The American journal of gastroenterology
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Jan 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTechnical performance of colonoscopy in patients sedated with nurse-administered propofol.
Nurse-administered propofol has gained attention as a safe and effective means of sedation for patients undergoing endoscopic procedures. However, little is known about the effect of propofol on the technical performance of colonoscopy. ⋯ Nurse-administered propofol sedation is safe and simplifies the technical performance of colonoscopy compared to midazolam/narcotic sedation.
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Nov 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialVitamin E and vitamin C treatment improves fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common cause of liver disease. Although usually indolent, this disease can progress to cirrhosis in some patients. There is currently no proven medical therapy for the treatment of NASH. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of combination alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and vitamin C in reducing histologic inflammation and fibrosis. ⋯ Forty-five patients completed 6 months of therapy without significant side effects. Vitamin treatment resulted in a statistically significant improvement in fibrosis score (p=0.002). No changes were noted in inflammation with treatment. Vitamin E and vitamin C, in the doses used in this study, were well tolerated and were effective in improving fibrosis scores in NASH patients. No improvement in necroinflammatory activity or ALT was seen with this combination of drug therapy. A larger, multicenter, longer-term trial with vitamin E and vitamin C seems to be warranted.
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Nov 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialNurse-administered propofol versus midazolam and meperidine for upper endoscopy in cirrhotic patients.
Upper GI endoscopy is often performed in patients with chronic liver disease to screen for esophageal and gastric varices. Propofol is currently under evaluation as an alternative to the combination of midazolam and meperidine for sedation during endoscopic procedures. The purpose of this study was to compare nurse-administered propofol to midazolam and meperidine for sedation in patients with chronic liver disease undergoing diagnostic upper GI endoscopy. ⋯ Propofol sedation administered by registered nurses in the setting of adequate patient monitoring is efficacious and well tolerated in patients with liver disease who are undergoing variceal screening by upper endoscopy. Patients were more satisfied with the quality of sedation, and return to baseline function was usually sooner compared to results achieved with midazolam/meperidine. Propofol offers advantages over meperidine/midazolam in cirrhotic patients.
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · May 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialUtility of Web-based assessment of patient satisfaction with endoscopy.
The dramatic growth of the World Wide Web (Web) holds potential for use in survey distribution and submission. Its use has not previously been studied in the context of patient satisfaction with endoscopy procedures. In this study we compared standard mail, telephone, and Web-based modes of endoscopy satisfaction survey administration with respect to response rate and response content. ⋯ The potential of our Web-based survey was limited by poor response rates. This arose from privacy protection precautions that complicated access to the Web site. Future Web-based strategies for surveying patients will need to be more user-friendly while maintaining the intent of the recent Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations.
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Dec 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialBalsalazide is superior to mesalamine in the time to improvement of signs and symptoms of acute mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis.
Balsalazide is a novel azo-bonded 5-aminosalicylic acid treatment for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. The study objective was to compare symptomatic remission rates with balsalazide and mesalamine while controlling for extent of disease and time since diagnosis in patients with active, mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. ⋯ Balsalazide is an effective and safe treatment for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. Improvement of symptoms occurs considerably earlier with balsalazide than with mesalamine.