Pain perception during colonoscopy in relation to gender and equipment: a clinical study.

Objectives A trend for gender-related differences in pain perception during colonoscopies has previously been observed. No consecutive clinical studies have been conducted to confirm such a relation. We aimed to investigate gender-related differences during the colonoscopy procedure, and the impact of endoscopic equipment and psychological factors on pain management.

Colonoscopy results are not enhanced by use of magnet endoguide in specialist practice.

Introduction: It is discussed whether the use of a magnetic positioning device (OLYMPUS; UPD (unit of magnetic positioning device)) enhances the success of the colonoscopic procedure. Concern for patient compliance and endoscopic efficiency has been voiced in connection with the implementation of colon cancer screening. UPD has been proposed as a tool for optimization of results and reduction of patient discomfort.

Barrett's esophagus. Diagnosis, follow-up and treatment.

Barrett's Esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition in the esophagus. Esophageal adenocarcinomas have the fastest increase of incidence of all solid tumors in the western world. BE is defined as areas with macroscopic visible columnar epithelium and intestinal metaplasia oral of the anatomical gastroesophageal junction.

Symptom recording in a randomised clinical trial: paper diaries vs. electronic or telephone data capture.

Background: Patients may be asked to register a symptom daily in clinical trials. A problem associated with this kind of registration is that patients do not always fill in the diary at the appropriate time. As there is evidence showing that memory is unreliable, this undermines the entire purpose of collecting daily data on paper diaries.

Histopathology of the gastric oxyntic mucosa in two different patient groups during long-term treatment with omeprazole.

Objectives: Hypochlorhydria, hypergastrinaemia, inflammation and Helicobacter pylori infection, dose and duration of omeprazole treatment may separately, or in combination, influence the proliferation of enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells and parietal cell changes in gastric mucosa. To assess the effects of these variables comparisons were carried out in patients with the acid related Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) versus patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with PSS and 16 patients with ZES were included and received continuous omeprazole treatment for a mean of 7.

Oesophageal pressure-cross-sectional area distributions and secondary peristalsis in relation to subclassification of systemic sclerosis.

The aim of the present study was to correlate the severity of oesophageal motor dysfunction with the severity of cutaneous disease in systemic sclerosis (SS). Patients were divided into three groups based on the degree of skin involvement: type I, acrosclerosis distal to the wrist; type II, scleroderma extending above the wrist in proximal direction; type III, diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Impedance planimetry employing distensions with pressures up to 5 kPa with the concomitant measurement of oesophageal cross-sectional area (CSA) was used in combination with standard oesophageal manometry.

Impedance planimetric characterization of esophagus in systemic sclerosis patients with severe involvement of esophagus.

This study was designed to evaluate the distensibility and secondary peristalsis of the esophagus in patients suffering from systemic sclerosis with severe esophageal involvement. Balloon distension with impedance planimetric measurement of luminal cross-sectional area was done 7 and 15 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter in 13 patients and nine healthy controls. The controls were studied both with and without receiving the anticholinergic drug butylscopolamine.

Monitoring of omeprazole treatment in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Objective: To test our standard dosing regimen in omeprazole treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and to determine whether 'non-responders' could be pinpointed.

Design: A reverse dose-response examination using increasing doses of omeprazole. The study was conducted as an open consecutive clinical study.

Morning or evening dosage of omeprazole for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?

Background And Aims: When routinely checking patients receiving omeprazole treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux, we have been finding patients with surprisingly low nocturnal gastric pH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of timing of the 40 mg omeprazole once daily regimen.

Methods: We evaluated the difference in effect of 40 mg omeprazole, given as a morning or evening dose, in 17 patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Esophageal and small intestinal manifestations of progressive systemic sclerosis. A clinical and experimental study.

Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is a systemic disease with a high frequency of gastro-intestinal involvement. The present thesis deals with the occurrence of, the complications to, and the treatment of the esophageal manifestations combined with more experimental studies on small intestine manifestations. The conclusions in this thesis are based on results achieved in 9 original previously published papers.

Omeprazole in the long-term treatment of severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Twenty-five patients with systemic sclerosis and severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease were treated with 20-80 mg omeprazole daily for up to 5 years. Efficacy of treatment was assessed by symptom score, by endoscopic and histopathological surveillance of the oesophageal and gastric mucosa, and by laboratory screening including serum gastrin concentration. Statistically significant relief of symptoms and healing of oesophagitis confirmed the efficacy of this treatment.

