Introduction of the French version of the Multidimensional Orientation Toward Dying and Death Inventory (MODDI-F/fre).

Research on death-related attitudes needs complex assessment instruments for multicultural contexts. The French version of the Multidimensional Orientation Toward Dying and Death Inventory was factor analytically constructed with data from Europe and Canada (N = 370). The 24-item instrument with five and three scales in the fear and acceptance domain, respectively, shows favorable psychometric properties. The influence of social desirability is negligible. Women tended to express stronger fears and weaker acceptance of dying and death. Gender differences emerged concerning Fear of One's Own Dying and Fear of Corpses, with women scoring higher than men on both dimensions. The importance of assessing attitudes toward dying and death transdiagnostically is outlined.

Dimensions of Death-Related Attitudes in a French-Speaking Sample.

This study examines the structure of death-related attitudes among French-speaking people. Participants from Canada, Belgium, France, and from Switzerland whose mother tongue was French in an online survey responded to the French adaptation of the item pool of the Multidimensional Orientation Toward Dying and Death Inventory (MODDI; N = 373). Exploratory factor analyses with orthogonal and oblique rotation yielded a 5-factor Fear domain and a 3-factor Acceptance domain, thereby reproducing the a-priori conceptualization. These results are discussed with respect to the issue of universal dimensions of death-related attitudes across cultures.

Early combined immunosuppression for the management of Crohn's disease (REACT): a cluster randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Conventional management of Crohn's disease features incremental use of therapies. However, early combined immunosuppression (ECI), with a TNF antagonist and antimetabolite might be a more effective strategy. We compared the efficacy of ECI with that of conventional management for treatment of Crohn's disease. METHODS: In this open-label cluster randomised controlled trial (Randomised Evaluation of an Algorithm for Crohn's Treatment, REACT), we included community gastroenterology practices from Belgium and Canada that were willing to be assigned to either of the study groups, participate in all aspects of the study, and provide data on up to 60 patients with Crohn's disease. These practices were randomly assigned (1:1) to either ECI or conventional management. The computer-generated randomisation was minimised by country and practice size. Up to 60 consecutive adult patients were assessed within practices. Patients who were aged 18 years or older; documented to have Crohn's disease; able to speak or understand English, French, or Dutch; able to access a telephone; and able to provide written informed consent were followed up for 2 years. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients in corticosteroid-free remission (Harvey-Bradshaw Index score ≤ 4) at 12 months at the practice level. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01030809. FINDINGS: This study took place between March 15, 2010, and Oct 1, 2013. Of the 60 practices screened, 41 were randomly assigned to either ECI (n=22) or conventional management (n=19). Two practices (one in each group) discontinued because of insufficient resources. 921 (85%) of the 1084 patients at ECI practices and 806 (90%) of 898 patients at conventional management practices completed 12 months follow-up and were included in an intention-to-treat analysis. The 12 month practice-level remission rates were similar at ECI and conventional management practices (66·0% [SD 14·0] and 61·9% [16·9]; adjusted difference 2·5%, 95% CI -5·2% to 10·2%, p=0·5169). The 24 month patient-level composite rate of major adverse outcomes defined as occurrence of surgery, hospital admission, or serious disease-related complications was lower at ECI practices than at conventional management practices (27·7% and 35·1%, absolute difference [AD] 7·3%, hazard ratio [HR]: 0·73, 95% CI 0·62 to 0·86, p=0·0003). There were no differences in serious drug-related adverse events. INTERPRETATION: Although ECI was not more effective than conventional management for controlling Crohn's disease symptoms, the risk of major adverse outcomes was lower. The latter finding should be considered hypothesis-generating for future trials. ECI was not associated with an increased risk of serious drug-related adverse events or mortality. FUNDING: AbbVie Pharmaceuticals.

