Factors affecting the quality of life of patients after gastrectomy as assessed using the newly developed PGSAS-45 scale: A nationwide multi-institutional study

AIM To identify certain clinical factors other than the type of gastrectomy which affect the postoperative quality of life(QOL) of patients after gastrectomy.METHODS The postgastrectomy syndrome assessment scale(PGSAS)-45 was designed to assess the severity of symptoms, the living status and the QOL of gastrectomized patients. It consists of 45 items, of which 22 are original items while 23 were retrieved from the SF-8 and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale questionnaires with permission. A nationwide surveillance study to validate PGSAS was conducted and 2368 gastric cancer patients who underwent various types of gastrectomy at 52 medical institutions were enrolled. Of these, 1777 patients who underwent total gastrectomy(TG) reconstructed with Roux-Y(n = 393), distal gastrectomy(DG) reconstructed with Billroth-I(n = 909), or DG reconstructed with Roux-Y(n = 475) were evaluated in the current study. The influence of the type of gastrectomy and other clinical factors such as age, sex, duration after surgery, the symptom severity, the degree of weight loss, dietary intake, and the ability for working on the postoperative QOL(i.e., dissatisfaction for daily life subscale, physical component summary and mental component summary of the SF-8) were examined by multiple regression analysis(MRA). In addition, importance of various symptoms such as esophageal reflux, abdominal pain, meal-related distress, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation and dumping on the postoperative living status and QOL were also appraised by MRA.RESULTS The postoperative QOL were significantly deteriorated in patients who underwent TG compared to those after DG. However, the extent of gastrectomy was not an influential factor on patients' QOL when adjusted by the MRA. Among various clinical factors, the symptom severity, ability for working, and necessity for additional meals were the most influential factorsto the postoperative QOL. As for the individual symptoms, meal-related distress, dumping, abdominal pain, and esophageal reflux significantly affected the postoperative QOL in that order, while the influence of indigestion, diarrhea and constipation was insignificant. CONCLUSION Several clinical factors such as the symptom severity(especially in meal-related distress and dumping), ability for working and necessity for additional meals were the main factors which affected the patients' wellbeing after gastrectomy.

Development and validation of a simple and multifaceted instrument,GERD-TEST,for the clinical evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux and dyspeptic symptoms

To evaluate the psychometric properties of a newly developed questionnaire, known as the gastroesophageal reflux and dyspepsia therapeutic efficacy and satisfaction test (GERD-TEST), in patients with GERD.METHODSJapanese patients with predominant GERD symptoms recruited according to the Montreal definition were treated for 4 wk using a standard dose of proton pump inhibitor (PPI). The GERD-TEST and the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-8 Health Survey (SF-8) were administered at baseline and after 4 wk of treatment. The GERD-TEST contains three domains: the severity of GERD and functional dyspepsia (FD) symptoms (5 items), the level of dissatisfaction with daily life (DS) (4 items), and the therapeutic efficacy as assessed by the patients and medication compliance (4 items).RESULTSA total of 290 patients were eligible at baseline; 198 of these patients completed 4 wk of PPI therapy. The internal consistency reliability as evaluated using the Cronbach’s α values for the GERD, FD and DS subscales ranged from 0.75 to 0.82. The scores for the GERD, FD and DS items/subscales were significantly correlated with the physical and mental component summary scores of the SF-8. After 4 wk of PPI treatment, the scores for the GERD items/subscales were greatly reduced, ranging in value from 1.51 to 1.87 and with a large effect size (P < 0.0001, Cohen’s d; 1.29-1.63). Statistically significant differences in the changes in the scores for the GERD items/subscales were observed between treatment responders and non-responders (P < 0.0001).CONCLUSIONThe GERD-TEST has a good reliability, a good convergent and concurrent validity, and is responsive to the effects of treatment. The GERD-TEST is a simple, easy to understand, and multifaceted PRO instrument applicable to both clinical trials and the primary care of GERD patients.

