CompletedNot Applicable

The Best Care for Abdominal Emergencies Study

United Kingdom2,500 participantsStarted 2021-01-08

Plain-language summary

This is a single-centre retrospective cohort study utilising electronic hospital records. The aim of this study is to improve care for all patients with an intestinal emergency, irrespective of whether they have surgery or not. Data will be derived from electronic patient records collected as part of routine clinical patient care on all general adult wards (excluding maternity) between 2013 and 2020. The investigators will then identify patients who had an emergency laparotomy, and those who had a laparoscopic procedure. The investigators aim to identify 2 further groups where treatment is non-surgical (but could be medical or interventional radiology) or where treatment is considered futile, suggesting that an early focus on end of life care might be appropriate. The primary objective is to provide mortality rates for different treatment options, and analysis of short- and long-term outcomes. The secondary endpoints are to define patient sub-groups with similar health characteristics based on clinical data and an established risk index and to use statistical analysis to predict the risk of death for each patient group and treatment option, which will allow the investigators to identify the best care pathways for each cluster.

Who can participate

Age range

16 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: All acute general surgical adult patients admitted between 2013 and 2020 with all of the conditions below: * Must have an acute intestinal condition, based on their ICD-10 codes and OPSC-4 codes * Must be \>= 16 years of age at the time of admission * Have at least one full set of vital signs recorded on the day of admission * Have at least one full set of routine blood tests recorded on the day of admission Exclusion Criteria: * Maternity admissions during/after pregnancy * Patients admitted or undergoing abdominal surgery for a second time or more

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Mortality rates of different interventions

Timeframe: 2013-2020

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04577339

SponsorPortsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Sponsor typeOTHER_GOV

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2022-05-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Acute Abdomen trials