Health Care Provider Characteristics Associated With Colorectal Cancer Screening Preferences and Use

ObjectiveTo assess health care provider (HCP) preferences related to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening overall, and by HCP and patient characteristics.Participants and MethodsWe developed a survey based on the Theoretical Domains Framework to assess factors associated with CRC screening preferences in clinical practice. The survey was administered online November 6 through December 6, 2019, to a validated panel of HCPs drawn from US national databases and professional organizations. The final analysis sample included 779 primary care clinicians (PCCs) and 159 gastroenterologists (GIs).ResultsHCPs chose colonoscopy as their preferred screening method for average-risk patients (96.9% (154/159) for GIs, 75.7% (590/779) for PCCs). Among PCCs, 12.2% (95/779) preferred multi-target stool DNA (mt-sDNA), followed by fecal immunochemical test (FIT), (7.3%; 57/779) and guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) (4.8%; 37/779). Preference among PCCs and GIs generally shifted toward noninvasive screening options for patients who were unable to undergo invasive procedures; concerned about taking time from work; unconvinced about need for screening; and refusing other screening recommendations. Among PCCs, preference for mt-sDNA over FIT and gFOBT was less frequent in larger compared with smaller clinical practices. Additionally, preference for mt-sDNA over FIT was more likely among PCCs with more years of clinical experience, higher patient volumes (> 25/day), and practice locations in suburban and rural settings (compared to urban).ConclusionBoth PCCs and GIs preferred colonoscopy for CRC screening of average-risk patients, although PCCs did so less frequently and with approximately a quarter preferring stool-based tests (particularly mt-sDNA). PCCs’ preference varied by provider and patient characteristics. Our findings underscore the importance of informed choice and shared decision-making about CRC screening options.     

Risk of an Opioid-Related Emergency Department Visit or Hospitalization Among Older Breast,Colorectal, Lung,and Prostate Cancer Survivors

ObjectiveTo assess whether long-term cancer survivors (≥5 years after diagnosis) are at an increased risk of experiencing an opioid-related emergency department (ED) visit or hospitalization compared with persons without cancer.MethodsA 1:1 matched retrospective cohort study was performed using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare linked data sets. The analysis was conducted from October 2020 to December 2020 in persons who lived 5 years or more after a breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer diagnosis matched to noncancer controls on the basis of age, sex, race, pain conditions, and previous opioid use. Fine-Gray regression models were used to assess the relationship between cancer survivorship status and opioid-related ED visit or hospitalization.ResultsThe incidence of opioid-related ED visits and hospitalizations was 51.2 (95% CI, 43.5 to 59.8) and 62.2 (95% CI, 53.4 to 72.1) per 100,000 person-years among cancer survivors and matched noncancer controls, respectively. No significant association was observed between survivorship and opioid-related adverse event among opioid naive (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.61 to 1.02) and non-naive (hazard ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.89) cohorts.ConclusionCancer survivors and noncancer controls had a similar risk of an ED visit or inpatient admission. Guidelines and policies should promote nonopioid pain management approaches especially to opioid non-naive older adults, a population at high risk for an opioid-related ED visit or hospitalization.     

Bleeding in Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancer Compared With Nongastrointestinal Cancer Treated With Apixaban,Rivaroxaban, or Enoxaparin for Acute Venous Thromboembolism

ObjectiveTo compare the bleeding risk in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer with that in patients with non-GI cancer treated with anticoagulation for acute cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (Ca-VTE).Patients and MethodsConsecutive patients with Ca-VTE seen at the Mayo Thrombophilia Clinic between March 1, 2013, and April 20, 2020, were observed prospectively to assess major bleeding and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB).ResultsIn the group of 1392 patients with Ca-VTE, 499 (35.8%) had GI cancer including 272 with luminal GI cancer (lower GI, 208; upper GI, 64), 176 with pancreatic cancer, and 51 with hepatobiliary cancer. The rate of major bleeding and CRNMB in patients with GI cancer was similar to that in 893 (64.2%) patients with non-GI cancer treated with apixaban, rivaroxaban, or enoxaparin. Apixaban had a higher rate of major bleeding in luminal GI cancer compared with the non-GI cancer group (15.59 vs 3.26 per 100 person-years; P=.004) and compared with enoxaparin in patients with luminal GI cancer (15.59 vs 3.17; P=.04). Apixaban had a lower rate of CRNMB compared with rivaroxaban in patients with GI cancer (3.83 vs 9.40 per 100 person-years; P=.03). Patients treated with rivaroxaban in the luminal GI cancer group had a major bleeding rate similar to that of patients with non-GI cancer (2.04 vs 4.91 per 100 person-years; P=.37).ConclusionApixaban has a higher rate of major bleeding in patients with luminal GI cancer compared with patients with non-GI cancer and compared with enoxaparin in patients with luminal GI cancer. Rivaroxaban shows no increased risk of major bleeding in patients with GI cancer or luminal GI cancer compared with patients with non-GI cancer.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03504007.     

