Self-reported sexual dysfunction in patients with rectal cancer

AIM

Patients with rectal cancer often experience sexual dysfunction after treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual function in a prospective cohort of patients regardless of treatment and tumour stage and explore what factors might affect sexual activity 1 year after diagnosis.

METHOD

The QoLiRECT study (Quality of Life in RECTal cancer) is a prospective study on the health-related quality of life in patients with rectal cancer in Denmark and Sweden. Questionnaires were completed at diagnosis and 1 year. Clinical data were retrieved from national quality registries.

RESULTS

Questionnaire data were available from 1085 patients at diagnosis and 920 patients at 1 year. Median age was 69 years (range 25-100). At diagnosis, 29% of the women and 41% of the men were sexually active, which was lower than an age-matched reference population. This was further reduced to 25% and 34% at 1 year. Risk factors for sexual inactivity were absence of sexual activity prior to the diagnosis and the presence of a stoma. Women experienced reduced lubrication and more dyspareunia at 1 year compared with the time of diagnosis. In men, erectile dysfunction increased from 46% to 55% at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Sexual activity in patients with rectal cancer is lower at diagnosis compared with the population norm and is further reduced at 1 year. The presence of a stoma contributed to reduced sexual activity after operation. Sexual dysfunction was difficult to evaluate due to low sexual activity in the cohort. In men, erectile dysfunction is common.

Allopurinol as prophylaxis against pouchitis following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study

BACKGROUND

Pouchitis is the major long-term complication of restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC). Allopurinol is a scavenger of oxygen-derived free radicals, which it is suggested play a role in the development of UC and pouchitis. The first aim was to test the hypothesis that the incidence of pouchitis can be reduced by prophylactic Allopurinol, and secondly to evaluate if Allopurinol influences the overall pouch function.

METHODS

273 patients with UC who were planned for proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis at 12 centres in Sweden between October 1994 and June 1997 were offered the opportunity to participate. 184 patients (67%) were randomized to receive postoperative prophylactic Allopurinol 100 mg twice daily or placebo. All 273 patients had clinical and endoscopic follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 184 randomized patients, 94 were randomized to Allopurinol and 90 to placebo; 116 patients (63%) completed follow-up and the crude incidence of pouchitis among those patients fullfilling the protocol was 31% in the Allopurinol group and 28% in the placebo group (ns). The cumulative risk for a first attack of pouchitis was 30% and 26% after 24 months (ns). The overall pouch function improved over time and did not differ significantly between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic Allopurinol did not reduce the risk of a first attack of pouchitis.

The economics of laparoscopic antireflux operations compared with open surgery

In Sweden laparoscopic antireflux surgery started in 1991, and within four years replaced the open procedure as the method of choice. It is, however, not yet settled which of the two techniques is most cost effective. To compare these two operations in economic terms we studied all reports up to September 1997 as well as the register in the epidemiological unit of the National Board of Health and Welfare (EpC). We found numerous reports on consecutive series of laparoscopic procedures, several non-randomised studies, and only one randomised prospective study comparing open and laparoscopic antireflux surgery. The few studies about the economics of antireflux surgery indicated that hospital costs were equal or less for the laparoscopic procedure. If one adds the costs from loss of production (sick leave) it will be an even more favourable outcome for the laparoscopic treatment. The figures from EpC showed that antireflux surgery is done infrequently in many surgical departments. This may have a substantial influence on the economic outcome as well as the effectiveness of antireflux surgery in Sweden. Few studies have compared open and laparoscopic methods from an economic perspective. As a tool for cost benefit analysis these reports are incomplete.

Antireflux surgery in Sweden, 1987-1997: a decade of change

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to analyse whether new therapeutic options--the introduction of proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) in 1989 and the laparoscopic technique in 1992--altered the surgical treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in Sweden.

METHODS

Data obtained from the Centre for Epidemiology (EpC) on patients undergoing surgery for GORD from 1987 to 1997 was analysed, and the information was validated with a questionnaire to all surgical departments.

