Predictive values for different cancers and inflammatory bowel disease of 6 common abdominal symptoms among more than 1.9 million primary care patients in the UK: A cohort study

BackgroundThe diagnostic assessment of abdominal symptoms in primary care presents a challenge. Evidence is needed about the positive predictive values (PPVs) of abdominal symptoms for different cancers and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Methods and findingsUsing data from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) in the United Kingdom (2000–2017), we estimated the PPVs for diagnosis of (i) cancer (overall and for different cancer sites); (ii) IBD; and (iii) either cancer or IBD in the year post-consultation with each of 6 abdominal symptoms: dysphagia (n = 86,193 patients), abdominal bloating/distension (n = 100,856), change in bowel habit (n = 106,715), rectal bleeding (n = 235,094), dyspepsia (n = 517,326), and abdominal pain (n = 890,490). The median age ranged from 54 (abdominal pain) to 63 years (dysphagia and change in bowel habit); the ratio of women/men ranged from 50%:50% (rectal bleeding) to 73%:27% (abdominal bloating/distension). Across all studied symptoms, the risk of diagnosis of cancer and the risk of diagnosis of IBD were of similar magnitude, particularly in women, and younger men. Estimated PPVs were greatest for change in bowel habit in men (4.64% cancer and 2.82% IBD) and for rectal bleeding in women (2.39% cancer and 2.57% IBD) and lowest for dyspepsia (for cancer: 1.41% men and 1.03% women; for IBD: 0.89% men and 1.00% women). Considering PPVs for specific cancers, change in bowel habit and rectal bleeding had the highest PPVs for colon and rectal cancer; dysphagia for esophageal cancer; and abdominal bloating/distension (in women) for ovarian cancer. The highest PPVs of abdominal pain (either sex) and abdominal bloating/distension (men only) were for non-abdominal cancer sites. For the composite outcome of diagnosis of either cancer or IBD, PPVs of rectal bleeding exceeded the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE)-recommended specialist referral threshold of 3% in all age–sex strata, as did PPVs of abdominal pain, change in bowel habit, and dyspepsia, in those aged 60 years and over. Study limitations include reliance on accuracy and completeness of coding of symptoms and disease outcomes.ConclusionsBased on evidence from more than 1.9 million patients presenting in primary care, the findings provide estimated PPVs that could be used to guide specialist referral decisions, considering the PPVs of common abdominal symptoms for cancer alongside that for IBD and their composite outcome (cancer or IBD), taking into account the variable PPVs of different abdominal symptoms for different cancers sites. Jointly assessing the risk of cancer or IBD can better support decision-making and prompt diagnosis of both conditions, optimising specialist referrals or investigations, particularly in women.

Annie Herbert and co-workers study possible relevance of common abdominal symptoms for specialist referral in UK primary care.     

Need for open access non-screening mammography in a hospital with a specialist breast clinic service.

OBJECTIVE--Assessment of open access non-screening mammography in a hospital with a breast clinic. DESIGN--Retrospective analysis of patients sent for first mammogram to our open access service by general practitioners and breast clinic in the year April 1989 to March 1990. SETTING--District general hospital serving 200,000 people before the introduction of breast screening. SUBJECTS--361 symptomatic women referred directly by general practitioners and 226 women referred by the breast clinic for first, non-screening mammograms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Radiographic reports on all patients. Final diagnosis in patients reported as having possible or probable neoplasm. RESULTS--Of the women referred directly by general practitioners one (0.2%) was reported as showing probable malignancy (later histologically confirmed) and 15 (4%) as showing possible malignancy (on follow up none had proved malignancy). Of the women referred by the breast clinic 38 (17%) were reported as showing probable malignancy (all had confirmed carcinomas) and 35 (15%) as showing possible malignancy (19 (54%) had proved malignancy). 18 of the proved malignancies were in women under 50 years old, 26 were in women over 64 years, and 14 were in women of screening age. 54 (93%) of the 58 patients with proved breast cancer and an abnormal mammogram had a discrete breast lump. CONCLUSIONS--General practitioners accurately divided women into low and high risk groups, resulting in few abnormalities being detected in patients referred directly for mammography. This suggests that an open access non-screening mammography service for general practitioners is unnecessary in an area with a specialist breast clinic. The large proportion of cancers in women outside of screening age emphasises the need for such clinics.     

