Efficacy of Traditional Acupuncture Compared to Biofeedback Therapy in Fecal Incontinence: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Fecal incontinence has a devastating impact on quality of life and imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden. Best medical therapy including biofeedback therapy improves mild symptoms, with minimal impact on moderate to severe symptoms. Surgical management for incontinence carries a degree of morbidity resulting in low uptake and acceptability. While acupuncture is common practice in Singapore for numerous medical conditions, its role in fecal incontinence is relatively novel. In our local context, however, acupuncture is accessible, inexpensive, and potentially well-accepted as a treatment strategy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture, compared to biofeedback therapy in the treatment of fecal incontinence. The secondary aim is to investigate the differences in quality of life following treatment. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Prospective, single institution study. PATIENTS: Patients with ≥2 episodes of fecal incontinence/week, or St Mark's incontinence score of ≥5 were recruited. Patients were randomized into biofeedback therapy which included 3 sessions over 10 weeks, or 30 sessions of acupuncture over 10 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incontinence episodes, St. Mark's Score and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scale. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were randomized into biofeedback therapy (n=46) or acupuncture (n = 39). Demographics and baseline clinical characteristics were not different (p > 0.05). Overall median incontinence episodes were reduced in both, with the acupuncture arm reporting significantly fewer at week 15 (p < 0.001). Acupuncture also improved quality of life, with improvement in lifestyle, coping, depression, and embarrassment at week 15 (p < 0.05). While the St. Mark's score was significantly reduced in both arms at week 15 (p < 0.001), the acupuncture arm's score was significantly lower (p = 0.002). LIMITATIONS: Longer follow-up required. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture is clinically effective and improves quality of life in patients with fecal incontinence. See Video Abstract. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04276350.

A Case of Inadequately Treated Bacterial Pneumonia Leading to Bronchopleural Fistula.

Bronchopulmonary fistula (BPF) is an abnormal connection between the pleural space and bronchial tree, potentially leading to fatal outcomes if untreated. While BPF commonly arises following lung surgery, it can also be linked to infections. This report details the case of a 47-year-old male with recent untreated bacterial pneumonia, who developed bilateral pneumothoraces with persistent air leaks, Pseudomonas and Aspergillus empyema, culminating in a right-sided BPF necessitating video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) decortication. The agenda of this presentation is to enhance early recognition of BPF, which can be presented subtly, to avert severe complications.

High-flow nasal oxygen therapy compared with conventional oxygen therapy in hospitalised patients with respiratory illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) is used in diverse hospital settings to treat patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). This systematic review aims to summarise the evidence regarding any benefits HFNO therapy has compared with conventional oxygen therapy (COT) for patients with ARF. METHODS: Three databases (Embase, Medline and CENTRAL) were searched on 22 March 2023 for studies evaluating HFNO compared with COT for the treatment of ARF, with the primary outcome being hospital mortality and secondary outcomes including (but not limited to) escalation to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (randomised controlled trials (RCTs)), ROBINS-I (non-randomised trials) or Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (observational studies). RCTs and observational studies were pooled together for primary analyses, and secondary analyses used RCT data only. Treatment effects were pooled using the random effects model. RESULTS: 63 studies (26 RCTs, 13 cross-over and 24 observational studies) were included, with 10 230 participants. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome of hospital mortality (risk ratio, RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.26; p=0.29; 17 studies, n=5887) between HFNO and COT for all causes ARF. However, compared with COT, HFNO significantly reduced the overall need for escalation to IMV (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.95 p=0.003; 39 studies, n=8932); and overall need for escalation to NIV (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.98; p=0.04; 16 studies, n=3076). In subgroup analyses, when considering patients by illness types, those with acute-on-chronic respiratory failure who received HFNO compared with COT had a significant reduction in-hospital mortality (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.91; p=0.02). DISCUSSION: HFNO was superior to COT in reducing the need for escalation to both IMV and NIV but had no impact on the primary outcome of hospital mortality. These findings support recommendations that HFNO may be considered as first-line therapy for ARF. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021264837.