The probiotic VSL#3 has anti-inflammatory effects and could reduce endoscopic recurrence after surgery for Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Probiotic formulations of single species of bacteria have not been effective in preventing the recurrence of Crohn's disease after surgery. We investigated the ability of VSL#3, a mixture of 8 different bacterial probiotic species, to prevent Crohn's disease recurrence after surgery in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Within 30 days of ileocolonic resection and re-anastomosis, patients with Crohn's disease were randomly assigned to groups given 1 sachet of VSL#3 (900 billion viable bacteria, comprising 4 strains of Lactobacillus, 3 strains of Bifidobacterium, and 1 strain of Streptococcus salivarius subspecies thermophilus) (n = 59) or matching placebo (n = 60). Colonoscopy was performed at days 90 and 365 to evaluate the neoterminal ileum for disease recurrence and obtain mucosal biopsies for cytokine analysis. Patients from both groups with either no or mild endoscopic recurrence at day 90 received VSL#3 until day 365. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with severe endoscopic recurrence at day 90. RESULTS: At day 90, the proportion of patients with severe endoscopic lesions did not differ significantly between VSL#3 (9.3%) and placebo (15.7%, P = .19). The proportions of patients with non-severe lesions at day 90 who had severe endoscopic recurrence at day 365 were 10.0% in the early VSL#3 group (given VSL#3 for the entire 365 days) and 26.7% in the late VSL#3 group (given VSL#3 from days 90 through 365) (P = .09). Aggregate rates of severe recurrence (on days 90 and 365) were not statistically different, 20.5% of subjects in the early VSL#3 group and 42.1% in the late VSL#3 group. Patients receiving VSL#3 had reduced mucosal inflammatory cytokine levels compared with placebo at day 90 (P < .05). Crohn's disease activity index and inflammatory bowel disease quality of life scores were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistical differences in endoscopic recurrence rates at day 90 between patients who received VSL#3 and patients who received placebo. Lower mucosal levels of inflammatory cytokines and a lower rate of recurrence among patients who received early VSL#3 (for the entire 365 days) indicate that this probiotic should be further investigated for prevention of Crohn's disease recurrence. Clinical trials.gov number: NCT00175292.

Methotrexate in combination with infliximab is no more effective than infliximab alone in patients with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Methotrexate and infliximab are effective therapies for Crohn's disease (CD). In the combination of maintenance methotrexate-infliximab trial, we evaluated the potential superiority of combination therapy over infliximab alone. METHODS: In a 50-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we compared methotrexate and infliximab with infliximab alone in 126 patients with CD who had initiated prednisone induction therapy (15-40 mg/day) within the preceding 6 weeks. Patients were assigned randomly to groups given methotrexate at an initial weekly dose of 10 mg, escalating to 25 mg/week (n = 63), or placebo (n = 63). Both groups received infliximab (5 mg/kg of body weight) at weeks 1, 3, 7, and 14, and every 8 weeks thereafter. Prednisone was tapered, beginning at week 1, and discontinued no later than week 14. The primary outcome was time to treatment failure, defined as a lack of prednisone-free remission (CD Activity Index, <150) at week 14 or failure to maintain remission through week 50. RESULTS: Patients' baseline characteristics were similar between groups. By week 50, the actuarial rate of treatment failure was 30.6% in the combination therapy group compared with 29.8% in the infliximab monotherapy group (P = .63; hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-2.17). Prespecified subgroup analyses failed to show a benefit in patients with short disease duration or an increased level of C-reactive protein. No clinically meaningful differences were observed in secondary outcomes. Combination therapy was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of infliximab and methotrexate, although safe, was no more effective than infliximab alone in patients with CD receiving treatment with prednisone. ClincialTrials.gov number, NCT00132899.

The approach to diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation: suggestions for a general practitioner.

Chronic constipation is a frequent complaint. Symptoms of obstructive defecation (straining, hard and lumpy stools, or incomplete evacuation) are more frequent and bothersome than the frequency of bowel movements. Patient assessment is clinically based on the presence or absence of red flags. Commonly used therapies (eg, bulk-forming agents, stool softeners and stimulant laxatives) have only been evaluated in small studies of short duration. Polyethylene glycol was shown to be effective and safe in several rigorous trials with durations of more than one year. New drugs (prucalopride, lubiprostone and linaclotide) were shown to be effective and safe in well-designed and rigorous studies. Trials conducted in primary care patients are lacking for all therapies. Biofeedback and behavioural therapies are effective, but should be reserved for selected patients after proper diagnostic evaluation. A practical management algorithm is proposed using a multistep approach favouring early introduction of combined therapies and long-term step-down strategy to the lowest satisfactory regimen.

