ABSTRACT
Any gastroenterologist must be trained to properly diagnose anoperineal lesions in patients with Crohn's disease (APLOC). The aim of this study was to establish whether adding pictures would improve teaching effectiveness of the diagnosis of APLOC to French gastroenterology trainees. METHOD: Trainees were asked to answer a first web-based survey consisting of evaluating 12 pictures of APLOC with a closed answer questionnaire. They were then randomized in 2 groups. Group A received an online teaching with typical pictures and APLOC definitions and group B definitions only. Trainees were asked again seven days later to answer a second survey with 12 other pictures of APLOC and 14 experts also answered this survey. Diagnostic scores were expressed in %. The primary endpoint was the comparison of the score of survey 2 between the two groups of trainees. Secondary endpoints were to compare results of survey 2 between trainees of both groups and experts, and assess diagnosis of each lesion. RESULTS: Two hundred fourty eight trainees among 465 answered survey 1, and 195 survey 2. The diagnostic score was 71.9% for groups A and B and 74.6% for experts (differences NS). After training diagnosis of ulceration was 72% for group A and 72.9% for group B, fistulae 85.2% versus 85.8%, erythema 44.1% vs. 55.6%, anoperineal scars 67.5% vs. 65.6%, and abscess 100% (differences NS). CONCLUSION: There was no difference between the two teaching methods. Further research should be performed aiming at improving teaching material and quotation baremes.
Subject(s)
Anus Diseases/diagnosis , Crohn Disease/diagnosis , Education, Distance/methods , Educational Measurement/methods , Gastroenterology/education , Photography , Abscess/diagnosis , Abscess/pathology , Anus Diseases/pathology , Crohn Disease/pathology , Electronic Mail , Erythema/diagnosis , Erythema/pathology , France , Humans , Medical Illustration , Perineum , Rectal Fistula/diagnosis , Rectal Fistula/pathology , Skin Ulcer/diagnosis , Skin Ulcer/pathologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Perineal involvement in Crohn's disease is a common and distressing condition, often refractory to medical or surgical treatments. Recent reports suggest the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) in the healing of perineal lesions. We evaluated HBO in severe patients with perineal Crohn's disease. METHODS: Ten consecutive patients (8 women, 2 men; mean age, 30 years) were studied. There were four superficial fissures, four cavitating ulcers, six low or superficial fistulas, two high fistulas, and one irreversible anal stenosis. All patients had received one or more medical treatments without healing the perineal lesions, and all had had previous surgery for perineal lesions. RESULTS: Two patients discontinued HBO after a few sessions and did not complete treatment. Eight patients completed at least 30 HBO sessions and were evaluable. At the end of the procedure, six of eight patients treated were healed, three completely and three partially. All patients who healed completely received HBO as an additional treatment to local perineal surgery. CONCLUSION: HBO might be useful as a last resort treatment of chronic perineal Crohn's disease, resistant to other treatments or as a complement to surgery.