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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

Contribution of bone marrow derived cells to four mouse models of gastrointestinal tumourigenesis

Le Brenne, Arielle January 2014 (has links)
Introduction: Houghton and colleagues (2004) demonstrated bone marrow derived cells (BMDCs) to be the origin of epithelial cells in pre-invasive and malignant gastric tumours in Helicobacter felis infected mice. However, this has yet to be replicated in any other experimental scenario. Methods: To clarify the significance of Houghton’s observation we examined four mouse models of gastrointestinal tumourigenesis: the Tff1-/- mouse model of inflammatory gastric adenocarcinoma, the ApcMin/+ and Apc1322T mouse models of familial adenomatous polyposis, and the Il10-/- mouse model of colitis-associated colorectal adenocarcinoma, employing sex-mismatched bone marrow (BM) transplantation (male BM to female recipients) followed by the identification of BMDCs in tissues using Y-chromosome in situ hybridisation (ISH) detection and immunohistochemical phenotyping of cells. To investigate the mechanism for BMDC recruitment into tissues, osteopontin (Opn) mRNA isotopic ISH was employed. Results: In four mouse models there was not a single instance of a gastric gland or intestinal crypt with a patch of clonal Y-chromosome positive (Y+) cells. Y+ cells in the epithelium were very rare and were mostly positive for several markers of immune cells. In contrast, Y+ cells were frequently observed in the stroma. Quantification of BMD-myofibroblasts demonstrated increased recruitment into larger Apc1322T mouse tumours and desmoplastic reaction sites in Tff1-/- mouse tumours, but not into inflamed non-fibrotic tissues. Similarly, Opn mRNA expression was unaffected by inflammation but increased with tumour burden and in desmoplastic reaction sites. In the desmoplastic reaction sites of Tff1-/- mouse tumours, increased osteopontin mRNA expression correlated with increased BMD-myofibroblasts, therefore suggesting some chemoattraction was occurring. Conclusions: In four mouse models of gastrointestinal tumourigenesis BMDCs were not a source of reparative, pre-cancerous, or malignant epithelial cells. Analysis of BM contribution in the stroma demonstrated that BMD-myofibroblast engraftment is driven by increased tumour burden and fibrosis. In addition, the increased presence of BMD-myofibroblasts at desmoplastic reaction sites of Tff1-/- mouse tumours correlated with increased Opn mRNA expression, indicating that osteopontin may act as chemoattractant in desmoplasia.
2

Studies on therapeutic neodymium YAG laser endoscopy

Matthewson, Kenneth January 1990 (has links)
No description available.
3

17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 1 and 2 in human normal and malignant breast and gastrointestinal tract

Oduwole, O. (Olayiwola) 02 July 2003 (has links)
Abstract 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17HSDs) catalyze the interconversion of high-activity 17β-hydroxysteroids and low-activity 17-ketosteroids. In the present study, the mRNA of the 17HSD type 1 and 2 enzymes, catalyzing opposite reactions of estrogen metabolism, was analyzed in normal and malignant breast and gastrointestinal tract by in situ hybridization. Further, the activities of these enzymes were measured in normal and adenomatous intestinal cell lines. Markers of the main mesenchymal cell types were also used to study the cell-type specific expression of the 17HSD type 2 enzyme in the gastrointestinal tract. The mRNA of the 17HSD types 1 and 2 was expressed in normal breast tissues of premenopausal, but not postmenopausal women. In breast cancer, varied mRNA expressions of the enzymes were seen in both groups of women. Variable mRNA expressions of the reductive 17HSD type 5 enzyme were also seen in breast cancer tissues. Patients with tumors expressing 17HSD type 1 mRNA had significantly shorter overall survival and disease-free interval than those without 17HSD type 1 expression, suggesting that inhibition of the enzyme may be beneficial in the prevention or treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancers. In normal gastric tissues, 17HSD type 2 mRNA was expressed mainly in the surface and foveolar epithelium. Expression was weak or absent in glandular epithelium. Gender did not have any effect on expression, but there was a decrease with increasing age. Chronic gastritis was associated with decreased expression, while upregulation was observed in intestinal metaplasia. In gastric malignancy, downregulation was observed in most specimens. 17HSD type 2 mRNA was expressed mainly in absorptive epithelia cells and the upper parts of crypts in normal intestinal tissues. In the lamina propria, expression was detected in endothelial cells and mononuclear phagocytes. In colon cancer, the enzyme was downregulated in most, but not all cases. 17HSD type 1 and 2 activity measurements in normal and colon cancer cell lines showed a predominant oxidative activity. Northern analysis also revealed the transcript for the 17HSD type 2 enzyme. Female subjects had significantly more colon cancers with high 17HSD type 2 mRNA than males; however, low 17HSD type 2 mRNA expression was associated with survival in females with cancer of the distal colon and rectum. These data indicate the presence of gender- and location-related differences in the pathogenesis of colon cancer and suggest that low 17HSD type 2 mRNA expression is a marker of a favorable prognosis.
4