Patient Delay in Colorectal Cancer Patients: Associations with Rectal Bleeding and Thoughts about Cancer

Rectal bleeding is considered to be an alarm symptom of colorectal cancer. However, the symptom is seldom reported to the general practitioner and it is often assumed that patients assign the rectal bleeding to benign conditions. The aims of this questionnaire study were to examine whether rectal bleeding was associated with longer patient delays in colorectal cancer patients and whether rectal bleeding was associated with cancer worries. All incident colorectal cancer patients during a 1-year period in the County of Aarhus, Denmark, received a questionnaire. 136 colorectal cancer patients returned the questionnaire (response rate: 42%). Patient delay was assessed as the interval from first symptom to help-seeking and was reported by the patient. Patients with rectal bleeding (N = 81) reported longer patient intervals than patients without rectal bleeding when adjusting for confounders including other symptoms such as pain and changes in bowel habits (HR = 0.43; p = 0.004). Thoughts about cancer were not associated with the patient interval (HR = 1.05; p = 0.887), but more patients with rectal bleeding reported to have been wondering if their symptom(s) could be due to cancer than patients without rectal bleeding (chi² = 15.29; p<0.001). Conclusively, rectal bleeding was associated with long patient delays in colorectal cancer patients although more patients with rectal bleeding reported to have been wondering if their symptom(s) could be due to cancer than patients without rectal bleeding. This suggests that assignment of symptoms to benign conditions is not the only explanation of long patient delays in this patient group and that barriers for timely help-seeking should be examined.     

Open access gastroscopy: too much to swallow?

OBJECTIVES--To ascertain the proportion of endoscopic examinations with normal findings in patients referred for gastroscopy through hospital medical staff or directly by their general practitioner and to assess the likely effect of targeting endoscopy in older patients. DESIGN--Retrospective audit of the gastroscopy practice of one consultant from 1986 to 1988 from information recorded on a standard form completed at the time of the examination, which contained details of patients, their endoscopic findings, and mode of referral (open access or clinic). SETTING--One district general hospital. PATIENTS--1545 Consecutive patients from primary catchment area attending for their first gastroscopy; 454 were referred through the outpatient clinic or by hospital colleagues (clinic group) and 1091 were accepted for endoscopy solely on their general practitioner''s clinical diagnosis (open access group). RESULTS--Similar numbers (about 40%) of examinations with normal findings were performed in each group, although in patients aged over 40 the proportion with normal findings was significantly higher in the clinic group (p less than 0.03). Endoscopic evidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulceration, and gastroduodenal inflammation was equally common in each group; upper gastrointestinal malignancy, however, was significantly more common in patients referred through hospital doctors (5%, 23/454 v 2%, 22/1091 respectively; p less than 0.005) (although many of these patients had already been extensively investigated). IMPLICATIONS--Open access gastroscopy does not increase the number of unnecessary examinations and should become more widely available. Targeting this service to patients aged over 40 would reduce the number of requests but increase the diagnostic yield.     

Patient initiated outpatient follow up in rheumatoid arthritis: six year randomised controlled trial

