Prevalence of lower gastrointestinal symptoms and associated consultation behaviour in a British elderly population determined by face-to-face interview.

Background: The incidence of organic lower gastrointestinal disease increases with age. However, the prevalence of lower gastrointestinal symptoms in a British elderly population is unclear, with previous epidemiological studies focusing on younger populations. Furthermore, there is little information about consultation behaviour associated with lower gastrointestinal symptoms.

Compliance of orthopaedic patients with postoperative oral nutritional supplementation.

Background: Studies have shown clinical benefits of nutritional supplementation in orthopaedic and elderly patients in both under and well nourished groups. However, patient compliance with the supplementation has not been reported.

Aim: To assess level of patient compliance with nutritional supplementation when prescribed postoperatively to unselected orthopaedic patients as part of a large controlled trial researching the clinical benefits of non-targeted nutritional supplementation.

The SIBDQ: further validation in ulcerative colitis patients.

Objective: The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) is an instrument that assesses quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. It has 32 items in four domains. The short form of the IBDQ (SIBDQ) was developed in Canadian Crohn's disease patients for use in clinical practice.

The CLO test in the UK: inappropriate reading and missed results.

Background: In endoscopy units, the CLO test is frequently used to detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Informal survey suggested that practice deviated from that recommended, with little account taken of possible confounders such as acid-suppressing medication.

The inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire: a valid and reliable measure in ulcerative colitis patients in the North East of England.

Background: The validity and reliability of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) needed to be confirmed before its use in the UK.

Methods: The IBDQ was administered to 28 subjects with ulcerative colitis (UC) on 3 separate occasions over a period of 4 weeks, twice by an interviewer and once by self-completion. Convergent and concurrent validity was assessed by using the Colitis Activity Index (CAI) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36).