Diagnosis Reduction Research Articles

541 Investigation of Suspected Prostate Cancer In UK; Evaluation of Local Practice and Feasibility of Moving Towards MRI As First Line Investigation – Re-Audit Following Change of Radiology Staffing

Abstract Introduction NICE recommends MRI as first-line investigation for suspected clinically localised prostate cancer (PCa); previous local audit findings suggest this to be safe and feasible to implement. Recent retirement of radiology staffing however had resulted in MRIs being reported by teleconsultation radiology service. There were concerns on whether this may lead to more missed significant PCa. We performed a re-audit on our prostate MRI and biopsy to assess if this is indeed the case. Method All patients with suspected PCa who have had prostate MRI and biopsy simultaneously from April-August 2019 were retrospectively analysed. Results 222 men were included. 36% of patients with negative MRI had positive biopsies; within this group 25% had significant disease (Gleason grade group ≥2). Compared with our previous audit, specificity for significant PCa has increased (from 34% to 46%), but with a reduced negative predictive value (from 97% to 91%). Conclusions If we are to implement MRI as first-line triage for potential subsequent biopsy, it would result in more men not going for a biopsy (from 18% to 25%), a reduction in diagnosis of non-significant PCa (from 21% to 36%), but at an expense of increase in missed significant PCa (from 3% to 9%).

Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Gastrointestinal Procedures and Cancers in the United States: A Multicenter Research Network Study

Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Gastrointestinal Procedures and Cancers in the United States: A Multicenter Research Network Study

Evaluation of a transdiagnostic treatment for adolescents with comorbid anxiety and depression

• Youth with comorbid anxiety and depression are especially difficult to treat. • A new treatment combined strategies to manage comorbid anxiety and depression. • Treated youth showed significant reductions in diagnoses and life impairment. • No differences with waitlist were shown on self-reported symptoms. • Improvements were maintained for up to 12 months. Evidence suggests that adolescents with comorbid anxiety and depression are a high-risk group in terms of symptom severity, life quality and prognosis, with unique treatment needs compared to their peers who meet criteria for a single diagnosis. The current study evaluated the efficacy of a transdiagnostic treatment designed specifically to target shared mechanisms underlying comorbid anxiety and depression in adolescents. Eighty-two adolescents (12–17 years) with a concurrent diagnosis of an anxiety and a mood disorder were randomly allocated to either active treatment or wait-list. Effects on diagnoses, symptoms and life interference were assessed at post-treatment, 6- and 12-month follow-up based on reports from both the young person and parents. Compared to waitlist, treatment was associated with a significantly greater reduction in total number of diagnoses and clinician rated severity of diagnoses over time. Life interference also showed significantly greater improvement in active treatment compared to wait-list, however other self and parent-reported indicators improved significantly but similarly over time in both groups. Effects were maintained at 6- and 12-month follow up. The transdiagnostic package targeting common underlying mechanisms demonstrated reductions in anxiety and depression in adolescents on key measures, including diagnostic criteria and life interference and shows promise as an efficacious treatment for comorbid anxiety and depression in adolescents. The outcomes point to a valuable initial program for clinical use, although further development will be needed to strengthen effects.

Role of multiparametric prostate MRI in the management of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer has traditionally been diagnosed by an elevation in PSA or abnormal exam leading to a systematic transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy. This diagnostic pathway underdiagnoses clinically significant disease while over diagnosing clinically insignificant disease. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the recent literature regarding the role of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) in the management of prostate cancer. A thorough literature review was performed using PubMed to identify articles discussing use of mpMRI of the prostate in management of prostate cancer. The incorporation of mpMRI of the prostate addresses the shortcomings of the prostate biopsy while providing several other advantages. mpMRI allows some men to avoid an immediate biopsy and permits visualization of areas likely to harbor clinically significant cancer prior to biopsy to facilitate use of MR-targeted prostate biopsies. This allows for reduction in diagnosis of clinically insignificant disease as well as improved detection and better characterization of higher risk cancers, as well as the improved selection of patients for active surveillance. In addition, mpMRI can be used for selection and monitoring of patients for active surveillance and treatment planning during surgery and focal therapy.