Comparison of effects of six main gastrectomy procedures on patients’ quality of life assessed by Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale-45

BACKGROUND The effects of various gastrectomy procedures on the patient’s quality of life(QOL)are not well understood.Thus,this nationwide multi-institutional crosssectional study using the Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale-45(PGSAS-45),a well-established questionnaire designed to clarify the severity and characteristics of the postgastrectomy syndrome,was conducted.AIM To compare the effects of six main gastrectomy procedures on the postoperative QOL.METHODS Eligible questionnaires retrieved from 2368 patients who underwent either of six gastrectomy procedures[total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction(TGRY;n=393),proximal gastrectomy(PG;n=193),distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction(DGRY;n=475),distal gastrectomy with Billroth-I reconstruction(DGBI;n=909),pylorus-preserving gastrectomy(PPG;n=313),and local resection of the stomach(LR;n=85)]were analyzed.Among the 19 main outcome measures of PGSAS-45,the severity and characteristics of postgastrectomy syndrome were compared for the aforementioned six gastrectomy procedures using analysis of means.RESULTS TGRY and PG significantly impaired the QOL of postoperative patients.Postoperative QOL was excellent in LR(cardia and pylorus were preserved with minimal resection).In procedures removing the distal stomach,diarrhea subscale(SS)and dumping SS were less frequent in PPG than in DGBI and DGRY.However,there was no difference in the postoperative QOL between DGBI and DGRY.The most noticeable adverse effects caused by gastrectomy were mealrelated distress SS,dissatisfaction at the meal,and weight loss,with significant differences among the surgical procedures.CONCLUSION Postoperative QOL greatly differed among six gastrectomy procedures.The severity and characteristics of postgastrectomy syndrome should be considered to select gastrectomy procedures,overcome surgical shortcomings,and enhance postoperative care.

Background factors influencing postgastrectomy syndromes after various types of gastrectomy

BACKGROUND Postgastrectomy syndromes(PGS) after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer are influenced by not only gastrectomy type but also by background factors. Recently, a nationwide PGS study was performed using the Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale-45(PGSAS-45) questionnaire.AIM To determine the influence of each background factor on PGS for each gastrectomy type using PGS assessment study(PGSAS) data as an additional analysis. METHODS The data of 2368 patients were obtained from the PGSAS. This included patients undergoing distal gastrectomy(DG) with Billroth I reconstruction, DG with Roux-en-Y reconstruction, total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y, proximal gastrectomy, pylorus-preserving gastrectomy(PPG), and local resection. Multiple regression analysis was performed to explore the independent effects of each background factor on the main outcome measures(MOMs) of PGSAS-45 for each gastrectomy type. The background factors included postoperative period, age, sex, surgical approach(laparoscopic or open), and the status of the celiac branch of the vagal nerve.RESULTS The MOMs of DG and PPG were highly affected by background factors, whereas those of total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y, proximal gastrectomy, and local resection were not. Worse PGS were found in females, whereas a longer postoperative period alleviated some of the MOMs. For DG and PPG, a laparoscopic approach and preservation of the celiac branch improved several MOMs.CONCLUSION Various background factors affected PGS, and their influence varied with the type of gastrectomy performed. Laparoscopic surgery and celiac branch preservation can improve PGS in patients undergoing DG and PPG.

Assessing optimal Roux-en-Y reconstruction technique after total gastrectomy using the Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale-45

