Otilonium bromide in irritable bowel syndrome: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 15-week study.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of otilonium bromide, a spasmolytic agent, in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome using modern and validated diagnostic criteria.

Methods: Three hundred and seventy-eight patients with irritable bowel syndrome were enrolled in the study. At entry, endoscopy/barium enema, clinical examination and laboratory tests were used to rule out organic diseases.

Combined therapy with 5-aminosalicylic acid tablets and enemas for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis: a randomized double-blind study.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of a combination of oral and topical 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) for the maintenance treatment of ulcerative colitis, we undertook a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

Methods: Patients aged 18 to 65 yr (with disease extent greater than proctitis only) were eligible for inclusion in the study if they met the following criteria: (a) history of two or more relapses in the last year; (b) achievement of remission in the last 3 months (with maintenance of remission for at least 1 month). Patients enrolled in the study were randomly assigned to one of the two following 1-yr treatments: (1) combined therapy with 5-ASA tablets 1.

Non-absorbable antibiotics in the treatment of diverticular disease of the colon.

Diverticular disease of the colon is a common health problem in western societies. Most patients with colonic diverticula are asymptomatic; it has been estimated that only 20% of individuals harboring diverticula will develop symptoms and signs of illness and a minority will develop major complications. Medical treatment of diverticular disease is aimed to the relief of symptoms and to prevent inflammatory complications.

The usefulness of the acridine-orange stain in identifying Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies.

The efficacy of the Acridine-orange stain (AOS) in identifying Helicobacter pylori (HP)-like organisms in biopsy smears from adults with gastroduodenal disease was studied. The results obtained indicate that AOS can replace Gram Stain in HP organism identification in gastroduodenal mucosa specimen.