Clinico-pathological follow-up after total colectomy and straight ileo-anal anastomosis done for ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Restorative proctocolectomy is used as surgical treatment for ulcerative colitis. We have earlier documented adaptative changes in the terminal ileum after total colectomy, and straight ileo-anal anastomosis. AIM: To correlate the morphologic and functional changes in the ileal mucosa after total colectomy and hand-sewn straight ileo-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients (age range 15-50 years, 24 men) who had undergone total colectomy, rectal mucosectomy and hand-sewn straight ileo-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis were included in the study. These patients were followed up at 3-monthly intervals following surgery for two years and later once every year for a median duration of 9.5 (range 1-17) years. The clinical parameters studied were weight gain, frequency of stools, nature of stools, nocturnal stool frequency and need for antidiarrheal drugs. At each follow-up visit they were subjected to per rectal ileoscopy with ileal biopsy and barium enema. Ileal biopsy was analyzed histologically and histochemically. RESULTS: The clinical features improved over time, with average weight gain of 5 (range 1-7) Kg at one year. Frequency of stools decreased from 8-10 per day to 2-3 per day. The stools became semisolid and there was no need for antidiarrheal drug by the end of one year. All the patients showed adaptative changes in the ileum. The ileal mucosa was completely transformed into colonic type by the end of one year, colonoscopically (spacious lumen characteristic of colon), radiologically (disappearance of ileal characteristics with rectosigmoid-like appearance), histologically (blunting of villi with increase in goblet cells), and histochemically (sialomucin pattern to sulfomucin pattern). CONCLUSIONS: The ileum undergoes adaptative changes with corresponding improvement of clinical parameters over time, after proctocolectomy and ileoanal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.     

Influences of cognitive status, depression and health on the use of memory strategies among residents of Japanese geriatric nursing facilities

Abstract This is a secondary analysis of a larger metamemory study among Japanese nursing facility residents. The purpose of this study was to investigate memory strategies used among Japanese nursing facility residents and to examine the influences of health status, depression and cognitive status on the use of memory strategies. One hundred and seventeen subjects from seven nursing facilities located in the Tokyo area participated in the study. The Mini-Mental State Exam, Metamemory in Adulthood Questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale, Health Scale and demographic questionnaires were used in face-to-face interviews. There were no significant differences in the use of internal and external strategies among the subjects. The use of the note strategy was significantly different between the cognitively impaired and the intact group, and between the depressed and non-depressed group. The results suggested that the note-taking strategy and list-making strategy would not be an effective means of memory support for people with depression and/or cognitive impairment.     

Vitamin A intake and xerophthalmia among Indian children

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence of xerophthalmia and to assess dietary intake of vitamin A in Indian children aged under 6 y. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. STUDY SETTING: Urban slums under Urban Health Centre affiliated to Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Government Medical College, Nagpur, India. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 1094 all children under 6 y of age, from two randomly selected urban slums. METHODS: Xerophthalmia was diagnosed on the basis of ocular signs and symptoms (WHO recommendations). Dietary intake of vitamin A was assessed by using one year recall method recommended by International Vitamin A Consultative Group. RESULTS: Prevalence of xerophthalmia was estimated to be 8.7%. Nine hundred and ninety-five (90.9%) study subjects were identified as inhabitants consuming dietary vitamin A at below recommended levels. (UPF score < 210). Five hundred and ninety-three (54.2%) study subjects were consuming dietary vitamin A at approximately less than 200 RE/d (UPF score < 120) while 402 (36.2%) were consuming approximately 200-300 RE/d (UPF score 120-210). The prevalence of xerophthalmia was found to be decreasing as the score of usual pattern of food consumption (UPF) increased. CONCLUSIONS: Children with a dietary intake represented by a UPF score of less than 120 were at high risk of developing xerophthalmia, whereas, those consuming vitamin A equal to a UPF score greater than 120 were at comparatively less risk despite being below the recommended levels.     

Patients' expectations of osteopathic care: a qualitative study

Background

Research has shown that patients'' expectations of health care and health‐care practitioners are complex and may have a significant impact on outcomes of care. Little is known about the expectations of osteopathic patients.

Objectives

To explore osteopathic patients'' expectations of private sector care.

Design

Focus groups and individual interviews with purposively selected patients; this was the qualitative phase of a mixed methods study, the final phase being a patient survey.

Setting and participants

A total of 34 adult patients currently attending for treatment at private osteopathic practices across the United Kingdom.

Intervention

Focus group discussions and individual interviews around expectations before, during and after osteopathic care.

Outcome measures

Thematic analysis of text data to identify topics raised by patients and to group these into broad themes.

Results

Many components of expectation were identified. A preliminary conceptual framework describing the way the therapeutic encounter is approached in osteopathy comprised five themes: individual agency, professional expertise, customer experience, therapeutic process and interpersonal relationship.

Discussion and Conclusion

The components of expectation identified in this phase of the study provided potential question topics for the survey questionnaire in the subsequent phase of the investigation. The model developed in this study may add a new perspective to existing evidence on expectations. Further research is recommended to test the findings both within private practice and the National Health Service.     

Sedation for Endoscopy

Abstract  In order to examine the investigators' clinical suspicion that Vietnamese patients were more sensitive to the sedative effects of midazolam than were Caucasians, the pharmacokinetics of a single, weight-adjusted intravenous dose of midazolam (0.05 mg/kg) were compared in a group of healthy Caucasian and Vietnamese male volunteers. The Vietnamese group ( n =8) had a significantly lower height, lean body mass and mean weight (59.8±5.5 vs 72.1±8.1 kg, respectively) compared with the Caucasian group ( n =8). No significant differences were found between the Vietnamese and Caucasian groups with regard to distribution half-life of midazolam (8.38±13.1 vs 1.49±0.63 min, respectively), elimination half-life (2.49±1.80 vs 1.48±0.66 h, respectively), clearance (4.93±1.31 vs 5.90±2.12 mL/min per kg, respectively), steady state volume of distribution (0.863±0.497 vs 0.530±0.132 L/kg, respectively) or percentage of unbound drug in plasma (4.89±0.74 vs 4.11±1.08, respectively). This suggests that dosage of midazolam in Vietnamese should be based on total body-weight. Two Vietnamese subjects who were brothers had marked elevation of distribution half-life and initial volume of distribution and lesser elevations in elimination half-life and volume of distribution at steady state. This suggests that the known subgroup of subjects who demonstrate dyshomogeneity in midazolam volume of distribution may be genetically determined.