Patient-reported outcomes in palliative gastrointestinal stenting: a Norwegian multicenter study

Background

The clinical effect of stent treatment has been evaluated by mainly physicians; only a limited number of prospective studies have used patient-reported outcomes for this purpose. The aim of this work was to study the clinical effect of self-expanding metal stents in treatment of malignant gastrointestinal obstructions, as evaluated by patient-reported outcomes, and compare the rating of the treatment effect by patients and physicians.

Methods

Between November 2006 and April 2008, 273 patients treated with SEMS for malignant GI and biliary obstructions were recruited from nine Norwegian hospitals. Patients and physicians assessed symptoms independently at the time of treatment and after 2?weeks using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire supplemented with specific questions related to obstruction.

Results

A total of 162 patients (99 males; median age?=?72?years) completed both assessments and were included in the study. A significant improvement in the mean global health score was observed after 2?weeks (from 9 to 18 on a 0?C100 scale, P?20 on the 0?C100 scale, P?Conclusion SEMS treatment is effective in relieving symptoms of malignant GI and biliary obstruction, as reported by patients and physicians. The physicians, however, reported a larger reduction in obstructive symptoms than did the patients. A prospective assessment of patient-reported outcomes is important in evaluating SEMS treatment.     

Prenatal diagnosis of polycystic kidneys and encephalocele (Meckel syndrome)

Two unrelated families are presented with repeated occurrences of a congenital syndrome of which the main stigmata were polycystic kidneys and occipital encephalocele (Meckel syndrome). Prenatal diagnosis, followed by interruption of pregnancy, was performed in one case. The diagnosis was based on an increase of amniotic alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and on the mode of growth and cell types of cultured amniotic cells. In another similarly examined case the diagnosis was suspected, but the parents did not wish the pregnancy to be interrupted. The child was stillborn and malformed. AFP values are presented and discussed in relation to the observed malformations. Neural tube defects are associated with an increase of AFP in amniotic fluid, but, as in normal pregnancies, the values decrease with increasing gestational age. On the other hand, kidney malformations seem to be associated with AFP values which remain high or even increase with increasing gestational age.     

Congenital generalised bone dysplasias: a clinical, radiological, and epidemiological survey.

The point prevalence at birth of generalised bone dysplasias was estimated by a study of all children born between 1 January 1970 and 31 December 1983 in the county of Fyn (Denmark). Additionally the population prevalence on 31 December 1983 of all patients with generalised bone dysplasias in this county was determined. The county is a well defined, representative subregion of Denmark which demographically comprises a cross section of about 9% of the Danish population. In total, bone dysplasias were found to be more frequent than generally assumed. Achondroplasia was, however, less common with a point prevalence at birth of 1.3 per 100,000, while osteogenesis imperfecta (21.8), multiple epiphyseal dysplasia tarda (9.0), achondrogenesis (6.4), osteopetrosis (5.1), and thanatophoric dysplasia (3.8) were found more frequently. It is striking how many bone dysplasias are still erroneously classified as achondroplasia. Correct diagnosis is important for a valid prognosis, for treatment, and for genetic counselling. The diagnosis relies almost exclusively on the radiographical findings.