The Effect of Shift Working on Dietary Patterns of Healthcare Practitioners during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objectives: Health professionals' working schedules often do not allow them to follow a balanced way of life, and the nature of their work can affect their weight and eating habits. The aim of the present study is to shed some light on the impact of night shift working on the dietary practices of healthcare practitioners in Greece. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. With the use of an administered questionnaire several parameters were assessed, including anthropometric characteristics, weight history, as well as nutritional habits of the same group of participants during night shifts and when at regular working hours. Moreover, nutritional beliefs of the subjects were recorded, as well as the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Results: It was observed that in all food groups, including water, used to compare the nutritional patterns of the participants during night shifts and when working regular hours, statistical differences were noted (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the participants who reported a higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet and self-reported healthier nutritional habits, had a statistically lower weight compared to the participants that rarely followed the specific model or reported unhealthier eating routine (p = 0.010 and p = 0.015, respectively). Conclusions: We conclude that shift-working healthcare professionals are associated with disturbed eating behaviours leading to the high consumption of unhealthy food. The implementation of interventions that will concentrate on educating health workers on balanced nutrition and improving physical environment (i.e., food availability, healthier food choices) seems to be of great importance.

Efficacy and safety of transpancreatic sphincterotomy in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Difficult cannulation represents a common obstacle during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We assessed the efficacy and adverse events of transpancreatic sphincterotomy (TPS), and investigated potential associated confounders. Methods: All patients referred to our department for ERCP during 2015-2020 were eligible if they had intact papilla and visceral anatomy. In addition to standard measures, TPS was combined with pancreatic stent placement. Apart from demographics, we retrieved data related to the indication, periampullary anatomy, necessity for TPS or fistulotomy, their outcomes and complications. Chi-square test was employed to investigate associations between TPS and independent variables. When significance was observed, the respective variables were inserted into a regression model. Results: A total of 1082 individual patients were eligible, with an equal female: male ratio and a mean age of 72.7±15.82 years. Seventy-three patients (6.7%) underwent TPS, with a 95.9% successful cannulation rate. Papilla morphology or regional diverticulum did not affect the decision to perform TPS, though it was significantly associated with malignant common bile duct (CBD) obstruction as the ERCP indication (P=0.001). Considering adverse events, TPS did not increase the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), though it affected bleeding (P=0.005). Regression analysis revealed a protective role of TPS against PEP (risk ratio [RR] 0.015, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-5.05; P<0.001), while the aforementioned risk of hemorrhage was attributed to previous precut attempts (RR 3.02, 95%CI 1.42-6.43; P=0.004). Conclusion: TPS combined with pancreatic stenting is an effective and safe modality in difficult cannulation cases and could be the first-choice alternative in malignant CBD obstruction.

Computed tomography-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy: a single institution's 6-year experience.

Background: Acute cholecystitis (AC) is an emergency commonly managed by a surgical department. The interventional part of the standard treatment algorithm includes laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) under imaging guidance is recommended as the first-line approach in the subset of high-risk patients for perioperative complications, as a bridging therapy to elective surgery or as a definitive solution. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mortality and morbidity of PC performed under computed tomographic (CT) guidance in patients at high surgical risk. Methods: Medical and imaging records from all consecutive patients who underwent a CTPC between 2015 and 2020 were reviewed. Adult patients with a definite indication for CTPC were recruited and mortality 7 and 30 days post-procedure was recorded. Variables potentially affecting those outcomes were retrieved and included in our analysis. Results: Eighty-six consecutive patients at high risk for surgical management were identified and included in the present study. Most patients (58.1%) were diagnosed with AC, while 14 (16.3%) had concurrent AC and cholangitis, 13 (15.2%) gallbladder empyema, and 9 (10.4%) hydrops. The 7- and 30-day mortality rates were 16.3% (14/86) and 22.1% (19/86), respectively, and were significantly associated with patients' hospitalization in the intensive care unit (P<0.05). Other parameters investigated, such as age, sex, diagnosis, catheter diameter, and duration of hospital stay were not significantly associated with our primary outcome. Conclusion: PC is a safe alternative to surgery in patients with high perioperative risk, thus providing acceptable mortality rates.