Gastroenterology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Prophylactic doxycycline for travelers' diarrhea: results of a prospective double-blind study of Peace Corps volunteers in Morocco.
A second randomized double-blind study to determine the efficacy of doxycycline, 100 mg daily, for the prevention of travelers' diarrhea was carried out among 50 Peace Corps Volunteers during their first 10 wk in Morocco. The volunteers took either doxycycline or placebo for 3 wk, and were observed for an additional 7 wk. ⋯ Enterotoxigenic E. coli, most of which were sensitive to doxycycline, were the most frequently isolated pathogens during the entire study. This study corroborates the effectiveness of doxycycline prophylaxis for travelers' diarrhea.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Esophageal tamponade for bleeding varices. Controlled trial between the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube and the Linton-Nachlas tube.
To investigate the effectiveness and safety of the Sengstaken-Blakemore (SB) tube compared with the Linton-Nachlas (LN) tube, a randomized clinical trial was carried out between both types of balloon. Seventy-nine patients suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding attributed to esophagogastric varices were included in the study. ⋯ Better tolerance and greater effectiveness were obtained when the SB tube was applied without external traction. The usefulness of esophageal tamponade for bleeding varices was higher when performed within 6 hr of the onset of hemorrhage.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A double blind crossover comparison of loperamide with diphenoxylate in the symptomatic treatment of chronic diarrhea.
Loperamide, a novel antidiarrheal agent, was compared with diphenoxylate in a double blind crossover study of 23 patients with chronic diarrhea of various etiologies. Both agents were found to be capable of controlling or greatly reducing chronic diarrhea. Loperamide was superior to diphenoxylate in its abiltiy to decrease the frequency and improve the consistency of the stools, even at a 2.5-fold lower dose level.