Resident trainees do not affect patient satisfaction in an outpatient gastroenterology clinic: a prospective study conducted in a Canadian gastroenterology clinic.

Background: There is little literature regarding how a gastroenterology trainee affects a patient's interpretation of care during outpatient clinic visits. Improving patient satisfaction is desirable and benefits may include enhanced patient compliance as well as providing trainees with areas for improvement.

Objectives: To evaluate patient satisfaction in an outpatient gastroenterology clinic when seen by a trainee and attending physician versus an attending physician alone.

Prevalence of idiopathic fecal incontinence in a community-based sample.

Background: The epidemiology of fecal incontinence (FI) remains incompletely understood. The use of different interview questions in highly selected populations has resulted in widely varying reported rates.

Aim: To define the prevalence of idiopathic FI in a Canadian urban community sample using a validated interview questionnaire.

A population-based study of breastfeeding in inflammatory bowel disease: initiation, duration, and effect on disease in the postpartum period.

Objectives: We aimed to assess breastfeeding practices and the impact of breastfeeding on disease flare during the postpartum year in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Women of childbearing age from 1985 to 2005 were identified from the University of Manitoba IBD Research Registry. Questionnaires were completed regarding pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Acceptance of colonoscopy requires more than test tolerance.

Background: Colon cancer screening, including colonoscopy, lags behind other forms of cancer screening for participation rates. The intrinsic nature of the endoscopic procedure may be an important barrier that limits patients from finding this test acceptable and affects willingness to undergo screening. With colon cancer screening programs emerging in Canada, test characteristics and their impact on acceptance warrant consideration.

Surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases and pregnancy.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) affect women of reproductive age. Surgical intervention is often required. Therefore, the implications of disease treatment and pregnancy need to be understood.

Canadian physicians' choices for their own colon cancer screening.

Introduction: Compliance with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in Canada is low. The aim of the present survey was to determine whether Canadian physicians older than 50 years were pursuing colon cancer screening. Specifically, physicians were asked to identify their modality of choice and identify their barriers to screening.

Management of acute bleeding upper gastrointestinal ulcers in the era of endoscopic and intravenous proton pump inhibitor therapy.

Background: Despite advances in therapy, the morbidity and mortality of gastrointestinal bleeding remains high. A review of current practice patterns was undertaken in St Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba to assess the standard of care provided.

Objective: To determine whether upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) attributable to a single acute ulcer is treated appropriately with respect to local therapy, acid suppression and Helicobacter pylori status.

Post-traveler's diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective study.

Objective: Anecdotal evidence suggests that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can develop after an episode of traveler's diarrhea (TD). This observation supports a contemporary paradigm proposed for the etiology of IBS and may have important implications for public health strategies aimed at preventing TD. This study aimed to determine the incidence of IBS in people experiencing TD.

Sexual abuse in irritable bowel syndrome: to ask or not to ask -- that is the question.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common and costly disorder in Canada. The paucity of medical treatment underscores the importance of examining every element of the management approach. Data exist supporting an increased prevalence of abuse among individuals with IBS.

Microbial overgrowth in water perfusion equipment for esophageal/rectal motility.

Background: There are few data on microbial levels in water used during the assessment of GI motility. Patients undergoing such procedures may be ingesting water with unacceptably high levels of bacteria.

Methods: Samples of water from the reservoir and tubing from water perfusion motility equipment were taken and quantitatively assessed to determine the concentration of viable aerobic and facultative microorganisms.