UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme.

SummaryQuality of life is often thought to be poor before and after intensive care unit admission. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in quality of life before and after intensive care. A prospective cohort study of 300 consecutive patients admitted to intensive care was performed in a Scottish Teaching Hospital. Quality of life was assessed premorbidly and 3, 6 and 12 months after intensive care admission for surviving patients using SF-36 as well as EQ-5D scores at 12 months. The median value for age was 60.5 years and for APACHE II score, 18. The mean length of stay was 6.7 days. SF-36 physical component scores decreased from premorbid values at 3 months (p = 0.05) and then returned to premorbid values at 12 months (p < 0.001). The mean physical scores were below the population norm at all time points but the mean mental scores were similar or higher than these population norms. Patients who died after intensive care discharge had lower quality of life scores than did survivors (all p < 0.01). Poor premorbid quality of life was demonstrated and appears to reduce after ICU discharge. For survivors there was a slow increase in physical quality of life to premorbid levels by the end of the first year but these remained lower than in the general population. ICU patients experience a considerable longer-term burden of ill health.

UK National Institute of Health Research.

UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme.

SummaryBackgroundTwo commonly performed surgical interventions are available for severe (grade II–IV) haemorrhoids; traditional excisional surgery and stapled haemorrhoidopexy. Uncertainty exists as to which is most effective. The eTHoS trial was designed to establish the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of stapled haemorrhoidopexy compared with traditional excisional surgery.MethodsThe eTHoS trial was a large, open-label, multicentre, parallel-group, pragmatic randomised controlled trial done in adult participants (aged 18 years or older) referred to hospital for surgical treatment for grade II–IV haemorrhoids. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either traditional excisional surgery or stapled haemorrhoidopexy. Randomisation was minimised according to baseline EuroQol 5 dimensions 3 level score (EQ-5D-3L), haemorrhoid grade, sex, and centre with an automated system to stapled haemorrhoidopexy or traditional excisional surgery. The primary outcome was area under the quality of life curve (AUC) measured with the EQ-5D-3L descriptive system over 24 months, assessed according to the randomised groups. The primary outcome measure was analysed using linear regression with adjustment for the minimisation variables. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN80061723.FindingsBetween Jan 13, 2011, and Aug 1, 2014, 777 patients were randomised (389 to receive stapled haemorrhoidopexy and 388 to receive traditional excisional surgery). Stapled haemorrhoidopexy was less painful than traditional excisional surgery in the short term and surgical complication rates were similar between groups. The EQ-5D-3L AUC score was higher in the traditional excisional surgery group than the stapled haemorrhoidopexy group over 24 months; mean difference −0·073 (95% CI −0·140 to −0·006; p=0·0342). EQ-5D-3L was higher for stapled haemorrhoidopexy in the first 6 weeks after surgery, the traditional excisional surgery group had significantly better quality of life scores than the stapled haemorrhoidopexy group. 24 (7%) of 338 participants who received stapled haemorrhoidopexy and 33 (9%) of 352 participants who received traditional excisional surgery had serious adverse events.InterpretationAs part of a tailored management plan for haemorrhoids, traditional excisional surgery should be considered over stapled haemorrhoidopexy as the surgical treatment of choice.FundingNational Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.