The Effect of an Electronic Medical Record-Based Clinical Decision Support System on Adherence to Clinical Protocols in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care: Interrupted Time Series Study

Background

Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) embedded in electronic medical records (EMRs), also called electronic health records, have the potential to improve the adoption of clinical guidelines. The University of Alberta Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Group developed a CDSS for patients with IBD who might be experiencing disease flare and deployed it within a clinical information system in 2 continuous time periods.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the IBD CDSS on the adherence of health care providers (ie, physicians and nurses) to institutionally agreed clinical management protocols.

Methods

A 2-period interrupted time series (ITS) design, comparing adherence to a clinical flare management protocol during outpatient visits before and after the CDSS implementation, was used. Each interruption was initiated with user training and a memo with instructions for use. A group of 7 physicians, 1 nurse practitioner, and 4 nurses were invited to use the CDSS. In total, 31,726 flare encounters were extracted from the clinical information system database, and 9217 of them were manually screened for inclusion. Each data point in the ITS analysis corresponded to 1 month of individual patient encounters, with a total of 18 months of data (9 before and 9 after interruption) for each period. The study was designed in accordance with the Statement on Reporting of Evaluation Studies in Health Informatics (STARE-HI) guidelines for health informatics evaluations.

Results

Following manual screening, 623 flare encounters were confirmed and designated for ITS analysis. The CDSS was activated in 198 of 623 encounters, most commonly in cases where the primary visit reason was a suspected IBD flare. In Implementation Period 1, before-and-after analysis demonstrates an increase in documentation of clinical scores from 3.5% to 24.1% (P<.001), with a statistically significant level change in ITS analysis (P=.03). In Implementation Period 2, the before-and-after analysis showed further increases in the ordering of acute disease flare lab tests (47.6% to 65.8%; P<.001), including the biomarker fecal calprotectin (27.9% to 37.3%; P=.03) and stool culture testing (54.6% to 66.9%; P=.005); the latter is a test used to distinguish a flare from an infectious disease. There were no significant slope or level changes in ITS analyses in Implementation Period 2. The overall provider adoption rate was moderate at approximately 25%, with greater adoption by nurse providers (used in 30.5% of flare encounters) compared to physicians (used in 6.7% of flare encounters).

Conclusions

This is one of the first studies to investigate the implementation of a CDSS for IBD, designed with a leading EMR software (Epic Systems), providing initial evidence of an improvement over routine care. Several areas for future research were identified, notably the effect of CDSSs on outcomes and how to design a CDSS with greater utility for physicians. CDSSs for IBD should also be evaluated on a larger scale; this can be facilitated by regional and national centralized EMR systems.

A111 THE CANADA-GLOBAL RATING SCALE: USE OF AN INNOVATION LEARNING COLLABORATIVE METHODOLOGY TO GUIDE PROVINCIAL IMPLEMENTATION IN ALBERTA

Background

The Canada-Global Rating Scale (C-GRS) is a web-based, patient centered endoscopy quality improvement tool. It assesses the quality of the services an endoscopy unit provides in two dimensions: clinical quality and the quality of the patient experience. It also allows each endoscopy unit to choose priority areas for future QI activities. Scores are submitted twice a year to a centralized website by the local endoscopy site’s C-GRS working group.

Uptake of the C-GRS in Alberta has been historically poor with only 22/50 sites submitting a C-GRS survey in 2016. A provincial C-GRS project team was formed in 2018 to spearhead provincial implementation of the C-GRS. Alberta Health Services approved a C-GRS policy in 2020 mandating regular use of the C-GRS in all provincial endoscopy units.

Aims

The purpose of this project is to describe a process of focused C-GRS implementation using Innovation Learning Collaborative (ILC) methodology.

Methods

An ILC is a process meant to drive clinical pathway practice changes to achieve system-wide improvements. Inter-professional teams meet at least three times over a 12–18 month period at Learning Sessions to share successes, learnings, resources and data. A balanced scorecard (Figure 1) is used to track C-GRS progression and regression. Action Period meetings are held in between the Learning Sessions to help build collaboration and support the teams.