RESULTS

The questionnaire gave a response rate of 94%, and the figures corresponded well with those obtained from the EpC. In 1987, 456 antireflux procedures were performed. Ten years later this figure had increased to 1303. This approximately threefold increase started before the introduction of PPI and was even more pronounced during the following few years. The development of laparoscopic antireflux surgery did not alter this increase. In 1997, 76% of the procedures were performed laparoscopically. The fundoplication rate rose from 5.5 to 12.7 procedures/100,000 inhabitants. The rates varied greatly among different counties; 7 of 23 still had a fundoplication rate of less than 10 in 1997. The median number of procedures per hospital in 1997 was 10. Only two departments accomplished more than 50 antireflux procedures.

CONCLUSION

Within 5 years the laparoscopic technique replaced the open procedure as the method of choice. However, the increase in the frequency of antireflux surgery was apparent even before the introduction of laparoscopy.

Intestinal intraluminal continuity is a prerequisite for the distal bowel motility response to feeding

BACKGROUND

We wanted to elucidate further the regulation of the intestinal motility response to feeding.

METHODS

After intraduodenal administration of an oleate solution, mimicking a meal, the distal bowel motility and the plasma levels of bile acids, cholecystokinin (CCK), and neurotensin were monitored in patients operated on with restorative proctocolectomy (n = 4) or low anterior resection of the rectum (n = 4). Investigations were performed both with and without a diverting loop ileostomy.

RESULTS

Intraduodenal sodium oleate elicited a prompt and significant increase in distal bowel motility. The motility response failed to appear when the luminal flow was diverted by a loop ileostomy. An increase in plasma CCK preceded the motility increase, but CCK was increased also in patients with a loop ileostomy. Whereas plasma bile acid levels were significantly increased after 30-45 min (p < 0.05), both with and without a loop ileostomy, neurotensin levels were not affected.

CONCLUSION

Intestinal continuity is a prerequisite for the distal bowel motility response, indicating that apart from other possible mechanisms, luminal factors are involved in the regulation of intestinal motility.

Loperamide improves anal sphincter function and continence after restorative proctocolectomy

The physiological and clinical effects of loperamide treatment versus placebo were investigated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study in patients operated with restorative proctocolectomy. Sixteen patients operated with endoanal mucosectomy and a handsewn ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and 14 patients operated with abdominal proctocolectomy and stapling of the pouch to the top of the anal canal were studied. While loperamide treatment increased resting anal pressure in both groups of patients by approximately 20% (P < 0.05), squeeze pressure was not affected. Loperamide did not affect pouch volume or contractility. Sensory thresholds and the recto/pouch-anal inhibitory reflex were not influenced by loperamide treatment. Clinical function was improved, with a reduced bowel frequency and an improved nighttime continence, with less soiling (P < 0.05) as well as need to wear a protective pad.

Ileostomy output and bile acid excretion after intraduodenal administration of oleic acid

BACKGROUND

Ileostomy output and small-intestinal transport are regulated by complex mechanisms, which the present study aimed to further elucidate.

METHODS

The time-related ileostomy output and bile acid excretion after intraduodenal administration of a fat solution (oleic acid, 3.5 g) was studied in 29 ileostomy patients. Eighteen patients had the entire small bowel preserved (group I), whereas 11 had various lengths of the ileum resected or bypassed (group II).

RESULTS

Intraduodenal fat administration resulted in a prompt and significant increase in ileostomy output in both groups. The accumulated 2-h output after fat administration amounted to 60% of the normal 24-h output in group I and 30% in group II. A marked increase in bile acid excretion preceded the flow response. The fat-induced response was abolished by administration of cholestyramine.

CONCLUSIONS

Bile acids seem to have important regulatory effects with regard to secretion/absorption and transport of small-bowel contents, affecting ileostomy output, with clinical implications in many patients.

Abdominal rectopexy for rectal prolapse. Influence of surgical technique on functional outcome

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of surgical technique on functional and manovolumetric results in patients treated with Marlex mesh abdominal rectopexy.

METHODS

The lateral ligaments were completely divided (the Wells procedure) in 16 patients and preserved (the Ripstein procedure) in 16 patients. Clinical and physiologic assessment were performed before and at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation.