Venous thromboembolism among Asian populations with localized colorectal cancer undergoing curative resection: is pharmacological thromboprophylaxis required? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: We compared the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among Asian populations with localized colorectal cancer undergoing curative resection with and without the use of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis (PTP). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was undertaken to identify relevant studies published from January 1, 1980 to February 28, 2022. The inclusion criteria were patients who underwent primary tumor resection for localized nonmetastatic colorectal cancer; an Asian population or studies conducted in an Asian country; randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, or cohort studies; and the incidence of symptomatic VTE, deep vein thrombosis, and/or pulmonary embolism as the primary study outcomes. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. This study was registered in PROSPERO on October 11, 2020 (No. CRD42020206793). RESULTS: Seven studies (2 randomized controlled trials and 5 observational cohort studies) were included, encompassing 5,302 patients. The overall incidence of VTE was 1.4%. The use of PTP did not significantly reduce overall VTE incidence: 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0%-3.1%) versus 1.9% (95% CI, 0.3%-4.4%; P = 0.55). Similarly, PTP was not associated with significantly lower rates of symptomatic VTE, proximal deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION: The benefit of PTP in reducing VTE incidence among Asian patients undergoing curative resection for localized colorectal cancer has not been clearly established. The decision to administer PTP should be evaluated on a case-bycase basis and with consideration of associated bleeding risks.

Colorimetric CO2 Detector to Improve Effective Mask Ventilations in Very Preterm Infants: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study.

INTRODUCTION: End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) detector is currently recommended for confirmation of endotracheal tube placement during neonatal resuscitation. Whether it is feasible to use ETCO2 detectors during mask ventilation to reduce risk of bradycardia and desaturations, which are associated with increased risk of death in preterm babies, is unknown. METHODS: This is a pilot randomized controlled trial (NCT04287907) involving newborns 24 + 0/7 to 32 + 0/7 weeks gestation who required mask ventilation at birth. Infants were randomized into groups with or without colorimetric ETCO2 detectors. Combined duration of any bradycardia (<100 bpm) and time below prespecified target oxygen saturation (SpO2) as measured by pulse oximetry were compared. RESULTS: Fifty participants were randomized, 47 with outcomes analysed (2 incomplete data, 1 postnatal diagnosis of trachea-oesophageal fistula). Mean gestational age and birthweight were 28.5 ± 1.9 versus 29.4 ± 1.6 weeks (p = 0.1) and 1,252.7 ± 409.7 g versus 1,334.6 ± 369.1 g (p = 0.5) in the intervention and control arm, respectively. Mean combined duration of bradycardia and desaturation was 276.7 ± 197.7 s (intervention) and 322.7 ± 277.7 s (control) (p = 0.6). Proportion of participants with any bradycardia or desaturation at 5 min were 38.1% (intervention) and 56.5% (control) (p = 0.2). No chest compressions, epinephrine administration, or death occurred in the delivery room. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of a trial to evaluate colorimetric ETCO2 detectors during mask ventilation of very preterm infants to reduce bradycardia and low SpO2. Further assessment with a larger population will be required to determine if ETCO2 detector usage at resuscitation reduces risk of adverse outcomes, including death and disability, in very preterm infants.