Counselling by primary care physicians may help patients with heartburn-predominant uninvestigated dyspepsia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether strategies to counsel and empower patients with heartburn-predominant dyspepsia could improve health-related quality of life. METHODS: Using a cluster randomized, parallel group, multicentre design, nine centres were assigned to provide either basic or comprehensive counselling to patients (age range 18 to 50 years) presenting with heartburn-predominant upper gastrointestinal symptoms, who would be considered for drug therapy without further investigation. Patients were treated for four weeks with esomeprazole 40 mg once daily, followed by six months of treatment that was at the physician's discretion. The primary end point was the baseline change in Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (QOLRAD) questionnaire score. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients from nine centres were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. There was a statistically significant baseline improvement in all domains of the QOLRAD questionnaire in both study arms at four and seven months (P<0.0001). After four months, the overall mean change in QOLRAD score appeared greater in the comprehensive counselling group than in the basic counselling group (1.77 versus 1.47, respectively); however, this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.07). After seven months, the overall mean baseline change in QOLRAD score between the comprehensive and basic counselling groups was not statistically significant (1.69 versus 1.56, respectively; P=0.63). CONCLUSIONS: A standardized, comprehensive counselling intervention showed a positive initial trend in improving quality of life in patients with heartburn-predominant uninvestigated dyspepsia. Further investigation is needed to confirm the potential benefits of providing patients with comprehensive counselling regarding disease management.

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease in French Canadians: comparison with a large North American repository.

OBJECTIVES: Phenotype characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may differ significantly among ethnic subpopulations. The aim of this study was to characterize the IBD phenotype in French Canadians, the most prominent founder population in North America. METHODS: Using well-characterized phenotype data in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)-IBD Genetics Consortium repository on patients with IBD, we compared phenotypic characteristics of 202 French Canadians with those of 1,287 other Caucasian patients. These included diagnosis, anatomical location, disease behavior, extraintestinal manifestations, surgical history, and family history of IBD. RESULTS: French-Canadian patients with Crohn's disease (CD) were less likely to have stricturing disease (11 vs. 21%, P=0.005; odds ratio (OR): 0.45, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.24-0.85). Using a stringent definition of ethnicity (three out of four grandparents being French Canadians, as opposed to self-report, n=148), French Canadians had a tendency toward developing fistulizing CD (37 vs. 28%, P=0.07), and there was an increased prevalence of sacroiliitis among those with IBD (4 vs. 2%, P=0.045). Among French Canadians, the numbers of current smokers in CD (40 vs. 25%, P=0.006) and former smokers in ulcerative colitis (UC) (35 vs. 20%, P=0.03) were significantly higher. The prevalence of one of the three main variants of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2 (NOD2) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among French-Canadian CD patients was 43.2%. The 3020insC SNP correlated with small bowel disease in French Canadians (25 [corrected] vs. 0%, P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: French Canadians show an IBD phenotype profile distinct from other Caucasian IBD populations, with an accentuated association between smoking status and IBD. This unique profile may have implications regarding the need for a different approach to the management of IBD in this population.

Therapeutic advice issued by a geriatric mobile team and 3-year mortality in older inpatients.

Our objective was to determine whether the provision of therapeutic advice (i.e., any recommendation for an increase or decrease in drug dosage, or for the addition, withdrawal or replacement of at least one drug) by hospital geriatric mobile teams (GMTs) was associated with long-term mortality among older inpatients. Data on therapeutic advice provided by the GMT of Angers University Hospital, France, were collected from 694 consecutive inpatients examined in 2012 (mean age 84.4 ± 6.3 years; 65.6% female), who were followed up after 3 years. We found no between-group differences regarding the 3-year mortality (P = 0.30) and no cumulative survival difference (log-rank P = 0.43). The provision of therapeutic advice by a GMT was not associated with better 3-year survival (HR = 1.18, P = 0.40) in these frail inpatients.

Treatment of ulcerative colitis with a humanized antibody to the alpha4beta7 integrin.

