Hepatotoxicity induced by a second-generation combined oral contraceptive: case report and review of the literature.

Second-generation combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are widely used and are believed to be safe for birth control and in the treatment of gynaecological diseases. No randomised controlled study has shown elevations in alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in relation to the use of a second-generation COC. We report a case of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in a young, moderately obese woman, due to the use of a second-generation COC containing 30 µg ethinylestradiol and 150 µg levonorgestrel.

The relationship between the use of statins and mortality, severity, and pancreatic cancer in Danish patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Objectives: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is associated with a shortened life expectancy. Statins have anti-inflammatory properties and we aimed to evaluate the association between the use of statins and the risk of death, progression of CP, and pancreatic cancer in patients with CP.

Patients And Methods: We carried out a nested case-cohort study and included patients with CP.

Effect of propranolol on survival in patients with decompensated cirrhosis: a nationwide study based Danish patient registers.

Background & Aims: We assessed the impact of propranolol on death, risk of hepatorenal syndrome and peritonitis in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: This study was a retrospective observational study and data were retrieved from Danish databases. We used our own criteria to stratify the patients into groups of patients with mildly decompensated cirrhosis or severely decompensated cirrhosis.

Mortality, cancer, and comorbidities associated with chronic pancreatitis: a Danish nationwide matched-cohort study.

Background & Aims: We aimed to assess the risk of death, cancer, and comorbidities among patients with alcoholic and nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Methods: We performed a nationwide retrospective cohort study, collecting data from Danish registries from 1995 through 2010. We evaluated the prevalences and incidences of death, cancers, and comorbidities among subjects with CP (cases) compared with age- and sex-matched individuals (controls).

The risk of fractures among patients with cirrhosis or chronic pancreatitis.

Background & Aims: Cirrhosis and chronic pancreatitis (CP) are accompanied by inflammation and malnutrition. Both conditions can have negative effects on bone metabolism and promote fractures. We evaluated the risk of fractures among patients with CP or cirrhosis and determined the effect of fat malabsorption on fracture risk among patients with CP.

The effect of cholecalciferol and calcitriol on biochemical bone markers in HIV type 1-infected males: results of a clinical trial.

HIV-1-infected patients have an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the bone metabolism in HIV-1-infected patients exposed to calcitriol and cholecalciferol. We also investigated the relationship between T cells and bone markers.

Changes in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D are associated with maturation of regulatory T lymphocytes in patients with chronic pancreatitis: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: We studied the impact of changes in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D) on regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and fat malabsorption in a prospective clinical trial.

Methods: The patients were randomized to 1 of 3 treatments during 10 weeks: weekly UV-B in a tanning bed (group A), 1520-IU/d vitamin D supplement (group B), or placebo (group C). A placebo tanning bed was used in groups B and C.

Changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and cholecalciferol after one whole-body exposure in a commercial tanning bed: a randomized study.

We wanted to evaluate the cutaneous synthesis of 25OHD and cholecalciferol after one whole-body exposure to ultraviolet radiation type B (UVB) in a randomized setup. Healthy volunteers were randomized to one whole-body exposure in a commercial tanning bed with UVB emission (UVB/UVA ratio 1.8-2.

Variations in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D during acute pancreatitis: an exploratory longitudinal study.

Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD) changes during acute inflammation in humans.

Methods: Patients with first episode of acute pancreatitis were included. Blood samples were acquired on admission and on days 1, 2, and 14.

Oral cholecalciferol versus ultraviolet radiation B: effect on vitamin D metabolites in patients with chronic pancreatitis and fat malabsorption - a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) often develop fat malabsorption and are susceptible to hypovitaminosis D.

Aim: We wanted to evaluate the intestinal uptake of cholecalciferol in patients with CP and fat malabsorption.

Methods: We did a prospective placebo-controlled study including patients with verified CP and fat malabsorption.

Deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in male HIV-positive patients: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to describe the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in a cohort of HIV-seropositive males. Blood samples were collected in November and December 2004 and analyzed in the hospital laboratory. The concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was defined as excellent when >75 nmol/l, normal when >50 nmol/l, insufficient when <50 nmol/l, deficient when <25 nmol/l and severely deficient when <12.

A descriptive cross-sectional study of the prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and association with bone markers in a hospitalized population.

Patients with gastrointestinal disease may be in particular risk of hypovitaminosis D because of reduced intestinal uptake or metabolism in the liver. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in several groups of patients with various gastroenterologic diseases compared with patients without any chronic disease. We tested the hypothesis that persons with a gastrointestinal disease are at higher risk of hypovitaminosis D than persons with no chronic disease and whether this group needs special attention regarding their nutrition.

[The use of adalimumab in severe fistulising Crohn's disease].

So far infliximab is the only approved anti-TNF-alpha antibody for patients with Crohn's disease. Development of antibodies to infliximab may result in allergic reactions or reduced effect. We report three patients who received adalimumab, which induced longstanding remission in all three patients.

[Cholecystic fistula with atypical symptoms].

We report a patient with spontaneous cholecystocolonis fistula secondary to cholelithiasis. A 93 year-old woman was admitted because of weight loss, diarrhoea and upper abdominal pain. Ultrasound examination revealed air in the biliary tract and cholescientigraphy revealed a fistula between the gallbladder and right colon.