Impact of a Diagnosis-Centered Antibiotic Stewardship on Incident Clostridioides difficile Infections in Older Inpatients: An Observational Study.

In 2015, a major increase in incident hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile infections (HO-CDI) in a geriatric university hospital led to the implementation of a diagnosis-centered antibiotic stewardship program (ASP). We aimed to evaluate the impact of the ASP on antibiotic consumption and on HO-CDI incidence. The intervention was the arrival of a full-time infectiologist in the acute geriatric unit in May 2015, followed by the implementation of new diagnostic procedures for infections associated with an antibiotic withdrawal policy. Between 2015 and 2018, the ASP was associated with a major reduction in diagnoses for inpatients (23% to 13% for pneumonia, 24% to 13% for urinary tract infection), while median hospital stays and mortality rates remained stable. The reduction in diagnosed bacterial infections was associated with a 45% decrease in antibiotic consumption in the acute geriatric unit. HO-CDI incidence also decreased dramatically from 1.4‰ bed-days to 0.8‰ bed-days in the geriatric rehabilitation unit. The ASP focused on reducing the overdiagnosis of bacterial infections in the acute geriatric unit was successfully associated with both a reduction in antibiotic use and a clear reduction in the incidence of HO-CDI in the geriatric rehabilitation unit.

Cancer diagnoses after emergency GP referral or A&E attendance in England: determinants and time trends in Routes to Diagnosis data, 2006-2015.

BackgroundDiagnosis of cancer as an emergency is associated with poor outcomes but has a complex aetiology. Examining determinants and time trends in diagnostic routes can help to appreciate the critical role of general practice over time in diagnostic pathways for patients with cancer.AimTo examine sociodemographic, cancer site, and temporal associations with type of presentation among patients with cancer diagnosed as emergencies.Design and settingAnalysis of Routes to Diagnosis data, 2006–2015, for patients with cancer in England.MethodThe authors estimated adjusted proportions of emergency presentation after emergency GP referral (GP-EP) or presentation to accident and emergency (AE-EP), by patient sex, age, deprivation group, and year of diagnosis using multivariable regression.ResultsAmong 554 621 patients presenting as emergencies, 24% (n = 130 372) presented as GP-EP, 62% as AE-EP (n = 346 192), and 14% (n = 78 057) through Other-EP sub-routes. Patients presenting as emergencies were more likely to have been GP-referred if they lived in less deprived areas or were subsequently diagnosed with pancreatic, gallbladder, or ovarian cancer, or acute leukaemia. During the study period the proportion and number of GP-EPs nearly halved (31%, n = 17 364, in 2006; 17%, n = 9155 in 2015), while that of AE-EP increased (55%, n = 31 049 to 68%, n = 36 868).ConclusionPatients presenting as emergencies with cancers characterised by symptoms/signs tolerable by patients but appropriately alarming to doctors (for example, pancreatic cancer manifesting as painless jaundice) are over-represented among cases whose emergency presentation involved GP referral. Reductions in diagnoses of cancer through an emergency presentation likely reflect both the continually increasing use of 2-week-wait GP referrals during the study period and reductions in emergency GP referrals.

Care-by-parent model as a tool for reduction of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in neonates exposed to buprenorphine maintenance therapy in-utero

Objective: To determine if a structured care-by-parent (CBP) protocol is associated with a reduction in diagnosis of treatment-requiring Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS).Study design: We performed a pilot retrospective, case control study of pregnant women enrolled in a comprehensive prenatal care program for opioid-dependent patients during which they received buprenorphine for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Patients who participated in the CBP program actively roomed-in with their infants even after maternal hospital discharge while infants continued to be monitored for development of treatment-requiring NOWS. The primary outcome was the rate of treatment-requiring NOWS in the CBP grouping.Results: Thirty-two (32) cases that were enrolled in the CBP model were compared with 32 matched controls that were not enrolled in this model. There was a significant reduction in the rate of treatment-requiring NOWS among cases compared to the controls (OR = 0.10; p = .001). Neonates undergoing CBP had a decreased length of stay and lower Finnegan scores compared to those who did not undergo CBPConclusion: Among infants born to mothers with OUD in pregnancy, CBP significantly reduces the rate of treatment-requiring NOWS.

