Glucocorticoid use in rheumatoid arthritis patients and the onset of pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that commonly affects joints. Although many treatment options exist, the most common, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), have been associated with pulmonary infections. These types of infections (specifically pneumonia) can be detrimental to RA patients.

A nine-year audit of open-access upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures: results and experience of a single centre.

Background: The appropriateness and safety of open-access endoscopy are very important issues as its use continues to increase.

Objective: To present a review of a nine-year experience with open-access upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with respect to indications, diagnostic efficacy, safety and diseases diagnosed.

Methods: A retrospective, observational case series of all patients who underwent open-access endoscopy between January 2000 and December 2008 was conducted.

Gastro-Laryngeal Tube for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a preliminary report.

The Gastro-Laryngeal Tube is a modification of the Laryngeal Tube that provides a dedicated channel for the insertion of a gastroscope. In this study of 30 patients undergoing general anaesthesia for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, we evaluated both the effectiveness of airway management with a Gastro Laryngeal Tube and the feasibility of performing it using the endoscopic channel. The Gastro Laryngeal Tube was inserted successfully in all patients, in 27 patients at the first attempt.

Pruritus ani: an approach to an itching condition.

Pruritus ani is frequently encountered in children by the primary care physician and the pediatrician. It is mainly due to an infection with pinworms, but fecal soiling, poor hygiene, local irritation, and dietary agents should also be considered. Treatment should be directed at the underlying etiology.

Comparison of the reproducibility of storage phosphor and film bitewings for assessment of alveolar bone loss.

Objective: To compare bitewing storage phosphor images and a digital measuring method with bitewing films and an analog measuring method with regard to the reproducibility of measurements of alveolar bone loss.

Material And Methods: Nine participants randomly selected from an epidemiological study were radiographically examined using two modalities: bitewing SP images and bitewing films. A digital measuring method was used on the bitewing SP images and an analog measuring method on the bitewing films.

Sleeve gastrectomy leads to Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Background: The role of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in patients scheduled and undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has not been previously evaluated.

Methods: Included were obese patients presenting to our institution for LSG over 24 months. All patients had presurgical HP breath test, and the symptomatic ones received triple therapy with symptom follow-up.

Incidental colorectal computed tomography abnormalities: would you send every patient for a colonoscopy?

Background: The clinical significance of colorectal wall thickening (CRWT) in patients undergoing abdominal computed tomography (CT) has not yet been definitively established.

Objectives: To compare alleged findings on abdominal CT with those of a follow-up colonoscopy.

Methods: Ninety-four consecutive patients found to have large-bowel abnormalities on abdominal CT were referred for colonoscopy.

Significant colonic neoplasia prevalence and ASGE recommendations: is it time for a change?

Goals And Background: To Evaluate the indications versus diagnostic yield of significant colonic neoplasia (SCN) in the open-access era and screening colonoscopy.

Study: During 6-year period, all procedural data were obtained from all consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopies. Indications were compared with American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines.

Diagnostic yield and safety of colonoscopy in Israeli patients in an open access referral system.

Background: Open access endoscopy allows reference of patients for endoscopic procedures without prior gastrointestinal consultation, allowing the procedure to be more accessible. This practice is becoming increasingly widespread in the United States and other countries and has become commonplace in clinical practice in Israel. The objective of our study is to bring forward our experience with an open access referral system for colonoscopy and to measure the yield and safety of colonoscopy in this system.

[Open access colonoscopy: do primary care physicians use it properly?].

Background: Open access endoscopy facilitates the performance of colonoscopy on a physician's request, without a prior consultation with a gastroenterologist.

Objectives: To investigate: (1) the rates of relevant endoscopic findings in patients referred by family physicians compared to other specialists; (2) whether there is overuse of open-access colonoscopy in our country where the examination is free of charge for the patient; (3) whether a high rate of pre-malignant and malignant incidental findings might justify a more liberal approach to the indications of colonoscopy.

Methods: Prospective study including all consecutive ambulatory patients referred for open access colonoscopy.

Acute pancreatitis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding as presenting symptoms of duodenal Brunner's gland hamartoma.

