[ESTABLISHING A REGISTRY FOR INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE PATIENTS IN MACCABI HEALTHCARE SERVICES - JOINT PROJECT BETWEEN HOSPITALS, EPI-IIRN GROUP AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE].

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are becoming a significant cause for chronic long term complex morbidity, particularly among adolescents and young adults. IBD patients require multidisciplinary management and considerable health resources. Recent advances and developments in the diagnostics and therapeutic options require identification and tight monitoring of these patients at both hospital and community level for better management and care.

Development and validation of novel algorithms to identify patients with inflammatory bowel diseases in Israel: an epi-IIRN group study.

Background: Before embarking on administrative research, validated case ascertainment algorithms must be developed. We aimed at developing algorithms for identifying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, date of disease onset, and IBD type (Crohn's disease [CD] vs ulcerative colitis [UC]) in the databases of the four Israeli Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) covering 98% of the population.

Methods: Algorithms were developed on 5,131 IBD patients and 2,072 controls, following independent chart review (60% CD and 39% UC).

Anemia and iron deficiency in children: association with red meat and poultry consumption.

Objective: The aim of this study was to study the relative contribution of dietary sources of iron in children with high prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency (ID).

Methods: A cross-sectional study in 263 healthy, 1.5- to 6-year-old children in the Jewish sector of Jerusalem, Israel.

Vitamin D deficiency in children in Jerusalem: the need for updating the recommendation for supplementation.

Background: Hypovitaminosis D is common worldwide, even in sunny regions.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and determinants of vitamin D deficiency in toddlers.

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted in healthy Jewish children aged 1.

Community healthcare in Israel: quality indicators 2007-2009.

Background: The National Program for Quality Indicators in Community Healthcare in Israel (QICH) was developed to provide policy makers and consumers with information on the quality of community healthcare in Israel. In what follows we present the most recent results of the QICH indicator set for 2009 and an examination of changes that have occurred since 2007.

Methods: Data for 28 quality indicators were collected from all four health plans in Israel for the years 2007-2009.

Development, design, and conceptual issues of project zero exposure: A program to protect young children from tobacco smoke exposure.

Background: Tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) is a serious threat to child health. Roughly 40% of children worldwide are exposed to tobacco smoke, and the very young are often "captive smokers" in homes in which others smoke.The goal of this research project is to develop and evaluate an intervention to reduce young child tobacco smoke exposure.

Health services utilization in Jerusalem under terrorism.

Objective: The authors explored the effects of an escalation of terrorism on the help-seeking behavior of the general population in Jerusalem, a city that offers an adequate supply of medical and psychiatric services.

Method: Time-series analyses were applied to examine the utilization of health services (primary medical care and ambulance calls) and mental health services (clinics, hospitals, and telephone hotlines) by Jerusalem residents before and during part of the current intifada. The authors assessed seasonality, general linear trends (from factors such as health education and increased access), short-term intifada impact (reflecting reactions that peaked at the third month and ended 1 year thereafter), and long-term impact (starting at the intifada outbreak and reflecting a more stable population behavior).

Angioplasty of the Completely Occluded Coronary Vessel.

Over the past 12 years, the development and widespread use of new interventional techniques has widened the indications for the use of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in the treatment of totally occluded coronary arteries. In the early reports of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Registry investigators recommended that angioplasty should not be attempted in coronary total occlusions. However, with improvements in operator skills, advanced catheter technology, and most notably, with the development of steerable guidewire systems, angioplasty is now being used to treat totally occluded arteries in an increasing number of patients.