Results

The first of three in-person ILC Learning Sessions was successfully held on November 29, 2019. 37 out of 50 sites in Alberta attended. Each site committed to working on up to 6 C-GRS descriptors during the course of the ILC. An updated scorecard is provided after each C-GRS cycle. An average of 25 sites attended Action Period meetings to report on progress and to share learnings with other sites. 44 endoscopy sites submitted a follow-up C-GRS survey in the spring 2020 cycle (an increase of 22 from 2016). 84% of sites demonstrated improvement with the average number of items improved at 5.1

Conclusions

Use of ILC methodology with a balanced scorecard approach can achieve system level improvement within a relatively short time frame.

Funding Agencies

None

Large-aperture coatings for fusion-class laser systems

Optical coatings for fusion-class laser systems pose unique challenges, given the large substrate sizes, the high intensities incident on the coatings, and the system-focusing requirements, necessitating a well-controlled optical wavefront. Significant advancements have taken place in the past 30 years to achieve the coating capabilities necessary to build laser systems such as the National Ignition Facility, Laser Mégajoule, OMEGA EP, and OMEGA. This work summarizes the coating efforts and advancements to support such system construction and maintenance.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Use of Video Capsule Endoscopy

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Video capsule endoscopy (CE) provides a noninvasive option to assess the small intestine, but its use with respect to endoscopic procedures and cross-sectional imaging varies widely. The aim of this consensus was to provide guidance on the appropriate use of CE in clinical practice.

METHODS

A systematic literature search identified studies on the use of CE in patients with Crohn's disease, celiac disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, and anemia. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated using the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

RESULTS

The consensus includes 21 statements focused on the use of small-bowel CE and colon capsule endoscopy. CE was recommended for patients with suspected, known, or relapsed Crohn's disease when ileocolonoscopy and imaging studies were negative if it was imperative to know whether active Crohn's disease was present in the small bowel. It was not recommended in patients with chronic abdominal pain or diarrhea, in whom there was no evidence of abnormal biomarkers typically associated with Crohn's disease. CE was recommended to assess patients with celiac disease who have unexplained symptoms despite appropriate treatment, but not to make the diagnosis. In patients with overt gastrointestinal bleeding, and negative findings on esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy, CE should be performed as soon as possible. CE was recommended only in selected patients with unexplained, mild, chronic iron-deficiency anemia. CE was suggested for surveillance in patients with polyposis syndromes or other small-bowel cancers, who required small-bowel studies. Colon capsule endoscopy should not be substituted routinely for colonoscopy. Patients should be made aware of the potential risks of CE including a failed procedure, capsule retention, or a missed lesion. Finally, standardized criteria for training and reporting in CE should be defined.

CONCLUSIONS

CE generally should be considered a complementary test in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn's disease, or celiac disease, who have had negative or inconclusive endoscopic or imaging studies.

Primary Renal Lymphoma Identified in a Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy Specimen

Background: Although renal involvement is often present in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), primary renal NHL is a rare diagnosis.

Case Presentation: We present a case report of a 72-year-old asymptomatic male who underwent a robot-assisted laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy on an atrophic left kidney with evidence of an infiltrating mass. Pathology report demonstrated a grade 1 follicular lymphoma.

Conclusion: Lymphoma is a differential that should be considered when evaluating a renal mass. Chemotherapy and radiation are the mainstays of treatment.

How is delayed ejaculation defined and treated in North America?

Delayed ejaculation (DE) is an uncommon disorder that is difficult to treat because it is poorly understood. The aim was to evaluate the current opinion and clinical management of DE by practitioners in sexual medicine. Members of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) were invited by email to participate in a web-based survey. The questionnaire consisted of eight questions pertaining to DE. Questions addressed patient volume, qualification of patient bother, ranking of etiologies, perceived success, treatments used, quantification of symptom resolution, and broad characterization of practitioner type. A total of 94 respondents completed the survey with 73% of those being urologists. Fifty-nine percent of the respondents saw ≤ 2 patients a month with DE and 89% of practitioners felt that DE was moderately or severely bothersome to the patients. Etiology was felt to be from medications and psychological factors primarily. Despite treatment modality, 'seldom' success was obtained for 49% of the time and 'never' for 11%. Carbergoline was the most common selected medication for DE. Academic and private urologists reported 'never' or 'seldom' success with sexual counseling compared to other practitioners, respectively (p = 0.008 and p = 0.001). Respondents who saw ≤ 2 patients per month often reported normalization of hypogonadism 'never' or 'seldom' corrected DE (p = 0.047). Delayed ejaculation is still a poorly understood disorder with inconsistent practice patterns seen among members of the SMSNA. A better understanding of this vexing disorder is needed with efforts placed on research and practitioner education.

