Patients with celiac disease are not followed up adequately.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Adherence to a gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment for celiac disease. It has been recommended that patients be followed up, make regular visits to the clinic, and undergo serologic analysis for markers of celiac disease, although a follow-up procedure has not been standardized. We determined how many patients with celiac disease are actually followed up. METHODS: We collected data on 122 patients with biopsy-proven celiac disease, diagnosed between 1996 and 2006 in Olmsted County, Minnesota (70% women; median age, 42 y), for whom complete medical records and verification of residency were available. We determined the frequency at which patients received follow-up examinations, from 6 months to 5 years after diagnosis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate event rates at 1 and 5 years. Patients were classified according to categories of follow-up procedures recommended by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). RESULTS: We estimated that by 1 and 5 years after diagnosis with celiac disease, 41.0% and 88.7% of the patients had follow-up visits, 33.6% and 79.8% were assessed for compliance with a gluten-free diet, 3.3% and 15.8% met with a registered dietitian, 2.5% and 18.1% had an additional intestinal biopsy, and 22.1% and 65.6% received serologic testing for markers of celiac disease, respectively. Among 113 patients (93%) who were followed up for more than 4 years, only 35% received follow-up analyses that were consistent with AGA recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with celiac disease are not followed up consistently. Follow-up examinations often are inadequate and do not follow AGA recommendations. Improving follow-up strategies for patients with celiac disease could improve management of this disease.

Comparison of a 10-breaths-per-minute versus a 2-breaths-per-minute strategy during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a porcine model of cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Hyperventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is harmful. METHODS: We tested the hypotheses that, during CPR, 2 breaths/min would result in higher cerebral perfusion pressure and brain-tissue oxygen tension than 10 breaths/min, and an impedance threshold device (known to increase circulation) would further enhance cerebral perfusion and brain-tissue oxygen tension, especially with 2 breaths/min. RESULTS: Female pigs (30.4 +/- 1.3 kg) anesthetized with propofol were subjected to 6 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation, followed by 5 min of CPR (100 compressions/min, compression depth of 25% of the anterior-posterior chest diameter), and ventilated with either 10 breaths/min or 2 breaths/min, while receiving 100% oxygen and a tidal volume of 12 mL/kg. Brain-tissue oxygen tension was measured with a probe in the parietal lobe. The impedance threshold device was then used during an 5 additional min of CPR. During CPR the mean +/- SD calculated coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures with 10 breaths/min versus 2 breaths/min, respectively, were 17.6 +/- 9.3 mm Hg versus 14.3 +/- 6.5 mm Hg (p = 0.20) and 16.0 +/- 9.5 mm Hg versus 9.3 +/- 12.5 mm Hg (p = 0.25). Carotid artery blood flow, which was prospectively designated as the primary end point, was 65.0 +/- 49.6 mL/min in the 10-breaths/min group, versus 34.0 +/- 17.1 mL/min in the 2-breaths/min group (p = 0.037). Brain-tissue oxygen tension was 3.0 +/- 3.3 mm Hg in the 10-breaths/min group, versus 0.5 +/- 0.5 mm Hg in the 2-breaths/min group (p = 0.036). After 5 min of CPR there were no significant differences in arterial pH, PO2, or PCO2 between the groups. During CPR with the impedance threshold device, the mean carotid blood flow and brain-tissue oxygen tension in the 10-breaths/min group and the 2-breaths/min group, respectively, were 102.5 +/- 67.9 mm Hg versus 38.8 +/- 23.7 mm Hg (p = 0.006) and 4.5 +/- 6.0 mm Hg versus 0.7 +/- 0.7 mm Hg (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our initial hypothesis, during the first 5 min of CPR, 2 breaths/min resulted in significantly lower carotid blood flow and brain-tissue oxygen tension than did 10 breaths/min. Subsequent addition of an impedance threshold device significantly enhanced carotid flow and brain-tissue oxygen tension, especially in the 10-breaths/min group.

