Psychiatric disorder and outcome in irritable bowel syndrome.

A link between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and psychiatric illness is well recognized. The authors set out to establish whether a group with a risk of poor outcome IBS could be identified at presentation to a general hospital clinic in a prospective series of 70 subjects. Potential risk factors showed no correlation with IBS outcome at 6-9 months.

Patient's assessment of an information booklet on Crohn's disease written by a patient.

Patients with Crohn's disease want information about the condition. "So you've got Crohn's disease", an information booklet written by a patient was sent to patients for evaluation. Most found it useful, particularly in the practical advice, and suitable for all patients with Crohn's disease.

A study of the menopause, smoking, and contraception in women with Crohn's disease.

One hundred and ninety-six women with Crohn's disease from south-east Wales were asked to provide details of their menstrual cycles, age at menopause, history of surgery, smoking habits and use of oral contraceptives. One hundred and forty-six provided the information (response rate 77 per cent). Eighty-four were still menstruating, three were pregnant, 10 had undergone hysterectomy, one had a pharmacologically-induced menopause and 48 had had a physiological menopause.

Employment after myocardial infarction amongst previously healthy men.

A postal questionnaire was sent to 55 men 18 months after their first myocardial infarction; information obtained was supplemented by interview with two of the authors (PW and GC). Fifty-three men had been in full-time employment prior to their illness, 38 of them in manual work. Their return to work and changes in employment were examined and, in addition, enquiries were made about subsequent health, assistance from trade unions and the local Disabled Resettlement Officer (DRO).

Male fertility in Crohn's disease.

The fertility of 70 men with Crohn's disease and a group of age matched controls were compared. Crohn's disease was associated with a significant reduction in family size independent of steroid or sulphasalazine treatment.

Crohn's disease in Jewish people--an epidemiological study in south-east Wales.

The prevalence of Crohn's disease in the Jewish population of south-east Wales was established by a postal survey, review of case notes and a survey of Jewish congregations in the three synagogues of the area. The prevalence of Crohn's disease had been established in various earlier studies at 52/10(5). Seven Jewish patients were identified amongst a population of between 1,750 and 2,500.

An audit of a medical anticoagulant clinic in a District General Hospital.

The working and costs of the anticoagulant clinic at the Royal Gwent Hospital was reviewed over the period July 1980-June 1981. The hospital notes of the patients were reviewed and a questionnaire distributed to each patient. The majority of patients have cardiac valve problems or deep vein thrombosis, the latter sometimes being associated with pulmonary emboli.

Comparison of twice-daily ranitidine and placebo in the treatment of duodenal ulcer--a multicentre study in the United Kingdom.

Treatment of duodenal ulcer with the H2-receptor antagonist ranitidine, 150 mg twice daily has been assessed in a double-blind, placebo controlled study at seven centres in the United Kingdom. One hundred-and-twenty-nine patients entered the trial with endoscopically confirmed duodenal ulcer. Five patients did not comply with the protocol and were excluded from the analysis.

Persistent asthma after treatment with beta-blocking agents.

Two atopic subjects with previously trivial asthma developed severe wheezing after receiving beta-adrenergic blocking agents. These drugs were discontinued but severe airways obstruction was still present more than 18 months later.

Immunoglobulin E in rectal mucosa of patients with proctitis.

Rectal-biopsy specimens were obtained from a group of patients with proctitis in different stages of activity. Large numbers of brightly fluorescent IgE-producing cells were demonstrated in rectal-biopsy specimens taken from these patients during disease activity and clinical remission. An immediate hypersensitivity reaction is suggested as one of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of proctitis.

Disodium cromoglycate in the treatment of chronic proctitis.

The effect of topical disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) has been examined in 30 patients with chronic active proctitis using a double-blind crossover trial. Each treatment period was four weeks and patients were given DSCG 200 mg by enema twice daily and 100 mg orally three times each day. Twenty-six patients completed the trial successfully, 14 responded to DSCG treatment, two improved with placebo, and 10 responded to neither.

Complications of carbenoxolone therapy.

Side effects from carbenoxolone are common and are due to electrolyte disturbance, such as sodium retention and hypokalaemia. They occur particularly in the elderly, who may already be being treated for other illnesses. Eight patients are described with serious side effects from carbenoxolone therapy, some of which were unrecognized for some time because of inadequate follow-up or because clinicians were unfamiliar with them.