Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics
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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.
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Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. · Jul 2011
Optimising the care of patients with cirrhosis and gastrointestinal haemorrhage: a quality improvement study.
Patients with cirrhosis and gastrointestinal haemorrhage are a complex group with high thirty-day mortality rates. ⋯ Implementation of quality improvement initiatives, such as targeted educational efforts and standardised order sets, can improve the quality of care delivered and patient outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and GI haemorrhage.
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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. · May 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomised clinical trial: the efficacy of a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 antagonist AZD1386 in human oesophageal pain.
Many patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are hypersensitive to heat and acid and may respond insufficiently to standard treatment. Antagonists of the heat and acid receptor 'transient receptor potential vanilloid 1'(TRPV1) are a potential drug class for GERD treatment. ⋯ AZD1386 increased oesophageal and skin heat pain thresholds and had a safe adverse-event profile. This drug class may have a potential for treatment of GERD.