Objectives To determine whether direct access to hospital review initiated by patients with rheumatoid arthritis would result in improved clinical and psychological outcome, reduced overall use of healthcare resources, and greater satisfaction with care than seen in patients receiving regular review initiated by a rheumatologist.Design Two year randomised controlled trial extended to six years.Setting Rheumatology outpatient department in teaching hospital.Participants 209 consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis for over two years; 68 (65%) in the direct access group and 52 (50%) in the control group completed the study (P = 0.04).Main outcome measures Clinical outcome: pain, disease activity, early morning stiffness, inflammatory indices, disability, grip strength, range of movement in joints, and bone erosion. Psychological status: anxiety, depression, helplessness, self efficacy, satisfaction, and confidence in the system. Number of visits to hospital physician and general practitioner for arthritis.Results Participants were well matched at baseline. After six years there was only one significant difference between the two groups for the 14 clinical outcomes measured (deterioration in range of movement in elbow was less in direct access patients). There were no significant differences between groups for median change in psychological status. Satisfaction and confidence in the system were significantly higher in the direct access group at two, four, and six years: confidence 9.8 v 8.4, 9.4 v 8.0, 8.7 v 6.9; satisfaction 9.3 v 8.3, 9.3 v 7.7, 8.9 v 7.1 (all P < 0.02). Patients in the direct access group had 38% fewer hospital appointments (median 8 v 13, P < 0.0001).Conclusions Over six years, patients with rheumatoid arthritis who initiated their reviews through direct access were clinically and psychologically at least as well as patients having traditional reviews initiated by a physician. They requested fewer appointments, found direct access more acceptable, and had more than a third fewer medical appointments. This radical responsive management could be tested in other chronic diseases.     

腹腔镜胆囊手术和开腹胆囊手术对术后肠黏连的影响比较

目的:比较腹腔镜胆囊手术和开腹胆囊手术对于术后肠黏连的影响,对比两种手术的有效性和安全性。方法:回顾选取在我院接受胆囊手术治疗的196例病患,根据术式分成开腹组和腹腔组,每组均为98例患者,对比分析组间手术指标以及术后出现肠黏连的情况,同时观察手术前后患者消化道生存质量变化。结果:腹腔镜组手术耗时(123.57±4.65 min)长于开腹组,术中出血(27.52±5.69 mL)、胃肠功能恢复用时(18.03±3.51 h)、术后住院时间(4.51±1.03)、肠黏连发生率(10.20%)少于开腹组,(P0.05);两组术前GLQI评分相仿(P0.05),术后GLQI评分显著高于组内术前(P0.05),且腹腔镜组术后GLQI评分显著高于开腹组(P0.05)。结论:与开腹手术相比,腹腔镜胆囊手术不仅手术创伤小、术后恢复时间短,而且术后肠粘连发生率低,值得推广。     

Open access to orthopaedic appliances for general practitioners.

A clinic to which general practitioners can refer patients for some types of orthopaedic appliances was opened in North Clwyd in 1983. During 1985, 956 patients were referred by 82 general practitioners; 860 patients received an appliance, and the average waiting time was less than five weeks. Most referrals were for soft collars (44%), lumbar sacral supports (30%), and dorsilumbar supports (7%). Thirty eight patients failed to attend, 54 declined an appliance, and four referrals were considered to be inappropriate. A few patients were subsequently referred to consultant outpatient clinics, 22 for physiotherapy and 34 were referred simultaneously to the open access clinic. The referral rates for general practitioners with access to community hospitals were low. Such an arrangement merits wider consideration.     

The Dutch experience of open access echocardiography

Cardiac disease is not easy to recognise in general practice. An echocardiogram is an excellent way to provide information about left ventricular mass and diastolic (dys)function and the presence of valvular heart disease. To improve diagnostic care of cardiac patients, an open access echocardiography service was established in the referral area of our hospital, where general practitioners were able to ask for an echocardiogram without referring the patient to the cardiologist. Between December 2002 and October 2006 echocardiograms were requested for 471 patients. Thirteen percent of the patients referred for dyspnoea and 3% of patients with a cardiac murmur had a left ventricular ejection fraction <40%. In 28% of patients no cardiac abnormality could be found. If we looked at the prevalence of hypertension in the referred patients, this was very high with a prevalence of up to 60% in the older age groups. If we included hypertension in the analysis, only 16% of patients had no structural cardiac or vascular abnormality. The study shows that the advantage of open access echocardiography in the Netherlands is that the general practitioner is able to make a better diagnosis and unnecessary referrals of patients with suspected cardiac disease can be avoided. (Neth Heart J 2007;15:432-7.)     