Surgical and short-term oncological safety of total neoadjuvant therapy in high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Management for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) conventionally comprises long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCCRT), total mesorectal excision (TME), and adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the RAPIDO study published in 2021 showed that total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) led to better oncological outcomes without increased toxicity. We review the surgical and short-term oncological outcomes of patients with high-risk LARC who underwent TNT or LCCRT before TME. METHODS: Patients with high-risk LARC who underwent TNT or LCCRT before TME between 2021 and 2022 were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (66%) had TNT as per RAPIDO whilst 18 underwent LCCRT. Median follow-up was 16 months (range 5-25). Of the patients who had TNT, median age was 65 years old (range 44-79), 34 (97%) had clinical Stage 3 LARC and median height FAV was 5 cm (range 0.5-14). Nine (26%) required a dose delay/reduction due to treatment toxicity. Seven (50%) showed resolution of previously enlarged lateral nodes. Three (9%) had pathological complete response. Postoperative major morbidity was 23%, of which 4 patients required a reoperation. Six (17%) patients had disease-related treatment failure, with two having disease progression during TNT, two developed local recurrence, and two developed distal metastasis following surgery. Median duration to surgery following completion of chemotherapy was significantly shorter with TNT (36 days versus 74 days) (P < 0.001). There were no other significant differences in outcomes. CONCLUSION: TNT is clinically safe in high-risk LARC patients with no significant difference to surgical and short-term oncological outcomes compared to LCCRT, although a higher incidence of early surgical morbidity was observed.

Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision With Delayed Coloanal Anastomosis (TaTME-DCAA) Versus Laparoscopic Total Mesorectal Excision (LTME) and Robotic Total Mesorectal Excision (RTME) for Low Rectal Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of Short-term Outcomes, Bowel Function, and Cost.

INTRODUCTION: Total mesorectal excision (TME) with delayed coloanal anastomosis (DCAA) is surgical option for low rectal cancer, replacing conventional immediate coloanal anastomosis (ICAA) with bowel diversion. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of transanal TME (TaTME) with DCAA versus laparoscopic TME (LTME) with ICAA versus robotic TME (RTME) with ICAA. METHODS: This was a retrospective propensity score-matched analysis of patients who underwent elective TaTME-DCAA between November 2021 and June 2022. Patients were propensity-score matched in a ratio of 1:3 to patients who underwent LTME-ICAA and RTME-ICAA from January 2019 to December 2020. Outcome measures were histopathologic results, postoperative morbidity, function, and inpatient costs. RESULTS: Twelve patients in the TaTME-DCAA group were compared with 36 patients in the LTME-ICAA and RTME-ICAA groups each after propensity score matching. Histopathologic results and postoperative morbidity rates were statistically similar. Overall stoma-related complication rates in the ICAA groups were 11%. Median total length of hospital stays for TME plus stoma reversal surgery was similar across all techniques (10 vs. 10 vs. 9 days; P =0.532). Despite a significantly shorter duration of follow-up, bowel function after TaTME-DCAA was comparable to that of LTME-ICAA and RTME-ICAA. Overall median inpatient costs of TaTME-DCAA were comparable to LTME-ICAA and significantly cheaper than RTME-ICAA ($31,087 vs. $29,927 vs. $36,750; P =0.002). CONCLUSIONS: TaTME with DCAA is a feasible and safe technique compared with other minimally invasive methods of TME, while avoiding bowel diversion and stoma-related complications, as well as comparing favorably in terms of overall hospitalization costs.