BACKGROUND: Selective blockade of interactions between leukocytes and vascular endothelium in the gut is a promising strategy for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of MLN02, a humanized antibody to the alpha4beta7 integrin, in patients with active ulcerative colitis. We randomly assigned 181 patients to receive 0.5 mg of MLN02 per kilogram of body weight, 2.0 mg per kilogram, or an identical-appearing placebo intravenously on day 1 and day 29. Eligible patients also received concomitant mesalamine or no other treatment for colitis. Ulcerative colitis clinical scores and sigmoidoscopic assessments were evaluated six weeks after randomization. RESULTS: Clinical remission rates at week 6 were 33 percent, 32 percent, and 14 percent for the group receiving 0.5 mg of MLN02 per kilogram, the group receiving 2.0 mg per kilogram, and the placebo group, respectively (P=0.03). The corresponding proportions of patients who improved by at least 3 points on the ulcerative colitis clinical score were 66 percent, 53 percent, and 33 percent (P=0.002). Twenty-eight percent of patients receiving 0.5 mg per kilogram and 12 percent of those receiving 2.0 mg per kilogram had endoscopically evident remission, as compared with 8 percent of those receiving placebo (P=0.007). For the minority of patients in whom an MLN02 antibody titer greater than 1:125 developed, incomplete saturation of the alpha4beta7 receptor on circulating lymphocytes was observed and no benefit of treatment was identifiable. CONCLUSIONS: In this short-term study, MLN02 was more effective than placebo for the induction of clinical and endoscopic remission in patients with active ulcerative colitis.

Treatment of active Crohn's disease with MLN0002, a humanized antibody to the alpha4beta7 integrin.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Selective blockade of lymphocyte-vascular endothelium interactions in the gastrointestinal tract is a promising therapeutic strategy for inflammatory bowel disease. This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial assessed the efficacy and safety of MLN0002, a monoclonal antibody targeting the alpha4beta7 integrin, in patients with active Crohn's disease. METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive MLN0002 2.0 mg/kg (n = 65), MLN0002 0.5 mg/kg (n = 62), or placebo (n = 58) by intravenous infusion on days 1 and 29. The primary efficacy end point was clinical response (>or=70-point decrement in the Crohn's Disease Activity Index [CDAI] score) on day 57. Secondary end points were the proportions of patients with clinical remission (CDAI score or=100-point decrement in CDAI). Human anti-human antibody levels were measured. RESULTS: Clinical response rates at day 57 were 53%, 49%, and 41% in the MLN0002 2.0 mg/kg, MLN0002 0.5 mg/kg, and placebo groups. Clinical remission rates at day 57 were 37%, 30%, and 21%, respectively (P = .04 for the 2.0 mg/kg vs placebo comparison). At day 57, 12% and 34% of patients in the 2.0- and 0.5-mg/kg groups had clinically significant human anti-human antibody levels (titers > 1:125). There was one infusion-related hypersensitivity reaction. The most common serious adverse event was worsening of Crohn's disease. CONCLUSIONS: This phase 2 study was suggestive of a dose-dependent beneficial effect of MLN0002 therapy on clinical remission. MLN0002 was well tolerated in patients with active Crohn's disease.

Tegaserod for female patients suffering from IBS with mixed bowel habits or constipation: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Though the greatest proportion of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients report a mixed bowel pattern (IBS-Mixed), no available therapies have been rigorously evaluated in this subgroup. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the 5-HT(4) agonist tegaserod in women with IBS-Mixed and IBS with constipation (IBS-C). METHODS: This prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study was conducted in 100 centers in North America, South America, and Europe. Women with IBS-Mixed or IBS-C received tegaserod 6 mg or placebo twice daily. The primary efficacy variable was the patient's assessment of satisfactory relief over the 4-wk treatment period. The proportion of patients reporting satisfactory relief for >/=3 of 4 treatment weeks (75% rule) and individual IBS symptoms were assessed. RESULTS: In total, 661 women were randomized (IBS-Mixed 324, IBS-C 337). Baseline symptom assessments identified clear differences between the two cohorts. Tegaserod provided significant improvement in satisfactory relief of IBS symptoms over 4 wk (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.35-2.25, P < 0.001) in both IBS-Mixed and IBS-C patients. Using the 75% rule, 52.3% of tegaserod-receiving IBS-M patients and 43.3% of IBS-C patients were responders (vs 36.3, OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.16-3.04, P < 0.010; and 28.9, OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.19-3.05, P < 0.008 for placebo, respectively). The most frequent adverse events leading to study discontinuation in tegaserod-treated patients were diarrhea (1.5%) and abdominal pain (0.9%). Overall 7% of IBS-C patients reported diarrhea compared to 12% of IBS-Mixed (placebo 2.4%, 1.8%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Tegaserod is effective in treating overall IBS symptoms in patients with IBS-Mixed and IBS-C.

