Chrischilles, Elizabeth A.

584 Background: Standard therapy for stage II/III rectal cancer includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Multiple trials demonstrated neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) provides better local control and decreased morbidity compared to adjuvant CRT, though differences in overall survival and long-term QoL have not been demonstrated. We examined impact of treatment (pre-op CRT/post-op CRT/no CRT) on long-term QoL. Methods: CanCORS patients with survey/medical record data diagnosed in 2003-2005 with stage II/III rectal (non-rectosigmoid) cancer had resection and survived > 7 years were included. QoL (SF-36, EQ-5D) measures and defecation problems were derived from surveys at 14 months and 7 years post-diagnosis. Mean scores were adjusted for the following when significant: age, gender, stage, sphincter preservation, comorbidities, and baseline self-reported health status and QoL scores. Results: Of 119 patients, 53% received pre-op CRT, 23% post-op CRT, and 24% no CRT. Of 114 patients with 14-month follow-up, Pre-op CRT and No CRT groups had better EQ-5D adjusted mean scores but worse defecation scale (DS) scores compared to the Post-op CRT group. Of 49 disease-free survivors with 7 years follow-up, there were no differences among groups in QoL scores, but the No CRT group had better DS scores than other groups. Conclusions: No major differences were detected in long-term QoL based on treatment aside from the DS, though sample sizes became small. Regardless of treatment, long term (7y) mental health and vitality were generally comparable to U.S. norms, while physical health and overall health status (EQ-5D) were somewhat lower. [Table: see text]

Neoadjuvant treatment may result in better quality of life and functional status 1 year after diagnosis.

Abstract Osteoporosis is widely viewed as a major public health concern, but the exact magnitude of the problem is uncertain and likely to depend on how the condition is defined. Noninvasive bone mineral measurements can be used to define a state of heightened fracture risk (osteopenia), or the ultimate clinical manifestation of fracture can be assessed (established osteoporosis). If bone mineral measurements more than 2 standard deviations below the mean of young normal women represent osteopenia, then 45% of white women aged 50 years and over have the condition at one or more sites in the hip, spine, or forearm on the basis of population-based data from Rochester, Minnesota. A smaller proportion is affected at each specific skeletal site: 32% have bone mineral values this low in the lumbar spine, 29% in either of two regions in the proximal femur, and 26% in the midradius. Although this overall estimate is substantial, some other serious chronic diseases are almost as common. More importantly, low bone mass is associated with adverse health outcomes, especially fractures. The lifetime risk of any fracture of the hip, spine, or distal forearm is almost 40% in white women and 13% in white men from age 50 years onward. If the enormous costs associated with these fractures are to be reduced, increased attention must be given to the design and implementation of control programs directed at this major health problem.

Abstract Osteoporosis is widely viewed as a major public health concern, but the exact magnitude of the problem is uncertain and likely to depend on how the condition is defined. Noninvasive bone mineral measurements can be used to define a state of heightened fracture risk (osteopenia), or the ultimate clinical manifestation of fracture can be assessed (established osteoporosis). If bone mineral measurements more than 2 standard deviations below the mean of young normal women represent osteopenia, then 45% of white women aged 50 years and over have the condition at one or more sites in the hip, spine, or forearm on the basis of population-based data from Rochester, Minnesota. A smaller proportion is affected at each specific skeletal site: 32% have bone mineral values this low in the lumbar spine, 29% in either of two regions in the proximal femur, and 26% in the midradius. Although this overall estimate is substantial, some other serious chronic diseases are almost as common. More importantly, low bone mass is associated with adverse health outcomes, especially fractures. The lifetime risk of any fracture of the hip, spine, or distal forearm is almost 40% in white women and 13% in white men from age 50 years onward. If the enormous costs associated with these fractures are to be reduced, increased attention must be given to the design and implementation of control programs directed at this major health problem.