Anjan Dhar, Hasan Haboubi, Christian Selinger, Ramesh Arasaradnam
{"title":"Unmet research needs in sustainable luminal gastroenterology practice","authors":"Anjan Dhar, Hasan Haboubi, Christian Selinger, Ramesh Arasaradnam","doi":"10.1136/flgastro-2023-102482","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2023-102482","url":null,"abstract":"While it is now well recognised that gastroenterology, hepatology and endoscopy are major contributors to climate change on account of the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are generated in these specialties, systematic research that measures the exact amount of GHGs generated by different aspects of clinical care in the specialty is lacking. Similarly, while there are a number of publications highlighting the potential strategies for the reduction of GHGs, interventional studies assessing the impact of change are only beginning to be carried out. As such, there are a number of unmet research needs in this field and this mini review is aimed at discussing some of these.","PeriodicalId":46937,"journal":{"name":"Frontline Gastroenterology","volume":"213 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140016970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chien-Ming Chiang, Hsueh-Chien Chiang, Jui-Wen Kang
{"title":"Chest pain in a patient with suicidal history","authors":"Chien-Ming Chiang, Hsueh-Chien Chiang, Jui-Wen Kang","doi":"10.1136/flgastro-2023-102617","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2023-102617","url":null,"abstract":"A 69-year-old man with diabetes mellitus (DM) visited the emergency department with chest pain for 4 days. He had suicidal history 6 months ago, using a knife to cut into his throat about 3 cm depth. An elevated body temperature (37.4°C) was detected. Electrocardiography showed sinus rhythm without ST or T wave changes, and chest computed tomography angiography (CTA) demonstrated no aortic dissection or pulmonary embolism. His blood test revealed mildly elevated C-reaction protein (CRP), without elevation …","PeriodicalId":46937,"journal":{"name":"Frontline Gastroenterology","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139979427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"FIT for the future","authors":"Robert Logan, Charles Andrews","doi":"10.1136/flgastro-2023-102586","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2023-102586","url":null,"abstract":"Based on evidence from patients with both high-risk and low-risk symptoms of colorectal cancer (CRC), National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) NG56 (quantitative faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) to guide CRC referral in primary care) places FIT at the heart of CRC diagnosis in primary care.1 When fully implemented, it should improve the diagnosis of CRC by identifying those at increased risk and reduce the demand for unnecessary (low value) endoscopy in those at low risk. However, greater use of FIT as a triage tool in primary care will lead to two challenges: first, how to manage any increased demand arising from widespread use of FIT in patients outside of NG56 recommendations, and second, how to manage patients with symptoms but who are ‘FIT negative’ (and not anaemic) and who represent the vast majority of patients referred for suspected cancer. In their publication, Bashir et al provide reassuring real-world evidence from the north-east of England which validates the use of FIT and propose cancer detection rate (CDR) as a new …","PeriodicalId":46937,"journal":{"name":"Frontline Gastroenterology","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139979802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ioanna Parisi, Angelica Vania Hosea, Sandro Stoffel, Martin Nemec, Sohail Badat, Edward Seward, Aradhna Kaushal, Robert Kerrison, Christian Von Wagner
{"title":"Evaluation of the safety, efficacy and feasibility of ‘at-home’ capsule endoscopy","authors":"Ioanna Parisi, Angelica Vania Hosea, Sandro Stoffel, Martin Nemec, Sohail Badat, Edward Seward, Aradhna Kaushal, Robert Kerrison, Christian Von Wagner","doi":"10.1136/flgastro-2023-102565","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2023-102565","url":null,"abstract":"Objective The role of small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases has long been established. Recently, colon CE (CCE) has been suggested as an alternative to colonoscopy. CE has been traditionally conducted at endoscopy units. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a switch was made to ‘at-home CE’ (ACE) which has continued to date. This study is an evaluation of ACE, focusing on safety, efficacy, feasibility and patient perceptions. Methods The study evaluated the performance of ACE in 105 consecutive patients, considering procedure outcomes, completion rates, complications and patient satisfaction. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess perceptions and preferences of 84 ACE patients and 43 in-hospital CE patients. ACE procedure involved preassessment calls, bowel preparation, equipment setup, virtual verbal consent, capsule ingestion, booster alerts and equipment collection. Descriptive statistics and tests of independence were used for data analysis. Results All 105 ACE patients were able to have CE at home, with completion rates for SBCE, CCE and panenteric (Crohn’s) CE at 98.3%, 75.9% and 55.6%, respectively. Patients reported low levels of pain (94.1%), embarrassment (98.8%) and anxiety (82.1%). ACE saved time and money, as 42.9% of patients were able to avoid work absence and 52.4% avoided transportation costs. ACE patients reported high satisfaction with the overall procedure (mean=8.5, SD=1.9), and 83.3% would prefer CE again at home. Conclusion This study demonstrates that at-home CEs are clinically effective and well received by patients, providing the opportunity to conduct the test in the comfort of patients’ homes. No data are available. Request for additional information about the data should be made to corresponding author.","PeriodicalId":46937,"journal":{"name":"Frontline Gastroenterology","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139979065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Should environmental sustainability be a priority for the gastroenterology