Video-Laparoscopic versus Open Surgery in Obese Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Study

Background: Minimally invasive surgery in obese patients is still challenging, so exploring one more item in this research field ranks among the main goals of this research. We aimed to compare short-term postoperative outcomes of open and video-laparoscopic (VL) approaches in CRC obese patients undergoing colorectal resection. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of a surgical database including 138 patients diagnosed with CRC, undergoing VL (n = 87, 63%) and open (n = 51, 37%) colorectal surgery. As a first step, propensity score matching was performed to balance the comparison between the two intervention groups (VL and open) in order to avoid selection bias. The matched sample (N = 98) was used to run further regression models in order to analyze the observed VL surgery advantages in terms of postoperative outcome, focusing on hospitalization and severity of postoperative complications, according to the Clavien–Dindo classification. Results: The study sample was predominantly male (N = 86, 62.3%), and VL was more frequent than open surgery (63% versus 37%). The two subgroup results obtained before and after the propensity score matching showed comparable findings for age, gender, BMI, and tumor staging. The specimen length and postoperative time before discharge were longer in open surgery (OS) patients; the number of harvested lymph nodes was higher than in VL patients as well (p < 0.01). Linear regression models applied separately on the outcomes of interest showed that VL-treated patients had a shorter hospital stay by almost two days and about one point less Clavien–Dindo severity than OS patients on average, given the same exposure to confounding variables. Tumor staging was not found to have a significant role in influencing the short-term outcomes investigated. Conclusion: Comparing open and VL surgery, improved postoperative outcomes were observed for VL surgery in obese patients after surgical resection for CRC. Both postoperative recovery time and Clavien–Dindo severity were better with VL surgery

Predictors of Long-Term Outcomes of Video-Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery in Obese Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Study

Background: Minimally invasive methods in colorectal surgery offer unquestionable advantages, especially in the context of obesity. The current study addresses the lack of scientific evidence on the long-term oncologic safety of video-laparoscopic (VL) approaches in excess-weight CRC patients undergoing surgery. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a surgical database consisting of 138 CRC patients undergoing VL (n = 87, 63%) and open CRC surgery (n = 51, 37%). To reduce selection bias, a propensity score matching was applied as a preliminary step to balance the comparison between the two surgery groups, i.e., VL and open surgery. Data from patients treated by the same surgeon were used.to minimize bias. Additional Cox regression models were run on the matched sample (N = 98) to explore the observed benefits of VL surgery in terms of overall and cancer-free survival. The nonparametric Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the two surgical approaches and assess the likelihood of survival and cancer relapse. Results: The study sample was mostly male (N = 86, 62.3%), and VL outnumbered open surgery (63% versus 37%). Both before and after the matching, the VL-allocated group showed better overall survival (p < 0.01) with comparable cancer-free survival over more than five years of median observation time (66 months). Kaplan Meier survival probability curves corroborated the VL significant protective effect on survival (HR of 0.32; 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.81) even after adjusting for major confounding factors (age, gender, comorbidity index, BMI, tumor localization, tumor staging, tumor grading, clearance, CRM). Findings on oncologic performance by tumor relapse were comparable but lacked significance due to the small number of events observed. Conclusions: Comparing CRC surgical approaches, VL allocation showed comparable cancer-free survival but also a better performance on overall mortality than open surgery over more than five years of median observation

Prevalence of the Absence of Cirrhosis in Subjects with NAFLD-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is most commonly considered as a complication of cirrhosis. However, an increasing number of HCC in subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) without cirrhosis is being reported. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of the absence of cirrhosis in NAFLD-associated HCC. Methods. Four databases were searched until March 2021 (CRD42021242969). The original articles included were those reporting data on the presence or absence of cirrhosis among at least 50 subjects with NAFLD-associated HCC. The number of subjects with absent cirrhosis in each study was extracted. For statistical pooling of data, a random-effects model was used. Subgroup analyses according to the continent, target condition and reference standard for the diagnosis of cirrhosis were conducted. Results. Thirty studies were included, evaluating 13,371 subjects with NAFLD-associated HCC. The overall prevalence of cases without cirrhosis was 37% (95%CI 28 to 46). A higher prevalence was reported in Asia versus Europe, North America and South America (45, 36, 37 and 22%, respectively) as well as in studies adopting histology only as the reference standard for the diagnosis of cirrhosis versus histology and other modalities (e.g., radiology, endoscopy, biochemistry or overt clinical findings) (53 and 27%, respectively). No difference was found between studies including subjects with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) only, versus NAFLD with or without NASH (p = 0.385). One in three subjects with NAFLD-associated HCC presented without cirrhosis. This should be reflected in future guidelines and surveillance programs adapted to allow for the early detection of these cancers too

