐valent conjugate vaccine program in Alberta in children <2 years of age.METHODS: Between 2000 and 2004, all cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in Alberta were identified. From this cohort, patients with S pneumoniae meningitis were identified by chart review. Clinical data, laboratory data and in‐hospital outcomes were collected.RESULTS: Of the 1768 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease identified between 2000 and 2004, 110 (6.2%) had S pneumoniae meningitis. The overall incidence was 0.7 per 100,000 persons and remained unchanged over the study period. The rate in children <2 years of age appeared to fall over time, from 10.5 per 100,000 persons in 2000 to five per 100,000 persons in 2004, although there was insufficient evidence of a statistically significant time trend within any age group. Overall, the mean age was 30 years and 47% were male. In‐hospital mortality was 20%, ranging from 6% in those ≤2 years of age to 31% for those ≥18 years of age, despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy.CONCLUSION: The high mortality rate associated with S pneumoniae meningitis suggests that prevention by vaccination is critical. In children <2 years of age, there was a downward trend in the rate of S pneumoniae meningitis after implementation of the S pneumoniae 7‐valent conjugate vaccine program, but rates were still high.
The Impact of Sirolimus on hepatitis C Recurrence after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Asthana Sonal , Toso Christian , Meeberg Glenda , Bigam David L , Mason Andrew , Shapiro AM James , Kneteman Norman M 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: While some immunosuppression strategies may accelerate hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT), the impact of sirolimus (SRL) is not known.OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of biopsy-proven HCV recurrence and patient survival using known and suspected risk factors for HCV recurrence as covariates.METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 141 consecutive patients, including 88 who received de novo SRL therapy, who had undergone a first LT for HCV cirrhosis was conducted. Known and suspected risk factor covariates including transplant era, donor and recipient age, Model for End-stage Liver Disease score, cold ischemia time, immunosuppressive drugs and steroid treatment rejection rates were used in the assessment.RESULTS: Overall, 72.3% of the cohort developed biopsy-proven HCV recurrence. The incidence of HCV recurrence was not significantly different for patients treated with SRL (75% versus 69.8%; P=0.5). There was no difference found for time to recurrence, nor did mean activity or fibrosis scores differ at the time of initial recurrence. However, on follow-up using serial biopsies in patients with recurrence, the mean activity and fibrosis scores were significantly lower in the SRL group. Donor age and acute rejection episodes were the only factors affecting the HCV recurrence rate (expB 1.02 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.03]); P=0.03; and expB 2.8 [95% CI 1.8 to 4.3]; P<0.01], respectively). SRL treatment did not alter patient survival rates. Among patients treated with SRL-based immunosuppression, higher drug area under the curve levels were associated with a trend to lower disease activity and fibrosis at diagnosis; however, higher SRL levels were associated with shorter recurrence-free survival (P=0.038).CONCLUSION: Results of the present analysis suggest that de novo SRL-based immunosuppression can be safely used in patients undergoing LT for HCV-associated liver disease; however, SRL-based immunosuppression did not significantly affect the timing or severity of post-transplant HCV recurrence. HCV recurrence in SRL-treated patients had lower progressive activity and fibrosis levels on serial biopsy.