Ileus Management International (IMAGINE): protocol for a multicentre, observational study of ileus after colorectal surgery

Aim: The management of postoperative ileus following colorectal surgery remains controversial. It is the commonest complication after elective colorectal resection and is associated with an increased incidence of postoperative adverse events. The prevention and management of postoperative ileus remains unstandardized. This study aims to describe an international profile of gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery and will assess the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, when used as postoperative analgesia, in expediting the return of gastrointestinal function. Methods: A multicentre, student- and trainee-led, prospective cohort study will be conducted across both Europe and Australasia. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection during 2-week data collection periods between January and April 2018 will be included. A site-specific questionnaire will capture compliance to Enhanced Recovery after Surgery components at participating centres. The primary outcome is time to gastrointestinal recovery, measured using a composite outcome of bowel function and oral tolerance. The impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on gastrointestinal recovery will be evaluated along with safety data with respect to anastomotic leak, acute kidney injury and complications within 30 days of surgery. Discussion: This protocol describes the methodology of an international, observational assessment of gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery. It discusses key challenges and describes how the results will impact on future investigation. The study will be conducted across a large student- and trainee-led collaborative network, with prospective quality assurance and data validation strategies

Sex-specifics of ECT outcome

Objective: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment for patients with severe major depressive disorder (MDD). Given the known sex differences in MDD, improved knowledge may provide more sex-specific recommendations in clinical guidelines and improve outcome. In the present study we examine sex differences in ECT outcome and its predictors. Methods: Clinical data from 20 independent sites participating in the Global ECT-MRI Research Collaboration (GEMRIC) were obtained for analysis, totaling 500 patients with MDD (58.6 % women) with a mean age of 54.8 years. Severity of depression before and after ECT was assessed with validated depression scales. Remission was defined as a HAM-D score of 7 points or below after ECT. Variables associated with remission were selected based on literature (i.e. depression severity at baseline, age, duration of index episode, and presence of psychotic symptoms). Results: Remission rates of ECT were independent of sex, 48.0 % in women and 45.7 % in men (X2(1) = 0.2, p = 0.70). In the logistic regression analyses, a shorter index duration was identified as a sex-specific predictor for ECT outcome in women (X2(1) = 7.05, p = 0.01). The corresponding predictive margins did show overlapping confidence intervals for men and women. Conclusion: The evidence provided by our study suggests that ECT as a biological treatment for MDD is equally effective in women and men. A shorter duration of index episode was an additional sex- specific predictor for remission in women. Future research should establish whether the confidence intervals for the corresponding predictive margins are overlapping, as we find, or not