Trends in Coffee and Tea Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Over the last two years, many countries have enforced confinement to limit both the spread of COVID-19 and the demand for medical care. Confinement has resulted in a disruption of work routines, boredom, depression, and changes in eating habits, among them consumption of coffee and tea. Following six databases, we examined articles tracking consumption of these beverages. Out of 472 articles, including 23 beverage entries, 13 matched our criteria. While no clear trend in coffee consumption during the coronavirus pandemic emerged (7 of 13 studies indicated an increase, accounting for 53.8%), tea consumption clearly increased (70% versus 30%). Considering the global health emergency continuum, more research is needed to better understand the paths underlying food choices and the ways those changes may influence health outcomes, including those related to COVID-19 disease

A Machine-Learning Approach to Target Clinical and Biological Features Associated with Sarcopenia: Findings from Northern and Southern Italian Aging Populations

Epidemiological and public health resonance of sarcopenia in late life requires further research to identify better clinical markers useful for seeking proper care strategies in preventive medicine settings. Using a machine-learning approach, a search for clinical and fluid markers most associated with sarcopenia was carried out across older populations from northern and southern Italy. A dataset of adults >65 years of age (n = 1971) made up of clinical records and fluid markers from either a clinical-based subset from northern Italy (Pavia) and a population-based subset from southern Italy (Apulia) was employed (n = 1312 and n = 659, respectively). Body composition data obtained by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were used for the diagnosis of sarcopenia, given by the presence of either low muscle mass (i.e., an SMI 2 for males or 2 for females) and of low muscle strength (i.e., an HGS < 27 kg for males or <16 kg for females) or low physical performance (i.e., an SPPB ≤ 8), according to the EWGSOP2 panel guidelines. A machine-learning feature-selection approach, the random forest (RF), was used to identify the most predictive features of sarcopenia in the whole dataset, considering every possible interaction among variables and taking into account nonlinear relationships that classical models could not evaluate. Then, a logistic regression was performed for comparative purposes. Leading variables of association to sarcopenia overlapped in the two population subsets and included SMI, HGS, FFM of legs and arms, and sex. Using parametric and nonparametric whole-sample analysis to investigate the clinical variables and biological markers most associated with sarcopenia, we found that albumin, CRP, folate, and age ranked high according to RF selection, while sex, folate, and vitamin D were the most relevant according to logistics. Albumin, CRP, vitamin D, and serum folate should not be neglected in screening for sarcopenia in the aging population. Better preventive medicine settings in geriatrics are urgently needed to lessen the impact of sarcopenia on the general health, quality of life, and medical care delivery of the aging population

Coffee Drinking and Adverse Physical Outcomes in the Aging Adult Population: A Systematic Review

Declining physical functioning covers a prominent span of later life and, as a modifiable driver to be leveraged, lifestyle plays a critical role. This research aimed to undertake a systematic review investigating the association between levels of coffee consumption and declining conditions of physical functioning during aging, such as sarcopenia, frailty, weakness, falls, and disability, while trying to explain the underlying mechanisms, both from a metabolic and social angle. The literature was reviewed from inception to May 2022 using different electronic databases, not excluding the grey literature. Two independent researchers assessed the eligibility of 28 retrieved articles based on inclusion criteria; only 10 met the eligibility requirements. Different levels of coffee consumption were considered as exposure(s) and comparator(s) according to PECO concepts, while middle age was an inclusion criterion (40+ years). No limitations were set on the tool(s) assessing physical functioning, type of dietary assessment(s), study setting, general health status, country, and observational study design (cohort, cross-sectional). The cross-sectional design outnumbered the longitudinal (90%, n = 9/10). The overall quality rating was judged poor (70%) to good (30%). It was found that higher exposure to coffee drinking is strongly associated with better physical functioning outcomes, and the findings showed consistency in the direction of association across selected reports. Countering physical decline is a considerable challenge in easing the burden of population aging. For preventive models that aim to allow a better lifestyle, it has to be kept in mind that increased coffee consumption does not lead to poor physical functioning