Comparative antibody and cell-mediated immune responses, reactogenicity, and efficacy of homologous and heterologous boosting with CoronaVac and BNT162b2 (Cobovax): an open-label, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Few trials have compared homologous and heterologous third doses of COVID-19 vaccination with inactivated vaccines and mRNA vaccines. The aim of this study was to assess immune responses, safety, and efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 infection following homologous or heterologous third-dose COVID-19 vaccination with either one dose of CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech; inactivated vaccine) or BNT162b2 (Fosun Pharma-BioNTech; mRNA vaccine). METHODS: This is an ongoing, randomised, allocation-concealed, open-label, comparator-controlled trial in adults aged 18 years or older enrolled from the community in Hong Kong, who had received two doses of CoronaVac or BNT162b2 at least 6 months earlier. Participants were randomly assigned, using a computer-generated sequence, in a 1:1 ratio with allocation concealment to receive a (third) dose of CoronaVac or BNT162b2 (ancestral virus strain), stratified by types of previous COVID-19 vaccination (homologous two doses of CoronaVac or BNT162b2). Participants were unmasked to group allocation after vaccination. The primary endpoint was serum neutralising antibodies against the ancestral virus at day 28 after vaccination in each group, measured as plaque reduction neutralisation test (PRNT50) geometric mean titre (GMT). Surrogate virus neutralisation test (sVNT) mean inhibition percentage and PRNT50 titres against omicron BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants were also measured. Secondary endpoints included geometric mean fold rise (GMFR) in antibody titres; incidence of solicited local and systemic adverse events; IFNγ+ CD4+ and IFNγ+ CD8+ T-cell responses at days 7 and 28; and incidence of COVID-19. Within-group comparisons of boost in immunogenicity from baseline and between-group comparisons were done according to intervention received (ie, per protocol) by paired and unpaired t test, respectively, and cumulative incidence of infection was compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and a proportional hazards model to estimate hazard ratio. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05057169. FINDINGS: We enrolled participants from Nov 12, 2021, to Jan 27, 2022. We vaccinated 219 participants who previously received two doses of CoronaVac, including 101 randomly assigned to receive CoronaVac (CC-C) and 118 randomly assigned to receive BNT162b2 (CC-B) as their third dose; and 232 participants who previously received two doses of BNT162b2, including 118 randomly assigned to receive CoronaVac (BB-C) and 114 randomly assigned to receive BNT162b2 (BB-B) as their third dose. The PRNT50 GMTs on day 28 against ancestral virus were 109, 905, 92, and 816; against omicron BA.1 were 9, 75, 8, and 86; and against omicron BA.2 were 6, 80, 6, and 67 in the CC-C, CC-B, BB-C, and BB-B groups, respectively. Mean sVNT inhibition percentages on day 28 against ancestral virus were 83%, 96%, 87%, and 96%; against omicron BA.1 were 15%, 58%, 19%, and 69%; and against omicron BA.2 were 43%, 85%, 50%, and 90%, in the CC-C, CC-B, BB-C, and BB-B groups, respectively. Participants who had previously received two doses of CoronaVac and a BNT162b2 third dose had a GMFR of 12 (p<0·0001) compared with those who received a CoronaVac third dose; similarly, those who had received two doses of BNT162b2 and a BNT162b2 third dose had a GMFR of 8 (p<0·0001). No differences in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses were observed between groups. We did not identify any vaccination-related hospitalisation within 1 month after vaccination. We identified 58 infections when omicron BA.2 was predominantly circulating, with cumulative incidence of 15·3% and 15·4% in the CC-C and CC-B groups, respectively (p=0·93), and 16·7% and 14·0% in the BB-C and BB-B groups, respectively (p=0·56). INTERPRETATION: Similar levels of incidence of, presumably, omicron BA.2 infections were observed in each group despite very weak antibody responses to BA.2 in the recipients of a CoronaVac third dose. Further research is warranted to identify appropriate correlates of protection for inactivated COVID-19 vaccines. FUNDING: Health and Medical Research Fund, Hong Kong. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Experiences of healthcare personnel with death in the neonatal intensive care unit: a systematic review of qualitative studies.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesise evidence from qualitative studies on the experiences of healthcare personnel (HCP) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) caring for dying neonates. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search, in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42021250015), of four databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL) from date of inception of the databases to 31 December 2021 using MeSH terms and related keywords. Data were analysed using three-step inductive thematic synthesis. Quality assessment of included studies was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-two articles were included. There were 775 participants, majority (92.6%) of whom were nurses and doctors. Quality of studies was variable. The narratives of HCP coalesced into three themes: sources of distress, coping methods and the way forward. Sources of distress encompassed HCP's discomfort with neonatal deaths; poor communication among HCP and with patient's family; lack of support (from organisations, peers and HCP's family) and emotional responses (guilt, helplessness and compassion fatigue). Methods of coping included setting emotional boundaries, support from colleagues, clear communication and compassionate care and well-designed end-of-life workflows. Steps taken by HCP to move forward and overcome the emotionally turbulent effects of NICU deaths included finding meaning in death, building deeper relationship with patients' families and the NICU team and embracing purpose and pride in work. CONCLUSION: HCP face several challenges when a death occurs in the NICU. HCP can provide better end-of-life care if their undesirable experiences with death are mitigated by better understanding and overcoming factors causing distress.