community?","authors":"Desmond Leddin","doi":"10.1136/flgastro-2023-102567","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2023-102567","url":null,"abstract":"Sustainable practice means living within our means and not compromising the health of the planet for future generations. We are not meeting this goal at present as evidenced by the breaking of several indicators of planetary health and ever-increasing global mean temperatures. The arguments in favour of environmental sustainability include our ethical obligations as healthcare providers not to harm patients. We know that the emissions from healthcare are damaging health, so it follows that we have an obligation to minimise them. There is also the issue of intergenerational justice, that is not living beyond our means and leaving the problems for the next generation to deal with. We have professional obligations of leadership and advocacy on this issue, and it makes good economic and management sense to reduce environmental damage. Finally, there is the question of self-interest. If we do not change the trajectory of global warming, we face an existential threat in the not-too-distant future. We currently lack data on how to most effectively reduce the environmental impact of digestive health practice and we even lack a clear vision of what sustainable care might look like. However, that is being remedied and in the meantime it should not stop us beginning to take action, which is urgently needed as the climate crisis continues to gather momentum.","PeriodicalId":46937,"journal":{"name":"Frontline Gastroenterology","volume":"168 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139945540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Green hepatology: moving forward – evidence base and practicalities","authors":"James B Maurice, Mhairi Donnelly","doi":"10.1136/flgastro-2023-102472","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2023-102472","url":null,"abstract":"Healthcare services have a significant environmental cost that is contributing to the current climate crisis. Patients with liver disease are vulnerable to the consequences of environmental change, but progress has been slow in making hepatology services more sustainable. This article explores how climate change may impact on liver disease, how we may make early steps to apply the principals of sustainable healthcare into our daily practice and identifies areas for future research priorities.","PeriodicalId":46937,"journal":{"name":"Frontline Gastroenterology","volume":"74 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139911028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fraser Brown, Alice Weidner, Christopher Wells, Rumneet Ghumman, Susan McConnell, Wee Sing Ngu, Elizabeth Ratcliffe, Sharmila Subramaniam, Jamie Barbour
{"title":"UK endoscopy trainer survey: perspectives on current endoscopy training delivery, experience, barriers and opportunities","authors":"Fraser Brown, Alice Weidner, Christopher Wells, Rumneet Ghumman, Susan McConnell, Wee Sing Ngu, Elizabeth Ratcliffe, Sharmila Subramaniam, Jamie Barbour","doi":"10.1136/flgastro-2023-102557","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2023-102557","url":null,"abstract":"Objective UK endoscopy training is delivered by trainers possessing well developed endoscopy and teaching skills to help learners perform high-quality endoscopy. Train The Trainer (TTT) courses are effective, but additional trainer support is variable with little formal quality assurance. We performed a survey to map UK endoscopy training, assess trainer perspectives on training delivery and identify factors that would enhance training. Design/Method An online survey was designed by trainer representatives, in collaboration with the JAG training committee, and collected responses from trainers registered on JAG endoscopy training system e-portfolio from April to June 2022. Results There were 1024 responses from all trainer disciplines, with 813 (79%) completing TTT courses and 584 (57%) having job planned dedicated training lists (DTLs). Clinical endoscopists most frequently had job-planned DTLs (71%), and DTLs occurring at least weekly (58%). 293 (29%) respondents participated as course faculty. Trainers reported high levels of pre-procedure preparation, effective dialogue and frequent feedback. The DOPS forms were ‘always/often’ completed by 81% of clinical endoscopists, 73% of gastroenterologist and 58% of surgeons. 435 (42%) trainers never had peer feedback. Responses suggested training could improve by protecting training time, attending courses, participating as faculty and receiving feedback from experienced trainers. Conclusion This survey demonstrates substantial proportions of highly motivated UK trainers who value time spent teaching and learning how to teach. Skills taught on the TTT courses are often actively used in everyday training. Improved trainer course access, protected training time and formal use of existing feedback tools by peers were highlighted as measures that could support trainers’ development. Data are available upon reasonable request. The anonymous dataset generated from the survey can be made available on reasonable request.","PeriodicalId":46937,"journal":{"name":"Frontline Gastroenterology","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139662719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What can professional medical societies do to mitigate climate change?","authors":"Andrew M Veitch","doi":"10.1136/flgastro-2023-102481","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2023-102481","url":null,"abstract":"The climate emergency affects us all as individuals but also has major adverse effects on health and healthcare provision. Professional medical societies can advocate and educate, but can also lead by example. Medical societies can feel the same sense of helplessness, futility or a sense that it is not their responsibility which individuals face, but there are real and effective changes which can be implemented at organisational level. These positive changes will be multiplied as more societies engage and can be amplified with collaborative efforts. Often it can be difficult to know where or how to start, but there are examples from around the world, and some guidance, which can