A standardized method for measuring intercellular spaces in esophageal biopsies in patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease (the intercellular space ratio).

Objective: Dilated intercellular space (DIS) in esophageal biopsies is regarded as a possible early sign of mucosal injury in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study presents a standardized approach of intercellular space measurement.

Material And Methods: Distal and proximal esophageal biopsies were taken from 19 patients with suspected GERD, and examined with TEM.

Airway symptoms and sleeping difficulties in operated and non-operated patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Introduction: Anti-reflux treatment studies have not succeeded in proving a causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), airway symptoms and sleeping difficulties. In a recent follow-up study we showed that patients operated for GERD have significantly less heartburn/acid regurgitation symptoms than matched non-operated patients. These two groups probably had different degrees of reflux over a long period of time.

Validation of the Reflux, Airway and Sleep Questionnaire (RASQ).

Background: Airway symptoms and sleeplessness in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be of importance. This study validates a new questionnaire dealing with such symptoms.

Material And Methods: The Reflux, Airway and Sleep Questionnaire (RASQ) is self-administered, asks about 18 symptoms or diagnoses possibly related to GERD answered on a seven-point Likert scale and with a 1-year recall period.

What causes treatment failure - the patient, primary care, secondary care or inadequate interaction in the health services?

Background: Optimal treatment gives complete relief of symptoms of many disorders. But even if such treatment is available, some patients have persisting complaints. One disorder, from which the patients should achieve complete relief of symptoms with medical or surgical treatment, is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Disease knowledge after an educational program in patients with GERD--a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Patient education has proved beneficial in several but not all chronic disease. Inconsistent findings may rely on varying educational effects of various programs and differential effects on subgroups of patients. Patients' increase in disease knowledge may serve as a feedback to the educator on how well the education program works - but may not be associated to relevant clinical outcomes like quality of life (QoL).

Recreational physical activity and cancer risk in subsites of the colon (the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study).

Physical activity may reduce colon cancer risk, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Relating physical activity to cancer risk in anatomic segments of the colon may advance our understanding of possible mechanisms. We conducted a prospective study of 59,369 Norwegian men and women who were followed up for cancer incidence and mortality.

Patient education in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is chronic, affects 8-20% of the population, impairs quality of life (QoL) and generates substantial health-related costs. Patient education is intended to improve patients' disease-related competency, potentially enabling them to deal more efficiently with their disease, eventually improving QoL and reducing healthcare cost. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a group-based education programme for patients with mild GORD.

Digestive symptoms and their psychosocial impact: validation of a questionnaire.

Objective: Questionnaires evaluating digestive symptoms and their psychosocial impact have not been extensively validated in Norwegian populations. In this study a self-administered questionnaire developed in Norway is evaluated for this purpose.

Material And Methods: The questionnaire, the Digestive Symptoms and Impact Questionnaire, DSIQ, was developed by a cooperative group of general practitioners and gastroenterologists.

Long-term outcome of surgically and medically treated patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a matched-pair follow-up study.

Objective: A recent randomized study has shown that the long-term effects of continuous medical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with a proton-pump inhibitor are comparable to those of open fundoplication. We compared the long-term effects of anti-reflux surgery with those of medical care according to clinical practice.

Material And Methods: This is a questionnaire-based 3-10 years follow-up study of 373 patients with GERD operated on in two hospitals with either open or laparoscopic fundoplication, and pair-matched non-operated controls treated medically according to clinical practice.

[Mutual evaluation as a method of quality assurance in hospital units].

Background: Mutual visit schemes have been used in quality assurance of general practice. We have examined the effect of mutual evaluation in the quality assurance of patient care in hospital units.

Material And Methods: Four university hospital units for medical gastroenterology received and performed one visit each.