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Biomedical subjects

D A Wolochow

Publications and source records attributed to D A Wolochow.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Psyllium therapy in the irritable bowel syndrome. A double-blind trial.

A randomized, double-blind trial of a psyllium preparation was initiated in 77 patients with painful irritable bowel syndrome. Sixty-patients finished and submitted symptom data for 8 weeks while taking placebo (n = 34) or psyllium (n = 26). Increase in normal stools and decrease in pain severity (p less than 0.05) occurred equally in both groups. Subjective improvement was reported by 24 of 34 patients on placebo and 20 or 26 on psyllium (p greater than 0.05). Five symptom variables were significantly correlated (p less than 0.05) with patient's subjective global assessment (R = 0.64). Discriminant analysis of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory variables yielded overall rates of correct prediction of 66.1% for whether patients got "much better" and 77.9% for whether they voluntarily dropped from the study. A major placebo effect occurs in patients with painful irritable bowel syndrome and is probably responsible for the efficacy of psyllium. Personality factors influence the magnitude of therapeutic response and whether patients discontinue treatment within 8 weeks.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Nurse-supervised education of patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux.

Patient educational programs supervised by non-physicians are becoming popular, but comparison of their effect on outcome with that of physician teaching is limited. We developed a nurse-supervised class for patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Primary physicians referred patients to the program. The patient's initial knowledge and the program's excellent cognitive effect were unrelated to demographic and symptom data. One hundred twelve consecutive patients were alternately given appointments either with the class or with a gastroenterologist. Although failed appointments and inappropriate referrals excluded some patients, the remainder of the two groups were similar with regard to demographic and symptom data and their return rate of follow-up questionnaires. They reported equivalent symptomatic improvement and therapeutic compliance after 2 weeks and 2 months. The program's success prompts us to continue this form of patient education.

Gastroesophageal Reflux↗