Omega-3 free fatty acids for the maintenance of remission in Crohn disease: the EPIC Randomized Controlled Trials.

CONTEXT: Maintenance therapy for Crohn disease features the use of immunosuppressive drugs, which are associated with an increased risk of infection. Identification of safe and effective maintenance strategies is a priority. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the oral administration of omega-3 free fatty acids is more effective than placebo for prevention of relapse of Crohn disease. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (Epanova Program in Crohn's Study 1 [EPIC-1] and EPIC-2) conducted between January 2003 and February 2007 at 98 centers in Canada, Europe, Israel, and the United States. Data from 363 and 375 patients with quiescent Crohn disease were evaluated in EPIC-1 and EPIC-2, respectively. INTERVENTIONS: Patients with a Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score of less than 150 were randomly assigned to receive either 4 g/d of omega-3 free fatty acids or placebo for up to 58 weeks. No other treatments for Crohn disease were permitted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Clinical relapse, as defined by a CDAI score of 150 points or greater and an increase of more than 70 points from the baseline value, or initiation of treatment for active Crohn disease. RESULTS: For EPIC-1, 188 patients were assigned to receive omega-3 free fatty acids and 186 patients to receive placebo. Corresponding numbers for EPIC-2 were 189 and 190 patients, respectively. The rate of relapse at 1 year in EPIC-1 was 31.6% in patients who received omega-3 free fatty acids and 35.7% in those who received placebo (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-1.19; P = .30). Corresponding values for EPIC-2 were 47.8% and 48.8% (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-1.21; P = .48). Serious adverse events were uncommon and mostly related to Crohn disease. CONCLUSION: In these trials, treatment with omega-3 free fatty acids was not effective for the prevention of relapse in Crohn disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifiers: EPIC-1: NCT00613197, EPIC-2: NCT00074542.

Comparison of hospital course of geriatric inpatients with or without active cancer: a bicentric case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The hospital course of older patients with cancer hospitalized in geriatrics units remain poorly known. The aim of our study was to compare the clinical characteristics and hospital courses of geriatric inpatients with or without active cancer. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in 2013 in the geriatric acute care units of Angers University Hospital and Le Mans Hospital, France, to compare 204 consecutive cases with cancer (mean age, 85.4±5.5 years; 42.6% male) and 1,020 controls without active cancer (mean age, 85.5±5.8 years; 42.6% male) matched for age, gender, recruitment period and center. Hospital courses were evaluated by the length of hospital stay and the in-hospital mortality. The place of life, body mass index, cumulative illness rating scale-geriatrics (CIRS-G) score, history of falls, and reason for admission were used as covariates. RESULTS: Cases with active cancer exhibited a higher (i.e., worse) CIRS-G score (p<0.001) and were hospitalized more often for an organic failure (p<0.001) than controls. The hospital stay of cases was longer (16.3±13.0 days versus 12.6±9.4 days, p<0.001), and their in-hospital mortality rate was higher than controls (23.5% versus 5.6%, p<0.001). After adjustment, having an active cancer was associated with increased length of hospital stay (ß=3.3, p<0.001) and greater in-hospital mortality (OR=4.4, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality rate were greater in geriatric patients with active cancer compared to controls, which reflects more complicated hospital courses in this population.

Cost-effectiveness of golimumab for the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis in Quebec using a patient level state transition microsimulation.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct cost-effectiveness analyses comparing the addition of golimumab to the standard of care (SoC) for treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) who are refractory to conventional therapies in Quebec (Canada). METHODS: An individual patient state transition microsimulation model was developed to project health outcomes and costs over 10 years, using a payer perspective. The incremental benefit estimates for golimumab were driven by induction response and risk of a flare. Flare risks post-induction were derived for golimumab from the PURSUIT maintenance trial and extension study, while those for SoC were derived from the placebo arms of the Active Ulcerative Colitis Trials (ACT) 1 and 2. Other inputs were derived from multiple sources, including retrospective claims analyses and literature. Costs are reported in 2014 Canadian dollars. A 5% annual discount rate was applied to costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). RESULTS: Compared with SoC, golimumab was projected to increase the time spent in mild disease or remission states, decrease flare rates, and increase QALYs. These gains were achieved with higher direct medical costs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for golimumab vs SoC was $63,487 per QALY. LIMITATIONS: The long-term flare projections for SoC were based on the data available from the ACT 1 and 2 placebo arms, as data were not available from the PURSUIT maintenance or extension trial. Additionally, the study was limited to only SoC and golimumab, due to the availability of individual patient data to analyze. CONCLUSION: This economic analysis concluded that treatment with golimumab is likely more cost-effective vs SoC when considering cost-effectiveness acceptability thresholds from $50,000-$100,000 per QALY.