The Impact of GE Lunar vs ICMR Database in Diagnosis of Osteoporosis among South Indian Subjects.

Objective:To study the effect of choosing ICMR reference values on the classification of bone mineral density in Indian patients.Design:Retrospective analysis of Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and clinical data.Patients:Totally, 316 patients aged more than 65 years attending a tertiary care hospital in South India who underwent DEXA scan were included in the study.Measurements:DEXA scan at femoral neck and lumbar spine.Results:A total of 316 patients were studied. The mean age was 61.98 ± 7.66 years. There were 46.84% females and 53.16% males. The average BMI was 26.37 ± 4.51. Of these patients, 46 had history of hip fracture (14.55%). The adoption of the ICMR normative data resulted in a significant increase in T scores in both the hip (+0.51, P < 0.05) and the spine (+1.64, P < 0.01). The adoption of ICMR normative values, resulted in reduction of osteoporosis prevalence from 26.58% to 5.06%.Conclusions:There is a clinically significant reduction in diagnosis of osteoporosis with the adoption of ICMR reference standard. Clinicians should be recommended to use raw BMD values in gm/cm2 in FRAX calculation and avoid the use of T scores, to avoid overestimation of fracture risk. If our results are replicated, the implications are enormous – Osteoporosis is currently being over diagnosed.

Rapidly declining HIV infection in MSM in central London

Rapidly declining HIV infection in MSM in central London

QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube for contact screening in BCG-vaccinated adults: A longitudinal cohort study

ObjectiveTo assess the utility of QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-tube (QFT-GIT) for targeting preventive therapy in BCG-vaccinated contacts of tuberculosis (TB), based on its high specificity and negative predictive value for development of TB.MethodsWe compared two screening strategies for TB contact tracing in two consecutive periods: the tuberculin skin test (TST) period, when all contacts were screened with the TST alone; and the QFT-GIT period, when BCG-vaccinated contacts underwent TST and QFT-GIT. Diagnosis of TB infection among BCG-vaccinated contacts relied on TST ≥5 mm in the TST period, while in the QFT-GIT period either a positive QFT-GIT or a TST ≥15 mm was required.Measurements and main resultsSix hundred and sixty-one contacts were compared. In the QFT-GIT period there was a reduction in diagnoses of TB infection (77.4% vs. 51.2%; p <0.01) and preventive therapy prescribed (62.1% vs. 48.2%; p = 0.02) among the 290 BCG-vaccinated contacts. After a median follow-up of 5 years, cumulative incidences of TB were 0.62 and 0.29 in the TST and QFT-GIT periods respectively (p = 0.59).ConclusionsIn BCG-vaccinated TB contacts, the addition of QFT-GIT safely reduced TB diagnosis and treatment rates without increasing the risk of subsequent active TB.

The relationship between statins and colorectal cancer stage in the Women's Health Initiative.

1540 Background: Statins are the most widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs in the United States. The anti-carcinogenic effect of statins may reduce the metastatic potential of cancer cells leading to ‘stage migration’ with users more likely diagnosed with early rather than late stage cancer. We evaluated the relationship between prior statin use and colorectal cancer (CRC) stage at diagnosis in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). Methods: The study population included 132,322 post-menopausal women aged 50-79 years, among which there were 2,628 pathologically confirmed cases of insitu (3.3%), local (43.6%), regional (40.4%) and distant (12.7) stage CRC, after an average of 13.9 (SD = 4.7) years of follow-up. To reduce the possibility of detection bias among women more likely to be prescribed statins, we excluded women who did not report a mammogram within 5 years of study entry and who had no health insurance or medical care provider (n = 28,237). Stage was coded using criteria implemented in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program into early (in situ and local) vs. late (regional and distant) stage disease. Information on statin use prior to diagnosis was collected by self and interviewer-administered questionnaires at baseline and at one, three, six and nine years post-baseline. Self- and interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect risk factor information. Hazards ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) evaluating the relationship between statin use at baseline only, and in a time-dependent manner, and diagnosis of late-stage CRC were computed from multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards analyses. Statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Statins were used by 10,868 women (8%) at baseline. There was no significant relationship between statin use at baseline and late stage CRC cancer (HR = 1.03, 95% CI (0.82-1.30) and no significant association by type of statin or duration of use. In the multivariable-adjusted time-dependent model, use of statins was associated with a reduction in diagnosis of late-stage colorectal cancer (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.67-0.94, p = 0.007). Conclusions: Prior statin use may have an influence on colorectal cancer stage at diagnosis.

