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Biomedical subjects

R G Norfleet

Publications and source records attributed to R G Norfleet.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Effect of diet on fecal occult blood testing in patients with colorectal polyps.

To determine the effect of a red-meat-free, high-fiber diet, patients performed fecal blood testing before colonoscopy for suspected polyps. One hundred twenty-nine patients were allowed an unrestricted diet, and 159 consumed the special diet. Without dietary restrictions, 31 of 77 patients with adenomas, five of eight with cancer, one of seven with nonneoplastic polyps, and one of 37 with normal colonoscopy had positive tests. With the special diet, 30 of 97 patients with adenomas, eight of ten with cancer, one of six with nonneoplastic polyps, and one of 46 with normal colonoscopy had positive tests. There are no statistical differences between the groups. Comparing all patients with cancer to those with normal colonoscopy, the sensitivity of fecal blood testing is 72%, the specificity 98%, and the positive and negative predictive value 87% and 94%, respectively. The sensitivity for fecal blood testing in patients with adenomas (compared to those with normal endoscopy) is 35%, the specificity is 98%, and the positive and negative predictive values are 97% and 42%, respectively. Combining all patients with adenomas, those with multiple polyps, larger polyps, or polyps located distal to the splenic flexure had positive fecal blood tests more frequently. Fecal blood testing does not detect a large number of colorectal adenomas. This study does not indicate any benefit on the sensitivity or specificity of fecal blood tests from the red-meat-free, high-fiber diet currently recommended.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1985

High-dose cytosine arabinoside-associated pancreatitis.

Thirty patients with leukemia and lymphoma have been treated at our institution with high doses of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). Gastrointestinal symptoms were frequent after therapy, and 6 of the 30 patients had severe abdominal pain. Of the six, two had pancreatitis; two had normal amylase and lipase determinations; and in two, neither amylase nor lipase levels were determined. The two patients with pancreatitis are presented because this complication of high-dose Ara-C therapy has not been described. The authors conclude that pancreatitis can follow high-dose Ara-C chemotherapy and that patients with abdominal pain following this treatment be evaluated for pancreatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

1,300 mg of aspirin daily does not cause positive fecal hemoccult tests.

Americans 50 years of age and older are advised to test their stools for occult blood to detect colorectal neoplasms. Many will be taking 1,300 mg of aspirin daily because of cerebrovascular disease or smaller amounts for cardiovascular disease. To determine if 1,300 mg of aspirin causes positive hemoccult II tests, 27 healthy volunteers ate a red meat-free, high-fiber diet. Their stools were negative for occult blood during a 3-day control period and remained negative while they took 1,300 mg aspirin daily for an additional 7 days. This indicates that 1,300 mg aspirin daily for 1 week does not cause positive hemoccult II testing. Those taking this dose of aspirin probably need not interrupt therapy to perform hemoccult II testing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Green urine.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Color↗
PubMed1982

Colonoscopy and polypectomy in nonhospitalized patients.

To determine whether colonoscopy and polypectomy could be performed safely without admission to the hospital, 594 consecutive procedures were analyzed for complications. Two hundred three patients have had colonoscopy and 132 polypectomies without admission to the hospital and without death. The complication rate was no different in this group than in equivalent patients who were hospitalized for the same procedure.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1981

Does bacteremia follow upper gastrointestinal endoscopy?

To determine the risk of bacteremia, 53 patients had blood collected for culture before and five, ten and 15 minutes following fiberoptic endoscopy of the upper digestive tract. One patient had transient bacteremia with Acinetobacter Sp. five minutes after endoscopy. Combining our study with four others, 447 patients have been evaluated of which 6% had bacteremia after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Biopsy or other endoscopic operation does not increase the likelihood of bacteremia. We recommend careful attention to instrument and accessory cleaning and prophylactic antibiotics (probably penicillin or oxacillin alone suffices) only for patients with prosthetic heart valves.

Acinetobacter Infections↗
PubMed1980

Proctosigmoidoscopic examinations by gastroenterology assistants.

Four gastroenterology assistants learned proctosigmoidoscopy by each performing 200 examinations with a physician. The assistants then examined a total of 7557 patients independently. The quality of their examination was assessed by reexamination of about every 10th patient by a physician. The data from all examinations were processed for computer tabulation and periodically reviewed. The patients accepted the examination by the gastroenterology assistant in all but three instances. The time spent by the patient for proctosigmoidoscopy, including preparation and examination, averaged 47 minutes before the assistant program and was reduced to an average of 34 minutes by the gastroenterology assistants. Ten patients had polyps (all smaller than 0.4 cm in diameter) undetected by the gastroenterology assistant but discovered by the physician. All 31 cancers and all of 371 polyps 0.5 cm or larger were discovered by the assistants. We conclude that a satisfactory proctosigmoidoscopy examination can be performed by a properly trained gastroenterology assistant, that it will conserve the physician's time, and that it reduces the waiting time of patients.

Gastroenterology↗