Evaluation of Prevent ID and Quantum Blue rapid tests for fecal calprotectin.

Background: Tests for fecal calprotectin are usually either enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or a time-resolved fluorimetric immunoassay (TRFIA). These time-consuming tests are performed only once every 1 or 2 weeks. Before the results of the tests are known most patients have already undergone colonoscopy.

In gastroesophageal reflux disease, differential gene expression in the duodenum points towards enhanced chylomicron production and secretion.

Background: Duodenal signaling affects esophageal motility and perception, both pathophysiological factors in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Duodenal gene expression abnormalities, contributing to altered esophageal sensorimotor function, have not been reported to date.

Aim: To identify differentially expressed genes in GERD patients' duodenum.

Hyoscine N-butylbromide does not improve polyp detection during colonoscopy: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.

Background: Colonoscopy is used for the detection of neoplastic polyps, although a significant miss rate has been reported. Limited data suggest that the administration of the antispasmodic hyoscine N-butylbromide during colonoscopy improves polyp detection.

Objective: To investigate whether the use of 20 mg hyoscine N-butylbromide intravenously during colonoscopy improves polyp detection or removal.

Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest pain and a decreased health-related quality of life.

Objective: In patients with achalasia, little is known about symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract other than the esophagus. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of two functional disorders, functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), in a group of treated achalasia patients and to assess the additional impact of these disorders on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Material And Methods: Questionnaires assessing the Rome II criteria for FD and IBS together with the Eckardt clinical symptom score and RAND-36 were sent to 171 treated achalasia patients.

Increased intragastric pressure gradients are involved in the occurrence of acid reflux in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Objective: Increased pressure gradients across the esophagogastric junction (DeltaEGJp) play a role in gastroesophageal flow during TLESR. The aim of this study was to further explore DeltaEGJp in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and controls.

Material And Methods: Twenty GERD patients were studied along with 20 control subjects.

Gastroesophageal pressure gradients in gastroesophageal reflux disease: relations with hiatal hernia, body mass index, and esophageal acid exposure.

Objectives: The roles of intragastric pressure (IGP), intraesophageal pressure (IEP), gastroesophageal pressure gradient (GEPG), and body mass index (BMI) in the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia (HH) are only partly understood.

Methods: In total, 149 GERD patients underwent stationary esophageal manometry, 24-h pH-metry, and endoscopy.

Results: One hundred three patients had HH.

Concomitant functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome decrease health-related quality of life in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Objective: Previous studies have reported an overlap between gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of FD and IBS in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Material And Methods: FD and IBS prevalence and HRQoL were assessed by means of questionnaires in 215 referred and 48 non-referred (non-care-seeking) GERD patients, proven with 24-h pH-metry.

The role of hiatus hernia in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

This article gives an overview of the role of sliding hiatus hernia in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The crural diaphragm acts as an external sphincter of the anti-reflux barrier. Contractions of the crural diaphragm increase lower-oesophageal-sphincter (LOS) pressure during each inspiration and in situations of increased abdominal pressure, whereas these contractions are inhibited when gas and/or a bolus has to pass the gastro-oesophageal junction.

Are manometric parameters of the upper esophageal sphincter and pharynx affected by age and gender?

The effects of age and gender on the upper esophageal sphincter's (UES) and pharyngeal manometric parameters were investigated in 84 healthy subjects (45 men, 39 women, mean age = 44 years, range = 18-91). Manometric recordings were performed with solid-state circumferential transducers. Subjects older than 60 years (n = 23) showed a significant lower UES resting pressure.

Small bowel motility affects glucose absorption in a healthy man.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between duodenojejunal motor activity and glucose absorption and to evaluate the effect of modification of duodenojejunal motility on glucose absorption by using the prokinetic drug cisapride.

Research Design And Methods: We examined seven healthy males, mean age 22 years, who were treated with cisapride 10 mg t.i.