Educational nurse-led telephone intervention shortly before colonoscopy as a salvage strategy after previous bowel preparation failure: a multicenter randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The most important predictor of unsuccessful bowel preparation is previous failure. For those patients with previous failure, we hypothesized that a nurse-led educational intervention by telephone shortly before the colonoscopy appointment could improve cleansing efficacy. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, endoscopist-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Consecutive outpatients with previous inadequate bowel preparation were enrolled. Both groups received the same standard bowel preparation protocol. The intervention group also received reinforced education by telephone within 48 hours before the colonoscopy. The primary outcome was effective bowel preparation according to the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis included all randomized patients. Per-protocol analysis included patients who could be contacted by telephone and the control cases. RESULTS: 657 participants were recruited by 11 Spanish hospitals. In the ITT analysis, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the rate of successful bowel preparation (77.3 % vs. 72 %; P = 0.12). In the intervention group, 267 patients (82.9 %) were contacted by telephone. Per-protocol analysis revealed significantly improved bowel preparation in the intervention group (83.5 % vs. 72.0 %; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Among all patients with previous inadequate bowel preparation, nurse-led telephone education did not result in a significant improvement in bowel cleansing. However, in the 83 % of patients who could be contacted, bowel preparation was substantially improved. Phone education may therefore be a useful tool for improving the quality of bowel preparation in those cases.

Caloric intake capacity as measured by a standard nutrient drink test helps to predict weight loss after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Instruments that enable to select individuals that will benefit most from bariatric surgery (BS) are necessary to increase its cost-efficiency. Our goal was to assess if intake capacity, measured with a standardized test, predicts response to BS. METHODS: Patients with criteria for BS were randomly allocated to laparoscopic gastric bypass (LRYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). We measured caloric intake capacity before and 1 year after surgery using a standardized nutrient drink test. We evaluated if pre-surgery satiation could predict satiation and weight loss (%) 1 year after surgery using multiple regression modeling. Descriptive statistics are given as mean ± SD. RESULTS: Fourteen women (48 ± 9 years old, BMI 41 ± 3 kg/m(2)) were evaluated before and 11 ± 2.6 months after surgery (seven LRYGB, seven LSG). Caloric intake capacity diminished after surgery (-950 ± 85 kcal on average [70 ± 8 % decrease over basal intake capacity]; p=0.002) and similarly in both LRYGB (72 ± 7 % decrease) and LSG groups (68 ± 8 % decrease); p=0.5. There was a significant weight reduction after surgery (-32 ± 10 kg [30 ± 8 % of total basal weight]) with a mean post-surgery BMI of 29 ± 2 kg/m(2). The best predictive model of weight loss (%) after surgery (R (2)=89 %, p=0.0009) included: BMI (p=0.0004), surgery type (p=0.01) and pre-surgery intake capacity (p=0.006). Weight loss was higher in heavier patients and those undergoing LRYGB. Patients with higher intake capacity had a poorer outcome independently of basal BMI and surgery type. CONCLUSIONS: Caloric intake capacity, as measured by a standard nutrient drink test, helps to predict weight loss after bariatric surgery. This test might be useful in algorithms of obesity treatment decision.

¿Existe correlación entre la manometría anorrectal y los datos de la ecografía endoanal en sujetos sanos en función de la edad? / Does correlation exist between anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasound findings in healthy subjects according to age?

Introducción: diferentes estudios han demostrado la correlación entre los datos de la manometría anorrectal y la ecografía endoanal en pacientes con incontinencia fecal, pero el interés ha sido escaso en describir lo mismo en sujetos sanos en relación a la edad. Objetivos: estudiar la posible correlación entre los datos de la manometría anorrectal y de la ecografía endoanal en un grupo homogéneo de mujeres sanas, también en función de la edad de las mismas. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo observacional de una cohorte de sujetos sanos (n = 14). Grupo homogéneo de mujeres voluntarias sanas divididas en 2 subgrupos en función de la edad. Resultados: no se objetivó correlación entra la medida del esfínter anal interno y la presión basal de reposo, tanto en toda la muestra analizada como en el análisis detallado por grupos de edad. Tampoco se objetivó correlación estadísticamente significativa entre el grosor del esfínter anal externo y la presión de esfuerzo, en toda la muestra analizada y por grupos. Conclusiones: no existe correlación estadísticamente significativa entre el grosor de los esfínteres y su función en un grupo homogéneo de sujetos sanos, tampoco en función de 2 grupos de edad(AU)

