Pilot study using PET/CT as a novel, noninvasive assessment of disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: A pilot study was performed investigating the possibility that positron emission tomography (PET) activity using 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) with nearly simultaneous computerized tomography (CT) for anatomic accuracy would identify regions of active inflammation in both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: Prospective clinical data was collected in 12 patients experiencing an exacerbation of their inflammatory bowel disease; 7 with CD and 5 with UC. A PET/CT scan (GE Discovery LS PET/CT scanner) was performed in all patients.

Improving prevention systems in primary care practices: the Health Education and Research Trial (HEART).

Background: The Health Education and Research Trial (HEART) was a multicenter clinical trial designed to test methods to improve primary care practice systems for heart disease prevention services. We present the trial methodology, the practices' use of medical record tools, and changes in documentation of cardiovascular risk factor screening and management.

Methods: Primary care practices were recruited from 4 Midwestern states.

Recruitment of private practices for primary care research: experience in a preventive services clinical trial.

Background: Recruitment of community primary care practices for studies to improve health service delivery is important to many health care organizations. Prior studies have focused on individual physician recruitment or academic settings.

Methods: This descriptive study evaluated the efficiency and utility of three different recruitment methods to encourage community practice participation in a preventive services research trial.

Education to increase ophthalmologic care in older onset diabetes patients: indications from the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Both physicians and diabetic persons must be educated about the need for regular ophthalmologic examinations to prevent blindness. A large population-based study of diabetic persons living in Southern Wisconsin (Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy), designed to evaluate the incidence and associated risk factors for diabetic retinopathy, provided the opportunity to evaluate an intervention to increase ophthalmologic care. As part of this study, a sample of persons less than 80 years of age with older onset diabetes of less than 15 years duration was identified and examined in both 1980-1982 and 1984-1986 (n = 619) using standardized protocols.