Supplemental Cancer Screening for Women With Dense Breasts: Guidance for Health Care Professionals

Mammography is the standard for breast cancer screening. The sensitivity of mammography in identifying breast cancer, however, is reduced for women with dense breasts. Thirty-eight states have passed laws requiring that all women be notified of breast tissue density results in their mammogram report. The notification includes a statement that differs by state, encouraging women to discuss supplemental screening options with their health care professionals (HCPs). Several supplemental screening tests are available for women with dense breast tissue, but no established guidelines exist to direct HCPs in their recommendation of preferred supplemental screening test. Tailored screening, which takes into consideration the patient’s mammographic breast density and lifetime breast cancer risk, can guide breast cancer screening strategies that are more comprehensive. This review describes the benefits and limitations of the various available supplemental screening tests to guide HCPs and patients in choosing the appropriate breast cancer screening.     

Coffee Intake of Colorectal Cancer Patients and Prognosis According to Histopathologic Lymphocytic Reaction and T-Cell Infiltrates

Given previous biologic evidence of immunomodulatory effects of coffee, we hypothesized that the association between coffee intake of colorectal cancer patients and survival differs by immune responses. Using a molecular pathologic epidemiology database of 4465 incident colorectal cancer cases, including 1262 cases with molecular data, in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, we examined the association between coffee intake of colorectal cancer patients and survival in strata of levels of histopathologic lymphocytic reaction and T-cell infiltrates in tumor tissue. We did not observe a significant association of coffee intake with colorectal cancer–specific mortality (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for 1-cup increase of coffee intake per day, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.03). Although statistical significance was not reached at the stringent level (α=.005), the association of coffee intake with colorectal cancer–specific mortality differed by Crohn disease–like lymphoid reaction (P_interaction=.007). Coffee intake was associated with lower colorectal cancer–specific mortality in patients with high Crohn disease–like reaction (multivariable HR for 1-cup increase of coffee intake per day, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.81; P_trend=.002) but not in patients with intermediate Crohn disease–like reaction (the corresponding HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.44) or negative/low Crohn disease–like reaction (the corresponding HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.07). The associations of coffee intake with colorectal cancer–specific mortality did not significantly differ by levels of other lymphocytic reaction or any T-cell subset (P_interaction>.18). There is suggestive evidence for differential prognostic effects of coffee intake by Crohn disease–like lymphoid reaction in colorectal cancer.     

Effects of Virtual Reality vs Conventional Balance Training on Balance and Falls in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of virtual reality (VR)-based vs conventional balance training on the improvement of balance and reduction of falls in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).DesignSingle-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.SettingMusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.ParticipantsPwMS (N=39), randomized into VR (n=19) and control (n=20) groups.InterventionThe VR group performed exergames using Kinect, while the control group accomplished conventional balance exercises. Both groups received 18 training sessions for 6 weeks.Main Outcome MeasuresLimits of stability, timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and 10-m walk tests with and without cognitive task and their dual-task costs (DTCs), Berg Balance Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12, Fall Efficacy Scale-International, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, and fall history were obtained pre- and post intervention and after a 3-month follow-up.ResultsAt both post intervention and follow-up, TUG^cognitive and DTCs on the TUG were significantly lower and the 10-m walk^cognitive was significantly higher in the VR group. At follow-up, reaction time and the number of falls demonstrated significant differences favoring the VR group, whereas the directional control revealed significant difference in favor of the control group (P<.05). The other outcomes showed no statistically significant difference at post intervention or follow-up.ConclusionsBoth the VR-based and conventional balance exercises improved balance and mobility in PwMS, while each acted better in improving certain aspects. VR-based training was more efficacious in enhancing cognitive-motor function and reducing falls, whereas conventional exercises led to better directional control. Further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of recruiting VR-based exercises in clinical settings.     