Background: different studies have demonstrated the correlation between anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasonography data in patients with fecal incontinence, but there is no almost interest describing the same in healthy subjects according to age. Aims: to study the possible correlation between anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasonography data in a homogeneous group of healthy women, also according to age. Material and methods: prospective observational study of a healthy subjects cohort (n = 14). Homogeneous group of healthy volunteer women divided in 2 subgroups according to age. Results: there was no proved correlation between the internal anal sphincter’s measurement and the resting pressure in the whole sample as well as the analysis according to age. Neither there was any proved statistically significant correlation between the external anal sphincter’s thickness and the squeeze pressure, in the whole sample and by groups. Conclusions: it does not exist statistically significant correlation between the thickness of the sphincters and its function in a healthy subjects homogeneous group, neither in 2 groups according to age(AU)

Tratamiento del dolor anal por patología anorrectal aguda en urgencias: ¿baños de asiento con agua fría o caliente? resultados de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Cold or hot sitz baths in the emergency t

Introducción: La creencia popular propugna el uso de baños de asiento con agua fría para el tratamiento del dolor anal agudo, pero las guías de práctica clínica recomiendan el uso de agua caliente por su efecto conocido sobre la presión anal de reposo. Objetivo: El objetivo fue estudiar el efecto analgésico, sobre la calidad de vida, datos de manometría y evolución clínica, de 2 temperaturas en los baños de asiento en enfermos con dolor anal. Material y métodos: Ensayo clínico aleatorizado en pacientes con dolor anal agudo por enfermedad hemorroidal o fisura anal divididos en Grupo 1: baños de asiento con agua a Ta inferior a 15°C y Grupo 2: baños con agua a Tasuperior a 30°C. La analgesia fue la misma en ambos grupos. Se analizó: el dolor durante 7 días (escala visual analógica), calidad de vida (SF-36), presión anal de reposo y evolución de la enfermedad. Resultados: De 27 pacientes elegibles, 24 fueron aleatorizados (Grupo 1: n=12 y Grupo 2: n=12). El dolor no mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas, pero se mantuvo estable en el Grupo 1 y por el contrario fue disminuyendo progresivamente en los pacientes del Grupo 2, siendo la diferencia en los valores del dolor del primer día respecto al séptimo superior en el Grupo 2 (p=0,244). El resto de variables fueron similares. Conclusión: No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el control del dolor del 1.er al 7 día en el Grupo con baños de asiento con agua caliente (AU)

Introduction: The popular belief advocates the use of sitz (sitting) baths with cold water for the treatment of acute anal pain, but clinical practice guides recommend the use of hot water for its known effect on the at-rest anal pressure. Aim: The objective of the study was to examine the analgesic effect on the quality of life, manometer data and clinical progress, of the two temperatures in sitz baths in patients with anal pain. Material and methods: A randomised clinical trial on patients with acute anal pain due to haemorrhoids or anal fissures, divided into Group 1: Sitz baths with water at a temperature of less than 15°C, and Group 2: Baths with a water temperature above 30°C. The analgesia was the same in both groups. An analysis was made of the pain at 7 days (visual analogue scale), quality of life (SF-36), anal at-rest pressure and disease progress. Results: Of the 27 eligible patients, 24 were randomised (Group 1: n=12 y Group 2: n=12). There were no statistical differences in pain, but it remained stable in Group 1, but gradually decreased in the patients of Group 2, the difference being in the pain scores on the first day compared to the seventh in Group 2 (p=0.244). The rest of the variables were similar. Conclusion: There were no statistically significant differences in pain control from day 1 to day 7 in the Group with sitz baths with hot water (AU)

[Cold or hot sitz baths in the emergency treatment of acute anal pain due to anorectal disease? Results of a randomised clinical trial]. / Tratamiento del dolor anal por patología anorrectal aguda en urgencias: ¿baños de asiento con agua fría o caliente? resultados de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado.

INTRODUCTION: The popular belief advocates the use of sitz (sitting) baths with cold water for the treatment of acute anal pain, but clinical practice guides recommend the use of hot water for its known effect on the at-rest anal pressure. AIM: The objective of the study was to examine the analgesic effect on the quality of life, manometer data and clinical progress, of the two temperatures in sitz baths in patients with anal pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomised clinical trial on patients with acute anal pain due to haemorrhoids or anal fissures, divided into Group 1: Sitz baths with water at a temperature of less than 15 degrees C, and Group 2: Baths with a water temperature above 30 degrees C. The analgesia was the same in both groups. An analysis was made of the pain at 7 days (visual analogue scale), quality of life (SF-36), anal at-rest pressure and disease progress. RESULTS: Of the 27 eligible patients, 24 were randomised (Group 1: n=12 y Group 2: n=12). There were no statistical differences in pain, but it remained stable in Group 1, but gradually decreased in the patients of Group 2, the difference being in the pain scores on the first day compared to the seventh in Group 2 (p=0.244). The rest of the variables were similar. CONCLUSION: There were no statistically significant differences in pain control from day 1 to day 7 in the Group with sitz baths with hot water. (ISRCTN Number: 50105150).