Sustained Reduction in HIV Diagnoses in Massachusetts, 2000-2014.

To describe secular trends in reported HIV diagnoses in Massachusetts concurrent with treatment access expansion. We characterized cases of HIV infection reported to the Massachusetts HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program between 2000 and 2014 by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and exposure mode. We used Poisson regression to test the statistical significance of trends in diagnoses. Between 2000 and 2014, annual new HIV infections diagnosed in Massachusetts decreased by 47% (P < .001 for trend). We observed significant reductions in diagnoses among women (58% when comparing 2000 with 2014), men (42%), Whites (54%), Blacks (51%), and Hispanics (35%; P < .001 for trend). New diagnoses decreased significantly among men who have sex with men (19%), persons who inject drugs (91%), and heterosexuals (86%; P < .001 for trend). We saw statistically significant downward trends among all men by race/ethnicity, but the trend among Black men who have sex with men was nonsignificant. Sustained reduction in new HIV diagnoses was concurrent with Massachusetts's Medicaid expansion, state health care reform, and public health strategies to improve care access. A contributory effect of expanded HIV treatment and population-level viral suppression is hypothesized for future research.

Cost-effectiveness of the next generation nonavalent human papillomavirus vaccine in the context of primary human papillomavirus screening in Australia: a comparative modelling analysis

First generation bivalent and quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been introduced in most developed countries. A next generation nonavalent vaccine (HPV9) has become available, just as many countries are considering transitioning from cytology-based to HPV-based cervical screening. A key driver for the cost-effectiveness of HPV9 will be a reduction in screen-detected abnormalities and surveillance tests. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of HPV9 in Australia, a country with HPV vaccination of both sexes that is transitioning to 5-yearly HPV-based screening. We used Policy1-Cervix and HPV-ADVISE-two dynamic models of HPV transmission, vaccination, and cervical screening-to estimate the cost-effectiveness of HPV9 versus quadrivalent vaccine (HPV4), assuming lifelong vaccine protection, two vaccine doses, and that additional costs were incurred in girls only. Policy1-Cervix was used to estimate the lifetime risk of cervical cancer diagnosis and death. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis of the cost-effectiveness outcomes was done with both models, and results are presented as the median and 10th to 90th percentiles of simulation runs (referred to as 80% uncertainty intervals [UIs]). Compared with cytology-based screening, HPV screening is predicted to reduce lifetime risk of cervical cancer diagnosis by 18% and of death by 20%, even in unvaccinated cohorts. Under base-case assumptions (lifelong protection, full efficacy at two doses), HPV4 will provide a further reduction in diagnosis of 54% and in death of 53% and HPV9 will provide a further reduction in both diagnosis and death of 11%, compared with cytology-based screening in unvaccinated cohorts. For HPV9 to remain a cost-effective alternative to HPV4, the incremental cost per dose in girls should not exceed a median of AUS$35·99 (80% UI 28·47-41·18) with Policy1-Cervix or AUS$22·74 (15·49-34·45) with HPV-ADVISE, at a willingness-to-pay threshold of AUS$30 000 per quality-adjusted life-year. Differing methods and assumptions led to some differences in the estimates produced by the two models. However, on the basis of median results, HPV9 will be a cost-effective alternative to HPV4 if the additional cost per dose is AUS$23-36 (US$18-28). These results will be important when determining the optimum price of the vaccine in Australia. National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia.

Trends in diagnosis of bipolar disorder: Have the boundaries changed?