Stenting as a bridge to surgery in obstructing colon cancer: Long-term recurrence pattern and competing risk of mortality.

BACKGROUND: Stenting as a bridge to curative surgery (SBTS) for obstructing colon cancer (OCC) has been associated with possibly worse oncological outcomes. AIM: To evaluate the recurrence patterns, survival outcomes, and colorectal cancer (CRC)-specific death in patients undergoing SBTS for OCC. METHODS: Data from 62 patients undergoing SBTS at a single tertiary centre over ten years between 2007 and 2016 were retrospectively examined. Primary outcomes were recurrence patterns, overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and CRC-specific death. OS and CSS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier curves. Competing risk analysis with cumulative incidence function (CIF) was used to estimate CRC-specific mortality with other cause-specific death as a competing event. Fine-Gray regressions were performed to determine prognostic factors of CRC-specific death. Univariate and multivariate subdistribution hazard ratios and their corresponding Wald test P values were calculated. RESULTS: 28 patients (45.2%) developed metastases after a median period of 16 mo. Among the 18 patients with single-site metastases: Four had lung-only metastases (14.3%), four had liver-only metastases (14.3%), and 10 had peritoneum-only metastases (35.7%), while 10 patients had two or more sites of metastatic disease (35.7%). The peritoneum was the most prevalent (60.7%) site of metastatic involvement (17/28). The median follow-up duration was 46 mo. 26 (41.9%) of the 62 patients died, of which 16 (61.5%) were CRC-specific deaths and 10 (38.5%) were deaths owing to other causes. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS probabilities were 88%, 74%, and 59%; 1-, 3-, and 5-year CSS probabilities were 97%, 83%, and 67%. The highest CIF for CRC-specific death at 60 mo was liver-only recurrence (0.69). Liver-only recurrence, peritoneum-only recurrence, and two or more recurrence sites were predictive of CRC-specific death. CONCLUSION: The peritoneum was the most common metastatic site among patients undergoing SBTS. Liver-only recurrence, peritoneum-only recurrence, and two or more recurrence sites were predictors of CRC-specific death.

Laser hemorrhoidoplasty versus conventional hemorrhoidectomy for grade II/III hemorrhoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study compared the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LH) vs. conventional hemorrhoidectomy (CH) in patients with grade II/III hemorrhoids. METHODS: PubMed/Medline and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing LH against CH in grade II/III hemorrhoids. The primary outcomes included postoperative use of analgesia, postoperative morbidity (bleeding, urinary retention, pain, thrombosis), and time of return to work/daily activities. RESULTS: Nine studies totaling 661 patients (LH, 336 and CH, 325) were included. The LH group had shorter operative time (P<0.001) and less intraoperative blood loss (P<0.001). Postoperative pain was lower in the LH group, with lower postoperative day 1 (mean difference [MD], -2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.44 to -0.75; P=0.002) and postoperative day 7 (MD, -3.94; 95% CI, -6.36 to -1.52; P=0.001) visual analogue scores and use of analgesia (risk ratio [RR], 0.59; 95% CI, 0.42-0.81; P=0.001). The risk of postoperative bleeding was also lower in the LH group (RR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.12- 0.28; P<0.001), with a quicker return to work or daily activities (P=0.002). The 12-month risks of bleeding (P>0.999) and prolapse (P=0.240), and the likelihood of complete resolution at 12 months, were similar (P=0.240). CONCLUSION: LH offers more favorable short-term clinical outcomes than CH, with reduced morbidity and pain and earlier return to work or daily activities. Medium-term symptom recurrence at 12 months was similar. Our results should be verified in future well-designed trials with larger samples.