Beverages Consumption and Oral Health in the Aging Population: A Systematic Review

Little study has yet been made of the effect of different beverages on oral health outcomes in the aging population. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the association between different beverages, including alcohol intake, coffee, milk, tea, and sugary drinks, and a cluster of oral health outcomes, including periodontal disease, oral dysbiosis, and tooth loss in older adults. The literature was screened from the inception up to May 2021 using six different electronic databases. Two independent researchers assessed the eligibility of 1308 retrieved articles regarding inclusion criteria; only 12 fitted the eligibility requirements, representing 16 beverage entries. A minimum age of 60 was the inclusion criterion. No exclusion criteria were applied to outcomes assessment tools, recruiting facilities (hospital or community), general health status, country, and study type (longitudinal or cross-sectional). The consumption of alcoholic beverages was expressed as alcohol intake in all eligible studies, thereby replacing alcoholic beverages in the analysis. The quality of evidence was judged as moderate for alcohol and low or very low for beverages. In regard to oral health in the elderly, the review identified information on alcohol (56.25%), followed by coffee (18.75%), milk (12.50%), tea (6.25%), and sugary drinks (6.25%). Alcohol, sugary drinks, and coffee were found to be related to tooth loss. Periodontal disease was inversely related to coffee and milk, but fostered by alcohol consumption. In one article, tea but not coffee seemed to improve oral microbiota. In summary, alcohol seems to be a driver for tooth loss and periodontal disease in the aging population. However, more research is needed to gain a more solid knowledge in this research area. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO, Identifier: CRD42021256386

Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Positively Associated with Increased Glycated Haemoglobin Levels in Subjects without Diabetes

Screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is key step for primary management of fatty liver in the clinical setting. Excess weight subjects carry a greater metabolic risk even before exhibiting pathological patterns, including diabetes. We characterized the cross-sectional relationship between routine circulating biomarkers and NAFLD in a large sample of diabetes-free subjects with overweight or obesity, to elucidate any independent relationship. A population sample of 1232 consecutive subjects with a body mass index of at least 25 kg/m(2), not receiving any drug or supplemental therapy, was studied. Clinical data and routine biochemistry were analyzed. NAFLD was defined using the validated fatty liver index (FLI), classifying subjects with a score &gt;= 60% as at high risk. Due to extreme skewing of variables of interest, resampling matching for age and sex was performed. Our study population was characterized by a majority of females (69.90%) and a prevalence of NAFLD in males (88.90%). As a first step, propensity score matching was explicitly performed to balance the two groups according to the FLI cut-off. Based on the resulting statistical trajectories, corroborated even after data matching, we built two logistic regression models on the matched population (N = 732) to verify any independent association. We found that each unit increase of FT3 implicated a 50% increased risk of NAFLD (OR 1.506, 95%CI 1.064 to 2.131). When including glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the model, free-triiodothyronine (FT3) lost significance (OR 1.557, 95%CI 0.784 to 3.089) while each unit increase in HbA1c (%) indicated a significantly greater NAFLD risk, by almost two-fold (OR 2.32, 95%CI 1.193 to 4.512). Glucose metabolism dominates a key pathway along the hazard trajectories of NAFLD, turned out to be key biomarker in monitoring the risk of fatty liver in diabetes-free overweight subjects. Each unit increase in HbA1c (%) indicated a significantly greater NAFLD risk, by almost two-fold, in our study