Clonal expansion in the human upper gastrointestinal tract

Ventayol-García, Tania January 2013 (has links)
The high incidence of gastrointestinal cancers in the general population and the presence of premalignant dysplastic precursor lesions in the gastrointestinal tract make the gastrointestinal tract an ideal environment to study cancer clonality and clonal expansion. Background: Intestinal metaplastic (IM) glands in the human stomach are clonal, contain multiple stem cells and spread by fission. This mechanism of gland fission causes field cancerisation. We hypothesised that gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) progresses through a series of genetic events arising from a founder mutation. A process analogous to niche succession may also take place in the normal oesophagus. We hypothesise that oesophageal squamous cell cancer occurs by a process of field cancerisation of the oesophagus. RHBDF2 has been identified as the gene responsible for tylosis with oesophageal carcinoma (TOC). We hypothesise that RHBDF2 germline gain of function mutations might be lost during tumour progression in TOC and this might affect iRhom2 localisation in the cell. Methods and results: A cohort of 23 patients with dysplasia and a cohort of 51 GA patients were screened for genes accounting for 75% of all somatic mutations previously reported in GA. Only 13% of dysplastic patients and 31.4% of GA patients had mutations. Three dysplastic patients and six GA patients were analysed by microdissection. Small gastric cancer foci in a cohort of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) patients (n=5) were also screened by laser-capture microdissection (LCM) for mutations in TP53. A cohort of 30 patients was screened for common mutations in OSCC and for RHBDF2 mutations. 36.36% of the patients presented mutations. Three patients with mutations were randomly selected and areas of oesophageal squamous cell dysplasia and OSCC were analysed by LCM. Three TOC patients were also analysed by LCM and immunohistochemistry was performed for iRhom2 and ADAM17. Conclusions: The usual mutational events established for GA development during the metaplasiadysplasia- carcinoma sequence (MCS) do not fit the results from either of our two LCM mutation studies in the human stomach. Dysplasia was shown to be clonal and GA demonstrates genetic heterogeneity through clonal evolution. Field cancerisation could not be detected in HDGC using TP53 as a clonal marker. The low incidence of OSCC patients with mutations implies that other genes may be involved in the premalignant pathway leading to OSCC. Oesophageal squamous cell dysplasia and OSCC demonstrate clonal expansion through tumour progression. RHBDF2 mutations do not occur in sporadic OSCC but germline RHBDF2 mutations can be lost during tumour progression in TOC patients with LOH in 17q. Overall, the somatic mutation theory of carcinogenesis seems to hold true for both the progression to GA and OSCC, as both carcinomas seem to evolve from a single mutated stem cell and acquire genetic heterogeneity as the tumours evolve.
5

Capacidade alimentar como parâmetro auxiliar do estado nutricional em pacientes com câncer do trato gastrointestinal

