Vitamin D Status and Bone Density in Recently Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Manitoba IBD Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES: Bone mineral density (BMD) is usually normal at the time of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of vitamin D metabolism in recently diagnosed IBD. METHODS: Adult subjects with recently diagnosed IBD (median 4 yr) were recruited from the University of...

Cochrane Systematic Review of Colorectal Cancer Screening Using the Fecal Occult Blood Test (Hemoccult): An Update

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Reducing mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC) may be achieved by the introduction of population-based screening programs. The aim of the systematic review was to update previous research to determine whether screening for CRC using the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) reduces CRC mortality and to consider the benefits,...

Alcohol Consumption by Cirrhotic Subjects: Patterns of Use and Effects on Liver Function

OBJECTIVE: We investigated patterns of use of alcohol and its clinical effects among cirrhotic subjects who participated in a randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of transjugular intravenous portosystemic shunt and distal splenorenal shunt. METHODS: There were 132 cirrhotic subjects, 78 with alcoholic liver disease (ALD), who were followed for a...

Does Hepatitis E Viral Load and Genotypes Influence the Final Outcome of Acute Liver Failure During Pregnancy?

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E is a major health problem in developing countries including India. The incidence and mortality rate in pregnant women with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) due to hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been reported to be significantly higher, specifically in Asian women. Pregnancy is usually associated with an altered status...

Serum Transferrin Saturation Increase Is Associated With Decrease of Antibacterial Activity of Serum in Patients With HFE-Related Genetic Hemochromatosis

OBJECTIVES: Patients with type 1 (HFE-related) genetic hemochromatosis are usually excluded from blood donation on the basis that this disease may facilitate bacterial infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum antibacterial effect against Salmonella enterica Typhimurium LT2 in relation to iron status. METHODS: Serum samples were...

Esophageal pH-Impedance Monitoring in Patients With Therapy-Resistant Reflux Symptoms: ‘On’ or ‘Off’ Proton Pump Inhibitor?

BACKGROUND: In patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-resistant symptoms, ambulatory 24-h pH-impedance monitoring can be used to assess whether a relationship exists between symptoms and reflux episodes. Until now, it is unclear whether combined pH-impedance monitoring in these patients should be performed on or off PPI. METHODS: Thirty patients with symptoms...