Concord Repatriation General Hospital (abbreviated CRGH), commonly referred to as Concord Hospital, is a major hospital in Sydney, Australia, on Hospital Road in Concord. It is a teaching hospital of Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney, where it is referred to as Concord Clinical School, and a major facility in the Sydney Local Health District and the former Sydney South West Area Health Service. The NSW Statewide Severe Burn Injury Service and the Bernie Banton Centre, an asbestos diseases research institute, are located there.Parts of the television series All Saints were filmed at CRGH.
The prognosis of non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for undifferentiated-type early gastric cancer (UD-EGC) remains unclear. This study aimed to identify risk factors for residual tumor, lymph node metastasis (LNM), and recurrence after non-curative ESD, and to define a potential low-risk subgroup suitable for active surveillance rather than additional surgery. This retrospective multicenter study included patients with non-curative ESD for UD-EGC from five institutions between 2017 and 2021. Patients were categorized into an additional surgery group or an observation group according to subsequent management. Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival outcomes were compared. Ninety-nine patients were analyzed, including 44 in the observation group and 55 in the additional surgery group. The median follow-up duration was 64 months. Six patients undergoing surveillance experienced recurrence within 12.0 to 37.3 months after ESD. Fourteen patients in the additional surgery group showed residual tumor or LNM. Vertical margin involvement independently predicted recurrence in the observation group, while ulceration and vertical margin involvement were independent predictors of residual tumor or LNM in surgical specimens or recurrence. Overall and disease-free survival were worse in the observation group. Disease-free survival in the observation group was associated with depth of invasion, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, and resection margin status. Lesions with negative resection margins and no lymphovascular invasion meeting either (1) pT1a, UL0, > 2 cm, or (2) pT1a, UL1, ≤ 3 cm demonstrated excellent long-term outcomes without recurrence. Additional surgery remains standard after non-curative ESD for UD-EGC. However, a carefully selected low-risk subgroup may be appropriate candidates for close surveillance instead of further surgical intervention.
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS:Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) are anti-hyperglycaemic agents, with cardioprotective effects, however their renal protective effects remain unclear. We aimed to assess the effects of GLP1-RAs on renal outcomes in patients with or without diabetes. METHODS:We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis with Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Register searched to December 2024. The primary outcome was the composite of kidney failure (defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <15 mL/min/1.73 m2) or dialysis requirement, worsening of renal function and changes in proteinuria. Subgroup analysis was performed based on diabetic status, a (CKD) and individual GLP1-RA drugs. Relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for individual trials were pooled using random effects models. RESULTS:We identified 19 trials including 90 882 patients. Mean age was 60.8 years and mean follow-up was 25.9 months. GLP1-RAs were associated with a 19% reduction in the risk of primary renal outcome (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73-0.89), a 12% reduction in renal functional decline (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.95) and a 0.45 mL/min/1.73 m2 reduction in yearly loss [16 trials, mean difference (MD) 0.45, 95% CI 0.10-0.81]. GLP1-RAs also reduced microalbuminuria by 24% (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.71-0.82), HbA1c (units: %) by 0.61 (MD -0.61, 95% CI -0.76 to -0.49) and body weight by 5 kg (MD -5.24, 95% CI -7.46 to -3.02). Although there were no significant differences in progression to kidney failure (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.71-1.05), GLP1-RAs reduced the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events by 15% (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.81-0.90) and all-cause mortality by 14% (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.82-0.91). No significant differences were seen in severe adverse events (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.90-1.01). However, there were more gastroenterological side effects. CONCLUSIONS:GLP1-RAs demonstrated cardiovascular and renal benefits. Further high-quality randomized trials assessing their effects in patients without diabetes, with or without proteinuria and/or CKD are needed.
This is the second of two articles presenting the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] evidence‑based consensus guidelines on the management of adult patients with ulcerative colitis [UC]. The first article covers the medical management of UC, including acute severe colitis. The present article addresses the surgical management of medically refractory UC, including the general surgical approach and perioperative optimisation, surgical strategies and techniques, and recommended levels of centre expertise and surgical specialisation. Together, these two articles aim to inform shared decision‑making and to guide clinicians and healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with UC, drawing on the best available evidence.