Health-related quality of life, work productivity, and health care resource utilization of subjects with irritable bowel syndrome: baseline results from LOGIC (Longitudinal Outcomes Study of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Canada), a naturalistic study.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal pain/discomfort, bloating, and constipation are gastrointestinal dysmotility and sensory symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). No studies have followed patients with IBS symptoms for 1 year under conditions of routine clinical practice to assess prospectively the impact of treatments on health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this ongoing, naturalistic study is to assess the long-term impact of IBS treatments on quality of life (QOL), work productivity, and resource utilization. This report describes the baseline characteristics and patterns of care of the patients enrolled in this study. METHODS: Patients with physician-diagnosed IBS symptoms were enrolled from 147 physician sites across Canada between May 4, 2004, and March 31, 2005. Clinical data were collected at baseline and at the end of the 12-month follow-up (patients were followed for 1 year between May 4, 2005, and March 31, 2006). Patient-reported outcomes were collected at baseline and at months 1, 2, 6, 9, and 12. Health-related QOL, health status, and work productivity were assessed with the IBS-QOL, a 5-item EuroQol descriptive system, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaires, respectively. A resource utilization questionnaire elicited information on physician; visits, treatments, and procedures. Baseline data are reported here. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 1555 patients; 85.1% (1320/1552) were women. Patients had a mean (SD) age of 45.8 (15.0) years and mean (SD) duration of IBS symptoms of 11.4 (11.5) years. Self-reported bowel patterns were predominantly constipation (41.0%, 587/1433) and constipation alternating with diarrhea (39.4%, 564/1433); 60.3% (938/1555) of subjects used > or =3 IBS treatments in the previous 4 weeks. Approximately 50% of all patients reported distress "quite a bit or "extremely" for abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and constipation. The mean overall IBS-QOL score (0-100 scale, with 0 indicating poor QOL) was 66.3; food avoidance (51.8) and health worry (59.3) were the most serious concerns. Patients reported 5.6% work absenteeism, 31.4% presenteeism, and 34.6% overall work productivity loss, equivalent to 13.8 hours lost productivity per 40-hour workweek. CONCLUSIONS: The baseline data from this ongoing, prospective, naturalistic study are consistent with previous findings that suggested significant use of health care resources with concomitant low QOL and decreased work productivity in patients with IBS symptoms.

Canadian consensus on medically acceptable wait times for digestive health care.

BACKGROUND: Delays in access to health care in Canada have been reported, but standardized systems to manage and monitor wait lists and wait times, and benchmarks for appropriate wait times, are lacking. The objective of the present consensus was to develop evidence- and expertise-based recommendations for medically appropriate maximal wait times for consultation and procedures by a digestive disease specialist. METHODS: A steering committee drafted statements defining maximal wait times for specialist consultation and procedures based on the most common reasons for referral of adult patients to a digestive disease specialist. Statements were circulated in advance to a multidisciplinary group of 25 participants for comments and voting. At the consensus meeting, relevant data and the results of voting were presented and discussed; these formed the basis of the final wording and voting of statements. RESULTS: Twenty-four statements were produced regarding maximal medically appropriate wait times for specialist consultation and procedures based on presenting signs and symptoms of referred patients. Statements covered the areas of gastrointestinal bleeding; cancer confirmation and screening and surveillance of colon cancer and colonic polyps; liver, biliary and pancreatic disorders; dysphagia and dyspepsia; abdominal pain and bowel dysfunction; and suspected inflammatory bowel disease. Maximal wait times could be stratified into four possible acuity categories of 24 h, two weeks, two months and six months. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Comparison of these benchmarks with actual wait times will identify limitations in access to digestive heath care in Canada. These recommendations should be considered targets for future health care improvements and are not clinical practice guidelines.