Portable evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea in adults: A systematic review.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant healthcare burden affecting approximately one billion people worldwide. The prevalence of OSA is rising with the ongoing obesity epidemic, a key risk factor for its development. While in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosing OSA, it has significant drawbacks that prevent widespread use. Portable devices with different levels of monitoring are available to allow remote assessment for OSA. To better inform clinical practice and research, this comprehensive systematic review evaluated diagnostic performances, study cost and patients' experience of different levels of portable sleep studies (type 2, 3, and 4), as well as wearable devices and non-contact systems, in adults. Despite varying study designs and devices used, portable diagnostic tests are found to be sufficient for initial screening of patients at risk of OSA. Future studies are needed to evaluate cost effectiveness with the incorporation of portable diagnostic tests into the diagnostic pathway for OSA, as well as their application in patients with chronic respiratory diseases and other comorbidities that may affect test performance.

Immunogenicity of a Third Dose of BNT162b2 to Ancestral Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 and the Omicron Variant in Adults Who Received 2 Doses of Inactivated Vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on antibody responses to mixed vaccination strategies that involve inactivated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, particularly in the context of emerging variants. METHODS: We conducted an open-label trial of a third vaccine dose of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine (BNT162b2, Fosun Pharma/BioNTech) in adults aged ≥30 years who had previously received 2 doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. We collected blood samples before administering the third dose and 28 days later and tested for antibodies to the ancestral virus using a binding assay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]), a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT), and a live virus plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). We also tested for antibodies against the Omicron variant using live-virus PRNT. RESULTS: In 315 participants, a third dose of BNT162b2 substantially increased antibody titers on each assay. Mean ELISA levels increased from an optical density of 0.3 to 2.2 (P < .001), and mean sVNT levels increased from an inhibition of 17% to 96% (P < .001). In a random subset of 20 participants, the geometric mean PRNT50 titers rose substantially, by 45-fold from day 0 to day 28 against the ancestral virus (P < .001) and by 11-fold against the Omicron variant (P < .001). In daily monitoring, post-vaccination reactions subsided within 7 days for more than 99% of participants. CONCLUSIONS: A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine with an mRNA vaccine substantially improved antibody levels against the ancestral virus and the Omicron variant with a well-tolerated safety profile in adults who had received 2 doses of inactivated vaccine 6 months earlier. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT05057182.

Efficacy of biofeedback therapy for faecal incontinence in an Asian population.

BACKGROUND: Faecal incontinence (FI) is a debilitating condition which reduces quality of life (QOL). Conservative management with education, pelvic floor exercise and pharmacological agents are first-line treatment. Following which, biofeedback therapy (BFT) is recommended. Although well described in the West, existing literature on its efficacy in Asian populations remains sparse. The primary aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy of BFT in improvement of symptoms, QOL and overall satisfaction in our Asian population. METHODS: Patients with moderate FI in Singapore General Hospital between 2012 and 2016 were enrolled. Rockwood FI quality of life scale (FIQL) and Wexner scale were used to evaluate QOL across four domains, and symptom severity respectively. They were scored at baseline and again after four sessions of BFT, with an additional overall satisfaction score (OSS). RESULTS: A total of 137 patients were included. Mean age was 62 years and 72.3% were female. Majority demonstrated improvement in Wexner score (68.6%) and FIQL (65%). Sixty-five patients (47.4%) reported improvement in both. Positive correlation was found between Wexner score and OSS (r = 0.206), and Wexner score and FIQL across all four domains. Only one FIQL domain-coping/behaviour, showed statistically significant correlation with OSS (r = 0.263). CONCLUSION: BFT is effective in our Asian population in both symptom reduction and improving QOL. Wexner score demonstrated low correlation with FIQL and OSS-suggesting that FI requires a multi-dimensional approach beyond symptom treatment, of which ability to cope appears crucial. BFT, consistent with the biopsychosocial model, shows benefit in this regard.