There are concerns that the diagnostic boundaries of bipolar disorder have expanded. This study seeks evidence of change in diagnostic practice at three boundaries: the 'lower' boundary with subclinical mood conditions, the 'lateral' boundary with other mental health conditions (psychotic, anxiety, substance and personality disorders) and the 'internal' boundary within affective disorders. Diagnoses recorded in health system administrative data collections were used as a measure of clinician diagnostic behaviour. We examined all diagnoses made by public (state operated) inpatient and community mental health services in New South Wales, Australia, from 2003 to 2014. A total of 31,746 people had at least one recorded diagnosis of bipolar disorder in the period. There was a significant upward trend in the age-standardised population rate of diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorders made up an increasing proportion of psychosis diagnoses. There was no increase in the rate of comorbid diagnosis of bipolar disorders with non-psychotic disorders or in the likelihood of diagnosis of bipolar disorder at first or subsequent episodes of depression. There were significant reductions in diagnoses of schizophrenia, particularly in younger people. There may be some increase in diagnoses of bipolar disorder in New South Wales public mental health services. However, some changes in diagnosis, particularly in younger adults, may reflect movement away from diagnoses of schizophrenia towards a range of other diagnoses, rather than specific movement towards bipolar disorder. Expansion of bipolar disorder may have been more marked in private practice settings and may have involved the poorly defined bipolar II subtype.

Statins and breast cancer stage and mortality in the Women's Health Initiative.

To evaluate the association between statins and breast cancer stage and mortality in the Women's Health Initiative. The study population included 128,675 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 years, out of which there were 7,883 newly diagnosed cases of in situ (19%), local (61%)-, regional (19%)- and distant (1%)-stage breast cancer and 401 deaths due to breast cancer after an average of 11.5 (SD = 3.7) years of follow-up. Stage was coded using SEER criteria and was stratified into early (in situ and local)- versus late (regional and distant)-stage disease. Information on statins and other risk factors were collected by self- and interviewer-administered questionnaires. Cause of death was based on medical record review. Multivariable-adjusted hazards ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) evaluating the relationship between statin use (at baseline only and in a time-dependent manner) and diagnosis of late-stage breast cancer and breast cancer-specific mortality were computed from Cox proportional hazards analyses after adjusting for appropriate confounders. Statins were used by 10,474 women (8%) at baseline. In the multivariable-adjusted time-dependent model, use of lipophilic statins was associated with a reduction in diagnosis of late-stage breast cancer (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.64-0.98, p = 0.035) which was also significant among women with estrogen receptor-positive disease (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.56-0.93, p = 0.012). Breast cancer mortality was marginally lower in statin users compared with nonusers (HR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.32-1.06, p = 0.075). Prior statin use is associated with lower breast cancer stage at diagnosis.

Seasonal variation in month of diagnosis in children with type 1 diabetes registered in 23 European centers during 1989-2008: little short-term influence of sunshine hours or average temperature.

The month of diagnosis in childhood type 1 diabetes shows seasonal variation. We describe the pattern and investigate if year-to-year irregularities are associated with meteorological factors using data from 50 000 children diagnosed under the age of 15 yr in 23 population-based European registries during 1989-2008. Tests for seasonal variation in monthly counts aggregated over the 20 yr period were performed. Time series regression was used to investigate if sunshine hour and average temperature data were predictive of the 240 monthly diagnosis counts after taking account of seasonality and long term trends. Significant sinusoidal pattern was evident in all but two small centers with peaks in November to February and relative amplitudes ranging from ± 11 to ± 38% (median ± 17%). However, most centers showed significant departures from a sinusoidal pattern. Pooling results over centers, there was significant seasonal variation in each age-group at diagnosis, with least seasonal variation in those under 5 yr. Boys showed greater seasonal variation than girls, particularly those aged 10-14 yr. There were no differences in seasonal pattern between four 5-yr sub-periods. Departures from the sinusoidal trend in monthly diagnoses in the period were significantly associated with deviations from the norm in average temperature (0.8% reduction in diagnoses per 1 °C excess) but not with sunshine hours. Seasonality was consistently apparent throughout the period in all age-groups and both sexes, but girls and the under 5 s showed less marked variation. Neither sunshine hour nor average temperature data contributed in any substantial way to explaining departures from the sinusoidal pattern.

Reduction of low- and high-grade cervical abnormalities associated with high uptake of the HPV bivalent vaccine in Scotland.