Barreiro, Taiane Dias January 2017 (has links)
Redução da ingestão alimentar, inapetência e disfagia são sintomas que comprometem o estado nutricional de pacientes oncológicos. Apesar destes sintomas serem relevantes para a magnitude do problema do câncer que acomete o trato gastrointestinal (TGI), eles têm sido avaliados isoladamente ou em combinação com outros fatores para compor parte de questionários de qualidade de vida, ferramentas de risco e estado nutricional. Dessa forma, verificou-se a necessidade de criar e validar uma ferramenta específica que analise esses aspectos conjuntamente como parâmetro de “capacidade” alimentar em pacientes com câncer do TGI e servir como parâmetro auxiliar no diagnóstico do estado nutricional. Este é um estudo piloto, transversal, prospectivo, no qual 41 pacientes de ambos os sexos (20 do sexo feminino e 21 do sexo masculino), maiores de 18 anos de idade, com média de idade de 59 anos, com neoplasias malignas do TGI superior (esôfago, estômago, pâncreas, vesícula biliar e fígado) e inferior (cólon, reto), atendidos no Serviço de Cirurgia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), foram avaliados utilizando-se um novo escore para capacidade alimentar, o Score of “Eat-ability” (SEA) comparando-se à ASG-PPP, antropometria e métodos laboratoriais.Entre os pacientes avaliados, 11 (26,8%) tinham capacidade alimentar plena (SEA=0);3(7,3%) moderada (SEA=1) e 27 (65,9%) crítica (SEA ≥2). Houve diferença significativa entre capacidade alimentar, quando comparados TGI superior e inferior(p=0,05). Os pontos de corte do SEA (1 e ≥2) determinados pela curva ROC em relação à ASG-PPP (B e C), demonstrou sensibilidade de 80% (IC95%:0,48-0,95) e especificidade de 80% (IC95%:0,63-0,91); com área abaixo da curva(AUC) ROCde 0,79 (IC95%:0,64-0,95; p=0,006). Pacientes com SEA ≥2 apresentaram maior percentual de perda ponderal aos 3 (p=0,001) e 6 meses (p<0,001), quando comparados aos pacientes com escore SEA 0 e 1. A incidência de óbitos foi superior tanto no grupo de pacientes gravemente desnutridos (84,2%), quando analisados pela ASG-PPP, quanto no grupo com capacidade alimentar crítica no SEA (76,9%);(ambos p=0,01). A avaliação conjunta da ingestão alimentar, disfagia e apetite parece permitir classificar indivíduos com capacidade alimentar comprometida, que significativamente repercute no estado nutricional e no risco de óbito de pacientes com tumores do TGI. / Decreased food intake, inappetence and dysphagia are symptoms that compromise the nutritional status of cancer patients. Although these symptoms are relevant to the magnitude of the cancer problem that affects the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), they have been assessed separately or in combination with other factors to form part of quality of life questionnaires, risk assessment tools and nutritional status. Therefore, it was verified the need to create and validate a specific instrument that can identify "food capacity" in patients with cancer of the GITand to help as an ancillary parameter in the assessment of the nutritional status. This is a cross-sectional prospective study in which 41 patients of both sexes (20 females and 21 males), over 18 years, with a mean age of 59 years, with malignant neoplasms of the upper (esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder and liver) and lower GIT (colon, rectum), attended at the Department of Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas of Porto Alegre, University Attached (HCPA), were evaluated using a new proposed approach – The Score of “Eat-ability” (SEA) as compared to PG-SGA, anthropometry and laboratory profile. Of the patients evaluated, 11(26.8%) had full food capacity (SEA = 0); 3 (7.3%) moderate (SEA 1) and 27 (65.9%) poor (SEA ≥2). Significant difference was found between food capacity, when comparing upper and lower GIT (p = 0.05). By ROC curves SEA 1 and ≥2 in relation to ASG-PPP (B and C) showed an 80% (95%CI: 0.48-0.95) sensibility as well as an 80% specificity (95%CI: 0.63-0.91); with area under curve (AUC) of 0.79 (95%CI: 0.64-0.95; p=0.006). Patients with SEA ≥2 had a significantly weight loss within 3 (p=0.001) and 6 months (p<0.001) when compared to patients with SEA 0 and 1. Mortality was higher among severely unnourished (84.2%) patients by PG-SGA or critical food capacity by SEA (76.9%);(both p=0.01). The combined evaluation of food intake, dysphagia and appetite allows a reliable classification of individuals with compromised food capacity significantly affecting nutritional status and consequently in the risk of death of patients with TGI tumors.
6

Level Of Demoralization As A Predictor Of Stage Of Change In Patients With Gastrointestinal And Colorectal Cancer

