The American journal of gastroenterology
-
Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Jul 2005
The clinical value of procalcitonin in early assessment of acute pancreatitis.
Early assessment of the severity and the etiology is crucial in the management of acute pancreatitis. To determine the value of procalcitonin (PCT) as a prognostic marker and as an indicator of biliary etiology in the early phase of acute pancreatitis. ⋯ PCT is of limited additional value for early assessment of severity and etiology in acute pancreatitis. CRP is found to be a reliable prognostic marker with a delay of 48 h, while ALT is validated as the best indicator of biliary etiology.
-
Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Jul 2005
A prospective study of gastric emptying and its relationship to the development of nausea, vomiting, and anorexia after autologous stem cell transplantation.
Gastric motor dysfunction may be responsible, in some patients, for the nausea and emesis that occur following high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT). We sought to define the prevalence of gastric emptying abnormalities and their relationship to the development of nausea, vomiting, and anorexia in patients undergoing HDT and autologous SCT. ⋯ Both delayed and rapid gastric emptying occur commonly during the 2-wk period following HDT and autologous SCT and may be responsible, at least in part, for upper gastrointestinal symptoms that occur in these patients.
-
Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Jun 2005
Comparative StudyGenetic influences in irritable bowel syndrome: a twin study.
Aggregation of symptoms of abdominal pain or bowel disturbance has been described in the families of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This may be due to environmental factors, including learned responses to abdominal symptoms or a genetic contribution to the etiology of IBS. ⋯ Genetic factors are of little or no influence on IBS where the predominant influences appear to be environmental.
-
Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Jun 2005
Comparative StudySecondary sclerosing cholangitis: a comparison to primary sclerosing cholangitis.
The natural history of secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC) is ill-defined. In order to better determine the natural history of this condition, we retrospectively reviewed data from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. We also compared the natural history of patients diagnosed with SSC to a cohort with a diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). ⋯ When the long-term outcome of SSC patients was compared to matched PSC controls, the SSC patients had a poorer outcome. The natural history of SSC is characterized by a shortened life expectancy.
-
Am. J. Gastroenterol. · May 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialValdecoxib is associated with improved dyspepsia-related health compared with nonspecific NSAIDs in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Dyspepsia and related gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are commonly reported by patients taking nonspecific nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and significantly impact treatment effectiveness, cost, and quality of life. This study sought to evaluate dyspepsia-related health in osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients taking valdecoxib compared with patients taking nonspecific NSAIDs. ⋯ The GI tolerability of valdecoxib is superior to that of nonspecific NSAIDs, and therefore can potentially have a favorable impact on patient quality of life.