Treatment Nonadherence in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Identification, Scope, and Management Strategies.

Treatment adherence is of critical importance in the management of patients with IBD. Poor adherence can lead to increased disease activity, loss of response to therapy, and increased costs of care. It has been well established that adherence to long-term therapy for chronic illnesses is extremely poor, averaging around 50% in developed countries. Measured rates of nonadherence in IBD are similar, but vary depending on the type of therapy and the population being observed. This article reviews the scientific data on treatment nonadherence in IBD. The methods commonly used to evaluate treatment adherence investigation are reviewed. The consequences and scope of treatment nonadherence are summarized. Finally, the scientific data on management strategies to address the problem of treatment nonadherence are explored.

A Case of Severe Sprue-Like Enteropathy Associated With Valsartan.

Olmesartan sprue-like enteropathy is an adverse drug reaction that mimics the appearance of celiac disease and is related to the use of olmesartan. We present the case of a 71-year-old female with severe enteropathy attributed to celiac disease for 5 years that improved only after valsartan cessation. This is the first case associating valsartan with sprue-like enteropathy.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis: a case series of 98 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To promote wider recognition and further understanding of cannabinoid hyperemesis (CH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We constructed a case series, the largest to date, of patients diagnosed with CH at our institution. Inclusion criteria were determined by reviewing all PubMed indexed journals with case reports and case series on CH. The institution's electronic medical record was searched from January 1, 2005, through June 15, 2010. Patients were included if there was a history of recurrent vomiting with no other explanation for symptoms and if cannabis use preceded symptom onset. Of 1571 patients identified, 98 patients (6%) met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: All 98 patients were younger than 50 years of age. Among the 37 patients in whom duration of cannabis use was available, most (25 [68%]) reported using cannabis for more than 2 years before symptom onset, and 71 of 75 patients (95%) in whom frequency of use was available used cannabis more than once weekly. Eighty-four patients (86%) reported abdominal pain. The effect of hot water bathing was documented in 57 patients (58%), and 52 (91%) of these patients reported relief of symptoms with hot showers or baths. Follow-up was available in only 10 patients (10%). Of those 10, 7 (70%) stopped using cannabis and 6 of these 7 (86%) noted complete resolution of their symptoms. CONCLUSION: Cannabinoid hyperemesis should be considered in younger patients with long-term cannabis use and recurrent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. On the basis of our findings in this large series of patients, we propose major and supportive criteria for the diagnosis of CH.

Severe spruelike enteropathy associated with olmesartan.

OBJECTIVE: To report the response to discontinuation of olmesartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist commonly prescribed for treatment of hypertension, in patients with unexplained severe spruelike enteropathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All 22 patients included in this report were seen at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, between August 1, 2008, and August 1, 2011, for evaluation of unexplained chronic diarrhea and enteropathy while taking olmesartan. Celiac disease was ruled out in all cases. To be included in the study, the patients also had to have clinical improvement after suspension of olmesartan. RESULTS: The 22 patients (13 women) had a median age of 69.5 years (range, 47-81 years). Most patients were taking 40 mg/d of olmesartan (range, 10-40 mg/d). The clinical presentation was of chronic diarrhea and weight loss (median, 18 kg; range, 2.5-57 kg), which required hospitalization in 14 patients (64%). Intestinal biopsies showed both villous atrophy and variable degrees of mucosal inflammation in 15 patients, and marked subepithelial collagen deposition (collagenous sprue) in 7. Tissue transglutaminase antibodies were not detected. A gluten-free diet was not helpful. Collagenous or lymphocytic gastritis was documented in 7 patients, and microscopic colitis was documented in 5 patients. Clinical response, with a mean weight gain of 12.2 kg, was demonstrated in all cases. Histologic recovery or improvement of the duodenum after discontinuation of olmesartan was confirmed in all 18 patients who underwent follow-up biopsies. CONCLUSION: Olmesartan may be associated with a severe form of spruelike enteropathy. Clinical response and histologic recovery are expected after suspension of the drug.