Distribution of colorectal adenomas: implications for bowel cancer screening.

Objective: To determine the distribution of colorectal adenomas relative to the splenic flexure in an asymptomatic population undergoing colonoscopy, as an indicator of the number of patients with adenomas who would be missed by screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Design: Retrospective survey of medical records.

Setting: Private endoscopy centres in Melbourne, Victoria.

Heartburn: community perceptions.

Background And Aims: To determine the prevalence of heartburn in the Australian community, and document factors precipitating it and medications used in treatment.

Methods: Telephone interviews with 1200 individuals aged 18 years or more were conducted one weekend in 1996. Each respondent was asked four questions about heartburn, its severity, factors causing it and current therapy.

Reflux disease: the view of the internist.

Pathogenesis of GERD is mainly concerned with a defective antireflux barrier to gastric and duodenal contents. Transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation is thought to be the main mechanism by which reflux is permitted, but the mucosal exposure time to the refluxate, the nature of the refluxed material and oesophageal clearance are important mechanisms. The Internist only sees the 'tip of the iceberg' as far as GERD is concerned, and generally these are severe resistant cases of GERD.

Relationship of satiety to postprandial glycaemic, insulin and cholecystokinin responses.

The effect of plasma glucose on satiety and the capacity of carbohydrates to stimulate cholecystokinin (CCK) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the magnitude of the postprandial plasma glucose and insulin response is inversely related to the CCK response and to subjective satiety. Seven healthy, male volunteers consumed equal carbohydrate portions (0.