What all nurses need to know about Stickler syndrome

Stickler syndrome is one of the most common clinical syndromes in Europe although it is also one of the least known and consequently most misidentified. Because Stickler syndrome affects connective tissue, many different symptoms present, from vision to mobility difficulties. This article examines the main symptoms of the syndrome and includes an insightful personal account showing how it affects the whole family.     

What you need to know about Barrett's esophagus.

The incidence of Barrett's esophagus is increasing and this diagnosis is being seen more frequently in endoscopy units. Barrett's esophagus is a premalignant condition where the cells that normally line the esophagus are replaced with specialized columnar cells. Patients with Barrett's require close surveillance to monitor their condition and screen for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma.This article provides an overview of Barrett's esophagus to better prepare gastroenterology nurses for educating and caring for this population of patients. Included is a discussion of the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and diagnostics of this disease entity. Current treatment options including medical management with proton pump inhibitors, endoscopic mucosal ablation techniques such as photodynamic therapy, and surgical intervention are also discussed. Current patient education approaches are also discussed.