A randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of the safety and efficacy of a new polyethylene glycol laxative.

Objective: This study was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of a new laxative, Braintree polyethylene glycol (PEG) laxative (Miralax, Braintree Laboratories, Braintree, MA).

Methods: This investigation was designed as a placebo-controlled, blinded, randomized, multicenter parallel trial. Study subjects were constipated but otherwise healthy outpatients who had < or =2 stools during a 7-day qualification period.

Effects of omeprazole versus placebo in treatment of noncardiac chest pain and gastroesophageal reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) occurs in 22-66% of patients with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). Although open-label investigations have shown beneficial effects of antireflux therapy in NCCP, no double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled studies have been conducted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of omeprazole compared to placebo in a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial of patients with NCCP and GER.

A comparison of the effectiveness and patient tolerance of oral sodium phosphate, castor oil, and standard electrolyte lavage for colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy preparation.

One hundred thirteen patients were randomized to receive either oral sodium phosphate (Fleet Phospho-Soda), lemon-flavored castor oil (Purge), or standard polyethylene glycol-based lavage solution (GoLYTELY) before elective colonoscopy. The study purpose was to confirm the efficacy of oral sodium phosphate and extend observations to include castor oil. Overall, patients reported that sodium phosphate and castor oil were easier to complete (p < 0.

The high frequency of upper gastrointestinal pathology in patients with fecal occult blood and colon polyps.

Colon polyps are commonly detected in the workup of fecal occult blood (FOB). It is, however, unclear whether colon polyps can adequately explain FOB. Our aim was to determine the frequency of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) pathology in patients with and without UGI symptoms and with and without risk factors for UGI pathology (such as smoking, drinking alcohol, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or the presence of associated chronic diseases) who have colon polyps and FOB.

Segmental versus diffuse nutcracker esophagus: an intermittent motility pattern.

The most common esophageal motility abnormality in patients with noncardiac chest pain is nutcracker esophagus. Most investigators regard nutcracker esophagus as a diffuse process involving the distal esophagus. Others consider it a segmental disturbance affecting isolated regions of the distal esophageal smooth muscle.