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Aim: Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) refers to a constellation of bowel symptoms that affect the majority of patients following restorative proctectomy. LARS is associated with poorer quality of life (QoL), and can lead to distress, anxiety and isolation. Peer support could be an important resource for people living with LARS, helping them normalize and validate their experience. The aim of this work is to describe the development of an interactive online informational and peer support app for LARS and the protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Method: A multicentre, randomized, assessor‐blind, parallel‐groups pragmatic trial will involve patients from five large colorectal surgery practices across Canada. The trial will evaluate the impact of an interactive online informational and peer support app for LARS, consisting of LARS informational modules and a closed forum for peers and trained peer support mentors, on patient‐reported outcomes of people living with LARS. The primary outcome will be global QoL at 6 months following app exposure. The treatment effect on global QoL will be modelled using generalized estimating equations. Secondary outcomes will include patient activation and bowel function as measured by LARS scores. Results: In order to better understand patients' interest and preferences for an online peer support intervention for LARS, we conducted a single institution cross‐sectional survey study of rectal cancer survivors. In total, 35/69 (51%) participants reported interest in online peer support for LARS. Age <65 years (OR 9.1; 95% CI 2.3‐50) and minor/major LARS (OR 20; 95% CI 4.2‐100) were significant predictors of interest in LARS online peer support. Conclusion: There is significant interest in the use of online peer support for LARS among younger patients and those with significant bowel dysfunction. Based on results of the needs assessment study, the app content and features were modified reflect patients' needs and preferences. We are now in an optimal position to rigorously test the potential effects of this initiative on patient‐centered outcomes using a randomized controlled trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment may reduce liver-related mortality but with competing risks, other causes of mortality may undermine benefits. We examined changes in cause-specific mortality among HIV-HCV coinfected patients before and after scale-up of HCV treatment., Design: Prospective multicentre HIV-HCV cohort study in Canada., Methods: Cause-specific deaths, classified using a modified 'Coding of Cause of Death in HIV' protocol, were determined for two time periods, 2003-2012 and 2013-2017, stratified by age (20-49; 50-80 years). Comparison of trends between periods was performed using Poisson regression. To account for competing risks, multinomial regression was used to estimate the cause-specific hazard ratios of time and age on cause of death, from which end-stage liver disease (ESLD)-specific 5-year cumulative incidence functions were estimated., Results: Overall, 1634 participants contributed 8248 person-years of follow-up; 273 (17%) died. Drug overdose was the most common cause of death overall, followed by ESLD and smoking-related deaths. In 2013-2017, ESLD was surpassed by drug overdose and smoking-related deaths among those aged 20-49 and 50-80, respectively. After accounting for competing risks, comparing 2003-2012 to 2013-2017, ESLD deaths declined (adjusted hazards ratio: 0.18, 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.62). However, both early and late period cumulative incidence functions demonstrated increased risk of death from ESLD for patients with poor HIV control and advanced fibrosis., Conclusion: The gains made in overall mortality with HCV therapy may be thwarted if modifiable harms are not addressed. Although ESLD-related deaths have decreased over time, treatment should be further expanded, prioritizing those with advanced fibrosis.