Trichloroethylene Is Associated with Kidney Cancer Mortality: A Population-based Analysis

AIM

To examine the association between the distribution of trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure and mortality from kidney cancer (Kca) across United States counties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multiple linear regression was used to assess the association of TCE discharges from industrial sites and age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates for Kca during 2005 through 2010, controlling for confounders. A total of 163 counties were included in analysis.

RESULTS

We observed an excess risk of Kca mortality associated with higher amounts of environmental TCE releases. A significant dose-response relationship was observed between TCE releases and Kca mortality in females. Smoking, education, income, hypertension, and obesity were significant predictors of incidence and mortality, consistent with previous research on the epidemiology of Kca.

CONCLUSION

TCE exposure may increase the risk of mortality from Kca, an association not highlighted before. There is a need for policy measures to limit TCE discharge to the environment if these results are validated.

Two Unexpected Tumors in a Laparoscopic Nephrectomy Specimen, Including a Rare Tubulocystic Renal-Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report

We present a case of a 52-year-old Caucasian male who underwent a laparoscopic nephrectomy for an atrophic kidney and was found to have two unexpected, synchronous kidney cancers. He had a remote history of testicular cancer complicated by lymphadenopathy and external ureteral compression. Over time, he developed an atrophic left kidney from obstructive uropathy. Years later, due to flank pain and renal scintigraphy showing minimal function, a laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed. Final pathology demonstrated papillary renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) and tubulocystic RCC. Tubulocystic RCC is a rare neoplasm thought to be an indolent subset of collecting duct carcinoma, but was identified as a unique entity in 2004. Currently, there are ∼100 cases of this neoplasm in the literature.

Delivering kidney cancer care in rural Central and Southern Illinois: a telemedicine approach

There is a growing body of experience and research suggesting that telemedicine (video conferencing, smart phones and online patient portals) could be the solution to addressing gaps in the provision of specialised healthcare in rural areas. The proposed role of telemedicine in providing needed services in hard to reach areas is not new. The United States Telecommunication Act of 1996 provided the initial traction for telemedicine by removing important economic and legal obstacles regarding the use of technology in healthcare delivery. This initial ruling has been supplemented by the availability of federal funding to support efforts aimed at developing telemedicine in underserved areas. In this paper, we explore one aspect of disease disparity pertinent to rural Illinois (kidney cancer incidence and mortality) and describe how we are planning to use an existing telemedicine program at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIUSOM) to improve kidney cancer (Kca) care in rural Illinois. This represents an example of the possible role of telemedicine in addressing healthcare disparities in rural areas/communities and provides a description of general challenges and barriers to the implementation and maintenance of such systems.

Plasma-ion-assisted coatings for 15 femtosecond laser systems

Large-aperture deposition of high-laser-damage-threshold, low-dispersion optical coatings for 15 femtosecond pulses have been developed using plasma-ion-assisted electron-beam evaporation. Coatings are demonstrated over 10 in. aperture substrates.

Crohn’s disease genotypes of patients in remission vs relapses after infliximab discontinuation

AIM: To investigate genetic differences between Crohn’s disease (CD) patients with a sustained remission vs relapsers after discontinuing infliximab while in corticosteroid-free remission.

METHODS: Forty-eight CD patients received infliximab and were in full corticosteroid-free clinical remission but then discontinued infliximab for reasons other than a loss of response, were identified by review of an electronic database and charts. Infliximab-associated remission was defined as corticosteroid-free plus normalization of clinical disease activity [CD activity index (CDAI) < 150] during follow-up visits based on physician global assessments. A CD relapse (loss of infliximab-induced remission) was clinically defined as a physician visit for symptoms of disease activity (CDAI > 220) and a therapeutic intervention with CD medication(s), or a hospitalization with complications related to active CD. Genetic analyses were performed on samples from 14 patients (n = 6 who had a sustained long term remission after stopping infliximab, n = 8 who rapidly relapsed after stopping infliximab). Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2)/caspase activation recruitment domain 15 (CARD15) polymorphisms (R702W, G908R and L1007fs) and the inflammatory bowel disease 5 (IBD5) polymorphisms (IGR2060a1 and IGR3081a1) were analyzed in each group.

