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Background Measuring patient-reported outcomes (PROs) requires an individual’s perspective on their symptoms, functional status, and quality of life. Digital health enables remote electronic PRO (ePRO) assessments as a clinical decision support tool to facilitate meaningful provider interactions and personalized treatment. Objective This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of collecting ePROs using validated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires for prostate cancer. Methods Using Apple ResearchKit software, the Strength Through Insight app was created with content from validated HRQoL tools 26-item Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) or EPIC for Clinical Practice and 8-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Advanced Prostate Symptom Index. In a single-arm pilot study with patients receiving prostate cancer treatment at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and affiliates, participants were recruited, and instructed to download Strength Through Insight and complete ePROs once a week over 12 weeks. A mixed methods approach, including qualitative pre- and poststudy interviews, was used to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of Strength Through Insight for the collection and care management of cancer treatment. Results Thirty patients consented to the study; 1 patient failed to complete any of the questionnaires and was left out of the analysis of the intervention. Moreover, 86% (25/29) reached satisfactory questionnaire completion (defined as completion of 60% of weekly questions over 12 weeks). The lower bound of the exact one-sided 95% CI was 71%, exceeding the 70% feasibility threshold. Most participants self-identified with having a high digital literacy level (defined as the ability to use, understand, evaluate, and analyze information from multiple formats from a variety of digital sources), and only a few participants identified with having a low digital literacy level (defined as only having the ability to gather information on the Web). Interviews were thematically analyzed to reveal the following: (1) value of emotional support and wellness in cancer treatment, (2) rise of social patient advocacy in online patient communities and networks, (3) patient concerns over privacy, and (4) desire for personalized engagement tools. Conclusions Strength Through Insight was demonstrated as a feasible and acceptable method of data collection for ePROs. A high compliance rate confirmed the app as a reliable tool for patients with localized and advanced prostate cancer. Nearly all participants reported that using the smartphone app is easier than or equivalent to the traditional paper-and-pen approach, providing evidence of acceptability and support for the use of remote PRO monitoring. This study expands on current research involving the value of digital health, as a social and behavioral science, augmented with technology, can begin to contribute to population health management, as it shapes psychographic segmentation by demographic, socioeconomic, health condition, or behavioral factors to group patients by their distinct personalities and motivations, which influence their choices. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NC03197948; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NC03197948

Prostate cancer presents a global public health dilemma. While screening with prostate specific antigen (PSA) has led to more men diagnosed with prostate cancer than in previous years, the potential for negative effects from over-diagnosis and treatment cannot be ignored.We reviewed Medline for recent articles that discuss clinical trials, evidence based recommendations and guidelines from major medical organizations in the United States and worldwide concerning prostate cancer screening.Results from the European Randomized Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, and Göteborg Swedish trials regarding prostate screening are controversial with the ERSPC and Göteborg showing a reduction in prostate cancer mortality and the PLCO trial showing no benefit. Recommendations from the American Urological Association (AUA), Japanese Urological Association (JUA), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) have recommended that all men obtain a baseline PSA beginning at age 40. The American Cancer Society (ACS) stratifies screening recommendations based on age and risk, but states that screening should take place only after an informed discussion between provider and patient. The United States Preventative Health Service Task Force (USPSTF) states that evidence is insufficient to assess the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening in men younger than 75 years. Other major international health organizations offer a similar reserved approach or recommend against screening for prostate cancer. Most groups indicate that screening to determine who should undergo prostate biopsy typically includes both a serum PSA and digital rectal examination, with the latest ACS publications noting that the rectal exam is optional. A common theme from all groups is that an informed discussion with the patients is strongly recommended and that screening does increase the number of men diagnosed with non-metastatic, early disease.Prostate cancer screening guidelines vary widely between countries and between different medical organizations within individual countries including the United States. Further, the evidence for and against prostate cancer screening remains highly controversial. Longitudinal follow up of completed screening trials is ongoing and may yield additional findings as the time course of prostate cancer outcomes can be protracted. The literature controversy suggests that no standard of care exists for prostate cancer screening today. Until there is agreement in guidelines between major professional organizations who have weighed in on this topic, patients and physicians should be encouraged to consider engaging in shared and informed decision process concerning screening for prostate cancer.

To determine the frequency of nuclear factor κB (NFκB) and the chemokine receptor CXCR4 co-expression in prostate cancer specimens from men with locally advanced disease.Paraffin-embedded samples from patients enrolled on the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 8610 trial underwent immunohistochemical staining for NFκB and CXCR4. The amount of NFκB and CXCR4 was scored by a 'blinded' pathologist for the percentage of cells stained (0-100%) and staining intensity (0-3 +). Cox proportional hazard models were used for overall survival and disease-free survival to examine if NFκB and/or CXCR4 expression were associated with patient outcomes with and without adjustment for covariates.Available material and successful staining allowed NFκB and CXCR4 status to be determined for 55 and 63 patients, respectively. Both NFκB and CXCR4 status were available for 51 patients. Of these, 53% were 2/3 + for cytoplasmic NFκB staining and 56% were 2/3 + for CXCR4. In all, 18 of the 51 patients were 2/3 + for both NFκB and CXCR4 (P = 0.129). Ten of 11 patients with 3 + NFκB had 2/3 + CXCR4 (P= 0.004). In this small study, neither NFκB nor CXCR4 were associated with prostate cancer outcomes.High NFκB expression is associated with CXCR4 expression and they are co-expressed in about one third of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. Larger studies to accurately determine the frequency of co-expression and prognostic utility of NFκB and CXCR4 alone and in combination are warranted.

A comparison of left ventricular function data derived from a low cost, portable electrocardiographic gated scintillation probe (nuclear stethoscope) with conventional scintiangiographic data was performed in 68 patients. Ejection fraction correlation (r = 0.86, p less than 0.005) was better in patients with uniform wall motion than in those with regional asynergy (r = 0.68 p less than 0.01). Probe variables reflecting systolic emptying rates, diastolic filling rates and timing intervals, and relative volumes analyzed in combination provided 100 percent sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value in detecting abnormal left ventricular performance. The results suggest that radionuclide angiography with an electrocardiographic gated scintillation probe is a sensitive, rapid and relatively inexpensive portable method of screening for cardiac dysfunction with a yield similar to that from the more costly gamma camera derived scintiangiogram.

Fifteen of 214 patients with an ileostomy constructed during the course of Crohn's disease developed periileostomy fistulae. In each case this was the consequence of recurrent ileal disease. The incidence was higher in female patients as well as those with a prior history of either intraabdominal abscess or any type of fistula. Periileostomy fistulae are frequently multiple. In addition to the clinical features of recurrent disease, periileostomy fistulae cause additional symptoms that are particularly distressing. These result from the proximity of the fistula to the stoma and the difficulty of maintaining the seal of an appliance. All periileostomy fistulae require resection and reconstruction of the stoma. Superficial fistulae with relatively smooth skin around the stoma may be reconstructed using the original stoma site; but deep fistulae with severe peristomal excoriation, induration and inflammation require transposition to a different quadrant. This may, in suitable cases, be carried out by direct stoma-to-stoma transposition, without formal laparotomy. The quality of life following successful reconstruction of the stoma is excellent, even though some patients will develop additional recurrent disease. To date none of these patients have developed another periileostomy fistula.