October 2010 Vol XXXIV Issue 10
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE, SERIES #65
Why Don't We Just Measure Infliximab Drug Levels in IBD?In this article, we evaluate studies reporting the incidence of IFX antibodies in IBD, their impact on efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of IFX.
NUTRITION ISSUES IN GASTROENTEROLOGY, SERIES #88
Management of Catheter-Related Infection in Patients Receiving Home Parenteral NutritionThe presence of a central vascular access device sets the stage for one of the most frequently encountered complications associated with home PN-catheter-related (CR) infection. Clinicians caring for the home PN-patient faced with managing these infectious complications should have a working knowledge of the risk factors for, and presentation of the different types of CR infections, as well as understanding their prevention and treatment.
A SPECIAL ARTICLE
Multidimensional Affect and Pain Survey (MAPS) in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) PatientsThe purpose of this article is to determine the weight given by Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients to the three dimensions of pain in the Multidimensional Affect and Pain Survey (MAPS): Sensory, Suffering, and Well-being.
A CASE REPORT
Histoplasmosis Presenting as a Hypopharyngeal Mass in an Immune Compromised HostHere, we present a case of an immune compromised patient presenting with dysphagia and odynophagia secondary to esophageal histoplasmosis.
Departments Section
Endoscopic Therapy for Barrett's Esophagus
This text was designed to educate gastroenterology practitioners on endoscopic imaging modalities to detect Barrett's esophagus, to explain the endoscopic techniques for treatment, and to provide a decision making analysis in determining the type of treatment needed based on each patient.
Rifaximin in Hepatic Encephalopathy
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out, assigning 299 patients who were in remission from recurrent hepatic encephalopathy resulting from chronic liver disease to receive either Rifaximin at a dose of 550 mg b.i.d. (140 patients), or placebo (159 patients) for six months. The primary efficacy end point was the time to the first breakthrough episode of hepatic encephalopathy.
Oral Mesalamine in Maintenance of UC Remission
In order to determine the efficacy and safety of once daily dosing of delayed release Mesalamine (Asacol 400mg tablets), compared with twice daily dosing for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, a multicenter, randomized, investigatorblinded, 12-month, active-controlled trial was conducted to assess the noninferiority of delayed release Mesalamine (1.6 to 2.4 grams/day), administered once daily, compared with twice daily in patients with mildto-moderate UC, currently in clinical remission.
Epidemiology of Functional Dyspepsia
In order to evaluate the prevalence of, and risk factors for functional dyspepsia (FD) in the Italian general population, a total of 1,533 inhabitants of two villages were invited to undergo symptom evaluation using a validated questionnaire, esophagogastroduodenoscopy and 13 C-urea breath tests. A total of 1,033 subjects took part, and 156 had dyspepsia.
Vitamin D and Treatment of Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C
25-Hydroxy vitamin D (25/OH/D) can potentially interfere with inflammatory response and fibrogenesis. In order to evaluate disease progression in CHC and its relationship with histological and sustained virological response (SVR) to therapy, 197 patients with biopsyproven genotype 1 (G1) CHC and 49 healthy subjects matched by age and sex were consecutively evaluated.
Timing of SVR Post Treatment For HCV
In order to evaluate whether the assessment of serum HCV-RNA 12 weeks (W+12) after the end of treatment was as relevant as W+24 to evaluate SVR in 573 patients who received combination PEG-IFN and Ribavirin and had a virological response at the end of treatment, serum HCV-RNA was measured using a new assay, based on transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), with a lowest detection limit of 5 to 10 IU/mL at W+12 and W+24 after the end of treatment.
U.K. Bariatric Surgeon Performs Europe's First ROSE Procedures Using USGI Medical's Incisionless Operating PlatformTM (IOP)
USGI Medical, Inc., the Incisionless Surgery Company, announced that a surgeon in the U.K. successfully completed Europe's first two scar-free stomach surgery repairs using the company's Incisionless Operating PlatformTM (IOP).
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America Expands Library of Patient Materials
Updated Brochures Offer the Latest on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis New information on the diagnosis of, treatment for, and research on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is rapidly growing.
