The American journal of gastroenterology
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Dec 2000
Multicenter StudyDevelopment and evaluation of the Liver Disease Quality of Life instrument in persons with advanced, chronic liver disease--the LDQOL 1.0.
Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in studies of liver disease and liver transplantation is necessary. Reliable and valid disease-targeted HRQOL measures are thus needed. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable and valid self-report HRQOL instrument for ambulatory adults with chronic liver disease. ⋯ The results of this multicenter field test provide support for the reliability and validity of the LDQOL 1.0 as an HRQOL outcome measure for individuals with chronic liver disease.
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Nov 2000
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialThe antitumoral effect of the long-acting somatostatin analog lanreotide in neuroendocrine tumors.
Somatostatin analogs are the first-line drugs for controlling hormone-mediated symptoms of carcinoid tumors. Prospective and retrospective studies have suggested that somatostatin analogs also have antiproliferative activity. The octapeptide lanreotide is available in sustained-release form, obviating the need for daily injections. ⋯ Lanreotide is safe and well tolerated in patients with carcinoid tumors. It seems to have both symptomatic and antitumoral effects in this setting.
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Jun 2000
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyAssessment of gastric emptying using a low fat meal: establishment of international control values.
The diagnosis of gastroparesis implies delayed gastric emptying. The diagnostic gold standard is scintigraphy, but techniques and measured endpoints vary widely among institutions. In this study, a simplified scintigraphic measurement of gastric emptying was compared to conventional gastric scintigraphic techniques and normal gastric emptying values defined in healthy subjects. ⋯ This multicenter study provides gastric emptying values in healthy subjects based on data obtained using a large sample size and consistent meal and methodology. Gastric retention of >10% at 4 h is indicative of delayed emptying, a value comparable to those provided by more intensive scanning approaches. Gastric emptying of a low fat meal is initially faster in men but is comparable in women at 4 h; it is also faster in older individuals but is independent of body mass.
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · May 2000
Multicenter StudyA prospective multicenter evaluation of new fecal occult blood tests in patients undergoing colonoscopy.
Guaiac-based fecal occult blood (FOB) tests, in particular, Hemoccult II (HO), are commonly used to detect colorectal neoplasia. Because the sensitivity and specificity of these tests are critical to cost-effective screening programs, we aimed to investigate the improved performance characteristics of new FOB tests for known colonic lesions. ⋯ Compared to single tests, the combination test with the highly sensitive SENSA and an immunochemical test had slightly reduced sensitivity but significantly fewer false-positive tests than any single test. These data raise the possibility that a combination test (i.e., highly sensitive guaiac plus immunochemical) could reduce the costs of screening for colon cancer, and suggest that further study of combination test strategies is warranted.
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · May 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialA double-blind multicenter comparison of domperidone and metoclopramide in the treatment of diabetic patients with symptoms of gastroparesis.
A double-blind, multicenter, randomized trial was conducted to compare the side effects and efficacy of domperidone and metoclopramide in symptomatic diabetic gastroparesis. ⋯ Domperidone and metoclopramide effectively reduce the symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis; CNS side effects are more pronounced with metoclopramide.