A cross-sectional study of the appropriateness of colonoscopy requests in the Spanish region of Catalonia.

INTRODUCTION: Colonoscopies are being requested with increasing frequency in the last few years, as they are used both as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in several gastrointestinal diseases. Our purpose is to describe the appropriateness of colonoscopy requests issued both from primary care centres and from hospitals, according to the EPAGE II guidelines (European Panel on the Appropriateness of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Cross-sectional study. Colonoscopy requests issued since January 2011 and received at the endoscopy units of all six reference hospitals serving the primary care centres of the South Metropolitan and Central Catalonia districts will be collected (total=1500 requests). Variables to be collected include gender, date of birth, origin of the request and reference hospital, priority of the procedure, type of clinician requesting the procedure, date and indication of request, abdominal examination performed, anal inspection examination performed, date of last colonoscopy if applicable, diagnosis and date of diagnosis. Using the available information and the EPAGE II website, colonoscopy requests will be assigned as an appropriateness score. The association between the variables collected and the EPAGE II scores will be assessed using a Student's t test and a χ(2) test. A multilevel logistic model will be generated on the factors associated with the appropriateness of the requests. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Colonoscopy is a costly procedure and not free from complications. In order to increase cost effectiveness, reduce waiting lists and optimise resources, it is necessary to use tools such as the EPAGE II guidelines, which establish criteria to assess the appropriateness of colonoscopies. The purpose of this study is to describe the current situation and to discuss whether current clinical practice is appropriate. The results of the study will be published in the next few years. In consideration of the ethical principles and methods of the research study, approval was granted for the project.

Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population-based screening for colorectal cancer.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the extent of knowledge of primary health care (PHC) patients about colorectal cancer (CRC), their attitudes toward population-based screening for this disease and gender differences in these respects. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey of PHC patients in the Balearic Islands and some districts of the metropolitan area of Barcelona was conducted. Individuals between 50 and 69 years of age with no history of CRC were interviewed at their PHC centers. RESULTS: We analyzed the results of 625 questionnaires, 58% of which were completed by women. Most patients believed that cancer diagnosis before symptom onset improved the chance of survival. More women than men knew the main symptoms of CRC. A total of 88.8% of patients reported that they would perform the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) for CRC screening if so requested by PHC doctors or nurses. If the FOBT was positive and a colonoscopy was offered, 84.9% of participants indicated that they would undergo the procedure, and no significant difference by gender was apparent. Fear of having cancer was the main reason for performance of an FOBT, and also for not performing the FOBT, especially in women. Fear of pain was the main reason for not wishing to undergo colonoscopy. Factors associated with reluctance to perform the FOBT were: (i) the idea that that many forms of cancer can be prevented by exercise and, (ii) a reluctance to undergo colonoscopy if an FOBT was positive. Factors associated with reluctance to undergo colonoscopy were: (i) residence in Barcelona, (ii) ignorance of the fact that early diagnosis of CRC is associated with better prognosis, (iii) no previous history of colonoscopy, and (iv) no intention to perform the FOBT for CRC screening. CONCLUSION: We identified gaps in knowledge about CRC and prevention thereof in PHC patients from the Balearic Islands and the Barcelona region of Spain. If fears about CRC screening, and CRC per se, are addressed, and if it is emphasized that CRC is preventable, participation in CRC screening programs may improve.

[Second time esophageal reconstruction surgery: coloplasty and gastroplasty]. / Reconstrucción esofágica en un segundo tiempo: coloplastia y gastroplastia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the morbidity and mortality of second time esophageal reconstruction in an Esophagogastric Unit. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Second time esophageal reconstruction surgery with coloplasty and gastroplasty was performed on 20 patients, from January 2001 to October 2006. The morbidity and mortality of each technique has been analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the 16 males and 4 women operated on was 54.3 +/- 17.5 years. The diagnoses at the first surgery were: 7 caustic ingestions, 7 Boerhaave syndrome, 3 iatrogenic perforations, 1 tracheal-esophageal fistula, 1 esophageal-jejunal dehiscence and 1 necrosis of the gastroplasty after transhiatal oesophagectomy. There were 14 (70%) right coloplasties, 4 (20%) left coloplasties and 2 (10%) gastroplasties with gastric conditioning. In 11 of the 20 patients gastroplasty was ruled out due to gastrectomy (8 cases) or previous gastric surgery (3 cases). It was noted on analyzing the morbidity: pleural effusion (65%), respiratory failure (45%), atelectasis (35%) and cervical anastomosis dehiscence (35%). Five patients were re-intervened: 3 due to intra-abdominal sepsis and 2 due to hemoperitoneum. Mortality was 10% (2 cases). In subsequent follow up there was 5% (1 case) of stenosis of the anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal reconstruction technique which in specialist units has an acceptable mortality rate (10%) and an insignificant morbidity. Coloplasty was the technique most used on these patients.