Considerations and Evaluation of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Worldwide there has been an alarming increase in the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (eoCRC). This prompted the United States Preventive Services Task Force to lower the age of colorectal cancer screening to 45 years for average-risk individuals. Nurse practitioners have an important role in implementing these evidence-based guidelines, understanding the risk factors for eoCRC, identifying concerning signs and symptoms of eoCRC, and providing thorough evaluations. Although more research is needed to understand eoCRC, nurse practitioners can use current knowledge to make meaningful impacts on the communities they serve.     

Newer P2Y12 Inhibitors vs Clopidogrel in Acute Myocardial Infarction With Cardiac Arrest or Cardiogenic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the outcomes, safety, and efficacy of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with newer P2Y₁₂ inhibitors compared with clopidogrel in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiac arrest (CA) or cardiogenic shock (CS).Patients and MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were queried systematically from inception to January 2021 for comparative studies of adults (≥18 years) with AMI-CA/CS receiving DAPT with newer P2Y₁₂ inhibitors as opposed to clopidogrel. We compared outcomes (30-day or in-hospital and 1-year all-cause mortality, major bleeding, and definite stent thrombosis) of newer P2Y₁₂ inhibitors and clopidogrel in patients with AMI-CA/CS.ResultsEight studies (1 randomized trial and 7 cohort studies) comprising 1100 patients (695 [63.2%] receiving clopidogrel and 405 [36.8%] receiving ticagrelor or prasugrel) were included. The population was mostly male (68.5%-86.7%). Risk of bias was low for these studies, with between-study heterogeneity and subgroup differences not statistically significant. Compared with the clopidogrel cohort, the newer P2Y₁₂ cohort had lower rates of early mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.60; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.81; P=.001) (7 studies) and 1-year mortality (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.71; P<.001) (3 studies). We did not find a significant difference in major bleeding (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.71 to 2.06; P=.48) (6 studies) or definite stent thrombosis (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 0.63 to 6.45; P=.24) (7 studies).ConclusionIn patients with AMI-CA/CS receiving DAPT, compared with clopidogrel, newer P2Y₁₂ inhibitors were associated with lower rates of early and 1-year mortality. Data on major bleeding and stent thrombosis were inconclusive.     

Skin Cancer in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Review for the Nondermatologist

Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are at increased risk for the development of skin cancer compared with the general population, which requires consistent monitoring and management from a multidisciplinary team. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview for nondermatologist clinicians, outlining skin cancer diagnosis, treatment pearls, and skin cancer prevention strategies as they relate to SOTRs. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted through the MEDLINE database with search terms including organ transplantation, transplant recipient, skin cancer, cutaneous neoplasms, management, and therapies. The search was limited to the English language and dates ranging from January 1, 2011, to December 28, 2021. All studies were reviewed for inclusion. Skin cancer will develop in more than half of SOTRs at some point in their life, most often nonmelanoma skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma and rarer cutaneous malignant neoplasms, such as Merkel cell carcinoma and Kaposi sarcoma, are also more frequent among SOTRs. A multidisciplinary effort at skin cancer screening and patient education is invaluable to prevent skin cancer–related morbidity and mortality in this population of patients. Reduction in immunosuppressive medications and surgical intervention are effective therapeutic approaches, and more novel systemic therapies including G protein–coupled receptor inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors are possible options when traditional treatment approaches are not feasible. Checkpoint inhibitor therapy, however, comes with the risk of allograft rejection. With a growing and aging SOTR population, it is essential that SOTRs have support from dermatologists and nondermatologists alike in skin cancer prevention and treatment.     

Incidence and Risk of Various Types of Arterial Thromboembolism in Patients With Cancer

