A Survey of Social Media Use and Preferences in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: With the recent increase in the use of social media, patients with chronic illnesses are using the Internet as a resource for disease management. As the peak incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) occurs in patients between the ages of 15 and 30, IBD is a suitable condition to study social media use. The aim of this study was to assess social media usage and preferences in patients with IBD.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole-Gut Lavage Fluid and Pancreatic Juice Reveals a Less Invasive Method of Sampling Pancreatic Secretions.

Objectives: There are currently no reliable, non-invasive screening tests for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The fluid secreted from the pancreatic ductal system ("pancreatic juice") has been well-studied as a potential source of cancer biomarkers. However, it is invasive to collect.

Rectal effluent as a research tool.

Studies of localized secretions are generally superior to those of blood because they contain higher concentrations of molecules specific to the organ of interest. A common method used to analyze localized secretions is lavage. The flow of fluid over the lining of a cavity picks up both cells and soluble factors, and the effluent can be collected for study.

A comparison of oral sulfate solution with sodium picosulfate: magnesium citrate in split doses as bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

Background: There are few data comparing U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved low-volume bowel preparations for colonoscopy.

Diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome: a changing clinical paradigm.

Rather than being a diagnosis of exclusion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a diagnosis that can be identified by symptom-based criteria. The collection of these criteria by a meticulous history can be enhanced by using various tools. Once a positive diagnosis is made, using clinical criteria for diagnosis, one should look for alarm or warning symptoms or signs, and should characterize the type of bowel habit.

A comparison of polyethylene glycol laxative and placebo for relief of constipation from constipating medications.

Objectives: Medications often cause constipation and little data are available concerning treatment interventions. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 laxative (MiraLax) for relief of constipation from medicines associated with symptoms of constipation.

Methods: Study subjects were enrolled who met defined criteria for chronic constipation and were also taking medications that were associated with a reported side effect incidence of more than 3% constipation.

A randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial of polyethylene glycol laxative for chronic treatment of chronic constipation.

Objectives: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 (MiraLAX) is currently approved for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation. This study was designed to compare the safety and efficacy of PEG laxative versus placebo over a 6-month treatment period in patients with chronic constipation.

Methods: Study subjects who met defined criteria for chronic constipation were randomized in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, multicenter study to receive PEG laxative as a single daily dose of 17 g or placebo for 6 months.

Capsule endoscopy: impact on patient management.

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is an emerging technology in the diagnosis of a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. However, for CE to play a significant role in the care of GI disease, changes in patient management and positive patient outcomes must be seen. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of CE findings in the management of patients referred for CE.

U.S. practices for colon cancer screening.

As the prevalence of gastric carcinoma decreases in Japan, the prevalence of colon cancer has been increasing. Examination of the screening practices for colon cancer in the United States can offer insight into practices that may be useful in Japan. This paper will review the epidemiology and risk factors for colon cancer, the genetics of colon cancer, prevention issues, screening modalities, and current recommendations in U.

Do gastroenterologists notify polyp patients that family members should have screening?

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether patients found to have adenomatous polyps or cancer were notified that their relatives should have screening, due to an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Methods: Consecutive (n = 121) colonoscopy patients from December of 1999 to October of 2001 found to have adenomatous colon polyps or colon cancer formed the study group. Charts were reviewed for documentation of relative notification, and when documentation was not present, study subjects were contacted by telephone.

Safety issues regarding colonic cleansing for diagnostic and surgical procedures.

There are various methods available to cleanse the colon in preparation for diagnostic and surgical procedures. The popular options are diet and cathartic regimens, gut lavage and phosphate preparations. Each method has its own unique characteristics and safety profile.

Brachial blood pressure monitoring versus ankle monitoring during colonoscopy.

Objectives: To compare ankle and brachial blood pressure monitoring before and during colonoscopy using automated noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitors.

Methods: Forty-five consecutive patients who presented for outpatient colonoscopy had both ankle and brachial blood pressure monitoring with automated NIBP using an appropriately sized cuff for arm or leg size. Three baseline measurements were obtained, and then measurements were taken at 5-minute intervals during conscious sedation, with brachial blood pressure being the standard.

Bowel preparation for gastrointestinal procedures.

Adequate colonic cleansing is essential for accurate and safe colonic procedures. Common preparations for cleansing include diet in combination with a cathartic agent, gut lavage, and phosphate preparations. The diet used with a cathartic consists of clear liquids or is designed to leave a minimal colonic fecal residue with laxatives.

Current treatment options for chronic constipation.

Various agents are used for the medical management of chronic constipation but few have been carefully studied. This review examines available data concerning several bulk and fiber products, lubricating agents, stimulants, and osmotic laxatives, alone and in combination. Popular therapeutic options for initial treatment of chronic constipation are dietary fiber and medicinal bulk.

Comparison of reduced volume versus four liters sulfate-free electrolyte lavage solutions for colonoscopy colon cleansing.

Objective: In an attempt to improve patient tolerance for colonoscopy cleansing, a reduced volume lavage regimen with 2 L sulfate-free electrolyte lavage solution (SF-ELS, NuLYTELY, Braintree Laboratories, Braintree, MA) plus 20 mg p.o. bisacodyl (Half Lytely, Braintree Laboratories) was compared with standard 4 L SF-ELS lavage for safety and efficacy.

Abdominal pain associated with lactose ingestion in children with lactose intolerance.

The causal relationship between lactose ingestion and gastrointestinal symptoms is questionable. The aim of this study was to assess symptoms associated with milk ingestion in children with lactose maldigestion. Thirty children (11 males) age 3 to 17 years with lactose maldigestion were studied.

Women's colonic digestive health.

Digestive problems in women are common and sometimes debilitating. Twenty percent of women suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, 20% have constipation, and all American women will need screening for colon cancer, the number two cause of cancer death in women. This article reviews management of these disorders as well as lower gastrointestinal symptoms associated with menses, hysterectomy, fecal incontinence, and rectal bleeding.