Rectal examination in patients with pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether rectal examination provides any diagnostic information in patients admitted to hospital with pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. DESIGN--Casualty officer or surgical registrar recorded symptoms and signs on admission on detailed forms. Final diagnosis was noted on discharge from hospital. SETTING--District general hospital. PATIENTS--1204 Consecutive patients admitted to hospital with pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen as their major complaint; 1028 had a rectal examination on admission. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Odds ratio for each symptom and sign related to final diagnosis. Results of multiple logistic regression analysis for acute appendicitis. RESULTS--Right sided rectal tenderness, present in 309 of those examined, was more common in patients with acute appendicitis (odds ratio 1.34, p less than 0.05). This odds ratio was considerably less than that for other clinical signs--namely, tenderness in the right lower quadrant (odds ratio 5.09), rebound tenderness (3.34), guarding (3.07), and muscular rigidity in the abdomen (5.03). In the logistic regression analysis of patients with acute appendicitis, when allowance was made for the presence or absence of rebound tenderness, rectal tenderness on the right lost its significance. Six patients had masses palpable rectally, of which three were palpable on abdominal examination; the other three patients had acute appendicitis. No other unexpected diagnoses were established, and no useful additional diagnostic information was obtained by routine rectal examination. CONCLUSION--If patients presenting with pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen are tested for rebound tenderness then rectal examination does not give any further diagnostic information.     

预警症状对结直肠癌的诊断效能研究

目的:明确预警症状(腹部包块、便秘、排便习惯改变、腹泻、肛周异物感、长期腹痛、便血或肛门出血)对结直肠癌的诊断效能。方法:收集我院2016年1月至2016年12月的结肠镜检查数据,计算各个预警症状的诊断敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、阳性似然比和阴性似然比。结果:预警症状总的诊断敏感度和特异度分别是6.63%和94.33%。所有的预警症状诊断敏感度最高的是便血,敏感度为19.28%,最低的是腹泻,敏感度为2.41%。相对而言,便血和长期腹痛的准确度较高,分别达到了19.28%和11.45%。除了长期腹痛之外,其他所有的预警症状的诊断特异度都达到了90%以上。结论:超过一半的结直肠癌患者没有出现预警症状,用预警症状来诊断结直肠癌具有较低的敏感度和较高的特异度,需要更多的研究来证明预警症状的临床意义。     

Irritable bowel syndrome in the general population.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the prevalence of symptoms compatible with a clinical diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome in the general population. DESIGN--Validated postal questionnaire sent to 2280 subjects randomly selected in 10 year age bands from the lists of eight general practitioners. The Manning criteria were used to define irritable bowel syndrome. SETTING--Urban population in Southampton and mixed urban-rural population in Andover, Hampshire. RESULTS--A response of 71% yielded 1620 questionnaires for analysis, of which 412 (25%) reported more than six episodes of abdominal pain in the preceding year, with 350 (22%) reporting symptoms consistent with the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. The male: female ratio was 1:1.38. More subjects with irritable bowel syndrome had constipation and diarrhoea and 35% with the syndrome reported rectal bleeding compared with an overall prevalence of 20%. Other symptoms and conditions including heartburn, dyspepsia, flushing, palpitations, migraine, and urinary symptoms were significantly more common in the group with irritable bowel syndrome. Abdominal pain in childhood was more common in the subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (12%) than without (3%). One third of the group with irritable bowel syndrome had sought medical advice during the study period (male:female ratio 1:1.21); consultation behaviour was influenced by age and the presence of associated symptoms, varied considerably among patients registered with different general practitioners, and was poorly correlated with symptom severity. CONCLUSION--Symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome are present in almost one quarter of the general population and tend to be associated with a number of other complaints and conditions, some of which may reflect smooth muscle dysfunction.     

