Baseline characteristics and recruitment for SWOG S1820: altering intake, managing bowel symptoms in survivors of rectal cancer (AIMS-RC)

• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08527-x
• Publication Date: 2024-05-22T07:01:46Z
• Authors: Virginia Sun; Cynthia A. Thomson; Tracy E. Crane; Kathryn B. Arnold; Katherine A. Guthrie; Sarah G. Freylers...; Christa Braun-Inglis; Lee Jones; Joseph C. Carmichael; Craig Messick; Devin Flaherty; Samir Ambrale; Stacey A. Cohen; Robert S. Krouse
• Keywords: Quality of life; Male; Adult; Biomedical and clinical sciences; Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities; 610; Intervention; Nursing; 613; Medical and Health Sciences; Oral and gastrointestinal; 03 medical and health sciences; Rare Diseases; 0302 clinical medicine; 7.1 Individual care needs; Bowel dysfunction; Cancer Survivors; Clinical Research; Health Services and Systems; Health Sciences; Behavioral and Social Science; Self-management; Psychology; Humans; Oncology & Carcinogenesis; Nutrition; Cancer; Aged; Rectal Neoplasms; Prevention; Research; Patient Selection; Psychology and Cognitive Sciences; Health sciences; Middle Aged; Self Efficacy; Colo-Rectal Cancer; Good Health and Well Being; Quality of Life; Feasibility Studies; Female; Diet modification; Digestive Diseases

Abstract Purpose Many survivors of rectal cancer experience persistent bowel dysfunction. There are few evidence-based symptom management interventions to improve bowel control. The purpose of this study is to describe recruitment and pre-randomization baseline sociodemographic, health status, and clinical characteristics for SWOG S1820, a trial of the Altering Intake, Managing Symptoms in Rectal Cancer (AIMS-RC) intervention.

Methods SWOG S1820 aimed to determine the preliminary efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of AIMS-RC, a symptom management intervention for bowel health, comparing intervention to attention control. Survivors with a history of cancers of the rectosigmoid colon or rectum, within 6–24 months of primary treatment completion, with a post-surgical permanent ostomy or anastomosis, and over 18 years of age were enrolled. Outcomes included total bowel function, low anterior resection syndrome, quality of life, motivation for managing bowel health, self-efficacy for managing symptoms, positive and negative affect, and study feasibility and acceptability.

Results The trial completed accrual over a 29-month period and enrolled 117 participants from 34 institutions across 17 states and one US Pacific territory. At baseline, most enrolled participants reported self-imposed diet adjustments after surgery, persistent dietary intolerances, and bowel discomfort post-treatment, with high levels of constipation and diarrhea (grades 1–4).

Conclusions SWOG S1820 was able to recruit, in a timely manner, a study cohort that is demographically representative of US survivors of rectal cancer. Baseline characteristics illustrate the connection between diet/eating and bowel symptoms post-treatment, with many participants reporting diet adjustments and persistent inability to be comfortable with dietary intake.

ClinicalTrials.gov registration date 12/19/2019.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT#04205955.