RESULTS

Improvement of continence was similar. Bowel regulation problems which were unchanged after the Ripstein procedure increased significantly after the Wells procedure (P < 0.01). Rectal volume became reduced in the group who received the Wells procedure (225 ml vs. 115 ml, P < 0.05 at one year), but remained unchanged after receiving the Ripstein procedure. The pressure thresholds required to elicit sensation of rectal filling and defecation urge were increased after the Wells procedure (15 cm of H2O vs. 25 cm of H2O, P < 0.05 and 25 cm of H2O vs. 45 cm of H2O, P < 0.05, respectively). In the Ripstein group there was only a slight increase of the threshold for urge (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The Wells procedure was followed by severe rectal dysfunction accompanied by increased constipation and evacuation problems. The Ripstein procedure, preserving the lateral ligaments, appears not to affect such symptoms adversely. On the other hand, improvement is not likely to occur.

Possible role of the autonomic nervous system in sphincter impairment after restorative proctocolectomy

Peroperative manometry was performed in 12 patients operated on with endoanal proctectomy and a hand-sewn pouch-anal anastomosis and in 12 in whom proctectomy was performed entirely from above, with the ileal pouch stapled to the top of the anal canal. Results from both groups showed that division of the superior rectal artery reduced the median (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.)) resting anal pressure from 77.5 (69.9-83.3) mmHg to 64.5 (55.2-70.0) mmHg (P < 0.01). Complete rectal mobilization to the pelvic floor decreased resting pressure by an additional 22 per cent, to a median of 50.0 (95 per cent c.i. 40.1-53.5) mmHg (P < 0.01). After completion of anastomosis, irrespective of the operative technique used, a further decline in median pressure to 35.0 (95 per cent c.i. 26.0-47.7) mmHg could be demonstrated (P < 0.05). This study indicates that anal sphincter pressure is reduced to a similar extent after hand-sewn and stapled anastomoses. Injury to the autonomic nervous supply to the anal sphincter mechanism might be the major cause for this reduction.

The failing pelvic pouch conversion to continent ileostomy

Excision of a failing pelvic pouch is often a great disappointment for the patient. It is also an unfortunate decision considering that a significant length of terminal ileum is sacrificed. Transformation of the pouch to a continent ileostomy is an alternative. Five patients with a malfunctioning pelvic pouch have had their pouch converted to a continent ileostomy. The operative technique is described.

The effects of atropine or benzilonium on pelvic pouch and anal sphincter functions

Anticholinergic drugs are used on an empirical basis for treatment of functional disturbances after restorative proctocolectomy, but their mode of action on ileal pouch performance is mainly unknown. We studied the acute effects of atropine or benzilonium on pouch characteristics and anal sphincter function in 20 patients with a pelvic pouch. Pouch volume was increased by 27% by atropine at distension with 20 cm H2O (p less than 0.01). Benzilonium tended to have a similar effect, but the changes did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.06). Pouch contractility, as reflected by volume fluctuations and pressure changes during distension, was almost abolished by both drugs. Sensory thresholds for sense of filling and, particularly, urge were raised. Resting anal pressure was slightly lowered, whereas no significant effect was found on maximal squeeze pressure. In conclusion, anticholinergics appear to have specific properties of action on small-intestinal reservoirs, constituting possible explanations for the empirically observed beneficial effects of anticholinergic treatment of functional disturbances after restorative proctocolectomy.

The stapled ileal pouch--anal anastomosis. A randomized study comparing two different pouch designs

Thirty patients were operated on with restorative proctocolectomy with an end-to-end ileal pouch-anal anastomosis constructed by double stapling (STP). Pouches were randomized to either J type or K type (folded by the principles used for the Kock continent ileostomy). Manovolumetric and functional results were compared. Patients were followed up for at least 6 months. K pouches acquired a significantly larger volume than the J-configurated pouches, and at 6 months the mean +/- SD volumes amounted to 361 +/- 59.8 ml versus 283 +/- 43.0 ml (p less than 0.01) with a concomitant reduction in 24-h frequency (4.4 +/- 1.5 versus 5.8 +/- 1.9; p less than 0.05). The initial postoperative mean reduction of resting anal pressure amounted to 33%. which was similar to that observed in a group of matched historical controls operated on with endoanal mucosectomy and hand-sutured pouch-anal anastomosis. Compared with these controls STP patients showed a superior overall functional result, most marked in the early postoperative period.