开放和腹腔镜直肠癌根治术患者术后早期全身与腹腔炎性反应的差异

目的:探讨开放和腹腔镜直肠癌根治术患者术后早期全身与腹腔炎性的反应。方法:选取我院直肠癌患者210例,开放直肠癌根治术为108例,腹腔镜根治术患者102例,开放直肠癌根治术组为对照组,腹腔镜根治术患者为实验组。对比手术一般指标以及术后炎症反应指标。结果:手术一般指标:对照组的切口长度、手术时间、排气时间、并发症发生率、住院时间和4天引流量均显著大于实验组,此6项差异存在统计学意义(P0.05);对照组的术中出血量、术后第1天引流量略高于实验组,此2项无统计学意义(P0.05)。炎症指标:术前2组4项炎症指标均无统计学意义(P0.05)。血液检查:术后第1天差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);术后第4天差异无统计学意义(P0.05);腹部引流物检查:第1天对照组的炎症指标均高于实验组,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05),术后第4天对照组的炎症指标均显著高于实验组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:对比于传统直肠癌开放手术,腹腔镜直肠癌根治术具有创伤小、住院时间短及恢复快等优势,同时腹腔镜手术在术后炎症消退速度更快,更有利于患者恢复。     

Gender differences in self-reported constipation characteristics,symptoms, and bowel and dietary habits among patients attending a specialty clinic for constipation

Objectives: This study assessed gender differences in the frequency of various characteristics of constipation, constipation-specific symptoms, and bowel and dietary habits, as well as the effects of independent but associated risk factors.Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of constipation (ie, constipation, slow-transit constipation, outlet dysfunction constipation) was conducted at a tertiary referral center; patients were excluded if they had a primary diagnosis of fecal incontinence. Patients completed both a clinical questionnaire to obtain information on demographic characteristics and medical history and an unvalidated self-report questionnaire relating to the characteristics and symptoms of constipation as well as various bowel and dietary habits. Likert scales were used to assess 4 characteristics of constipation (frequency of constipation, duration of constipation symptoms of ≥1 month, bowel movement frequency, stool consistency) and the frequency of occurrence of 6 constipation symptoms (abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, incomplete evacuation, unsuccessful attempts at evacuation, pain with evacuation, straining with evacuation). The bowel habits that were evaluated included time spent at each evacuation; frequency of needing to change position to evacuate; use of anal digitation to evacuate; and the use of laxatives, enemas, stool softeners, foods, drinks, or other aids. The dietary habits that were evaluated included use of dietary fiber, use of fiber supplements, and water intake.Results: Of the 518 patients, the majority were female (79.0%), white (76.3%), and employed (62.0%), with a mean (SD) age of 52.4 (16.5) years (range, 18.6–91.5 years). After controlling for a number of related conditions, women were more likely than men to have infrequent bowel movements (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.97; 95% CI, 1.67–5.28), abnormal stool consistency (ie, hard or pelletlike stools) (AOR = 3.08; 95% CI, 1.80–5.28), and a longer duration of constipation symptoms (AOR = 2.00; 95% CI, 1.05–3.82). In addition, women were more likely to report an increased frequency of occurrence of abdominal pain (AOR = 2.22; 95% CI, 1.22–4.05), bloating (AOR = 2.65; 95% CI, 1.50–4.70), unsuccessful attempts at evacuation (AOR = 1.74; 95% CI, 1.01–3.00), and the use of anal digitation to evacuate stool (AOR = 3.37; 95% CI, 1.15–9.90).Conclusions: The women in this specialty-based clinic study experienced a number of constipation symptoms and abnormal bowel habits more frequently than did men. These findings warrant replication in both population- and specialty clinic-based samples. In addition, the physiologic mechanisms that underlie these gender differences warrant investigation.     