Reconstrucción esofágica en un segundo tiempo: coloplastia y gastroplastia / Second time esophageal reconstruction surgery: coloplasty and gastroplasty

Objetivo. Analizar la morbimortalidad de la reconstrucción esofágica en un segundo tiempo en una unidad de cirugía esofagogástrica. Pacientes y método. Desde enero de 2001 a octubre de 2006 se intervino a 20 pacientes a los que se realizó reconstrucción esofágica en un segundo tiempo con coloplastia o gastroplastia. Se ha analizado retrospectivamente la morbimortalidad de cada técnica. Resultados. Se intervino a 16 varones y 4 mujeres con una media de edad de 54,3 ± 17,5 años. Los diagnósticos de la primera cirugía fueron: 7 por ingesta de cáusticos, 7 por síndrome de Boerhaave, 3 por perforación iatrogénica, 1 por fístula traqueoesofágica, 1 por dehiscencia esofagoyeyunal y 1 por necrosis de la gastroplastia tras esofagectomía transhiatal. Se realizaron 14 (70%) coloplastias derechas, 4 (20%) coloplastias izquierdas y 2 (10%) gastroplastias con acondicionamiento gástrico. En 11 de los 20 pacientes se desestimó la gastroplastia por gastrectomía (8 casos) o cirugía gástrica previa (3 casos). Analizando la morbilidad destacan: derrame pleural (65%), insuficiencia respiratoria (45%), atelectasia (35%) y dehiscencia de anastomosis cervical (35%). Se reintervino a 5 pacientes: 3 por sepsis intraabdominal y 2 por hemoperitoneo. La mortalidad fue del 10% (2 casos). En el seguimiento posterior destaca 1 (5%) caso de estenosis de la anastomosis. Conclusiones. La reconstrucción esofágica es una técnica que en unidades especializadas presenta una mortalidad aceptable (10%) y una morbilidad no despreciable. La coloplastia es la técnica más utilizada en estos pacientes (AU)

Objective. To analyze the morbidity and mortality of second time esophageal reconstruction in an Esophagogastric Unit. Patients and method. Second time esophageal reconstruction surgery with coloplasty and gastroplasty was performed on 20 patients, from January 2001 to October 2006. The morbidity and mortality of each technique has been analyzed retrospectively. Results. The mean age of the 16 males and 4 women operated on was 54.3 ± 17.5 years. The diagnoses at the first surgery were: 7 caustic ingestions, 7 Boerhaave syndrome, 3 iatrogenic perforations, 1 tracheal-esophageal fistula, 1 esophageal-jejunal dehiscence and 1 necrosis of the gastroplasty after transhiatal oesophagectomy. There were 14 (70%) right coloplasties, 4 (20%) left coloplasties and 2 (10%) gastroplasties with gastric conditioning. In 11 of the 20 patients gastroplasty was ruled out due to gastrectomy (8 cases) or previous gastric surgery (3 cases). It was noted on analyzing the morbidity: pleural effusion (65%), respiratory failure (45%), atelectasis (35%) and cervical anastomosis dehiscence (35%). Five patients were re-intervened: 3 due to intra-abdominal sepsis and 2 due to hemoperitoneum. Mortality was 10% (2 cases). In subsequent follow up there was 5% (1 case) of stenosis of the anastomosis. Conclusions. Esophageal reconstruction technique which in specialist units has an acceptable mortality rate (10%) and an insignificant morbidity. Coloplasty was the technique most used on these patients (AU)