Predictive factors for the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome in a large cohort of 440,822 young adults.

Background: The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the community has been reported in numerous cross-sectional surveys. However, little is known about the incidence and predictive factors for the clinical diagnosis of IBS.

Methods: We examined the association of socioeconomic, anthropometric, and occupational factors with the incidence of IBS in a cohort of 440,822 young Israeli adults aged 18 to 39 who served in active military service during the years 2005 to 2011.

Characterization of a multidrug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia cell line presenting multiple resistance mechanisms.

The multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype is multifactorial, and cell lines presenting multiple resistance mechanisms might be good models to understand the importance of the various pathways involved. The present work characterized a MDR chronic myeloid leukemia cell line, derived from K562 through a selective process using daunorubicin. This MDR cell line was shown to be resistant to vincristine, daunorubicin, and partially resistant to imatinib.

Management of antithrombotic agents for colonoscopic polypectomies in Israeli gastroenterologists relative to published guidelines.

Background: Endoscopic procedures are commonly performed in patients taking antithrombotic agents.

Objective: To examine the correlation between the management of antithrombotic drugs for colonoscopic polypectomies and the published guidelines.

Design And Settings: A structured survey delivered to gastroenterologists in 15 major Israeli hospitals and three central HMO clinics.

Prevalence and predictive factors for gastrointestinal pathology in young men evaluated for iron deficiency anemia.

Background: The prevalence of gastrointestinal lesions in young men with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is unknown, and there are no evidence-based recommendations for the evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract in this population.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of significant GI lesions among young males with IDA, and to shed light on potential predictors of their presence.

Methods: Clinical, endoscopic, and histological data was retrospectively collected from medical records of 347 young males with IDA.

Double balloon enteroscopy: a 2 year experience.

Background: Double balloon enteroscopy is a new technique that enables deep intubation of the endoscope into the small bowel lumen. Through a channel in the endoscope, invasive procedures such as biopsy, polypectomy and hemostasis can be performed, avoiding the need for surgery.

Objectives: To prospectively analyze our results of the first 124 DBEs performed since February 2007.

Patient satisfaction with endoscopy measurement and assessment.

Background: Several factors could influence patient satisfaction with endoscopy including technical quality of care, comfort and tolerability of the procedure, whether informed consent has been obtained, the level of communication with staff before and after the procedure, and delays in appointments.

Aim: To assess what factors should be measured in assessing patient satisfaction by using a 16-point questionnaire based on the informed consent recommendations of the first workshop at Kos, and of the criteria of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and to compare the response of patients with gastroenterologists and the support staff.

Method: The questionnaire was answered by 81 patients, 71 gastroenterologists and 36 support staff (nurses and receptionists).

Interleukin-18 and its binding protein in patients with inflammatory bowel disease during remission and exacerbation.

Background: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory bowel diseases with an unknown etiology. Interleukin-18 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is up-regulated in Crohn's disease. IL-18 binding protein neutralizes IL-18.

Nonsurgical management of asymptomatic incidental pancreatic cysts.

Background & Aims: Cystic lesions of the pancreas are detected more often nowadays. Many are considered premalignant and pancreatic resection is recommended. This study was undertaken to assess the natural course of asymptomatic pancreatic cysts and their malignant potential.

[ERCP for benign disease in the elderly: a good prognosis].

Background: biliary disease in the elderly (over 80) are common and can be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Methods: medical records of patients age 80 and older who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for benign biliary disease from January 2000 to April 2005 were studied retrospectively.

Results: 100 patients of whom data was obtainable underwent 133 procedures.

High levels of glucocorticoid receptors in patients with active Crohn's disease may predict steroid resistance.

Up to 20% of Crohn's disease (CD) patients respond poorly to glucocorticoids (GC). A product of an alternative splicing of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) premRNA, GRbeta, may play a role as a dominant inhibitor of the glucocorticoid response. Increasing evidence suggests that inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-18 alternate the splicing of the primary transcript between the two isoforms GRbeta and GRalpha in hGR gene of CD patients.

Electrogastrography in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Impaired gastrointestinal motility in Parkinson's disease may affect absorption of levodopa and contribute to the disabling response fluctuations (RF). In this study gastric myoelectric activity was recorded with electrogastrography in patients with PD and correlated with the duration, severity and the presence of RF.

Method: Electrogastrography (EGG) was performed in 36 patients with PD of which 22 were men.

Iron deficiency anemia in patients without gastrointestinal symptoms--a prospective study.

Background And Objectives: Chronic gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is the leading cause of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in men older than 50 years and post-menopausal women. There is a scarcity of data regarding IDA patients without GI symptoms or signs. We conducted a prospective study to determine the prevalence and the locations of the GI tract lesions in patients with asymptomatic IDA.

[Pseudomembranous colitis: clinical, endoscopic and radiological correlation--a 2-year experience].

The incidence rates of pseudomembranous colitis are rising. Early diagnosis and treatment are required for management of this potentially life-threatening disease. This report outlines our 2-year experience (1997-1998) at the gastrointestinal institute with 43 patients diagnosed with pseudomembranous colitis and describes the clinical course and imaging studies.