Performance of a multicompounds nutraceutical formulation in patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease.

Background: Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) is a recognized clinical condition characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits, attributed to diverticula but without macroscopic signs of diverticulitis. There is no consensus about the management of these patients. Enteroflegin, an association of natural active ingredients, could be effective in the treatment of those patients.

Prospective evaluation of ERCP performance in an Italian regional database study.

Background: Prospective studies about endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in a community setting are rare.

Aim: To assess success and complication rates of routinely-performed ERCP in a regional setting, and the priority quality indicators for ERCP practice.

Methods: Prospective region wide observational study on consecutive patients undergoing ERCP during a 6-month period.

2-Litre polyethylene glycol-citrate-simethicone plus bisacodyl versus 4-litre polyethylene glycol as preparation for colonoscopy in chronic constipation.

Background: Chronic constipation is a risk factor of inadequate bowel preparation for colonoscopy; however, no large clinical trials have been performed in this subgroup of patients.

Aims: To compare bowel cleansing efficacy, tolerability and acceptability of 2-L polyethylene-glycol-citrate-simethicone (PEG-CS) plus 2-day bisacodyl (reinforced regimen) vs. 4-L PEG in patients with chronic constipation undergoing colonoscopy.

Anatomic distribution of cancers and colorectal adenomas according to age and sex and relationship between proximal and distal neoplasms in an i-FOBT-positive average-risk Italian screening cohort.

Background And Aims: Subsite-specific incidence rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) and adenomas may vary considerably by race, sex and age as well as due to different screening strategies. We assessed variations in the anatomical distribution of adenomas according to age and sex in an average-risk screening cohort testing positive at immunological faecal occult blood test (i-FOBT) in northern Italy.

Methods: Data from 2,281 consecutive asymptomatic i-FOBT-positive subjects ageing 50-70 years undergone colonoscopy were reviewed.

Intermittent treatment with mesalazine in the prevention of diverticulitis recurrence: a randomised multicentre pilot double-blind placebo-controlled study of 24-month duration.

Background And Aim: Recurrence of diverticulitis is frequent within 5 years from the uncomplicated first attack, and its prophylaxis is still unclear. We have undertaken a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study in order to evaluate the role of mesalazine in preventing diverticulitis recurrence as well as its effects on symptoms associated to diverticular disease.

Methods: Ninety-six patients with the recent first episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis were randomised to receive mesalazine 800 mg twice daily for 10 days every month or placebo for 24 months.

Faecal occult blood test-based screening programme with high compliance for colonoscopy has a strong clinical impact on colorectal cancer.

Background: The results of a pilot colorectal cancer screening programme by biennial immunochemical faecal occult blood test (FOBT) are reported.

Methods: All residents aged between 50 and 69 years in the Italian province of Lecco were invited to have a FOBT. Those with a positive result were offered colonoscopy.

Incidence and risk factors for gallstones in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a large case-control study.

Unlabelled: The risk for gallstones (GD) in inflammatory bowel diseases and the factors responsible for this complication have not been well established. We studied the incidence of GD in a cohort of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and investigated the related risk factors. A case-controlled study was carried out.

Outcome of non-variceal acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in relation to the time of endoscopy and the experience of the endoscopist: a two-year survey.

Aim: To prospectively assess the impact of time of endoscopy and endoscopist's experience on the outcome of non-variceal acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding patients in a large teaching hospital.

Methods: All patients admitted for non-variceal acute upper GI bleeding for over a 2-year period were potentially eligible for this study. They were managed by a team of seven endoscopists on 24-h call whose experience was categorized into two levels (high and low) according to the number of endoscopic hemostatic procedures undertaken before the study.

Is interferon-alpha therapy safe and effective for patients with chronic hepatitis C and inflammatory bowel disease? A case-control study.

Background: Hepatitis C virus infection is more common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease than in general population. Limited data are available as to the safety and efficacy of alpha-interferon therapy for chronic active hepatitis C in patients with concomitant inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alpha-interferon monotherapy in patients with chronic active hepatitis C and inactive or mildly active inflammatory bowel disease.

An unusual cause of recurrent biliary colics.