OBJECTIVE:Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a frequent side effect of cancer and its treatment that can persist well after treatment completion, with major impacts on quality of life, daily living activities, and return to work. This randomised pilot study assesses the feasibility and acceptability of methods and procedures intended for use in a definitive trial of a web-based cognitive rehabilitation program-'Responding to Cognitive Concerns" (eReCog)-in people with low perceived cognitive function after chemotherapy for aggressive lymphoma within the past 5 years and were in remission. Potential efficacy was also explored. METHODS:Participants were randomised one-to-one to receive usual care or eReCog plus usual care. The 4-week eReCog program consists of four online modules based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. Operational, neuropsychological test and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) data were collected before randomisation and approximately 8 weeks later to assess trial outcomes. Primary feasibility outcomes included recruitment and retention rates (a priori progression criteria: ≥ 3 patients/month and ≥ 80% of participants complete the trial, respectively). Feasibility data were summarised using a rate or proportion, as appropriate, with 95% confidence intervals. Neuropsychological test and PROMs data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. RESULTS:38 of 53 eligible participants consented to participate over 10 months (3.8 patients/month, 95% CI [2.7, 5.2]), 19 were randomised to each arm, and 36 of 38 (95%, 95% CI [83, 99]) completed the trial, indicating acceptable feasibility. Acceptable feasibility was also found for all four secondary outcomes: adherence to, usability of, and intrinsic motivation to engage with eReCog; and compliance with assessments. A large-sized difference favoring the intervention arm was observed on the SCWT Word score measuring processing speed. Medium-sized differences were observed on other neuropsychological test and PROM scales, but confidence intervals were wide and included zero. CONCLUSIONS:Recruitment and retention rates, compliance with assessments and favorable changes on potential outcome measures suggest a large-scale, appropriately powered trial is warranted, as do findings that eReCog is acceptable to the study population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12623000705684.
BACKGROUND:Although cardiovascular disease is common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the efficacy and safety of β blockers in reducing cardiac events and mortality is uncertain. This study was designed to assess whether the cardioselective β blocker, bisoprolol, improves cardiorespiratory outcomes when added to usual COPD care. METHODS:This double-blind, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial was done across 22 hospital and research institute sites selected by research experience and resources to conduct the study in Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. Participants aged 40-85 years with COPD, post-bronchodilator FEV1 30-70% predicted, and at least one COPD exacerbation in the previous 2 years were randomly assigned to receive bisoprolol (1·25-5 mg) or matched placebo, orally, once daily, for 2 years, with both groups continuing to receive usual COPD care. Randomisation was with a concealed, computer-generated sequence, stratified by site, smoking status, and previous diagnosis of cardiovascular disease requiring treatment. Participants, site personnel, and investigators remained masked to study treatment throughout the trial. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiac and respiratory effects, starting with the most important outcome (death), then cardiac or respiratory hospital admissions, exacerbations, quality-of-life measures, and FEV1. Analysis was by intention-to-treat (ITT) in all randomly assigned patients, using a country-stratified win ratio. Adverse events were analysed from the ITT population using all available data. Missing data were not used to determine wins, but regarded as a tie on that level of the hierarchy. The trial was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03917914), Clinical Trial Registry - India (CTRI/2020/08/027322), and the Sri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry (SLCTR/2021/033). The study is complete. FINDINGS:Of 360 participants screened for eligibility between June 30, 2020, and March 20, 2023, 280 were randomly assigned to bisoprolol (n=143) or placebo (n=137), with 249 completing 2 years of follow-up. 233 patients (83%) were male and 47 (17%) were female; mean age was 68 years (SD 8). Mean post-bronchodilator FEV1 was 45% (SD 11) predicted at baseline. According to the hierarchy of outcomes, bisoprolol was associated with better cardiorespiratory health for 3041 (45%) of 6763 comparisons and placebo for 3240 (48%), with 482 (7%) showing no difference, giving a win ratio of 0·95 (95% CI 0·72 to 1·25, p=0·72) and a net benefit of -2% (95% CI -15 to 10) with bisoprolol. No significant differences were seen between bisoprolol and placebo in all-cause mortality, cardiorespiratory hospitalisations, major adverse cardiac events, or moderate or severe COPD exacerbations. Additionally, no significant differences were seen in FEV1, COPD symptoms, or quality of life, or adverse events. The most common adverse events were COPD exacerbations, occuring in 83 (58%) participants in the bisoprolol group and 87 (64%) in the placebo group. 15 (10%) participants in the bisoprolol group and 11 (8%) in the placebo group died. None of these deaths were attributed to the treatment. INTERPRETATION:In patients with moderately severe COPD, treatment with bisoprolol made no difference to overall cardiorespiratory health, all-cause mortality, or serious cardiorespiratory events. FUNDING:National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and the Health Research Council of New Zealand.