Circulating vitamin D concentration and age-related macular degeneration: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Vitamin D may be involved in ocular function in older adults, but there is no current consensus on a possible association between circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and the occurrence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Our objective was to systematically review and quantitatively assess the association of circulating 25OHD concentration with AMD. A Medline search was conducted in November 2015, with no date limit, using the MeSH terms "Vitamin D" OR "Vitamin D deficiency" OR "Ergocalciferols" OR 'Cholecalciferol' combined with "Age-related macular degeneration" OR "Macular degeneration" OR "Retinal degeneration" OR "Macula lutea" OR "Retina". Fixed and random-effects meta-analyses were performed to compute (i) standard mean difference in 25OHD concentration between AMD and non-AMD patients; (ii) AMD risk according to circulating 25OHD concentration. Of the 243 retrieved studies, 11 observational studies-10 cross-sectional studies and 1 cohort study-met the selection criteria. The number of participants ranged from 65 to 17,045 (52-100% women), and the number with AMD ranged from 31 to 1440. Circulating 25OHD concentration was 15% lower in AMD compared with non-AMD on average. AMD was inversely associated with the highest 25OHD quintile compared with the lowest (summary odds ratio (OR)=0.83 [95%CI:0.71-0.97]), notably late AMD (summary OR=0.47 [95%CI:0.28-0.79]). Circulating 25OHD<50nmol/L was also associated with late-stage AMD (summary OR=2.18 [95%CI:1.34-3.56]), an association that did not persist when all categories of AMD were considered (summary OR=1.26 [95%CI:0.90-1.76]). In conclusion, this meta-analysis provides evidence that high 25OHD concentrations may be protective against AMD, and that 25OHD concentrations below 50nmol/L are associated with late AMD.

Coeliac disease.

Increased awareness of non-classical presentations and more reliable screening tests have led to higher detection rates for coeliac disease in elderly adults. Clinical presentations are influenced largely by the long-standing course of the subclinical disease before diagnosis. In the majority of elderly patients, weight loss, diarrhoea and iron deficiency anaemia are present. With a delay in diagnosis, there are increased risks of associated autoimmune diseases, of neoplasms (mostly small bowel lymphoma) and of metabolic bone diseases. Thyroid disease is the most common autoimmune disease. Lymphoma may be the initial presentation or may complicate the clinical course of well established coeliac disease. Osteopenia is very common at presentation, can be clinically severe and require specific therapy in addition to the gluten-free diet. The high risk of complications in elderly patients with coeliac disease warrants a systematic approach in their investigation and management.

Diagnosis of constipation in family practice.

BACKGROUND: Patients who complain of constipation to their family doctor may not be truly constipated. Variability in stool frequency and consistency, and perception of symptoms may lead to inaccurate patient reporting or diagnosis of constipation. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether patients visiting their family doctor with a complaint of, or diagnosed with, constipation fulfilled the Rome II criteria for functional constipation and had stool characteristics of constipation. METHODS: A random sample of Canadian family physicians were recruited to enroll a series of adults who complained of, or had received a diagnosis of, constipation during an office visit. Patients were advised of the survey. Those providing written consent were contacted by an independent research firm and forwarded a survey questionnaire that included the Rome II gastrointestinal questionnaire, questions regarding their medical history and questions regarding their demographics. Patients also completed a four-week daily diary recording their bowel habits using the Bristol Stool Form Scale, medication use and satisfaction with treatment. Questionnaire and diary responses were retrieved by telephone. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-four family physicians enrolled 311 patients, of whom 220 completed the questionnaire. Females comprised 79.5% of the sample and had a mean age of 54.2 years (males 61.6 years; P<0.05). According to the Rome II criteria, 37.3% had functional constipation and 46.8% had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Whole gut transit times estimated using the Bristol Stool Scale were similar among those with self-reported constipation, those with Rome II functional constipation and those with Rome II IBS (79.3 h, 85.8 h and 77.4 h, respectively). Almost half of the patients with IBS or functional constipation were taking a pain medication, while nearly one-fifth took antidepressants. Of the medications or remedies taken to treat constipation, patients rated 49.8% of the doses as satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of Canadian primary care patients whose presenting complaint or diagnosis was constipation satisfied the Rome II criteria for IBS, with a smaller number defined as functionally constipated. IBS patients tended to be younger than those with functional constipation, and whole gut transit times did not differentiate IBS from functional constipation. Careful questioning of patients who complain of constipation may reveal constipating medication, diarrhea symptoms or IBS.