Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics
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Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. · Aug 2011
Mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid) alters faecal bacterial profiles, but not mucosal proteolytic activity in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
Imbalances in gut luminal bacteria may contribute to the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). ⋯ Mesalazine treatment is associated with a decrease in faecal bacteria abundance and rebalancing of the major constituents of the microbiota. Further study of the bacteriological and anti-inflammatory properties of mesalazine in IBS is warranted.
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Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. · Aug 2011
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyMulticentre comparison of the Glasgow Blatchford and Rockall Scores in the prediction of clinical end-points after upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.
The Glasgow Blatchford Score (GBS) is increasingly being used to predict intervention and outcome following upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (UGIH). ⋯ Despite not incorporating age, the GBS is as effective as the admission and full Rockall scores in predicting death after UGIH. It is superior to both the admission and full Rockall scores in predicting need for transfusion, and superior to the admission Rockall score in predicting endoscopic or surgical intervention.
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Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. · Jul 2011
The systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sequential organ failure assessment scores are effective triage markers following paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose.
The systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores are widely used as prognostic markers in critical care settings and could improve triage of high-risk paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose patients. ⋯ The absence of either a SOFA score >7 or a SIRS response during the first 96 h following paracetamol overdose could improve triage and reduce transfers of lower risk patients to tertiary liver centres.
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Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. · Jul 2011
Meta AnalysisMeta-analysis: erythromycin before endoscopy for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Studies evaluating the effect of erythromycin on patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) had been reported, but the results were inconclusive. ⋯ Prophylactic erythromycin is useful for patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding to decrease the amount of blood in the stomach and reduce the need for second endoscopy, amount of blood transfusion. It may shorten the length of hospital stay, but its effects on mortality need further larger trials to be confirmed.
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Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. · Jul 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomised clinical trial: a 'nudge' strategy to modify endoscopic sedation practice.
In behavioural economics, a 'nudge' describes configuration of a choice to encourage a certain action without taking away freedom of choice. ⋯ These findings demonstrate that 'nudge' strategies may hold promise in modifying endoscopic sedation practice. Further research is required to explore the utility of 'nudges' in impacting other aspects of endoscopic practice.