A prospective randomized comparison of two different pelvic pouch designs

The clinical manovolumetric, and functional results of restorative proctocolectomy were studied in patients randomly allocated to construction of either a J-shaped pouch (n = 29) or a pouch fashioned by the folding technique used for the Kock continent ileostomy (K-pouch) (n = 26). A complete endoanal mucosectomy was performed, and the pouches were all constructed from 30-cm lengths of ileum. There were no deaths and no significant difference in postoperative morbidity. Anal pressures were equal in the two groups. The K-pouch expanded more favourably postoperatively, and its volume at 1 year was significantly greater than that of the J-pouch (355 +/- 71 ml (SD); range, 225-495, versus 264 +/- 81 ml; range, 75-440; p less than 0.001). The pouches had similar motility patterns and sensory pressure thresholds. Initially after closure of the loop ileostomy there was a tendency for better functional outcome in K-pouch patients. At 1 year the overall distribution of functional defects did not differ, and the defaecation frequency was about equal in the groups.

Manovolumetric characteristics and functional results in three different pelvic pouch designs

Different pouch designs and techniques for the perineal approach have been on trial in an attempt to improve results after restorative proctocolectomy. The 1-year results of two currently advocated procedures, the J-pouch and the S-pouch, were compared with the results obtained in patients with a pelvic pouch fashioned according to the folding technique used for the Kock continent ileostomy, all pouches having been constructed from equal 30 cm lengths of ileum. The maximal volume of the S- and Kock pouches at one year was 420 ml (250-570) (median and (range] and 410 ml (244-490) respectively, while it was significantly less, 305 ml (200-445) in the J-pouch (p less than 0.05). The compliance of the J-pouches was also significantly lower at all distension pressures. The median day-time defaecation frequency was four and was equal in the three groups. Although there was a tendency towards a more favourable overall functional result with less soiling, and less need for night evacuations among patients with a Kock-folded pouch compared to the other pouch types these differences failed to reach statistical significance. The favourable properties of the Kock pouch, well-known also from the conteinent ileostomy and urostomy, suggest that its design should be considered an interesting alternative even for restorative proctocolectomy. These encouraging results have yet to be confirmed in a comparative randomized trial.

Relapse rate of healed duodenal, prepyloric, and gastric ulcers treated either with sucralfate or cimetidine

A multicenter double-blind study was designed to compare the relapse rates of peptic ulcers after initial healing with a cytoprotective agent and a histamine (H2)-receptor antagonist. Patients with endoscopically verified prepyloric or duodenal ulcers were treated with cimetidine 400 mg twice daily or sucralfate 1 g four times daily for a maximum of eight weeks; gastric ulcers were treated for up to 12 weeks. Patients with healed ulcers were followed up to 12 months, during which time anti-ulcer medication was not permitted. Control endoscopy was performed two to four and nine to 11 months after healing and at the time of symptomatic relapse. A total of 258 patients were followed for 12 months; of these, 143 had been previously treated with cimetidine and 115 had been treated with sucralfate. The relapse rates and the median time to relapse did not differ between the two groups. After 12 months, 71 percent of the previously cimetidine-treated patients and 68 percent of the sucralfate-treated patients had experienced a relapse. Smoking significantly increased the relapse rate and shortened the time to relapse in the total study population and among cimetidine-treated patients; it had no such effect in the sucralfate-treated group.

Recurrent ulcer after treatment with cimetidine or sucralfate

The recurrence of peptic ulcer disease after successful treatment with 400 mg cimetidine twice daily or 1 g sucralfate four times daily was investigated in a double-blind, 1-year follow-up study. Endoscopy was performed if ulcer symptoms recurred and 2-4 and 9-11 months after endoscopically confirmed healing of the initial ulcer. No anti-ulcer medication was permitted during the follow-up period. The recurrence rates were 71% in the cimetidine group (n = 143) and 68% in the sucralfate group (n = 115) (p greater than 0.3). The rate of asymptomatic ulcer relapse was 26% in the cimetidine and 23% in the sucralfate group (p greater than 0.4). The time to relapse did not differ between the treatment groups (p greater than 0.3). In the cimetidine group smokers had a higher 12-month recurrence rate than non-smokers, 83% compared with 58% (p less than 0.01). The corresponding figures in the sucralfate group were 76% and 57% (p = 0.057). The median time to recurrence in the cimetidine-treated group was 17 weeks among smokers, compared to 43 weeks among non-smokers (p less than 0.001). In the sucralfate-treated group the median time to recurrence was 23 weeks among smokers and 32 weeks among non-smokers (p greater than 0.3). Pre-study use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the time to healing of the initial ulcer did not influence the relapse rates in either of the treatment groups.