ObjectiveTo describe the temporal association and identify risk factors between cancer diagnosis and various types of arterial thromboembolism (ATE).Patients and MethodsWe inquired an aggregated electronic health record database (Explorys, IBM Corp., Armonk, New York) and identified patients with cancer from January 1999 to October 2019, with various types of ATE, including myocardial infarction, acute ischemic stroke, acute limb ischemia, acute mesenteric ischemia, acute renal infarction, and retinal artery occlusion. We investigated the temporal relationship between cancer diagnosis and ATE events by examining the incidence ratio (IR) of ATE before and after diagnosis of cancer.ResultsWe identified 305,384 patients with cancer and ATE. The 30-day interval IR of total ATE was elevated shortly before and after cancer diagnosis, which was consistent among different ATE and cancer types. The incidence was highest within a 330-day window (90 days before and 240 days after cancer diagnosis), and IR peaked at 13.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.6 to 14.2) in the first 30 days following diagnosis of cancer. Compared with patients with cancer who never developed ATE, patients with ATE had more cardiovascular risk factors at baseline. Patients with brain cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer had the highest risk of developing ATE, whereas ATE type was anatomically associated with cancer type.ConclusionIn this observational study of an aggregated US patient population, those with newly diagnosed cancer had increased risk of ATE events. This risk was most elevated in a 330-day window around cancer diagnosis and was consistent across different types of ATE and cancer.     

In-Hospital Complications in Pregnant Women With Current or Historical Cancer Diagnoses

ObjectiveTo assess the temporal trends, characteristics and comorbidities, and in-hospital cardiovascular and obstetric complications and outcomes of pregnant women with current or historical cancer diagnosis at the time of admission for delivery.MethodsWe analyzed delivery hospitalizations with or without current or historical cancer between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2014, from the US National Inpatient Sample database.ResultsWe included 43,132,097 delivery hospitalizations with no cancer, 39,118 with current cancer, and 67,336 with historical diagnosis of cancer. The 5 most common types of current cancer were hematologic, thyroid, cervical, skin, and breast cancer. Women with current and historical cancer were older (29 years and 32 years vs 27 years) and incurred higher hospital costs ($4131 and $4078 vs $3521) compared with women without cancer. Most of the cancer types were associated with preterm birth (hematologic: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.48 [95% CI, 1.35 to 1.62]; cervical: aOR, 1.47 [95% CI, 1.32 to 1.63]; breast: aOR, 1.93 [95% CI, 1.72 to 2.16]). Current hematologic cancer was associated with the highest risk of peripartum cardiomyopathy (aOR, 12.19 [95% CI, 7.75 to 19.19]), all-cause mortality (aOR, 6.50 [95% CI, 2.22 to 19.07]), arrhythmia (aOR, 3.82 [95% CI, 2.04 to 7.15]), and postpartum hemorrhage (aOR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.11 to 1.54]). Having a current or historical cancer diagnosis did not confer additional risk for stillbirth; however, metastases increased the risk of maternal mortality and preterm birth.ConclusionWomen with a current or historical diagnosis of cancer at delivery have more comorbidities compared with women without cancer. Clinicians should communicate the risks of multisystem complications to these complex patients.     

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Recurrent C difficile Infection During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience and Recommendations

ObjectiveTo report experience with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) and provide recommendations for management of rCDI and donor testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA retrospective study of patients with rCDI who underwent FMT from May 26, 2020, to September 30, 2020, with stool from well-screened donors with health and infectious screening and a newly implemented strategy for COVID-19 screening with every 2-week bookend testing with stool quarantine. Patients were followed up for development of rCDI and COVID-19.ResultsOf the 57 patients who underwent FMT for rCDI, 29 were tested for COVID-19 via nasopharyngeal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 22 via serology. All results were negative, except for 1 positive serology. Donor testing every 2 weeks for COVID-19 via serology and nasopharyngeal swab PCR was negative, except for 2 donors at 1 center who were excluded. Three patients had rCDI after FMT, and 1 underwent repeat FMT. One patient developed respiratory symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 and tested negative via nasopharyngeal PCR. Eleven patients who underwent COVID-19 testing for elective procedures or hospitalizations tested negative. No SARS-CoV-2 transmission was noted.ConclusionsWith appropriate donor screening, FMT can be performed safely for rCDI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Development of a validated stool assay for SARS-CoV-2 will simplify this process further.     

