Evaluating the optimum number of biopsies to assess histological inflammation in ulcerative colitis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The optimal ulcerative colitis biopsy protocol is unclear.

Aim: To evaluate the number of biopsies required to accurately assess microscopic disease activity in ulcerative colitis METHODS: Biopsies from patients with ≥4 rectosigmoid samples, and clinical and endoscopic data, were retrospectively obtained from a prospective biobank. Histology and endoscopic videos were read blindly.

Endoscopic scoring indices for evaluation of disease activity in ulcerative colitis.

Background: Endoscopic assessment of mucosal disease activity is routinely used to determine eligibility and response to therapy in clinical trials of ulcerative colitis. The operating properties of the existing endoscopic scoring indices are unclear.

Objectives: A systematic review was undertaken to evaluate the development and operating characteristics of endoscopic scoring indices for the evaluation of ulcerative colitis.

Histologic scoring indices for evaluation of disease activity in ulcerative colitis.

Background: Disease activity can be determined using clinical, endoscopic or histologic criteria in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Persistent disease activity is associated with poor outcomes. Histologic disease activity has been shown to be associated with relapse, colectomy and colorectal cancer.

Endoscopic scoring indices for evaluation of disease activity in Crohn's disease.

Background: Endoscopic assessment of mucosal disease activity is widely used to determine eligibility and response to therapy in clinical trials of treatment for Crohn's disease. However, the operating properties of the currently available endoscopic indices remain unclear.

Objectives: A systematic review was undertaken to evaluate the development and operating characteristics of the Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) and Simple Endoscopic Scale for Crohn's Disease (SES-CD).

Simplified therapeutic intervention to control hypertension and hypercholesterolemia: a cluster randomized controlled trial (STITCH2).

Background: Notwithstanding improving rates of hypertension control in North America, management of patients with both hypertension and dyslipidemia remains problematic. Based on evidence of improved control utilizing a simplified algorithm for management of hypertension (STITCH), we questioned whether a simplified comprehensive treatment algorithm featuring initial use of single-pill combinations (SPCs) would improve management of participants with both hypertension and dyslipidemia.

Method: We randomized 35 primary care practices in Ontario to either Guidelines-care (following current Canadian guidelines) or STITCH2-care (following a treatment algorithm featuring SPCs).

Barriers to blood pressure control: a STITCH substudy.

Despite improvements in blood pressure (BP) control, a substantial percentage of patients do not achieve target. The relative importance of determinants of poor BP control is unclear. Therefore, the authors conducted a post hoc exploratory analysis to assess determinants of BP control.

A simplified approach to the treatment of uncomplicated hypertension: a cluster randomized, controlled trial.

Notwithstanding the availability of antihypertensive drugs and practice guidelines, blood pressure control remains suboptimal. The complexity of current treatment guidelines may contribute to this problem. To determine whether a simplified treatment algorithm is more effective than guideline-based management, we studied 45 family practices in southwestern Ontario, Canada, using a cluster randomization trial comparing the simplified treatment algorithm with the Canadian Hypertension Education Program guidelines.