DeloRes trial: study protocol for a randomized trial comparing two standardized surgical approaches in rectal prolapse - Delorme¿s procedure versus resection rectopexy

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: More than 100 surgical approaches to treat rectal prolapse have been described. These can be done through the perineum or transabdominally. Delorme's procedure is the most frequently used perineal, resection rectopexy the most commonly used abdominal procedure. Recurrences seem more common after perineal compared to abdominal techniques, but the latter may carry a higher risk of peri- and postoperative morbidity and mortality. METHODS: DeloRes is a randomized, controlled, observer-blinded multicenter trial with two parallel groups. Patients with a full-thickness rectal prolapse (third degree prolapse), considered eligible for both operative methods are included.The primary outcome is time to recurrence of full-thickness rectal prolapse during the 24 months following primary surgery. Secondary endpoints are time to and incidence of recurrence of full-thickness rectal prolapse during the 5-year follow-up, duration of surgery, morbidity, hospital stay, quality of life, constipation, and fecal incontinence.A meta-analysis was done on the basis of the available data on recurrence rates from 17 publications comprising 1,140 patients. Based on the results of a meta-analysis it is assumed that the recurrence rate after 2 years is 20% for Delorme's procedure and 5% for resection rectopexy. Considering a rate of lost to follow-up without recurrence of 30% a total of 130 patients (2 x 65 patients) was calculated as an adequate sample size to assure a power of 80% for the confirmatory analysis. DISCUSSION: The DeloRes Trial will clarify which procedure results in a smaller recurrence rate but also give information on how morbidity and functional results compare.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trial Number DRKS00000482.     

120例胶囊内镜检查的结果分析

目的:对胶囊内镜检查的安全性、检查结果及诊断价值进行讨论分析。方法:对2011年1月~2013年4月在我院进行胶囊内镜检查的120例患者及健康体检者的临床病例资料进行回顾性分析。结果:所有受检者均顺利完成检查,不明原因消化道出血、慢性腹痛及健康查体者的检出率分别为82.76%、59.26%及40.90%,结肠镜检查阴性者中检出结肠息肉4例,肠易激综合征患者中检出小肠器质性疾病4例。结论:胶囊内镜检查安全无痛苦,对于不明原因消化道出血及慢性腹痛患者的诊断优于传统检查方法,对于区分功能性胃肠病及器质性疾病以及小肠疾病的筛查有一定的参考价值。     

腹腔镜腹壁切口疝修补术的临床疗效分析

目的探讨腹腔镜腹壁切口疝修补术的临床疗效。方法选取2015年6月~2016年5月我院收治的腹壁切口疝患者89例,根据治疗方式的不同将患者分为开放组44例和腹腔镜组45例。开放组44例患者采用开放式腹壁切口疝修补术,腹腔镜组45例患者行腹腔镜腹壁切口疝修补术,并对两组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、术后疼痛评分、并发症及复发情况、住院时间进行比较。结果腹腔镜组患者的手术时间长于开放组(P0.05),而术中出血量、术后疼痛评分和住院时间均低于开放组(P0.05),并发症发生率和复发率低于开放组(P0.05)。结论腹腔镜腹壁切口疝修补术是一种安全、有效、可行的治疗手段,值得临床推广应用。     

原发性十二指肠恶性肿瘤的临床分析

目的:探讨原发性十二指肠恶性肿瘤的临床特点、诊断方法和预后影响因素。方法:回顾性分析随访资料完整的45例原发性十二指肠恶性肿瘤患者的临床病理资料。结果:腺癌33例(73.3%)为主要的病理类型。主要临床表现为腹痛、上腹部不适、黄疸、消化道出血等。胃十二指肠镜、内镜逆行胰胆管造影(Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography,ERCP)、十二指肠低张造影、超声内镜、CT及B超确诊率分别为91.1%(41/45),93.3%(42/45),82.2%(37/45),75.6%(34/45),68.9%(31/45)及26.7%(12/45)。本组45例均行开腹手术,包括根治性手术,胰十二指肠切除术36例;姑息性手术,胃肠吻合术2例、肿瘤局部切除术5例、短路手术2例。根治术和姑息术后5年生存率分别为46.7%和4.4%,两组生存率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。对全组45例患者的预后因素进行Cox回归分析的结果显示,手术方式、肿瘤浸润深度和淋巴节转移是影响预后的独立危险因素(均P<0.05)。结论:原发性十二指肠恶性肿瘤缺乏特异性临床表现;胃十二指肠镜、ERCP以及十二指肠低张造影等联合检查可提高诊断率;根治性手术远期疗效较好;淋巴结转移和局部侵犯是肿瘤预后不良的重要影响因素。     