Cockram, Cheryl Anne 29 March 2004 (has links)
Demoralization is a concept that evolved out of the study of individuals under stress. It is defined as the combination of distress and subjective incompetence in the presence of inadequate social bonds. When patients with alcohol abuse problems are diagnosed with cancer they may become demoralized and be unable to summons adequate resources to address issues associated with changing their addictive behavior. The Stage of Change Model (SOC), one of the primary approaches in addiction therapy, is used to guide individuals through the process of behavioral change. This two phase study examined the relationship between demoralization and stage of change. The fist phase was a retrospective chart review (N =112) intended to establish the psychometrics of a new instrument measuring the subjective incompetence component of demoralization. The twelve item Subjective Incompetence Scale (SIS) demonstrated strong internal consistency (.92) and strong indices of being a reliable and valid measure. As expected there was a weak relationship in a positive direction with pain and confusion, a moderate and positive relationship with avoidant coping, and a strong and positive relationship depression, anger and fatigue. There was a moderate and negative correlation with apathy which was also in the direction expected. Phase two was a correlational study using a survey research design, aimed at examining the relationship between alcohol use, depression, level of demoralization and stage of change. The study was done on a convenience sample of patients in colorectal and gastrointestinal clinics at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center (N=71). Depression and demoralization were found to be distinct but related constructs. Level of alcohol consumption was not correlated with SOC. The components of demoralization were regressed on Stage of Change to determine their predictive value. Social support (ISELSF), perceived stress (IES) and subjective incompetence (SIS) resulted in a significant increment in variance explained ( R2 ). The whole model produced R2 =.284, F (7, 53) = 2.847, p =.013 which explained a significant portion of the variance in stage of change. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.
7

Capacidade alimentar como parâmetro auxiliar do estado nutricional em pacientes com câncer do trato gastrointestinal

Barreiro, Taiane Dias January 2017 (has links)
Redução da ingestão alimentar, inapetência e disfagia são sintomas que comprometem o estado nutricional de pacientes oncológicos. Apesar destes sintomas serem relevantes para a magnitude do problema do câncer que acomete o trato gastrointestinal (TGI), eles têm sido avaliados isoladamente ou em combinação com outros fatores para compor parte de questionários de qualidade de vida, ferramentas de risco e estado nutricional. Dessa forma, verificou-se a necessidade de criar e validar uma ferramenta específica que analise esses aspectos conjuntamente como parâmetro de “capacidade” alimentar em pacientes com câncer do TGI e servir como parâmetro auxiliar no diagnóstico do estado nutricional. Este é um estudo piloto, transversal, prospectivo, no qual 41 pacientes de ambos os sexos (20 do sexo feminino e 21 do sexo masculino), maiores de 18 anos de idade, com média de idade de 59 anos, com neoplasias malignas do TGI superior (esôfago, estômago, pâncreas, vesícula biliar e fígado) e inferior (cólon, reto), atendidos no Serviço de Cirurgia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), foram avaliados utilizando-se um novo escore para capacidade alimentar, o Score of “Eat-ability” (SEA) comparando-se à ASG-PPP, antropometria e métodos laboratoriais.Entre os pacientes avaliados, 11 (26,8%) tinham capacidade alimentar plena (SEA=0);3(7,3%) moderada (SEA=1) e 27 (65,9%) crítica (SEA ≥2). Houve diferença significativa entre capacidade alimentar, quando comparados TGI superior e inferior(p=0,05). Os pontos de corte do SEA (1 e ≥2) determinados pela curva ROC em relação à ASG-PPP (B e C), demonstrou sensibilidade de 80% (IC95%:0,48-0,95) e especificidade de 80% (IC95%:0,63-0,91); com área abaixo da curva(AUC) ROCde 0,79 (IC95%:0,64-0,95; p=0,006). Pacientes com SEA ≥2 apresentaram maior percentual de perda ponderal aos 3 (p=0,001) e 6 meses (p<0,001), quando comparados aos pacientes com escore SEA 0 e 1. A incidência de óbitos foi superior tanto no grupo de pacientes gravemente desnutridos (84,2%), quando analisados pela ASG-PPP, quanto no grupo com capacidade alimentar crítica no SEA (76,9%);(ambos p=0,01). A avaliação conjunta da ingestão alimentar, disfagia e apetite parece permitir classificar indivíduos com capacidade alimentar comprometida, que significativamente repercute no estado nutricional e no risco de óbito de pacientes com tumores do TGI. / Decreased food intake, inappetence and dysphagia are symptoms that compromise the nutritional status of cancer patients. Although these symptoms are relevant to the magnitude of the cancer problem that affects the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), they have been assessed separately or in combination with other factors to form part of quality of life questionnaires, risk assessment tools and nutritional status. Therefore, it was verified the need to create and validate a specific instrument that can identify "food capacity" in patients with cancer of the GITand to help as an ancillary parameter in the assessment of the nutritional status. This is a cross-sectional prospective study in which 41 patients of both sexes (20 females and 21 males), over 18 years, with a mean age of 59 years, with malignant neoplasms of the upper (esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder and liver) and lower GIT (colon, rectum), attended at the Department of Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas of Porto Alegre, University Attached (HCPA), were evaluated using a new proposed approach – The Score of “Eat-ability” (SEA) as compared to PG-SGA, anthropometry and laboratory profile. Of the patients evaluated, 11(26.8%) had full food capacity (SEA = 0); 3 (7.3%) moderate (SEA 1) and 27 (65.9%) poor (SEA ≥2). Significant difference was found between food capacity, when comparing upper and lower GIT (p = 0.05). By ROC curves SEA 1 and ≥2 in relation to ASG-PPP (B and C) showed an 80% (95%CI: 0.48-0.95) sensibility as well as an 80% specificity (95%CI: 0.63-0.91); with area under curve (AUC) of 0.79 (95%CI: 0.64-0.95; p=0.006). Patients with SEA ≥2 had a significantly weight loss within 3 (p=0.001) and 6 months (p<0.001) when compared to patients with SEA 0 and 1. Mortality was higher among severely unnourished (84.2%) patients by PG-SGA or critical food capacity by SEA (76.9%);(both p=0.01). The combined evaluation of food intake, dysphagia and appetite allows a reliable classification of individuals with compromised food capacity significantly affecting nutritional status and consequently in the risk of death of patients with TGI tumors.
8

