Randomised, placebo-controlled trial and meta-analysis show benefit of ondansetron for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea: The TRITON trial.

Background: Ondansetron may be beneficial in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D).

Aim: To conduct a 12-week parallel group, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ondansetron 4 mg o.d.

British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN) joint consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic oesophagitis in children and adults.

Background: Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is an increasingly common cause of dysphagia in both children and adults, as well as one of the most prevalent oesophageal diseases with a significant impact on physical health and quality of life. We have provided a single comprehensive guideline for both paediatric and adult gastroenterologists on current best practice for the evaluation and management of EoE.

Methods: The Oesophageal Section of the British Society of Gastroenterology was commissioned by the Clinical Standards Service Committee to develop these guidelines.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea using titrated ondansetron (TRITON): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D) affects up to 4% of the general population. Symptoms include frequent, loose, or watery stools with associated urgency, resulting in marked reduction of quality of life and loss of work productivity. Ondansetron, a 5HT receptor antagonist, has had an excellent safety record for over 20 years as an antiemetic, yet is not widely used in the treatment of IBS-D.

Interim results of a randomised controlled trial of homeopathic treatment for irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition for which there is no consensus on the optimum treatment. Gastroenterology problems are some of the most common conditions treated by homeopaths, yet few trials have explored the effectiveness of individualised homeopathic treatment for IBS. A three-armed trial was conducted which compared: usual care, homeopathic treatment plus usual care and supportive listening plus usual care.

Improving the quality of care for medical inpatients by placing a higher priority on ward rounds.

Models suggested for managing acute, non-elective, medical admissions include expanding geriatric services, extending the role of the acute physician and rejuvenating the role of the general physician. We investigated improving inpatient care by changing consultants' work patterns and placing a higher priority on the ward rounds. A focus group and a questionnaire were used to study the impact on several ward round parameters.

One-year investigator-blind randomized multicenter trial comparing Asacol 2.4 g once daily with 800 mg three times daily for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis.

Background: Mesalazine (Asacol) is still widely prescribed in divided doses for ulcerative colitis (UC), despite evidence that adherence is improved by once-daily (OD) prescribing. We aimed to investigate whether OD Asacol was as effective as three times (TDS) daily dosing, and to evaluate the role of treatment adherence.

Methods: An investigator-blind randomized trial was undertaken comparing OD Asacol (three 800 mg tablets) versus one 800 mg TDS in maintenance of remission of UC over 1 year.

Albumin level and patient age predict outcomes in patients referred for gastrostomy insertion: internal and external validation of a gastrostomy score and comparison with artificial neural networks.

Background: Significant mortality after gastrostomy insertion remains and some risk factors have been identified, but no predictive scoring system exists.

Objective: To identify risk factors for mortality, formulate a predictive scoring system, and validate the score. Comparison to an artificial neural network (ANN).

Factors predicting the diagnostic yield and intervention in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding investigated using capsule endoscopy.

Background: In patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGB), capsule endoscopy (CE) is the investigation of choice after negative conventional endoscopy. However, there is paucity of data on which clinical factors predict the ability of CE to detect pathology and alter management.

Aim: To investigate clinical factors which predict a higher diagnostic yield and a change in management in patients presenting with OGB.

Push enteroscopy in the era of capsule endoscopy.

Goals: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of push enteroscopy in relation to indication and compare the yield in patients who had capsule endoscopy followed by push enteroscopy against capsule endoscopy naive patients.

Background: With the advent of capsule endoscopy the role of push enteroscopy needs to be reevaluated.

Study: Patients who underwent push enteroscopy from January 2002 to May 2006 were included.

Capsule endoscopy changes patient management in routine clinical practice.

Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and effect of capsule endoscopy on patient management in routine clinical practice. Three hundred examinations were performed (176 females; mean age, 51 years), with a median follow-up of 17 months. Indications included overt bleeding (n=55), anemia (n=104), suspected Crohn's disease (n=68), celiac disease (n=35), suspected functional symptoms (n=23), polyposis (n=5), and miscellaneous (n=10).

Capsule endoscopy: is there a role for nurses as physician extenders?

Capsule endoscopy is a novel technique for examining the small bowel; however, data interpretation is time consuming and requires expertise. This study aimed to compare the interpretation of capsule endoscopy between an experienced gastroenterologist and a nurse. A total of 50 consecutive videos were viewed independently by a nurse and a physician, both blinded to the referral indications.