Does music reduce anxiety and discomfort during flexible sigmoidoscopy?A systematic review and meta-analysis

To investigate the role of music in reducing anxiety and discomfort during flexible sigmoidoscopy. METHODSA systematic review of all comparative studies up to November 2016, without language restriction that were identified from MEDLINE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (1960-2016), and EMBASE (1991-2016). Further searches were performed using the bibliographies of articles and abstracts from major conferences such as the ESCP, NCRI, ASGBI and ASCRS. MeSH and text word terms used included “sigmoidoscopy”, “music” and “endoscopy” and “anxiety”. All comparative studies reporting on the effect of music on anxiety or pain during flexible sigmoidoscopy, in adults, were included. Outcome data was extracted by 2 authors independently using outcome measures defined a priori. Quality assessment was performed. RESULTSA total of 4 articles published between 1994 and 2010, fulfilled the selection criteria. Data were extracted and analysed using OpenMetaAnalyst. Patients who listened to music during their flexible sigmoidoscopy had less anxiety compared to control groups [Random effects; SMD: 0.851 (0.467, 1.235), S.E = 0.196, P < 0.001]. There was no statistically significant heterogeneity (Q = 0.085, df = 1, P = 0.77, I2 = 0). Patients who listened to music during their flexible sigmoidoscopy had less pain compared to those who did not, but this difference did not reach statistical significance [Random effects; SMD: 0.345 (-0.014, 0.705), S.E = 0.183, P = 0.06]. Patients who listened to music during their flexible sigmoidoscopy felt it was a useful intervention, compared to those who did not (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant heterogeneity (P = 0.528, I2 = 0). CONCLUSIONMusic appeared to benefit patients undergoing flexible sigmoidoscopies in relation to anxiety and was deemed a helpful intervention. Pain may also be reduced however further investigation is required to ascertain this.

Should we perform sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer screening in people under 45 years?

BACKGROUND The strategy for preventing colorectal cancer is screening by colonoscopy,which offers a direct way for detection and removal of adenomatous polyps(APs).American College of Gastroenterology guidelines recommend that people aged≥45 years should undergo colonoscopy;however,how to deal with people aged≤45 years is still unknown.AIM To compare the prevalence of APs and high-grade neoplasia between the left and right colon in patients≤45 years.METHODS A retrospective observational study was conducted at a single tertiary III hospital in China.This study included patients aged 18-45 years with undergoing initial colonoscopy dissection and pathological diagnosis AP or high-grade neoplasia between February 2014 and January 2021.The number of APs in the entire colon while screening and post-polypectomy surveillance in following 1-3 years were evaluated.RESULTS A total of 3053 cases were included.The prevalence of APs in the left and right colon was 55.0%and 41.6%,respectively(OR 1.7,95%CI 1.6-2.4;P<0.05).For APs with high-grade neoplasia,the prevalence was 2.7%and 0.9%,respectively(OR 3.0,95%CI 2.0-4.6;P<0.05).Therefore,the prevalence of APs and high-grade neoplasia in the left colon was significantly higher than in the right colon in patients aged≤45 years.There were 327 patients who voluntarily participated in post-polypectomy surveillance in following 1-3 years,and APs were found in 216 cases(66.1%);170 cases had 1-3 polyps(52.0%)and 46 cases had>3 polyps(14.1%;OR 0.3,95%CI 0.1-0.6;P<0.05).CONCLUSION This study suggests that flexible sigmoidoscopy would be an optimal approach for initial screening in people aged≤45 years and would be a more cost-effective and safe strategy.

Reduced incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer with flexible-sigmoidoscopy screening: A meta-analysis

AIM: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published population-based randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Gastrointestinal endoscopy in the pregnant woman

