Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) in patients with signs or symptoms of suspected colorectal cancer (CRC) : a joint guideline from the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) and the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG)

Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) has a high sensitivity for the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC). In a symptomatic population FIT may identify those patients who require colorectal investigation with the highest priority. FIT offers considerable advantages over the use of symptoms alone, as an objective measure of risk with a vastly superior positive predictive value for CRC, while conversely identifying a truly low risk cohort of patients. The aim of this guideline was to provide a clear strategy for the use of FIT in the diagnostic pathway of people with signs or symptoms of a suspected diagnosis of CRC. The guideline was jointly developed by the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland/British Society of Gastroenterology, specifically by a 21-member multidisciplinary guideline development group (GDG). A systematic review of 13 535 publications was undertaken to develop 23 evidence and expert opinion-based recommendations for the triage of people with symptoms of a suspected CRC diagnosis in primary care. In order to achieve consensus among a broad group of key stakeholders, we completed an extended Delphi of the GDG, and also 61 other individuals across the UK and Ireland, including by members of the public, charities and primary and secondary care. Seventeen research recommendations were also prioritised to inform clinical management. [Abstract copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Sarcopenia and myosteatosis predict adverse outcomes after emergency laparotomy: a multi-centre observational cohort study

Objective: To determine the relationship between body composition (BC), specifically low skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) and poor muscle quality (myosteatosis) and outcomes in emergency laparotomy patients. Background: Emergency laparotomy has one of the highest morbidity and mortality rates of all surgical interventions. BC objectively identifies patients at risk of adverse outcomes in elective cancer cohorts, however evidence is lacking in emergency surgery. Methods: An observational cohort study of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy at ten English hospitals was performed. BC analyses were performed at the third lumbar vertebrae level using pre-operative CT images to quantify skeletal muscle index (SMI) and skeletal muscle radiation attenuation (SM-RA). Sex-specific SMI and SM-RA were determined, with the lower tertile splits defining sarcopenia (low SMI) and myosteatosis (low SM-RA). Accuracy of mortality risk prediction, incorporating SMI and SM-RA variables into risk models was assessed with regression modelling. Results: Six hundred and ten patients were included. Sarcopenia and myosteatosis were both associated with increased risk of morbidity (52.1% vs. 45.1%, p = 0.028; 57.5% vs. 42.6%, p = 0.014), 30-day (9.5% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.010; 14.9% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.001), and 1-year mortality (27.4% vs. 11.5%, p < 0.001; 29.7% vs.12.5%, p < 0.001). Risk-adjusted 30-day mortality was significantly increased by sarcopenia (OR 2.56 (95%CI 1.12-5.84), p = 0.026) and myosteatosis (OR 4.26 (2.01-9.06), p < 0.001), similarly at 1-year (OR 2.66 (95%CI 1.57-4.52), p < 0.001; OR 2.08 (95%CI 1.26-3.41), p = 0.004). BC data increased discrimination of an existing mortality risk-prediction model (AUC 0.838, 95%CI 0.835-0.84). Conclusion: Sarcopenia and myosteatosis are associated with increased adverse outcomes in emergency laparotomy patients