Capacidade alimentar como parâmetro auxiliar do estado nutricional em pacientes com câncer do trato gastrointestinal

Barreiro, Taiane Dias January 2017 (has links)
Redução da ingestão alimentar, inapetência e disfagia são sintomas que comprometem o estado nutricional de pacientes oncológicos. Apesar destes sintomas serem relevantes para a magnitude do problema do câncer que acomete o trato gastrointestinal (TGI), eles têm sido avaliados isoladamente ou em combinação com outros fatores para compor parte de questionários de qualidade de vida, ferramentas de risco e estado nutricional. Dessa forma, verificou-se a necessidade de criar e validar uma ferramenta específica que analise esses aspectos conjuntamente como parâmetro de “capacidade” alimentar em pacientes com câncer do TGI e servir como parâmetro auxiliar no diagnóstico do estado nutricional. Este é um estudo piloto, transversal, prospectivo, no qual 41 pacientes de ambos os sexos (20 do sexo feminino e 21 do sexo masculino), maiores de 18 anos de idade, com média de idade de 59 anos, com neoplasias malignas do TGI superior (esôfago, estômago, pâncreas, vesícula biliar e fígado) e inferior (cólon, reto), atendidos no Serviço de Cirurgia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), foram avaliados utilizando-se um novo escore para capacidade alimentar, o Score of “Eat-ability” (SEA) comparando-se à ASG-PPP, antropometria e métodos laboratoriais.Entre os pacientes avaliados, 11 (26,8%) tinham capacidade alimentar plena (SEA=0);3(7,3%) moderada (SEA=1) e 27 (65,9%) crítica (SEA ≥2). Houve diferença significativa entre capacidade alimentar, quando comparados TGI superior e inferior(p=0,05). Os pontos de corte do SEA (1 e ≥2) determinados pela curva ROC em relação à ASG-PPP (B e C), demonstrou sensibilidade de 80% (IC95%:0,48-0,95) e especificidade de 80% (IC95%:0,63-0,91); com área abaixo da curva(AUC) ROCde 0,79 (IC95%:0,64-0,95; p=0,006). Pacientes com SEA ≥2 apresentaram maior percentual de perda ponderal aos 3 (p=0,001) e 6 meses (p<0,001), quando comparados aos pacientes com escore SEA 0 e 1. A incidência de óbitos foi superior tanto no grupo de pacientes gravemente desnutridos (84,2%), quando analisados pela ASG-PPP, quanto no grupo com capacidade alimentar crítica no SEA (76,9%);(ambos p=0,01). A avaliação conjunta da ingestão alimentar, disfagia e apetite parece permitir classificar indivíduos com capacidade alimentar comprometida, que significativamente repercute no estado nutricional e no risco de óbito de pacientes com tumores do TGI. / Decreased food intake, inappetence and dysphagia are symptoms that compromise the nutritional status of cancer patients. Although these symptoms are relevant to the magnitude of the cancer problem that affects the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), they have been assessed separately or in combination with other factors to form part of quality of life questionnaires, risk assessment tools and nutritional status. Therefore, it was verified the need to create and validate a specific instrument that can identify "food capacity" in patients with cancer of the GITand to help as an ancillary parameter in the assessment of the nutritional status. This is a cross-sectional prospective study in which 41 patients of both sexes (20 females and 21 males), over 18 years, with a mean age of 59 years, with malignant neoplasms of the upper (esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder and liver) and lower GIT (colon, rectum), attended at the Department of Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas of Porto Alegre, University Attached (HCPA), were evaluated using a new proposed approach – The Score of “Eat-ability” (SEA) as compared to PG-SGA, anthropometry and laboratory profile. Of the patients evaluated, 11(26.8%) had full food capacity (SEA = 0); 3 (7.3%) moderate (SEA 1) and 27 (65.9%) poor (SEA ≥2). Significant difference was found between food capacity, when comparing upper and lower GIT (p = 0.05). By ROC curves SEA 1 and ≥2 in relation to ASG-PPP (B and C) showed an 80% (95%CI: 0.48-0.95) sensibility as well as an 80% specificity (95%CI: 0.63-0.91); with area under curve (AUC) of 0.79 (95%CI: 0.64-0.95; p=0.006). Patients with SEA ≥2 had a significantly weight loss within 3 (p=0.001) and 6 months (p<0.001) when compared to patients with SEA 0 and 1. Mortality was higher among severely unnourished (84.2%) patients by PG-SGA or critical food capacity by SEA (76.9%);(both p=0.01). The combined evaluation of food intake, dysphagia and appetite allows a reliable classification of individuals with compromised food capacity significantly affecting nutritional status and consequently in the risk of death of patients with TGI tumors.
9