Brunner's gland hamartomas are rare, benign small bowel tumours. There were fewer than 150 cases reported in the English literature until the end of the last century. These hamartomas may be discovered incidentally during an upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy.

Is traveler's diarrhea a significant risk factor for the development of irritable bowel syndrome? A prospective study.

A total of 564 travelers were enrolled in a study aimed at investigating the influence of traveler's diarrhea in the development of irritable bowel syndrome. At 6-7 months after repatriation, we found that an episode of traveler's diarrhea was associated with a quintuple risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome.

Do forceps biopsies truthfully reflect the nature of endoscopically uncovered polypoid lesions of the colon?

Background: Total excision of colonic polyps is not always attainable and in some patients it is clinically contraindicated. Also, a resected polyp may be lost at any step between its endoscopic removal and its embedding in paraffin. The aim of this study was to compare the histological features of colonic polyps as analysed by the study of biopsy-forceps obtained samples with those assessed on scrutinizing the totally resected growths.

Root length in transplanted premolars.

The objectives of the present prospective longitudinal study were to establish the survival and success rates for premolars with partly developed roots transplanted according to a set protocol, and to analyze the effect of varying pre-surgery root development on final root length. Standardized periapical radiographs of 132 consecutively transplanted premolars were obtained at predetermined intervals over a 4-year follow-up period. Survival and success rates were calculated on the basis of presence of teeth and recording of defined radiological variables, respectively.

Hydrocortisone-induced convulsions.

Glucocorticoids may indirectly cause convulsions by the induction of electrolytes abnormalities, severe hypertension, or severe hyperglycemia. These agents may rarely cause convulsions by a direct toxicity to the central nervous system (CNS). We describe a 23-yr-old patient with Crohn's disease in whom generalized convulsions developed on two occasions while receiving intravenous hydrocortisone.

Diverse effects of ascorbic acid and palmitoyl ascorbate on Helicobacter pylori survival and growth.

Among many antioxidants used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, ascorbic acid (AA) is one of the most important. AA has been suggested to decrease the risk of gastric disease (gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and carcinoma) by direct action on Helicobacter pylori. However, there are limited studies on the possible role of AA and its derivatives such as palmitoyl ascorbate (PA) on the growth and survival of H.

Alcohol consumption and the gastrointestinal tract.

Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drugs, with a per capita consumption of approximately 10 L pure ethanol per year in the United States and even higher in Spain and France. In terms of mortality, the effect of alcohol on the liver and the pancreas is probably more significant than on the tubular gastrointestinal tract. However, alcohol is a very important cause of morbidity in the tubular gastrointestinal tract.

Controlled trial of the effect of cinnamon extract on Helicobacter pylori.

Background: Helicobacter pylori has been associated with the pathogenesis of antral gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and gastric lymphoma. Eradication of H. pylori has been shown to reverse or prevent relapse of these diseases.

Patient-controlled analgesia for conscious sedation during colonoscopy: a randomized controlled study.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess whether patient-controlled anesthesia (PCA) can improve patient tolerance for colonoscopy. We compared baseline sedation and analgesia with baseline sedation and PCA.

Methods: Fifty-six consecutive patients were alternatively allocated to 1 of 2 groups: either to control group (n = 28) to receive standard sedation (meperidine and midazolam as baseline and additional doses of meperidine administered by the anesthesiologist) or to a PCA group (n = 28) to receive the same baseline premedication but additional analgesia with meperidine being self-administered.

Ambience in the endoscopy room has little effect on patients.

With hopes of alleviating discomfort and improving the tolerance of patients undergoing endoscopy, we have assessed the influence of various background conditions in the endoscopy room. Two hundred twenty-one candidates for upper endoscopy were randomly allocated to four groups, each with one of the following conditions in the endoscopy room: background music and conversation related to the patient's complaints (n=50); background music and conversation unrelated to the patient (n=53); background music only, with the staff maintaining silence (n=49); and complete silence (n=47). Before endoscopy patients answered a 26-item questionnaire that included an evaluation of their degree of anxiety before the examination.