Gastrointestinal transit times of radiolabeled meal in progressive systemic sclerosis.

Gastrointestinal transit times were measured in 12 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis. The CREST syndrome (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia) was found in all patients. None of the patients reported complaints referable to specific gastric, small intestinal, or colonic involvement.

Hydroxyproline in the oesophageal mucosa of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis during omeprazole-induced healing of reflux oesophagitis.

Hydroxyproline concentration in oesophageal mucosal biopsies was used as an index of collagen in an attempt to evaluate the potential for stricture formation in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis. Eight patients suffering from progressive systemic sclerosis with complicating gastro-oesophageal reflux, 8 patients with idiopathic gastro-oesophageal reflux, and 7 normal controls were compared. Acid gastro-oesophageal reflux was assessed with 24-h pH-metry; degree of oesophagitis was evaluated both endoscopically and histopathologically.

Exocrine pancreatic function in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.

The exocrine pancreatic function was investigated in 16 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis by means of a meal test (Lundh test) and in 9 of the patients by the secretin-cholecystokinin test as well. Gastrointestinal involvement with progressive systemic sclerosis was evaluated by esophageal manometry and by routine roentgenographic series of the small bowel. Fecal fat excretion measurement, the D-xylose absorption test, and a small-intestinal biopsy procedure were carried out.

The progress of oesophageal involvement in progressive systemic sclerosis during D-penicillamine treatment.

In 21 patients with initial signs of progressive systemic sclerosis, oesophageal motility was monitored manometrically from the start of D-penicillamine treatment and over a period of up to 5 years. Urinary excretion of the collagen-specific amino acids hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, and of proline was used as a guideline for monitoring the bioavailability of D-penicillamine. D-penicillamine therapy was found to be unable to arrest the progress of oesophageal involvement.

Esophageal candidosis in progressive systemic sclerosis: occurrence, significance, and treatment with fluconazole.

Esophageal mucosal brushings from 51 consecutive patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) (group I), 18 PSS patients continuously treated with high-dose ranitidine or omeprazole (group II), 34 controls referred to the outpatient clinic for endoscopy (group III), and 10 patients receiving long-term potent antireflux therapy for idiopathic gastroesophageal reflux (group IV) were cultured for Candida albicans. There were 44%, 89%, 9%, and 0% Candida albicans culture-positive patients in groups I through IV, respectively. Fifteen patients with candida esophagitis from group II were treated with fluconazole systemically.

Esophageal manometry and pH-probe monitoring in the evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.

Fifty-five patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) were evaluated with esophageal manometry, 12-h pH-probe monitoring in esophagus, and registration of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Thirty-nine patients had symptoms suggestive of GER. The 12-h pH-monitoring showed pathologic GER in 30 patients.

Enterocyte function in progressive systemic sclerosis as estimated by the deconjugation of pteroyltriglutamate to folic acid.

As a measure of enterocyte function, the deconjugation of pteroyl-L-glutamyl-gamma-L-glutamyl-gamma-L-glutamic acid to folic acid and subsequent active absorption was measured in 19 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and compared with 14 controls. The absorption step of folic acid was identical in the two groups, while deconjugation of pteroyl-L-glutamyl-gamma-L-glutamyl-gamma-L-glutamic acid was significantly decreased in the patients with progressive systemic sclerosis. This observation suggests a primary epithelial defect of the small intestine in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.

Ultrastructure of the small intestinal mucosa in progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS).

The present study deals with ultrastructural changes of jejunal absorptive epithelium in mucosal biopsy specimens from eleven patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Epithelial cells showed cytoplasmic condensations with cholesterol clefts and fat droplets. Intercellular spaces of the epithelium were dilated with deposits of fat droplets, while tight junctions and villi preserved their normal structures.

Bioavailability of D-penicillamine in relation to gastrointestinal involvement of generalized scleroderma.

The bioavailability of D-penicillamine was measured in 24 patients with generalized scleroderma (Progressive Systemic Sclerosis, PSS). Esophageal changes characteristic of generalized scleroderma were present in 15 of the patients, and 3 of those patients had duodenal involvements as well. The plasma concentrations of D-penicillamine were measured at 0 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h after an oral dose of 300 mg D-penicillamine.

Long-term ranitidine in progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) with gastroesophageal reflux.

Eighteen patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux were studied for 20 weeks. All patients were initially treated with ranitidine for a 6-week period. From the 7th week the patients were randomized to further treatment with either ranitidine or placebo.