Composite regulation of ERK activity dynamics underlying tumour-specific traits in the intestine / 腸上皮の腫瘍形成におけるERK活性動態の複合的制御 / # ja-Kana

Muta, Yu 25 September 2018 (has links)
京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第21341号 / 医博第4399号 / 新制||医||1031(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 小川 誠司, 教授 坂井 義治, 教授 武藤 学 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM
10

Understanding the effect of colorectal cancer on the ability to perform usual activities

Fan, Sum Kee Vanessa January 2021 (has links)
Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors may experience functional deficits due to cancer-associated impairments. However, we do not understand their type and extent of functional deficits and how we could measure the associated cause of functional deficits, such as fatigue. As the survival of CRC survivors improves, the burden of living with functional deficits can be high. Purpose: My research program aims to understand (1) the functional changes and deficits that CRC survivors experience and (2) how to best measure fatigue in this population. Methods: To address the first aim, we used the data from the International Study of the Risk Factors for Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Cardiovascular Events after Gastrointestinal Bleeding to examine individuals’ functional abilities within 1 year of gastrointestinal cancer diagnosis (CRC being the most prevalent type). For the second aim, we conducted a systematic review on fatigue measures in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because the causes, severity, and impact of IBD and CRC- related fatigue might be similar. We identified fatigue measures in the IBD population, appraised their psychometric properties, and recommended the most psychometrically robust and feasible measures for clinical and research use, indicating the optimal measures for CRC survivors. Results: After gastrointestinal cancer diagnosis, the majority (~70%) performed fewer functional tasks, mostly in the instrumental activities of daily living; and about 44% had more difficulty walking. Our review identified 16 measures, reviewed the content and psychometric properties, and recommended the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Instrument-Fatigue and the IBD- Fatigue scale for research and clinical use in IBD and CRC populations. Conclusion: We provided a novel understanding of the functional deficits that CRC survivors experience and recommended the optimal measures for assessing CRC-related fatigue. As CRC survivors commonly experience fatigue, fatigue should be measured to understand its role in the functional abilities of CRC survivors. / Thesis / Master of Science Rehabilitation Science (MSc) / More people are living with colorectal cancer (CRC), but may have problems performing their daily activities (i.e. functional problems) due to cancer-associated impairments. However, we do not understand the extent of these impairments and functional problems. We used a sample of people with newly-diagnosed gastrointestinal cancer (CRC being the most common type) to understand their type and extent of functional problems. People were found to participate less in functional activities and particularly have more difficulty walking after a cancer diagnosis. Fatigue is common among those with CRC and may primarily cause functional problems. However, it is not commonly measured, and it is unclear how to best measure fatigue among them. Therefore, we reviewed key qualities of 16 fatigue measures in a similar population (inflammatory bowel disease, IBD) and recommended the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Instrument-Fatigue and the IBD-Fatigue scale (English) as the most promising measures for those with CRC.

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