Publications by authors named "S Cowlam"
Background: Since 1970, there has been a 400% increase in liver-related deaths due to the increasing prevalence of chronic liver disease in the United Kingdom (UK). The 2013 UK National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death report found that only 47% of patients who died from alcohol-related liver disease received 'good care' during their hospital stay.
Aim: To develop a 'care bundle' for patients with decompensated cirrhosis, aiming to ensure that evidence-based treatments are delivered within the first 24 h of hospital admission.
Aim: To compare faecal loading on plain radiography versus radio-opaque marker transit studies in the assessment of constipation.
Methods: The study group was a convenience sample of patients attending the Durham Constipation Clinic. All patients underwent transit studies according to an established protocol, and severity of constipation was assessed contemporaneously using a validated questionnaire (PAC-SYM).
Objective: Segmental colonic transit can be determined by performing regional counts of radio-opaque markers on an abdominal radiograph. It has been claimed that the pattern of markers can be used to characterize the type of constipation, with a concentration of markers seen in the rectosigmoid region in patients with defaecatory disorders. The aim of our study was to examine this hypothesis in a cohort of patients with functional constipation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Percutaneous endoscopic colostomy (PEC) on the left side of the colon is a minimally invasive endoscopic technique, increasingly used to treat lower-GI conditions.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a PEC tube insertion at a single unit.
Design: Retrospective data collection.