RESULTS: Five single nucleotide polymorphisms of IBD5 and NOD2/CARD15 genes were successfully analyzed for all 14 subjects. There was no significant increase in frequency of the NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms (R702W, G908R and L1007fs) and the IBD5 polymorphisms (IGR2060a1 and IGR3081a1) in either group of patients; those whose disease relapsed rapidly or those who remained in sustained long term remission following the discontinuation of infliximab. Nearly a third of patients in full clinical remission who stopped infliximab for reasons other than loss of response remained in sustained clinical remission, while two-thirds relapsed rapidly. There was a marked difference in the duration of clinical remission following discontinuance of infliximab between the two groups. The patients who lost remission did so after 1.0 years ± 0.6 years, while those still in remission were at the time of this study, 8.1 years ± 2.6 years post-discontinuation of infliximab, P < 0.001. The 8 patients who had lost remission after discontinuing infliximab had a mean number of 5 infusions (range 3-7), with a mean treatment time of 7.2 mo (range 1.5 mo-15 mo). The mean duration of time from the last infusion of infliximab to the time of loss of remission was 382 d (range 20 d-701 d). The 6 patients who remained in remission after discontinuing infliximab had a mean number of 6 infusions (range 3-12), with a mean treatment duration of 12 mo (range 3.6 mo-32 mo) (P = 0.45 relative to those who lost remission).

CONCLUSION: There are no IBD5 or NOD2/CARD15 mutations that predict which patients might have sustained remission and which will relapse rapidly after stopping infliximab.

Better care at safety net providers? Utilization of recommended standards of diabetes care for rural Latinos in one Midwestern state

Latinos are overrepresented among the uninsured in the U.S., and rural Latinos face a variety of barriers to accessing quality health care. The present study investigated the degree to which Latinos with diabetes living in non-metropolitan towns in the state of Iowa receive the recommended diabetes care services from health care providers vis-à-vis access to care. Four process measures were selected from the American Diabetes Association standards of medical care for diabetes: glycated hemoglobin tests, comprehensive foot examination, dilated eye examination, and cholesterol test. Results from this research found that just over half (54%) of the sample received all four of these diabetes care services. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed patients were four times more likely to receive the set of four diabetes care services at a community health center than at a private doctor's office. These community clinics deserve additional attention as more Latino immigrants move to the Midwest.

Large-aperture plasma-assisted deposition of inertial confinement fusion laser coatings

Plasma-assisted electron-beam evaporation leads to changes in the crystallinity, density, and stresses of thin films. A dual-source plasma system provides stress control of large-aperture, high-fluence coatings used in vacuum for substrates 1m in aperture.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guidelines: The Use of Infliximab in Crohn's Disease

These guidelines are presented as a follow-up to the original Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guidelines: The use of infliximab in Crohn's disease, published in the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology (1). The original guidelines represented publications between 1998 and 2000. The current guidelines have been updated to reflect knowledge gained from two pivotal randomized clinical trails, with the use of infliximab in the maintenance of inflammatory Crohn's disease in remission (2) and in the maintenance of fistulous Crohn's disease in remission (3).

Clinical experience with infliximab for Crohn's disease: the first 100 patients in Edmonton, Alberta

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the clinical efficacy and safety of infliximab in diverse clinical referral practices was similar to that seen in the randomized, controlled clinical trials.

METHODS

Data were gathered from a review of charts of 109 consecutive patients with inflammatory and/or fistulizing Crohn's disease who received infliximab infusions. Responses were recorded based on the physician's global clinical assessment and classified as complete, partial or nonresponse.

RESULTS

One hundred nine patients were treated with one to nine infusions of infliximab at a dose of 5 mg/kg and followed up for a median of 24 weeks (range one to 40 weeks). Fifty-four patients were treated for inflammatory disease, 38 for fistulizing disease and 17 for both. Clinical response occurred in 73% (17% complete response, 55% partial response). The clinical response rate did not vary relative to patient demographics, disease distribution, indication for infliximab, or the concomitant use of corticosteroids or immune modifiers. For those taking concomitant immune modifiers, the response rate was 75%. The median time to response was two weeks (range one to six weeks). The median duration of response was 12 weeks (range six to 88 weeks). Reduction or cessation of steroids was possible in 17 of 32 patients. Adverse events related to infliximab occurred in 7% of patients. These events were characterized as mild and did not require stoppage of infliximab therapy, except in one patient who had a treatable anaphylactic-like infusion reaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The patient group in the present study realized significant clinical benefit, with minimal adverse effects, following treatment with infliximab. Clinical response rates paralleled those previously described in placebo controlled trials and retrospective clinical practice reviews. Nevertheless, the complete response rate (ie, remission) in this patient group was lower than that previously described.

