Inflammatory bowel disease uncovered in fecal immunochemical test positive patients in a Canadian provincial colon cancer screening program.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that usually affects younger adults but has a second incidence peak in the older population. Although diagnosis of IBD is driven by symptoms, some patients are asymptomatic and incidentally discovered while participating in colon screening program (CSP). We aimed to identify the incidence and outcome of IBD in fecal immunochemical test (FIT) positive patients in the British Columbia CSP.

The impact of patient education on the quality of inpatient bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

Background: For patients requiring colonoscopy while admitted to hospital, achieving adequate cleansing of the colon is often difficult.

Objectives: To assess the impact of patient education, in the form of both counselling and written instructions, on bowel cleanliness at colonoscopy.

Methods: A total of 38 inpatients at a tertiary care hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, who were referred to the gastroenterology service for colonoscopy were enrolled in the present study.

Recurrent idiopathic acute hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia/pancytopenia fourteen years after initial episode.

Aplastic anemia following viral hepatitis is a condition well recognized in the medical literature. Although hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia is an uncommon syndrome, there are several reports in the literature describing such cases. In these reports, aplastic anemia generally occurs following a viral infection, including parvovirus B19, but may also be idiopathic.

Liver biochemistry abnormalities in a quaternary care lipid clinic database.

Background: The metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are increasing at alarming rates.

Aims: To determine the effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) on elevated liver enzymes in patients with hyperlipidemia.

Patients: Patients with AST above 60 U/L prior to or during treatment with statin therapy at a quaternary care lipid clinic were reviewed.

Photodynamic therapy in Barrett's esophagus: results of treatment of 17 patients.

Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) with dysplasia may progress to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Photodynamic therapy is a promising treatment for BE.

Objective: To determine if photodynamic therapy is an acceptable alternative to esophagectomy in BE patients with high-grade dysplasia or early adenocarcinoma.

Patient perceptions that limit a community-based intervention to promote participation.

A workshop designed to teach seniors to communicate more effectively with their physicians and enhance patient participation in the consultation was held in a community centre. A grounded theory analysis of follow-up telephone interviews provided examples of effectiveness but also revealed six categories of barriers to changing the pattern of established communication, particularly over the short term.