Developing a Standard Set of Patient-Centred Outcomes for inflammatory Bowel Disease-an international, cross-disciplinary consensus

Background and Aims: Success in delivering value-based healthcare involves measuring outcomes that matter most to patients. Our aim was to develop a minimum Standard Set of patient-centred outcome measures for inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], for use in different healthcare settings. Methods: An international working group [n = 25] representing patients, patient associations, gastroenterologists, surgeons, specialist nurses, IBD registries and patient-reported outcome measure [PROM] methodologists participated in a series of teleconferences incorporating a modified Delphi process. Systematic review of existing literature, registry data, patient focus groups and open review periods were used to reach consensus on a minimum set of standard outcome measures and risk adjustment variables. Similar methodology has been used in 21 other disease areas [www.ichom.org]. Results: A minimum Standard Set of outcomes was developed for patients [aged =16] with IBD. Outcome domains included survival and disease control [survival, disease activity/remission, colorectal cancer, anaem

Distribution of mineral species in different coal seams of Talcher coalfield and its transformation behavior at varying temperatures

Mineral phase characterization and thorough understanding of its transformation behavior during combustion are imperative to know the potential utilization of coal in the thermal industries. The primary objective of this work is to analyze the quality of Indian Coals and obtain their mineral species-specific information at different depths. The samples were obtained from Talcher Coalfield, Odisha, India. Coal from four seam sections in the Talcher coalfield, India are mainly high ash coal (>50 %) and volatile matter deceases along with the seam depth. XRD results show that the major mineral phases present in the coal are quartz and kaolinite. Siderite, illite, and anatase were found in minor quantities. It has been observed that the clay minerals (kaolinite, silimanite, illite) decompose at higher temperature and traces of dolomite, mullite, hematite etc. are formed during the process of combustion. Among the four seams (M2, M12, M24 and M43) studied, ash of M43 has high Al2O3%, TiO2% and K2O% content and low SiO2%, CaO% and MgO% content. High acid-to-base ratios contributed to high ash fusion temperatures (IDT > 1500 °C) and low slagging potential of the coals studied. Relatively low fouling index (<0.3) was estimated for all the coal seams studied. Furthermore, thermodynamic modeling software, FactSage, have been used to envision the mineral phase transformations that take place between 800 and 1500 °C during coal combustion

Indian guidelines on imaging of the small intestine in Crohn’s disease: A joint Indian Society of Gastroenterology and Indian Radiology and Imaging Association consensus statement

The Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) Task Force on Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) developed combined ISG-IRIA evidence-based best-practice guidelines for imaging of the small intestine in patients suspected to have or having Crohn’s disease. The 29 consensus statements, developed through a modified Delphi process, are intended to serve as reference for teaching, clinical practice, and research