Background:In Scotland, a national HPV immunisation programme began in 2008 for 12- to 13-year olds, with a catch-up campaign from 2008 to 2011 for those under the age of 18. To monitor the impact of HPV immunisation on cervical disease at the population level, a programme of national surveillance was established.Methods:We analysed colposcopy data from a cohort of women born between 1988 and 1992 who entered the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme (SCSP) and were aged 20–21 in 2008–2012.Results:By linking datasets from the SCSP and colposcopy services, we observed a significant reduction in diagnoses of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN 1; RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.87; P=0.0008), CIN 2 (RR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.63; P<0.0001) and CIN 3 (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.58; P<0.0001) for women who received three doses of vaccine compared with unvaccinated women.Conclusions:To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to show a reduction of low- and high-grade CIN associated with high uptake of the HPV bivalent vaccine at the population level. These data are very encouraging for countries that have achieved high HPV vaccine uptake.

Screening for Down syndrome – incidental diagnosis of other aneuploidies

Down syndrome screening programmes lead to the prenatal diagnosis of other chromosomal abnormalities, some of which would not be detected by the secondary use of cell-free (cf)DNA testing in screen positives. This study aims to assess the number of these incidental diagnoses. This study is a systematic review of the literature to identify large prospective screening studies that reported diagnoses other than trisomies 21 and 18. There were ten informative prospective studies in which a total of 1,500,999 women were screened, and there were 3689 aneuploidy cases detected in the screen positives. Trisomy 21 was estimated to comprise only 58% of detected aneuploidies, trisomies 21 and 18 comprised 72%, and the common trisomies - 21, 18 and 13 - comprised 76%. Common trisomies and sex chromosome abnormalities, now included in all commercial cfDNA tests, were estimated to comprise 87% of aneuploidies in the Down syndrome screen positives. All these proportions were higher for second trimester protocols compared with those carried out wholly or partly in the first trimester. Secondary use of cfDNA testing will lead to about one-fifth reduction in diagnoses, taking account of both undetectable aneuploidies and false-negatives. This loss might be overcome by contingent cfDNA testing.

Reduced incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer with flexible-sigmoidoscopy screening: a meta-analysis.

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published population-based randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs evaluating the difference in mortality and incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) between a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) group and control group (not assigned to screening FS) with a minimum 5 years median follow-up were identified by a search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials through August 2013. Random effects model was used for meta-analysis. Four RCTs with a total of 165659 patients in the FS group and 249707 patients in the control group were included in meta-analysis. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that there was a 22% risk reduction in total incidence of CRC (RR = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.74-0.83), 31% in distal CRC incidence (RR = 0.69, 95%CI: 0.63-0.75), and 9% in proximal CRC incidence (RR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.83-0.99). Those who underwent screening FS were 18% less likely to be diagnosed with advanced CRC (OR = 0.82, 95%CI: 0.71-0.94). There was a 28% risk reduction in overall CRC mortality (RR = 0.72, 95%CI: 0.65-0.80) and 43% in distal CRC mortality (RR = 0.57, 95%CI: 0.45-0.72). This meta-analysis suggests that screening FS can reduce the incidence of proximal and distal CRC and mortality from distal CRC along with reduction in diagnosis of advanced CRC.

Interferon-γ release assays versus tuberculin skin test for targeting people for tuberculosis preventive treatment: An evidence-based review

To assess whether Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) reduce the number of people considered for tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment without increasing subsequent active disease. Longitudinal studies with both tuberculin skin test (TST) and IGRAs were identified through a PubMed search. Reductions in diagnosis of TB infection and increases in incident TB in people considered not infected, using IGRAs either instead of TST or as a confirmatory test (two-step approach), were assessed. In comparison with TST alone, the pooled reductions in diagnosis of TB infection obtained with IGRAs were 16.7% and 5.8% at 5 and 10mm cut-offs respectively, and 24.5% and 12.4% at 5 and 10mm respectively with the two-step approach. Compared with TST alone, incident TB among people considered not infected increased with the two-step approach (0.94% with T-SPOT(®).TB and 1.1% with QuantiFERON(®)-TB Gold In-Tube) in one of seven studies in high-income countries. In middle- and low-income countries, two of four studies presented increases (0.08 and 0.03 per 100 patient-years respectively) with the two-step approach. In high-income countries, the use of IGRAs, either instead of TST or as confirmatory test reduces the number of people considered for preventive treatment, without a significant risk of subsequent active disease.