A prospective multicenter evaluation of new fecal occult blood tests in patients undergoing colonoscopy

OBJECTIVE

Guaiac-based fecal occult blood (FOB) tests, in particular, Hemoccult II (HO), are commonly used to detect colorectal neoplasia. Because the sensitivity and specificity of these tests are critical to cost-effective screening programs, we aimed to investigate the improved performance characteristics of new FOB tests for known colonic lesions.

METHODS

Nine centers worldwide performed FOB testing with guaiac-based tests (Hemoccult II [HO] and Hemoccult II SENSA [SENSA]) and immunochemical tests (HemeSelect [HS] and FlexSure OBT [FS]) on 554 patients referred for colonoscopy for predetermined indications. A combination testing strategy consisting of SENSA followed by HS or FS (which was considered positive only when both tests were positive) was also evaluated. Results of FOB tests were compared to findings on colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Cancers were identified in 2.9% of subjects, whereas adenomas > or =10 mm were found in 39 patients. Small adenomas, colitis, and other lesions were identified in 141 patients. The positivity rate of HO for adenomas > or =10 mm was less than for SENSA (20.5% vs 35.9%, p < 0.05), whereas the positivity rate of HO, SENSA, FS, HS, or the combination tests for cancers was not statistically different. The overall positivity rates were significantly greater for FS (15.9%, p = 0.0002) and significantly lower using the combination tests (SENSA/FS 6.0%, p = 0.01; SENSA/HS 6.2%, p = 0.02) compared to HO (9.4%). In this study population, the relative specificity (i.e., true-negative tests/true-negatives + false-positives in patients without adenomas > or =10 mm or cancers) of HO (93.9%; 95% CI, 91.7-96.1) was similar to that of SENSA (92.8%; 95% CI, 90.4-95.2) and HS (90.1%; 95% CI, 87.4-92.8), and greater than FS (88.0%; 95% CI, 85.1-90.9, p < 0.001). When considering adenomas > or =10 mm, cancers alone or cancers and adenomas combined, the combination test using SENSA/FS was associated with significantly fewer false-positive tests than any of the individual tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to single tests, the combination test with the highly sensitive SENSA and an immunochemical test had slightly reduced sensitivity but significantly fewer false-positive tests than any single test. These data raise the possibility that a combination test (i.e., highly sensitive guaiac plus immunochemical) could reduce the costs of screening for colon cancer, and suggest that further study of combination test strategies is warranted.

A comparison of women with primary and recurrent pelvic prolapse

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to identify clinically relevant differences in women with primary and recurrent pelvic organ prolapse.

STUDY DESIGN

Consecutive women undergoing reconstructive surgery completed a urogynecologic history and physical examination and underwent either multichannel urodynamic testing or pelvic floor fluoroscopy, or both. Two groups were compared: primary (no prior surgery for pelvic organ prolapse) and recurrent.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty-one consecutive women were studied-103 with primary and 78 with recurrent prolapse. The groups were similar with respect to age, race, weight, vaginal parity, prolapse stage, urodynamic diagnosis, extent of visceral malposition, and common urinary, anorectal, and sexual symptoms. Clinically relevant differences were found, with the recurrent group having shorter vaginal lengths (P =. 0005), being more likely to have had a hysterectomy for a nonprolapse indication (P =.00018) and to be receiving hormone replacement therapy (P =.00003).

CONCLUSION

The women with primary and recurrent pelvic organ prolapse in this population were remarkably similar in many quantifiable parameters measured. The clinical differences may be related to previous surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.

Evaluation of the FlexSure HP whole blood antibody test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection

OBJECTIVE

Rapid, inexpensive, reliable tests are needed to facilitate the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. We evaluated the accuracy of the new FlexSure HP whole blood test (SmithKline Diagnostics, Inc.), a rapid, qualitative in-office test for the detection of antibodies to H. pylori utilizing whole blood obtained from a fingerstick.

METHODS

Five North American sites enrolled patients not previously treated for H. pylori who underwent upper endoscopy. Patients had not received antibiotics, bismuth, or proton pump inhibitors within 4 wk before study enrollment. Bacterial infection was established by the presence of H. pylori in gastric biopsies (minimum of two) or positive rapid urease test of antral tissue. The presence of IgG antibodies was determined using FlexSure HP whole blood tests with blood obtained by fingerstick and FlexSure HP serum and ELISA (HM-CAP) tests with serum obtained from venipuncture.