Hepato-biliary ascariasis is a rare condition in non-endemic areas; however, it should always be taken into account in patients with recurrent biliary colics and/or cholangitis, since these are among the most frequent modes of clinical presentation. We report a case of a young woman suffering from recurrent biliary colics in whom a diagnosis of biliary ascariasis was made. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy and endoscopic extraction of the worm, using a Dormia basket, proved to be a safe and effective procedure for removing the living Ascaris from the biliary tree and relieving symptoms.

Hospital use of acid-suppressive medications and its fall-out on prescribing in general practice: a 1-month survey.

Background: Acid-suppressive medications are commonly used in hospitalized patients, but, to date, little is known about the overall use of these drugs in the hospital setting.

Aim: To evaluate the appropriateness of acid-suppressive therapy in a large teaching hospital in northern Italy, and the fall-out of hospital prescription in general practice.

Methods: The use of antisecretory agents was monitored for 1 month in adult patients consecutively admitted to L.

Sonographic prevalence of liver steatosis and biliary tract stones in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: study of 511 subjects at a single center.

Goals: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are associated with pathologic findings in the liver and biliary tract. Ultrasonography (US) represents a noninvasive means to study hepatobiliary abnormalities. This study evaluated the prevalence of US hepatobiliary changes and their relationship to clinical variables in a large IBD patient population followed in a single center.

Prospective audit of gastroscopy under the 'three-day rule': a regional initiative in Italy to reduce waiting time for suspected malignancy.

Background: A regional initiative, called the 'three-day rule', has recently been introduced in Italy to facilitate the earlier diagnosis of malignancy. It requires patients with suspected severe diseases to have a diagnostic procedure performed within three working days of referral by a general practitioner.

Aim: To assess prospectively the effectiveness and compliance with the three-day rule for upper digestive malignancies.

Prevalence and clinical features of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper oesophagus (inlet patch).

Aim: To determine the prevalence of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper oesophagus (inlet patch) and the factors that may influence its finding. To study its macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and its relationship with symptoms and oesophago-gastroduodenal diseases.

Patients And Methods: The study was carried out in two different prospective series of consecutive patients undergoing oesophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Continuous maintenance with low-dose lansoprazole versus Helicobacter pylori eradication in the prevention of duodenal ulcer recurrence.

Background/aims: Reduction of gastric acid secretion by maintenance treatment with antisecretory agents and eradication of H. pylori by antibiotics constitute the most effective therapeutic options in preventing duodenal ulcer relapse. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a 12-month low-dose lansoprazole maintenance treatment with H.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on gastric histology, serum gastrin and pepsinogen I levels, and gastric emptying in patients with gastric ulcer.

Objective: The evolution of gastritis and the behavior of basal and meal-stimulated gastrin release, pepsinogen levels, and gastric emptying of solids were studied in a series of consecutive patients with Helicobacter pylori-positive, uncomplicated, non-NSAID-related type I gastric ulcer over a follow-up period of 3 months after eradication therapy was begun.

Methods: Before starting treatment (consisting of omeprazole 40 mg a day for 1 month and amoxycillin 1 g three times daily for 14 days), and for 3 months after ulcer healing, 16 patients had a series of functional examinations, including basal and meal-stimulated serum gastrin concentration, serum pepsinogen I levels, evaluation of gastric emptying of solids by means of serial ultrasonographic measurement of the gastric antrum area, and histological assessment of antral and corpus gastritis.

Results: Double therapy resulted in the successful eradication of H.

Helicobacter pylori eradication in the healing and recurrence of benign gastric ulcer: a two-year, double-blind, placebo controlled study.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with idiopathic gastric ulcer in about 90% of the cases, but only a few controlled studies aimed at evaluating gastric ulcer healing and the natural history after Helicobacter pylori-eradication have been carried out.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of omeprazole coupled with amoxicillin in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori and healing and prevention of gastric ulcer recurrence.

Patients: Fifty-nine patients with active gastric ulcer were randomized under double-blind conditions to receive either omeprazole 20 mg twice daily for four weeks plus amoxicillin 3 g daily during the first and second week (29 patients, Group A) or omeprazole .