Consequences of frequent nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux disease among employed adults: symptom severity, quality of life and work productivity.

BACKGROUND: Effects of frequent nocturnal symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD-FNS) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and work productivity are not well documented. AIM: To assess symptom severity, production loss, and HRQOL among employed adults with and without GERD-FNS. METHODS: Using several validated outcome measures in a web survey design, GERD was pre-specified as GERD Symptom and Medication Questionnaire score >9, and > or =1 episode of heartburn or acid regurgitation during the preceding week. GERD-FNS patients were those reporting > or =2 symptom-nights during the previous week; their outcomes were compared with those of patients having minimal or no nocturnal symptoms (GERD-NNS) and vs. non-GERD controls. RESULTS: Data were collected from 1002 GERD patients (476 GERD-FNS, 526 GERD-NNS) and 513 controls. Severe symptoms were more common, sleep abnormalities were more frequent (P < 0.0001) and SF-36 scores lower (P < 0.05, all scores) among GERD-FNS patients vs. GERD-NNS patients. GERD-related work loss was greater among those with GERD-FNS vs. GERD-NNS (P < 0.0001). Work loss and functional limitations were more pronounced when comparing GERD-FNS cases vs. non-GERD controls. CONCLUSION: Employed adults with frequent nocturnal GERD report more severe symptoms, and are associated with impaired sleep, HRQOL and work productivity compared with controls and patients with minimal or no nocturnal symptoms.

Sphincterotomy-associated biliary strictures: features and endoscopic management.

BACKGROUND: "Sphincterotomy stenosis" is a recognized late complication of endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy. The narrowing is limited to the biliary orifice and can be managed simply by repeat sphincterotomy. A similar but poorly characterized post-sphincterotomy complication involves narrowing that extends from the biliary orifice for a variable distance along the bile duct, beyond the duodenal wall. This lesion cannot be managed by repeating the sphincterotomy. METHODS: Six patients (3 men) are described with sphincterotomy associated biliary strictures, all smooth and high grade, presenting at a median of 19 months (range 8 to 60 months) after sphincterotomy. Further sphincterotomy was not possible as an intra-duodenal segment of bile duct was no longer visible. Endoscopic management consisted of serial incremental stent exchange at 2- to 4-month intervals. The goal of therapy was to place two 11.5F stents side-by-side. RESULTS: Stricture resolution was documented by cholangiography in all patients. One patient with a stricture resistant to treatment required three 10F stents side-by-side, and another underwent treatment to a maximum of adjacent 11.5F and 7F stents. Two 11.5F stents were eventually placed in the other four patients. Overall median duration of stent placement was 12.5 months. At a median of 26.5 months of stent-free follow-up, all patients remain asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Sphincterotomy-associated biliary strictures are a distinct late complication of biliary sphincterotomy. These recalcitrant lesions are not amenable to repeat sphincterotomy; however, the results of this study suggest that they may be managed successfully by serial placement of stents of incrementally increasing diameter.

A prospective study of the safety of endoscopic therapy for choledocholithiasis in an outpatient population.

OBJECTIVE: Many centers routinely admit patients for observation after endoscopic therapy of choledocholithiasis although this is contrary to the current mandate for cost containment. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety, success, and complication rates of outpatient therapeutic ERCP in the management of choledocholithiasis. METHODS: Over a 4-month period, 97 consecutive outpatients undergoing endoscopic treatment for choledocholithiasis were enrolled in a prospective manner. Each subject was observed 1-3 h postprocedure before discharge with follow-up at 10 days. RESULTS: Successful endoscopic management of choledocholithiasis was achieved in 100% of patients. Complication rates were as follows: pancreatitis (2.1%), postsphincterotomy bleeding (3.2%), perforation (0%), and sepsis (0%). One patient required admission during the observation period, and two others with pancreatitis were readmitted within 24 h of discharge. There was no apparent adverse clinical outcome related to this policy. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic therapy of choledocholithiasis may be performed safely on an outpatient basis, realizing significant cost savings.

Bioavailability of medication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Bioavailability of medication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not been studied previously. There is concern about the ability of patients to tolerate oral medication postoperatively and the optimal timing of hospital discharge. In this study, each subject received 20 mg/kg acetaminophen (po) preoperatively, with a repeat dose at 6 (group 1), 12 (group 2), or 24 h (group 3) postoperatively. Serum levels were obtained 40 and 90 min after each ingestion. Bioavailability of medication was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) 6 h (group 1) and 12 h (group 2) postoperatively. Bioavailability returned to baseline by 24 h after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (group 3). This study indicates that oral medication should be used judiciously during the first 12 h after laparoscopic surgery.

Bioavailability of medication delivered via nasogastric tube is decreased in the immediate postoperative period.

BACKGROUND: A study was performed to determine bioavailability of medication delivered via nasogastric tube in patients after abdominal surgery. METHODS: Acetaminophen (20 mg/kg) was administered to each patient per os at least 48 hours prior to abdominal surgery and via nasogastric tube 3 hours postoperatively. The nasogastric tube was clamped for 30 minutes after drug administration, prior to resuming suction. Serum levels of acetaminophen were measured 0, 40, and 90 minutes after each dose. RESULTS: Acetaminophen levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001) when the drug was administered via nasogastric tube postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased bioavailability of medications delivered via nasogastric tube may have important clinical implications and should be taken into consideration during the postoperative period.

Recall of informed consent after endoscopic procedures.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine if recall of informed consent is affected by the timing of obtaining informed consent before endoscopic procedures. METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for colonoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. Each patient received informed consent 24 to 72 hours or immediately before the procedure, and follow-up occurred one to three days postprocedure. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in recall of informed consent or the individual elements of informed consent (indication, risks, benefits, alternatives) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Recall of informed consent is similar whether consent is obtained immediately or several days before endoscopic procedures.

Conservative management of endoscopic sclerotherapy-induced esophageal perforation.

Esophageal perforation is a rare though potentially lethal complication of variceal sclerotherapy. Diagnosis is usually made after recognition of often subtle clinical symptoms. Surgical and nonsurgical modalities have been proposed, and nonoperative management can be successful even in patients thought to have absolute indications for surgery.