RESULTS

Three hundred ninety-three patients were enrolled (56% male; mean age, 46.8 +/- 16.0 yr). H. pylori infection was present in 187 (48%). Compared with the standard of histology and rapid urease test, sensitivity for FlexSure HP whole blood, FlexSure HP serum, and HM-CAP EIA were, respectively, 84%, 90%, and 95% (p < 0.05 compared with FlexSure HP whole blood). There were no statistical differences in specificity or overall accuracy between the three tests.

CONCLUSIONS

FlexSure HP whole blood demonstrated an accuracy not significantly different from the FlexSure HP serum test but had sensitivity significantly lower than the HM-CAP EIA. FlexSure HP whole blood may be useful for in-office H. pylori diagnosis.

Health economics of gastroesophageal reflux disease

The present study provides an overview of the current state of health economics studies of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It indicates the strengths and weaknesses of individual studies, and the state of health economics analysis in general as they apply to GERD. Specifically, this study adopts a pharmacoeconomic perspective, which is a subsection of health economics analytical methods, to provide a comparative analysis of alternative courses of action based on cost and consequence. The pharmacoeconomic outlook is most effective when it considers a comprehensive societal perspective, with special consideration given to other relevant viewpoints, such as the payer, the primary provider and, most important, the patient. Pharmacoeconomics provides several specific analytical techniques for GERD-related health economics analysis. The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology consensus conference on GERD in 1996 thought that a cost effective analysis was the most appropriate technique to assess the pharmacoeconomics of GERD. Six previous studies on GERD health economics have been performed comparing omeprazole with H2 receptor antagonists. These studies vary in cost data collected and in analytical techniques. In general, the existing outcome measurements of these previous health economics studies are not ideal. Namely, they combine various GERD grades, use randomized controls, are endoscopically based, assess pharmaceutical therapy only and are short term. More appropriate health economic trials in GERD, which focus on GERD management strategies and therapeutic treatment of GERD, need to be designed and conducted. These economic assessments, however, should not replace detailed thinking, careful observation, good judgement and common sense.

Budesonide in the management of patients with Crohn's disease

Modern medical therapy is increasingly based on evidence. The evidence presented here is that budesonide (Entocort, Astra Pharma) 9 mg/day is superior to placebo and equivalent to systemically active glucocorticosteroids in achieving disease remission in patients with active Crohn's disease, and in prolonging the recurrence time of symptomatic disease. Budesonide causes less disturbance to adrenal function than prednisone or prednisolone and may cause fewer steroid-associated symptoms. Thus, budesonide is the safer, more effective steroid of choice to treat patients with Crohn's disease.

Multiple sclerosis patients have peripheral blood CD45RO+ B cells and increased intestinal permeability

Increased intestinal permeability and the CD45RO isoform expression of the leukocyte common antigen on peripheral blood CD20+ B cells are found in Crohn's disease. Others have observed that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients may have an increased risk of coacquisition of Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to identify an association between these diseases using peripheral blood CD45 isoform expression and intestinal permeability in MS. Lactulose/mannitol permeability and peripheral blood CD20+ B cell CD45RO expression were defined in healthy controls, MS patients, and patients coincidentally affected by MS and Crohn's or MS and ulcerative colitis (UC). Five of 20 MS patients had increased intestinal permeability, a finding not previously reported. High levels of CD45RO were found on circulating CD20+ B cells from patients with MS. This has not been reported previously in MS and is found in very few other conditions. Eight patients with coincident MS and Crohn's disease or MS and UC were studied. Coincident MS and UC patients expressed CD45RO on CD20+ B cells, a finding not identified in UC patients alone. A subgroup of MS patients has increased intestinal permeability. These patients express CD45RO CD20+ B cells, also found in Crohn's disease.

Generalized equations for the calculation of absorptance, reflectance, and transmittance of a number of parallel surfaces

Derivations of general equations to describe the absorptance, reflectance, and transmittance of any number of parallel surfaces are presented. Two corollaries describing the propagation of light by two surfaces are derived and then used to derive the general equations. These general equations have wide utility because they describe exactly the propagation of light by any number or type of parallel surfaces (interfaces), using relatively simple expressions, which are readily adaptable for digital computer use.