Unilateral vs Bilateral Hybrid Approaches for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of unilateral hybrid therapy (UHT) and bilateral hybrid therapy (BHT) compared with robot-assisted therapy (RT) alone in patients with chronic stroke.DesignA single-blind, randomized controlled trial.SettingFour hospitals.ParticipantsOutpatients with chronic stroke and mild to moderate motor impairment (N=44).InterventionUHT combined unilateral RT (URT) and modified constraint-induced therapy. BHT combined bilateral RT (BRT) and bilateral arm training. The RT group received URT and BRT. The intervention frequency for the 3 groups was 90 min/d 3 d/wk for 6 weeks.Main Outcome MeasuresFugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA, divided into the proximal and distal subscale) and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) version 3.0 scores before, immediately after, and 3 months after treatment and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (NEADL) scale scores before and immediately after treatment.ResultsThe results favored BHT over UHT on the FMA total score and distal score at the posttest (P=.03 and .04) and follow-up (P=.01 and .047) assessment and BHT over RT on the follow-up FMA distal scores (P=.03). At the posttest assessment, the WMFT and SIS scores of the 3 groups improved significantly without between-group differences, and the RT group showed significantly greater improvement in the mobility domain of NEADL compared with the BHT group (P<.01).ConclusionsBHT was more effective for improving upper extremity motor function, particularly distal motor function at follow-up, and individuals in the RT group demonstrated improved functional ambulation post intervention.     

The Gait Disorientation Test: A New Method for Screening Adults With Dizziness and Imbalance

ObjectiveTo develop and evaluate a new method for identifying gait disorientation due to vestibular dysfunction.DesignThe gait disorientation test (GDT) involves a timed comparison of the ability to walk 6.096 m with eyes open versus eyes closed. In this prospective study, participants were grouped based on vestibular function. All participants completed a clinical examination, self-report- and performance-based measures relevant to vestibular rehabilitation, and the tasks for the GDT. Vestibular-impaired participants underwent the criterion standard, videonystagmography and/or rotational chair testing.SettingAmbulatory clinic, tertiary referral center.ParticipantsParticipants (N=40) (20 vestibular-impaired, 30 women, 49.9±16.1years old) were enrolled from a convenience/referral sample of 52 adults.Main Outcome and Measure(s)We determined test-retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient model 3,1; calculated the minimal detectable change (MDC); examined concurrent validity through Spearman correlation coefficients; assessed criterion validity with the area under the curve (AUC) from receiver operator characteristic analysis; and computed the sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), likelihood ratios for positive (LR+) and negative (LR?) tests, and posttest probabilities of a diagnosis of vestibulopathy. The 95% confidence interval demonstrates measurement uncertainty.ResultsTest-retest reliability was 0.887 (0.815, 0.932). The MDC was 3.7 seconds. Correlations with other measures ranged from 0.59 (0.34, 0.76) to ?0.85 (?0.92, ?0.74). The AUC was 0.910 (0.822, 0.998), using a threshold of 4.5 seconds. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.75 (0.51, 0.91) and 0.95 (0.75, 1), respectively. The DOR=57 (6, 541.47), LR+ =15 (2.18, 103.0), and LR? =0.26 (0.12, 0.9). Positive posttest probabilities were 89%-94%.Conclusions and RelevanceThe GDT has good reliability, excellent discriminative ability, strong convergent validity, and promising clinical utility.     

Synergistic Assessment of Mortality Risk According to Body Mass Index and Exercise Ability and Capacity in Patients Referred for Radionuclide Stress Testing

ObjectiveTo determine the interrelationship between body mass index (BMI), mode of stress testing (exercise or pharmacological), exercise capacity, and all-cause mortality in patients referred for stress-rest single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging.Patients and MethodsWe evaluated all-cause mortality in 21,638 patients undergoing stress-rest single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging between January 2, 1991, and December 31, 2012. Patients were divided into exercise and pharmacologically tested groups and 9 BMI categories. The median follow-up was 12.8 years (range, 5.0-26.8 years).ResultsIn exercise patients, mortality was increased with both low and high BMI vs patients with a normal referent BMI of 22.5 to 24.9 kg/m². In pharmacologically tested patients, only low BMI, but not high BMI, was associated with increased mortality vs normal BMI. When exercise and pharmacologically tested groups were compared directly, pharmacologically tested patients manifested a marked increase in mortality risk vs exercise patients within each BMI category, ranging from an approximately 4-fold increase in mortality in those with normal or high BMI to a 12.3-fold increase in those with low BMI values. Similar findings were observed in a cohort of 4804 exercise and 4804 pharmacologically tested patients matched to have similar age and coronary artery disease risk factor profiles. In exercise patients, further risk stratification was achieved when considering both BMI and metabolic equivalent tasks of achieved exercise.ConclusionThe combined assessment of BMI and exercise ability and capacity provides synergistic and marked risk stratification of future mortality risk in patients referred for radionuclide stress testing, providing considerable insights into the “obesity paradox” that is observed in populations referred for stress testing.