Oxaliplatin, a key drug in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), can cause oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) in a dose-dependent manner. These symptoms can severely affect daily life, and chronic OIPN often limits treatment continuation because of its correlation with the cumulative dose of oxaliplatin. Currently, effective preventive measures are unavailable. However, surgical glove compression therapy may reduce paclitaxel-induced neuropathy, suggesting its potential in preventing OIPN.

This multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase II/III trial evaluates surgical glove compression therapy to investigate the possible preventive effects of OIPN in patients with CRC receiving adjuvant capecitabine plus oxaliplatin chemotherapy. Patients with stage III CRC undergoing curative surgery will be enrolled and randomised into two groups. The intervention group will wear two layers of tight-fitting surgical gloves from 30 min before to 30 min after oxaliplatin infusion, whereas the control group will receive standard care. The primary endpoint is the incidence of grade ≥2 chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events criteria. Secondary endpoints include quality of life assessments (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecological Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity-12 and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20-item), duration and extent of OIPN as assessed using the Debiopharm Neurologic and Sensory Toxicity Criteria, chemotherapy completion rates, and adverse events. To detect a significant reduction in the incidence of CIPN, 170 patients will be enrolled (36% in the control group vs 15% in the intervention group). The planned case enrolment period is from 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2026.

This trial was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Hiroshima University, Japan (approval no. CRB2024-0008), and has been registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs062240066). The results of this study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and shared with the scientific community at international conferences.

jRCTs062240066

Curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) heavily rely on laboratory testing methods. Unfortunately, these diagnostic tools are infrequently used in certain regions of the country, which often results in suboptimal treatment for these infections. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of selected curable STIs among pregnant women.

Cross-sectional study.

The study was conducted in an antenatal care (ANC) unit in one of Southern Ethiopia’s general hospitals.

A total of 244 consecutive pregnant women attending the ANC follow-up were recruited for the study. All pregnant women have equal opportunity to participate; however, women who declined to be interviewed or give a sample were excluded. Pregnant women on antibiotic treatments were also excluded.

The study assessed the prevalence of selected curable STIs and associated factors. Neisseria gonorrhoea was diagnosed by culture, trichomoniasis by microscopic examination and syphilis by serological testing using a rapid diagnostic test cassette. Test results for trichomoniasis and gonorrhoea were obtained from vaginal and endocervical swabs. Factors associated with curable STIs were evaluated by bivariable and multivariate logistic regression.

The overall prevalence of curable STIs was 16.4% (40/244), with prevalence of 2% for gonorrhoea, 15.2% for trichomoniasis and 1.2% for syphilis. Alcohol intake (adjusted OR (AOR)=3.0; 95% CI 1.1 to 8.3; p=0.030), symptomatic treatment (AOR=3.6; 95% CI 1.4 to 8.6; p=0.004), residency (AOR=3.2; 95% CI 1.2 to 9.1; p=0.022) and pain while urinating (AOR=4.0; 95% CI 1.6 to 9.7; p=0.002) were all found to be associated with the existence of these STIs. This study has limitations; the cross-sectional study design and small sample size would provide limited information about factors associated with curable maternal STIs.

The study reveals a high prevalence of curable STIs among the participants, highlighting the need for further research aimed at improving their management during pregnancy.