Descripción de los hallazgos de la ecografía endoanal en pacientes con incontinencia fecal mediante un sistema de puntuación / Endoanal ultrasound findings in patients with faecal incontinence using a scoring system

Introducción El objetivo principal del estudio fue la aplicación de una clasificación de gravedad de las lesiones esfinterianas halladas en ecografías endoanales mediante el sistema de puntuación de Starck en pacientes con incontinencia fecal (IF).Material y métodos Se analizaron los datos de 133 enfermos con IF, en los que se describió la presencia ecográfica de lesiones esfinterianas, y su puntuación según el sistema de Starck. Este sistema asigna un valor entre 0 y 16 puntos a la lesión detectada según su gravedad en los 3 ejes del espacio del canal anal. Se estudió también la relación entre la gravedad de estas lesiones, el sexo, la edad de los pacientes y los hallazgos de la manometría anorrectal. Resultados Ochenta y tres pacientes (62,4%) presentaron algún tipo de lesión esfinteriana. Estas lesiones no se asociaron de manera significativa al sexo de los pacientes (p=0,172), aunque sí se presentaron en edades más tempranas (p=0,028). La gravedad de las lesiones según Starck no se correlacionó con el sexo (p=0,327) ni con la edad (p=0,350) de los pacientes. Los pacientes con lesiones ecográficas más graves presentaron una menor presión anal basal (p=0,008) y de contracción voluntaria (p=0,011) en la manometría anorrectal. Conclusiones La presencia ecográfica de lesiones en el complejo esfinteriano en pacientes con IF se pudo caracterizar con el sistema de puntuación de Starck. La gravedad de las lesiones se correlacionó con los valores de la manometría anorrectal (AU)

Introduction The main aim of the study was to apply a severity classification of sphincter lesions detected by endoanal ultrasound using Starck score in patients who suffered faecal incontinence. Material and method Data were analysed on 133 patients with faecal incontinence. Those in whom anal sphincter lesions were detected by endoanal ultrasound are described and their corresponding scores according to Starck classification calculated. This system scores severity of detected sphincter lesions from 0 to 16, involving the three axes of the anal canal. Patient demographic characteristics and anorectal manometry results were also analysed. The relationship between this score, patient gender and age, and anorectal manometric results were also analysed. Results A total of 83 (62.4%) patients had some type of anal sphincter lesion. The presence of sphincter defects was not related to gender (P=0.172), although it did correlate with younger ages (P=0.028). The severity of anal sphincter damage by Starck score did not show significant correlation to gender (P=0.327) or to the age (P=0.350) of patients. However, a significant correlation was detected between Starck score and anal resting pressure (P=0.008) or anorectal squeeze pressure (P=0.011).Conclusions The presence of anal sphincter injuries could be well defined by Starck score in patients with faecal incontinence. Severity of damage scored by Starck correlated with anorectal manometric results (AU)

[Endoanal ultrasound findings in patients with faecal incontinence using a scoring system]. / Descripción de los hallazgos de la ecografía endoanal en pacientes con incontinencia fecal mediante un sistema de puntuación.

INTRODUCTION: The main aim of the study was to apply a severity classification of sphincter lesions detected by endoanal ultrasound using Starck score in patients who suffered faecal incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data were analysed on 133 patients with faecal incontinence. Those in whom anal sphincter lesions were detected by endoanal ultrasound are described and their corresponding scores according to Starck classification calculated. This system scores severity of detected sphincter lesions from 0 to 16, involving the three axes of the anal canal. Patient demographic characteristics and anorectal manometry results were also analysed. The relationship between this score, patient gender and age, and anorectal manometric results were also analysed. RESULTS: A total of 83 (62.4%) patients had some type of anal sphincter lesion. The presence of sphincter defects was not related to gender (P=0.172), although it did correlate with younger ages (P=0.028). The severity of anal sphincter damage by Starck score did not show significant correlation to gender (P=0.327) or to the age (P=0.350) of patients. However, a significant correlation was detected between Starck score and anal resting pressure (P=0.008) or anorectal squeeze pressure (P=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of anal sphincter injuries could be well defined by Starck score in patients with faecal incontinence. Severity of damage scored by Starck correlated with anorectal manometric results.