BACKGROUND Following a total gastrectomy,patients suffer the most severe form of postgastrectomy syndrome.This is a significant clinical problem as it reduces quality of life(QOL).Roux-en-Y reconstruction,which is regarded as the gold standard for post-total gastrectomy reconstruction,can be performed using various techniques.Although the technique used could affect postoperative QOL,there are no previous reports regarding the same.AIM To investigate the effect of different techniques on postoperative QOL.The data was collected from the registry of the postgastrectomy syndrome assessment study(PGSAS).METHODS In the present study,we analyzed 393 total gastrectomy patients from those enrolled in PGSAS.Patients were divided into groups depending on whether antecolic or retrocolic jejunal elevation was performed,whether the Roux limb was“40 cm”,“shorter”(≤39 cm),or“longer”(≥41 cm),and whether the device used for esophageal and jejunal anastomosis was a circular or linear stapler.Subsequently,we comparatively investigated postoperative QOL of the patients.RESULTS Reconstruction route:Esophageal reflux subscale(SS)occurred significantly less frequently in patients who underwent antecolic reconstruction.Roux limb length:“Shorter”Roux limb did not facilitate esophageal reflux SS and somewhat attenuated indigestion SS and abdominal pain SS.Anastomosis technique:In terms of esophagojejunostomy techniques,no differences were observed.CONCLUSION The techniques used for total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction significantly affected postoperative symptoms.Our results suggest that elevating the Roux limb,which is not overly long,through an antecolic route may improve patients’QOL.

Eating disorders, body image, and dichotomous thinking among Japanese and Russian college women

This study explored cross-cultural differences between Japan and Russia in terms of women’s body images, proneness to eating disorders, and the effects of dichotomous thinking. Participants included 419 Japanese and 187 Russian college women who completed the Dichotomous Thinking Inventory (DTI), the 26-item version of the Eating Attitudes Test, and responses regarding nine figures representing female body shapes. The mean age of the participants was 19.8 years, with no significant age differences between the countries. The results showed that Japanese women have leaner ideal body images than Russian women, whereas there were no cross-cultural differences in the participants’ real body images. DTI scores among Russian participants were higher than DTI scores among Japanese participants, which indicated that Russian women think more dichotomously than Japanese. Structural equation modeling indicated a significantly negative effect of dichotomous thinking only on real body image in Russia;the ideal body image had greater effects on eating disorder in Russia than in Japan.

Defecation disorders are crucial sequelae that impairs the quality of life of patients after conventional gastrectomy

BACKGROUND Defecation disorders are obscure sequelae that occurs after gastrectomy,and its implication on daily lives of patients have not been sufficiently investigated.AIM To examine the features of defecation disorders after gastrectomy and to explore its implication on daily lives of patients in a large cohort using the Postgast rectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale(PGSAS)-45.METHODS We conducted a nationwide multi-institutional study using PGSAS-45 to examine the prevalence of postgastrectomy syndrome and its impact on daily lives of patients after various types of gastrectomy.Data were obtained from 2368 eligible patients at 52 institutions in Japan.Of these,1777 patients who underwent total gastrectomy(TG;n=393)or distal gastrectomy(DG;n=1384)were examined.The severity of defecation disorder symptoms,such as diarrhea and constipation,and their correlation with other postgastrectomy symptoms were examined.The importance of defecation disorder symptoms on the living states and quality of life(QOL)of postgastrectomy patients,and those clinical factors that affect the severity of defecation disorder symptoms were evaluated using multiple regression analysis.RESULTS Among seven symptom subscales of PGSAS-45,the ranking of diarrhea was 4th in TG and 2nd in DG.The ranking of constipation was 5th in TG and 1st in DG.The symptoms that correlated well with diarrhea were dumping and indigestion in both TG and DG;while those with constipation were abdominal pain and mealrelated distress in TG,and were meal-related distress and indigestion in DG.Among five main outcome measures(MOMs)of living status domain,constipation significantly impaired four MOMs,while diarrhea had no effect in TG.Both diarrhea and constipation impaired most of five MOMs in DG.Among six MOMs of QOL domain,diarrhea impaired one MOM,whereas constipation impaired all six MOMs in TG.Both diarrhea and constipation equally impaired all MOMs in DG.Male sex,younger age,division of the celiac branch of vagus nerve,and TG,independently worsened diarrhea,while female sex worsened constipation.CONCLUSION Defecation disorder symptoms,particularly constipation,impair the living status and QOL of patients after gastrectomy;therefore,we should pay attention and adequately treat these relatively modest symptoms to improve postoperative QOL.