External validation of the colorectal cancer risk score LiFeCRC using food frequency questions in the HUNT study.

Purpose: To mitigate the increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence globally and prevent CRC at the individual level, individual lifestyle information needs to be easily translated into CRC risk assessment. Several CRC risk prediction models exist and their clinical usefulness depends on their ease of use. Our objectives were to assess and externally validate the LiFeCRC score in our independent, unselected population and to investigate the use of simpler food frequency measurements in the score.

Colorectal cancer detected by liquid biopsy 2 years prior to clinical diagnosis in the HUNT study.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is often diagnosed in advanced stages. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has been proposed as an early diagnostic biomarker. However, as a screening tool, ctDNA has mainly been studied in selected populations at the time of clinical diagnosis.

Moderate and severe traumatic brain injury in general hospitals: a ten-year population-based retrospective cohort study in central Norway.

Background: Patients with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are admitted to general hospitals (GHs) without neurosurgical services, but few studies have addressed the management of these patients. This study aimed to describe these patients, the rate of and reasons for managing patients entirely at the GH, and differences between patients managed entirely at the GH (GH group) and patients transferred to the regional trauma centre (RTC group). We specifically examined the characteristics of elderly patients.

Risk factors for right colon, left colon and rectal cancers differ between men and women: the population-based HUNT study in Norway.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess established risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC) separately for right colon, left colon and rectal cancer in men and women.

Method: This was a prospective cohort study comparing incidental CRC cases and the general population participating in a longitudinal health study in Norway (the HUNT study).

Results: Among 78 580 participants (36 825 men and 41 754 women), 1827 incidental CRCs were registered (931 men and 896 women).

Management of a life-threatening intercostal artery bleeding, difficult to visualize in open surgery: a case report.

Life-threatening bleeding from an intercostal artery is a rare and challenging event. A 74-year-old patient with a right-sided pleural effusion was treated by a pigtail pleural drain. He developed a large haemothorax, initially addressed by a large bore chest tube.

DNA methylation markers detected in blood, stool, urine, and tissue in colorectal cancer: a systematic review of paired samples.

Purpose: Methylated cell-free DNA in liquid biopsies are promising non-invasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC). Optimal markers would have high sensitivity and specificity for early detection of CRC and could be detected in more than one type of material from the patient. We systematically reviewed the literature on DNA methylation markers of colorectal cancer, detected in more than one type of material, regarding their potential as contributors to a panel for screening and follow-up of CRC.

The N-terminally truncated µ3 and µ3-like opioid receptors are transcribed from a novel promoter upstream of exon 2 in the human OPRM1 gene.

The human µ opioid receptor gene, OPRM1, produces a multitude of alternatively spliced transcripts encoding full-length or truncated receptor variants with distinct pharmacological properties. The majority of these transcripts are transcribed from the main promoter upstream of exon 1, or from alternate promoters associated with exons 11 and 13. Two distinct transcripts encoding six transmembrane domain (6TM) hMOR receptors, µ3 and µ3-like, have been reported, both starting with the first nucleotide in exon 2.

Use of opioid analgesics in the treatment of cancer pain: evidence-based recommendations from the EAPC.

Here we provide the updated version of the guidelines of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) on the use of opioids for the treatment of cancer pain. The update was undertaken by the European Palliative Care Research Collaborative. Previous EAPC guidelines were reviewed and compared with other currently available guidelines, and consensus recommendations were created by formal international expert panel.

Management of opioid-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients: systematic review and evidence-based recommendations.

The objectives were to review the existing literature on management of opioid-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients and summarize the findings into evidence-based recommendations. Systematic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were performed, using free text and MeSH/EMTREE search terms. The searches were limited to articles published in English from each database set-up date to 31 July 2009.

Clinical and genetic factors associated with nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving opioids.

Background: This study investigates whether demographical, disease-related and genetic factors contribute to inter-individual differences in nausea and vomiting among patients receiving opioids for cancer pain.

Methods: Cancer patients receiving opioids were included from 17 centres in 11 European countries. Intensities of nausea and vomiting were reported by 1579 patients on four-point categorical scales.

Inadequate symptom control in advanced cancer patients across Europe.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the adequacy of treatment for constipation, nausea, depression and poor sleep and the factors associated with inadequate symptom control in cancer patients receiving opioids.

Methods: Patients receiving strong opioids for cancer pain were recruited from 17 centres in 11 European countries. By using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire C30, 1,938 patients reported their symptoms at four-point scales.

Health care providers underestimate symptom intensities of cancer patients: a multicenter European study.

Background: Many patients with advanced cancer depend upon health care providers for symptom assessment. The extent of agreement between patient and provider symptom assessments and the association of agreement with demographic- and disease-related factors was examined.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1933 patient-health care provider dyads, from 11 European countries.

Intensity and treatment of symptoms in 3,030 palliative care patients: a cross-sectional survey of the EAPC Research Network.

Objective: This study aimed to describe intensity and treatment of symptoms other than pain in European palliative care units.

Patients: A total of 3,030 patients, including 2,064 that used an opioid, were included from 143 palliative care centers, in 21 European countries.

Results: Pain was treated with analgesics corresponding to the WHO pain ladder step I (n = 374), II (n = 497), and III (n = 1,567).