Quality of life of patients and caregivers affected by bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To synthesize evidence on the impact of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) on the Quality of Life (QoL) of affected individuals from three perspectives: (i) QoL of caregiver; (ii) caregiver's perception of BPD patient's QoL; and (iii) BPD patient's self-reported QoL. METHODS: Quantitative studies (case-control, cohort, and case series) on the QoL of BPD patients or their caregivers were considered. We conducted a systematic literature search of 6 databases (PubMed, Embase, World of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure) for relevant studies. All databases were searched from the date of inception of the databases to 31 March 2022. Populations of interest were caregivers with preterm babies with BPD, or children/adults who were born premature and diagnosed with BPD. The main outcome measures were total and subdomain QoL scores, and factors affecting QoL. RESULTS: A total of 1078 articles were found; 10 were eligible for analysis, which included 247 caregivers and 1632 patients with BPD. The QoL of patients differed by domains-some were poorer or similar, but none of the QoL domains was better than QoL of healthy controls. Poor sleep and acute care needs of BPD patients negatively affected caregiver's QoL, while increasing illness acuity negatively affected the QoL of BPD patients. The QoL of BPD patients and their caregivers was most adversely affected during the immediate post-discharge period and tended to improve with time. The physical QoL of BPD patients was similar to that of preterm babies without BPD when assessed during late childhood and early adulthood. CONCLUSION: QoL assessment should be performed as an outcome measure and incorporated in the care plan for BPD patients and their caregivers. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO CRD42021292253.

Emotional journey of Asian mothers of premature infants who received pasteurised donor human milk: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of donor human milk usage on the emotional experience of mothers with premature infants in a multiracial Asian population. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study. Semistructured individual interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using Braun and Clarke's process of thematic analysis. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Seventeen mothers whose premature infants received donor human milk in a level III neonatal intensive care unit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceptions of mothers whose premature infants received donor human milk. RESULTS: Mothers described their experience as a journey of acceptance with three sequential themes. 'Resistance to receiving somebody else's milk' was a process of overcoming initial hesitation and concerns. 'Recognising maternal limitations and baby's needs' depicted the mothers' struggles in reconciling their infant's milk demand and their low milk supply. 'Embracing benefits of donor human milk and acceptance with gratitude' illustrated the mothers' joy and gratitude to milk donors as they embraced benefits of donor human milk usage. Although participants had agreed to use of donor human milk after counselling, many still struggled with negative emotions of anxiety and guilt. Mothers of Muslim faith had additional concerns about milk kinship and religious permissibility of donor human milk. CONCLUSION: Mothers undergo a spectrum of complex emotions from initial hesitation to acceptance with gratitude, when their premature infants receive donor human milk. Some continue to struggle with negative emotions and require more support. By recognising their emotional responses, healthcare providers can support mothers in their breastfeeding journey with targeted counselling.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Influenza Vaccination Intention: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

Poorer outcomes have been reported with COVID-19 and influenza coinfections. As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, protection against influenza by vaccination is becoming increasingly important. This study examines how COVID-19 has influenced influenza vaccination intentions from a global perspective. A literature search was conducted on Embase, PubMed, and CNKI from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021 for articles reporting rates of influenza vaccination pre-COVID-19 (19/20 season), and intention and/or uptake of influenza vaccination post-COVID-19 (20/21 season). The changes in vaccination intention and reasons for changes were reported. Subgroup analyses were performed by region, gender, age, and occupation. Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment of the articles. Twenty-seven studies with 39,193 participants were included. Among 22 studies reporting intention to vaccinate in 20/21, there was increased intention to vaccinate (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.32−1.69, p < 0.001) regardless of age, gender, and occupation. The remaining five studies reporting vaccination intention and uptake in 20/21 showed a similar increase (RR 1.68, 95%CI 1.20−2.36). Important determinants include historical vaccine acceptance, and perception of influenza severity and vaccine safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased intention to vaccinate against influenza internationally. The pandemic could be a window of opportunity to promote influenza vaccination and decrease vaccine hesitancy.