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Biomedical subjects

Alex Fich

Publications and source records attributed to Alex Fich.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Rates of functional bowel disorders among Israeli Bedouins in rural areas compared with those who moved to permanent towns.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Half of Israeli Bedouin society has undergone a transition from nomadic existence to permanent towns, causing cultural and social upheaval. The aim was to compare rates of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional bowel disorders (FBDs) between Israeli Bedouins still living under rural conditions with those in permanent towns. METHODS: Interviews were conducted in Arabic by trained Bedouin interviewers at 8 Bedouin clinics. The same interviewers surveyed the 2 sectors under identical sampling and interviewing conditions at the same time. FBDs were diagnosed by Rome II criteria. RESULTS: One thousand seven hundred fifty-five Bedouins participated, 1018 from permanent towns and 737 from rural areas. Sixty percent were female (58.2% for rural and 62.0% for towns). The mean age was 39.1 +/- 14.1 years (39.0 +/- 14.3 years for towns, 39.2 +/- 13.9 years for rural; P = NS). The mean level of education was 4.3 +/- 5.4 years (4.6 +/- 5.6 years for towns, 3.7 +/- 5.2 years for rural; P < .0001). IBS was diagnosed in 9.4% of town and 5.8% of rural Bedouins ( P < .01). In contrast, rural Bedouins had significantly higher rates of functional abdominal bloating (7.9% vs 2.8%, P < .0001) and a marginally higher rate of functional constipation. Bedouins living in towns attributed their gastrointestinal symptoms to stress more than rural Bedouins did ( P < .05). Stress and poor global feeling of well-being were significant contributors for IBS in logistic regression models for both sectors. CONCLUSIONS: Bedouins living in permanent towns have significantly higher rates of IBS than rural Bedouins. Although these findings might be associated with the stressful social upheaval that they have undergone, further study is needed to substantiate this point.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

"Bread madness" revisited: screening for specific celiac antibodies among schizophrenia patients.

PURPOSE: A possible association between gluten consumption and schizophrenia has been reported. The objective was to compare patients with chronic schizophrenia and matched controls for sociodemographic variables, prevalence of celiac-specific anti-endomysial antibodies and disease-related variables. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study group was comprised of 50 consecutive patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, 18 years of age and older attending the out-patient clinic of the Mental Health Center in Beer-Sheva, Israel. The control group was comprised of mentally normal volunteers who came to primary care clinics for blood tests unrelated to gastrointestinal tract complaints and who were not diagnosed with celiac disease. Known celiac patients and those who refused to participate, did non-speak Hebrew or were incoherent were excluded from the study. All participants in both groups underwent a blood test for anti-endomysial IgA antibody and completed a questionnaire. RESULTS: Each group was comprised of 50 participants. There were no significant differences between the groups in gender, BMI or country of birth. The mean age of the study group was significantly higher than the controls. All tests for anti-endomysial antibody in both groups were negative. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous reports, we found no evidence for celiac disease in patients with chronic schizophrenia as manifested by the presence of serum IgA anti-endomysial antibodies. It is unlikely that there is an association between gluten sensitivity and schizophrenia.

Celiac Disease↗
PubMed2004

Microscopic colitis.

Microscopic colitis is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory bowel disease presenting with watery diarrhea. While colonoscopy and radiology findings are normal, the colon shows striking pathologic findings, including lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis. The clinical course is usually benign with sustained remission. Recent medical evidence shows that bismuth and budesonide are effective treatments.

Antacids↗
PubMed2003

Does insertion of a rectal tube after colonoscopy reduce patient discomfort and improve satisfaction?

BACKGROUND: Distention of the colon is a major contributor to patient discomfort after colonoscopy. Some physicians and nurses believe insertion of a rectal tube relieves this discomfort and improves patient satisfaction with the procedure. This prospective, randomized, controlled trial assessed rectal tube insertion for reduction or prevention of abdominal bloating and discomfort after colonoscopy. METHODS: One hundred fifty-seven patients were prospectively randomized to groups with (n = 68) and without (n = 89) rectal tube insertion after colonoscopy. Patients were evaluated for bloating, discomfort, and pain before the procedure, at its conclusion, at discharge, and 24 hours later (by telephone). Satisfaction was also assessed at discharge and 24 hours later. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups with respect to age, gender, hospitalization status, comorbidity, or socioeconomic status. In both groups the cecum was reached in 90% of patients and procedure time was similar. There were no differences between the groups in abdominal bloating (patient and nurse assessment), abdominal discomfort, or satisfaction at any time point. There were no serious complications. The subgroup of patients who experienced more severe pain and discomfort, regardless of whether a rectal tube was inserted, was characterized by more complaints of bloating, more incomplete procedures, and a higher rate of previous abdominal operations. CONCLUSIONS: Insertion of a rectal tube after colonoscopy does not affect abdominal bloating, pain, or discomfort during recovery from the procedure or over the subsequent 24 hours, nor does it affect overall patient satisfaction.

Abdominal Pain↗