Gut
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Impaired gastric accommodation may lead to dyspeptic symptoms. A non-invasive method using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has been developed to measure gastric volumes. ⋯ SPECT provides a non-invasive estimate of the effect of a meal on total gastric volume that is comparable to changes in balloon volume observed with the gastric barostat. The SPECT technique is promising for investigation of gastric volumes in health and disease and the effects of pharmacological agents.
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Appendicectomy reduces the risk of having ulcerative colitis. However, its effect on the natural history of ulcerative colitis remains uncertain. ⋯ Previous appendicectomy is associated with a less severe course of ulcerative colitis. The beneficial effect of appendicectomy on the risk of colectomy is additive to that of current smoking.
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Recent studies on appendicectomy rates in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have generally not addressed the effect of appendicectomy on disease characteristics. The aims of this study were to compare appendicectomy rates in Australian inflammatory bowel disease patients and matched controls, and to evaluate the effect of prior appendicectomy on disease characteristics. ⋯ Compared with patients without prior appendicectomy, appendicectomy before diagnosis delays disease onset in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and gives rise to a milder disease phenotype in ulcerative colitis.
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Although familial clusters of Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma have been reported, a familial predisposition to these diseases has not been systematically investigated. ⋯ Individuals with Barrett's oesophagus, oesophageal adenocarcinoma, or oesophagogastric junctional adenocarcinoma are more likely to have a positive family history of Barrett's oesophagus, oesophageal adenocarcinoma, or oesophagogastric junctional adenocarcinoma than individuals without Barrett's oesophagus, oesophageal adenocarcinoma, or oesophagogastric junctional adenocarcinoma. A positive family history should be considered when making decisions about screening endoscopy in patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Double blind, placebo controlled trial of the remission inducing and steroid sparing properties of an ICAM-1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, alicaforsen (ISIS 2302), in active steroid dependent Crohn's disease.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide alicaforsen (ISIS 2302) in Crohn's disease. ⋯ Although the primary outcomes failed to demonstrate efficacy, pharmacodynamic modelling suggests that alicaforsen (ISIS 2302) may be an effective therapy for steroid dependent Crohn's disease.