About 20000 gastrointestinal endoscopies are performed annually in America in pregnant women. Gastrointestinal endoscopy during pregnancy raises the critical issue of fetal safety in addition to patient safety. Endoscopic medications may be potentially abortifacient or teratogenic. Generally, Food and Drug Administration category B or C drugs should be used for endoscopy. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD) seems to be relatively safe for both mother and fetus based on two retrospective studies of 83 and 60 pregnant patients. The diagnostic yield is about 95% when EGD is performed for gastrointestinal bleeding. EGD indications during pregnancy include acute gastrointestinal bleeding, dysphagia > 1 wk, or endoscopic therapy. Therapeutic EGD is experimental due to scant data, but should be strongly considered for urgent indications such as active bleeding. One study of 48 sigmoidoscopies performed during pregnancy showed relatively favorable fetal outcomes, rare bad fetal outcomes, and bad outcomes linked to very sick mothers. Sigmoidoscopy should be strongly considered for strong indications,including significant acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding, chronic diarrhea, distal colonic stricture, suspected inflammatory bowel disease flare, and potential colonic malignancy. Data on colonoscopy during pregnancy are limited. One study of 20 pregnant patients showed rare poor fetal outcomes. Colonoscopy is generally experimental during pregnancy, but can be considered for strong indications: known colonic mass/stricture, active lower gastrointestinal bleeding, or colonoscopic therapy. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) entails fetal risks from fetal radiation exposure. ERCP risks to mother and fetus appear to be acceptable when performed for ERCP therapy, as demonstrated by analysis of nearly 350 cases during pregnancy. Justifiable indications include symptomatic or complicated choledocholithiasis, manifested by jaundice, cholangitis, gallstone pancreatitis, or dilated choledochus. ERCP should be performed by an expert endoscopist, with informed consent about fetal radiation risks, minimizing fetal radiation exposure, and using an attending anesthesiologist. Endoscopy is likely most safe during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Psychological effects of colorectal cancer screening: Participants vs individuals not invited

AIM To investigate the possible long-term psychological harm of participating in colorectal cancer(CRC)screening in Norway.METHODS In a prospective, randomized trial, 14294 participants(aged 50-74 years) were invited to either flexible sigmoidoscopy(FS) screening, or a faecal immunochemical test(FIT)(1:1). In total, 4422 screening participants(32%) completed the questionnaire, which consisted of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the SF-12, a generic health-related quality of life(HRQOL) measurement, when invited to screening and one year after the invitation. A control group of 7650 individuals was invited to complete the questionnaire only, at baseline and one year after, and 1911(25%) completed the questionnaires.RESULTS Receiving a positive or negative screening result and participating in the two different screening modalities did not cause clinically relevant mean changes in anxiety, depression or HRQOL after one year. FS screening, but not FIT, was associated with an increased probability of being an anxiety case(score ≥ 8) at the one-year follow-up(5.6% of FS participants transitioned from being not anxious to anxious, while 3.0% experienced the reverse). This increase was moderately significantly different from the changes in the control group(in which the corresponding numbers were 4.8% and 4.5%, respectively), P = 0.06. CONCLUSION Most individuals do not experience psychological effects of CRC screening participation after one year, while FS participation is associated with increased anxiety for a smaller group.

Assessing the yield and safety of endoscopy in acute graft-vs-host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplant

BACKGROUND Acute gastrointestinal(GI)graft-vs-host disease(aGVHD)is the most complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant(HSCT)in patients with hematologic malignancy.Limited data exists on endoscopic evaluation of GVHD in post-HSCT patients with differing GI symptoms.Further,the diagnostic value of gross endoscopic findings as well as the safety of endoscopy in this commonly thrombocytopenic and neutropenic patient population remains unclear.AIM To understand the diagnostic value of symptoms and gross endoscopic findings as well as safety of endoscopy in aGVHD patients.METHODS We analyzed 195 endoscopies performed at City of Hope in patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT less than 100 d prior for hematologic malignancy and were subsequently evaluated for aGVHD via endoscopy.The yield,sensitivity,and specificity of diagnosing aGVHD were calculated for upper and lower endoscopy,various GI tract locations,and presenting symptoms.RESULTS Combined esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD)and flexible sigmoidoscopy(FS)demonstrated a greater diagnostic yield for aGVHD(83.1%)compared to EGD(66.7%)or FS(77.2%)alone with any presenting symptom.The upper and lower GI tract demonstrated similar yields regardless of whether patients presented with diarrhea(95.7%vs 99.1%)or nausea/vomiting(97.5%vs 96.8%).Normalappearing mucosa was generally as specific(91.3%)as abnormal mucosa(58.7%-97.8%)for the presence of aGVHD.Adverse events such as bleeding(1.0%),infection(1.0%),and perforation(0.5%)only occurred in a small proportion of patients,with no significant differences in those with underlying thrombocytopenia(P=1.000)and neutropenia(P=0.425).CONCLUSION Combined EGD and FS with biopsies of normal and inflamed mucosa demonstrated the greatest diagnostic yield regardless of presenting symptom and appears to be safe in this population of patients.