[Feasibility of a geriatric multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation program-lessons learned].

Objective: To describe the feasibility of a geriatric multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation program, developed in Vivium Naarderheem.

Design: A prospective pilot study using a pretest-posttest design with measurements of the level of (social) participation, health related quality of life, and caregiver strain at the start (T0) and the end (T1) of the program. Feasibility was studied by structured interviews with participants, professionals and management.

Acute upper GI bleeding: did anything change? Time trend analysis of incidence and outcome of acute upper GI bleeding between 1993/1994 and 2000.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine recent time trends in incidence and outcome of upper GI bleeding.

Methods: Prospective data collection on all patients presenting with acute upper GI bleeding from a defined geographical area in the period 1993/1994 and 2000.

Results: Incidence decreased from 61.

Enhanced mucosal fibrinolytic activity in gastroduodenal ulcer haemorrhage and the beneficial effect of acid suppression.

Background: The high mortality rate in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding appears to be particularly related to re-bleeding. The haemostatic mechanisms that may influence the re-bleeding of ulcers are largely unknown.

Aim: We studied and analysed fibrinolytic activity in bleeding ulcer patients and the effect of acid suppression on this activity.

Validation of the Rockall risk scoring system in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background: Several scoring systems have been developed to predict the risk of rebleeding or death in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). These risk scoring systems have not been validated in a new patient population outside the clinical context of the original study.

Aims: To assess internal and external validity of a simple risk scoring system recently developed by Rockall and coworkers.

Lack of effect of omeprazole in oral acenocoumarol anticoagulant therapy.

Background: Omeprazole is eliminated almost completely by hepatic metabolism within the cytochrome P-450 system and might inhibit the oxidative metabolism of other drugs. This is particularly relevant for compounds with a narrow therapeutic range, such as acenocoumarol. In this study we evaluated the effect of omeprazole use in patients receiving continuous acenocoumarol therapy.

Effect of omeprazole on the outcome of endoscopically treated bleeding peptic ulcers. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre study.

Background: Haemostasis is highly pH-dependent and severely impaired at low pH. However, there is no clear evidence that acid-suppressing drugs have beneficial effects in peptic ulcer haemorrhage. Endoscopic haemostatic treatment provides important reduction in morbidity and may be more efficient when a neutral intragastric pH is maintained.

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the Amsterdam area: incidence, diagnosis, and clinical outcome.

Objectives: In the United States of America and the United Kingdom several epidemiological upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) surveys have been done. However, information about the current epidemiology of acute UGIB in continental Western Europe is sparse.

Methods: From July of 1993 to July of 1994, 951 patients with acute UGIB were prospectively included in 12 hospitals in the Amsterdam area.

Previous use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anticoagulants: the influence on clinical outcome of bleeding gastroduodenal ulcers.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between prior non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or anticoagulant use and clinical outcome in bleeding gastric and duodenal ulcer patients.

Design: Prospective cohort-study.

Participants: All patients (n = 132) admitted because of upper gastrointestinal bleeding during 3 months in the Amsterdam area.

[Upper digestive tract hemorrhage; an assessment in the Amsterdam region].

Objective: To inventory diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and the value of endoscopy in upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in Amsterdam and environs.

Design: Descriptive.

Setting: Eight hospitals in and around Amsterdam.