Altered temporal characteristics of the rectoanal inhibitory reflex in patients with abdominal distension

The rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) is important in gas and stool evacuation. We examined RAIR features in patients with chronic constipation who exhibited bloating with and without abdominal distension, to determine whether alterations in RAIR may be a factor in the pathogenesis of abdominal distension. Seventy-five female patients with chronic constipation with or without abdominal distension were included in the study. The presence or absence of abdominal distension was assessed according to the Rome II questionnaire. All patients underwent both RAIR and rectal sensitivity testing, and specific RAIR parameters were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: abdominal bloating with distension (D, n = 55) and abdominal bloating without distension (ND, n = 20). D had a longer time to the onset of anal sphincter inhibition (latency of inhibition) (P = 0.03) compared with ND. In logistic regression analysis, a combination of age, latency of inhibition and the time measured from onset of inhibition to the point of maximum inhibition predicted abdominal distension (P = 0.002). There were no differences between groups for the time from point of maximum inhibition to recovery and for the percentage of internal anal sphincter relaxation. This is the first study to examine the role of RAIR in patients with abdominal distension. Female patients with constipation and abdominal distension exhibited differences in the temporal characteristics of, but not in the degree of, anal sphincter relaxation compared with patients without distension. Since this study was uncontrolled, further studies are necessary to determine the contribution of altered anorectal reflexes to abdominal distension.     

Regional transfusion centre preoperative autologous blood donation programme: the first two years.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the efficacy of a regional autologous blood donation programme. DESIGN--Clinical and laboratory data were collected and stored prospectively. Transfusion data were collected retrospectively from hospital blood bank records. SETTING--Northern Region Blood Transfusion Service and 14 hospitals within the Northern Regional Health Authority. SUBJECTS--505 patients referred for autologous blood donation before elective surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Patient eligibility, adverse events from donation, autologous blood units provided, and autologous and allogeneic blood units transfused within 10 days of operation. RESULTS--Of 505 patients referred, 354 donated at least one unit. 78 of 151 referred patients who did not donate were excluded at the autologous clinic, mostly because of anaemia or ischaemic heart disease. In 73 cases the patient, general practitioner, or hospital consultant decided against donation. 363 autologous procedures were undertaken. In 213 (59%) cases all requested units were provided. The most common reasons for incomplete provision were late referral or anaemia. Adverse events accompanied 24 of 928 donations (2.6%). Transfusion data were obtained for 357 of the 363 procedures. 281 donors were transfused; autologous blood only was given to 225, autologous and allogeneic blood was given to 52, and allogeneic blood only was given to four. 648 of 902 (72%) units of autologous blood were transfused. Complete provision of requested autologous units was followed by allogeneic transfusion in 12 of 208 procedures (5.8%). Incomplete provision was followed by allogeneic transfusion in 44 of 149 procedures (30%). CONCLUSIONS--This study shows the feasibility of a regional autologous transfusion programme. Autologous donors only infrequently received allogeneic transfusion. Patients should be appropriately selected and referred early.     

神阙穴帖敷治疗骨科骨折患者术后便秘的疗效观察

目的探讨大黄水蜜贴敷"神阙"穴对骨折术后便秘的治疗效果。方法选取我院骨科骨折术后发生便秘的患者100例,随机分成治疗组和对照组各50例。对照组采用传统的治疗方法,即在骨科常规护理措施上指导患者多饮水,多进食水果、蔬菜,必要时给予缓泻药或开塞露纳肛。治疗组在对照组的基础上加用大黄水蜜贴敷"神阙"穴治疗,并对两组患者的便秘情况和相关症状进行比较。结果治疗组的治疗有效率为90%,对照组为60%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组发生便秘的相关症状少于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论大黄水蜜贴敷"神阙"穴治疗骨科骨折术后便秘的疗效显著,值得临床推广应用。