help with this process. As awareness and concern grows, there is a greater scientific exploration of environmental sustainability on healthcare, and this works in parallel with practical guidance on how to mitigate the adverse effects. Professional medical societies can promote and support research in this area but can also undertake practical measures within their organisations and associated activities. The World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) surveyed the leaders of its 117 member societies (49% response).1 While the majority agreed that there was a climate crisis, and that this was caused by human activity, 80% felt that their society had more pressing issues and only 16% had an education programme related to it. 49% of respondents had reduced their personal carbon emissions, but this applied to their medical society in only 26%. On a positive note, 46% were planning to form a climate change working group, although there is clearly an opportunity for others to engage in this process. The first step for an organisation might be to acknowledge that there is a climate emergency, and that it is a threat to health. The next step would be to declare an intention …","PeriodicalId":46937,"journal":{"name":"Frontline Gastroenterology","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139561331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Maintaining remission in Crohn’s disease post surgery: what can we learn from Cochrane?","authors":"Morris Gordon","doi":"10.1136/flgastro-2023-102559","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2023-102559","url":null,"abstract":"Surgery is a vital pillar in the management of Crohn’s disease and medical options for prevention of recurrence after surgery are a key consideration. The main classes of effective induction therapies have very different efficacy data for maintenance and this is more pronounced in the postsurgical setting. In this review article, the up-to-date Cochrane reviews on the topic are presented, including a network meta-analysis. The Cochrane evidence shows a high relapse rate in the first 5 years after surgery with placebo or no treatment. The reviews demonstrate that 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) agents are probably more effective than placebo on pairwise and network meta-analysis, with moderate certainty evidence of a number needed to treat (NNT) of 13. The Cochrane evidence demonstrates that adalimumab may be more effective than placebo on pairwise and network meta-analysis, with low certainty evidence of an NNT of 2. Thiopurine analogues may be effective on pairwise analysis, but may not be effective on network meta-analysis. There was no evidence to support the use of any other agent but these findings are of low and very low certainty. It is proposed that clinicians should consider adalimumab, 5-ASA and thiopurine analogue agents based on the findings of the Cochrane synthesis. The use of the evidence, including the Grading of Recomendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) certainty and magnitude of effect data, can support discussions with patients. Future research is needed to consider other therapies that are effective in medically induced maintenance given the low certainty of evidence limiting conclusions, either supporting or refuting their use.","PeriodicalId":46937,"journal":{"name":"Frontline Gastroenterology","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139496157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stephanie Sartain, Charlotte Wong, Emma Murray, Suneil A Raju, Amy Woods, Daniel Ashmore, Lovesh Dyall, Flora Kokwaro, Eilidh McGowan, David Leiberman, Emma Routledge, Emily Clarke, Trevor R Smith
{"title":"Gastroenterology trainee experience, confidence and satisfaction in nutrition training: a cross-sectional survey in the UK","authors":"Stephanie Sartain, Charlotte Wong, Emma Murray, Suneil A Raju, Amy Woods, Daniel Ashmore, Lovesh Dyall, Flora Kokwaro, Eilidh McGowan, David Leiberman, Emma Routledge, Emily Clarke, Trevor R Smith","doi":"10.1136/flgastro-2023-102563","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2023-102563","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction Nutrition is an essential part of gastroenterology specialist training. There is limited evidence of trainee experience in this area. The shorter training programme introduced in 2022 may lead to reduced exposure to this subspecialty. We aimed to explore and describe current nutrition training experiences, confidence and satisfaction to inform future improvements. Methods Gastroenterology trainees were invited to participate in an online survey from 20 May 2022 to 18 July 2022. The questionnaire consisted of 27 questions with a range of free-text and Likert scale responses. Results 86 responses were received. 39.5% had undertaken an advanced training programme or core placement in nutrition. 52.9% of these felt ‘fairly confident’ or ‘very confident’ in managing intestinal failure vs 5.8% of those who had not completed a nutrition placement. Obesity and eating disorders management received the lowest ratings. Nutrition training was described as ‘fairly important’ or ‘very important’ by 98.8% and 47.0% included nutrition as part of their preferred future practice. 53.1% of ST6/7 trainees were ‘fairly confident’ or ‘very confident’ their training offered adequate experience in nutrition. Participants reported barriers including a lack of education and training opportunities, and limited early rotations offering nutrition training. Conclusion Gastroenterology trainees believe nutrition training to be important. Nutrition placements increase trainee confidence, knowledge and experiences overall, but there is variability in this. Improved structuring of placements, increased educational opportunities and exposure to this subspecialty at an earlier stage are required to ensure competency in nutrition is reliably achieved during gastroenterology training. Data are available on reasonable request. Data available on request, including data not published within the article.","PeriodicalId":46937,"journal":{"name":"Frontline Gastroenterology","volume":"53 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139458748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}