March 2009 Vol XXXIII Issue 3
DISEASES OF THE BILIARY TRACT
Introduction to a New SeriesDISEASES OF THE BILIARY TRACT, SERIES #1
Biliary Pancreatitis in PregnancyThe spectrum of biliary disorders in pregnancy range from asymptomatic gallstone disease to serious necrotizing pancreatitis. The aim of this article is to present an update on gallstone disease and biliary pancreatitis in pregnancy.
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE, SERIES #50
Human Growth Hormone in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Rationale, Evidence and ConcernsIt is important that physicians and other health care professionals are aware of the specific indications for growth hormone and its potential for adverse effects. This article summarizes the rationale, evidence and side effect profile for human growth hormone use in IBD.
NUTRITION ISSUES IN GASTROENTEROLOGY, SERIES #72
Enteral Feeding: Should It Be Continued in the Patient with Clostridium Difficile Enterocolitis?The authors ask, "What evidence is there to support withholding of enteral feeding in the patient with C.diff?" They answer, "For now, there is no good physiologic reason that EN should be withheld in patients with active C. diff enterocolitis without clinical signs indicating that the clinician should do it."
A CASE TO REMEMBER
The Coexistance of Crohn’s Disease and Takayasu Arteritis: Diagnosis and Treatment of Combined Disease in Three PatientsA report on three patients with coexisting Crohn's Disease and Takayasu Arteritis. All three patients were treated with infliximab and this has not been previously described in the medical literature.
FELLOWS CORNER
A case for you to solve.
Departments Section
Curbside Consultation of the Liver: 49 Clinical Questions
This is the first edition of Curbside Consultation of the Liver which is authored by Dr. Mitchell Shiffman and members of his academic practice. Dr. Shiffman has authored or co-authored well over 200 articles, editorials, reviews, and book chapters and is a leader in hepatology. This text was constructed as a guide with concise answers to many routine clinical questions in hepatology.
HCV and Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer
A cohort study including 146,394 HCV-infected and 572,293 HCV-uninfected patients who received care at Veteran's Affairs Healthcare facilities, was conducted. Patients with two visits between 1996 and 2004 with HCV infection were included as were up to four matched HCV-uninfected subjects for each HCV-infected subject. Risks of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), extra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC), pancreatic cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were assessed using proportional hazards regression.
Transaminase Elevations in HIV Disease and Treatment
Liver damage associated with chronic unexplained high serum transaminases in HIV-infected patients under combined antiretroviral therapy has not been well characterized. Liver histology was prospectively investigated in patients presenting serum transaminase elevations for more than six months after exclusion of alcohol abuse, HCV or HBV infection, autoimmune and genetic liver diseases.
PEGASYS® Proven Effective as Hepatitis C Treatment for Latino Patients, According to Article in The New England Journal of Medicine
Largest Prospective Study Demonstrates Treatment Success, and Highlights Potential Factors that Affect Health Outcomes, in Latino Population Suffering from Chronic Hepatitis C
Restech Dx-pH Measurement System Accurately Measures Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Children
Innovative pharyngeal pH probe helps differentiate baseline pH and potential etiology for various upper airway symptoms believed to be caused by acid reflux
Schering-Plough Completes Enrollment of Boceprevir Registration Studies in Treatment-Naive and Treatment-Experienced HCV Patients
Schering-Plough Corporation reports that it has completed patient enrollment in the boceprevir HCV SPRINT-2 study, a pivotal Phase III study in treatment-naïve patients. Together with the HCV RESPOND-2 study, a pivotal Phase III study in patients who failed prior treatment that completed enrollment in November 2008, the company has fully enrolled its registration studies for boceprevir, its lead investigational oral hepatitis C protease inhibitor. A total of more than 1,500 patients were enrolled in these studies at U.S. and international sites.
