Prevalence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in patients with chronic pancreatitis without follow-up. PANCR-EVOL Study.

Background/objectives: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is an important complication of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Guidelines recommend to rule out EPI in CP, to detect those patients who would benefit from pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of EPI in patients with CP without follow-up in the last 2 years and to describe their nutritional status and quality of life (QoL).

[Referrals to a gastroenterology outpatient clinic from primary care: evaluation of two programs].

Objectives: To analyze the effect of implementing a high-resolution clinic (HRC) and an increasing resolution capacity program in primary care (IRCPPC) for referrals to a gastroenterology outpatient clinic from primary care and the resources used.

Methods: A retrospective and observational study based on a review of referral sheets and databases was performed. We analyzed the number and reason for referrals, delay times and resource consumption in two periods: before (first 4 months of 2007) and after (first 4 months of 2009) the launch of the IRCPPC and HRC.

[Effect of the implementation of a program to improve referrals by primary care on appropriateness and wait times in endoscopic examinations].

Introduction: Within a program to improve referrals by primary care (PC) in Ourense (Spain), we implemented practice guidelines on dyspepsia and rectal bleeding. Our aim was to evaluate the reasons for referral to endoscopy, the appropriateness of these referrals, and wait times.

Material And Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study in the Ourense health area between February 2009 and January 2010.