Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

The purpose of this Special Issue “Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)” is to increase knowledge regarding the role of dietary composition and effects in IBD, describing the prevalence of malnutrition in IBD and the effect on clinical outcomes, discussing methods of nutrition risk screening and assessment in IBD, and reviewing mechanisms through which diet and dietary components may affect disease severity. The articles focus on the following areas: Dietary Composition/Therapy Interventions in Ulcerative Colitis and effects on outcomes; Dietary Composition/Therapy Interventions in Crohn’s Disease and effects on outcomes; Nutrition Risk Screening and Assessment in IBD; Mechanisms of Diet in the pathogenesis of IBD

Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized Patients Receiving Parental Nutrition Is Associated with Increased Morbidity and Mortality: A Review

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) is a valuable life saving intervention which can improve the nutritional status of hospitalized malnourished patients. PN is associated with complications including the development of hyperglycemia. This paper aims to provide a descriptive systematic review regarding the effects of PN-induced hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients, either in the intensive care unit or ward, while formulating and complementing existing guidelines on the administration of PN and glucose monitoring in hospitalized patients. Medline and Pubmed were searched for relevant articles describing complications arising from the development of hyperglycemia in patients receiving PN; four relevant studies were identified in the search. These articles had different glycemic targets and patient populations, and their protocols varied with regards to glycemic control. However, there was consistency regarding the association between hyperglycemia and mortality in patients receiving PN. These studies highlight the need for guidelines regarding monitoring and initiation of therapy in hyperglycemic patients. Unfortunately, all the currently available studies are retrospective in design; a large, prospective, randomized controlled trial regarding glycemic control in patients receiving PN is required for the development of standardized protocols

Does the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) predict licensing examination performance in the Canadian context?

Background: Research on the predictive validity of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) on licensing examination performance is varied in its conclusions, with only a few studies examining this relationship in a Canadian context. We assessed the predictive validity of the MCAT on successful performance on the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part 1 by students attending the Cumming School of Medicine.   Methods: Prospective data were collected on MCAT score and sub-section scores, MCCQE decision, multiple mini interview (MMI) performance, gender, and age. The cohort was divided into a derivation cohort (2013 and 2014) and validation cohort (2015 and 2016). Students were dichotomized into pass or fail on MCCQE. Multiple logistic regression in which our dependent variable was MCCQE Part I examination success at the first attempt was used, and potential explanatory variables were age, gender, MCAT total score, and sub-scores for the biological sciences (MCAT-BS), physical sciences, and verbal reasoning, GPA, and MMI ratings.Results: For the derivation cohort MCAT-BS was associated with success on the MCCQE Part I. The odds ratio for this association of 1.37 (95% confidence interval [1.01, 1.85], p = 0.04). When we applied the MCAT-BS to our validation cohort the odds ratio of MCCQE Part I examination success was 1.42 [1.10, 1.83], p = 0.007) and the area under the ROC curve was 0.66 [0.54, 0.79]).Conclusion: The MCAT-BS predicted successful performance on the MCCQE Part 1 Examination in the Canadian setting

Cross-sectional analysis of overall dietary intake and Mediterranean dietary pattern in patients with crohn's disease

The primary objective of this study was to explore the macro- and micro-nutrient intakes and dietary patterns of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Secondary objectives were to (a) compare the micronutrient intakes of CD patients with a representative sample of individuals, (b) describe the macro- and micronutrient intakes of male and female CD patients, and (c) describe Mediterranean diet scores (P-MDS) of male and female CD patients in remission that were recruited from an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) clinic in Calgary, AB. Consecutive patients with ileal and/or colonic CD in endoscopic remission were recruited for participation in this cross-sectional study. Sixty-seven patients were enrolled with a mean age of 45, and a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 25. Compared with the representative sample, patients with CD had similar energy, protein, carbohydrate, and total fat intake. However, polyunsaturated fats (PUFA), omega-6 and 3, and monounsaturated fats (MUFA) were lower in CD patients and dietary fiber intake was higher (p < 0.05). Vitamins C, D, thiamin, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium were all significantly lower in all CD patients when compared to the representative sample (p < 0.05). Few patients with CD met the P-MDS criteria and overall scores were low (mean 4.5, Standard Deviation (SD) = 1.1 in males and 4.7, SD = 1.8 in females). The CD patients in this study had suboptimal dietary intakes and patterns and these data may be used to inform future dietary interventions in this population to improve intake

Diet and Nutrition in IBD—Progress and Gaps

The incidence and prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has rapidly increased worldwide and now is a global disease with some of the highest rates observed in North America [...

Procedural skills education – colonoscopy as a model

Traditionally, surgical and procedural apprenticeship has been an assumed activity of students, without a formal educational context. With increasing barriers to patient and operating room access such as shorter work week hours for residents, and operating room and endoscopy time at a premium, alternate strategies to maximizing procedural skill development are being considered. Recently, the traditional surgical apprenticeship model has been challenged, with greater emphasis on the need for surgical and procedural skills training to be more transparent and for alternatives to patient-based training to be considered. Colonoscopy performance is a complex psychomotor skill requiring practioners to integrate multiple sensory inputs, and involves higher cortical centres for optimal performance. Colonoscopy skills involve mastery in the cognitive, technical and process domains. In the present review, we propose a model for teaching colonoscopy to the novice trainee based on educational theory

Obesity: A review of pathogenesis and management strategies

The prevalence of obesity in the developed world is increasing. Approximately 23% of adult Canadians (5.5 million people) are obese. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing several comorbid diseases, ranging from cardiovascular diseases to cholelithiasis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The etiology of obesity is multifactorial, involving a complex interaction among genetics, hormones and the environment. The available evidence and recommendations for nonpharmacological management of obesity, including dietary therapy, physical activity and behavioural therapy, in addition to pharmacotherapy are discussed. A brief discussion on endoscopic and surgical procedures is undertaken. Several antiobesity treatment options are available and may be indicated in appropriate situations. Selecting obesity therapy may be guided by body mass index measurements, comorbid illnesses and patient preference

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Clinical Approach and Review

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of incidental elevation of liver enzymes in North America and Europe. Risk factors for NAFLD include body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or greater, central obesity and diabetes mellitus. The spectrum of disease is variable, ranging from simple steatosis with benign prognosis, to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis, conferring increase in morbidity and mortality. The primary abnormality or ‘first hit’ in patients with NAFLD is insulin resistance leading to hepatic steatosis. The second hit involves multiple proinflammatory cytokines resulting in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Treatment is aimed at aggressive risk factor control and weight loss. Currently, there are no pharmacological agents recommended in the treatment of NAFLD, although preliminary studies suggest promising agents in the future

Gastroenterology fellowship training: Approaches to curriculum assessment and evaluation

BACKGROUND: Medical education requires ongoing curriculum development and evaluation to incorporate new knowledge and competencies. The Kern model of curricular development is a generic model to guide curriculum design, whereas the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) has a specific model for curriculum development through its accreditation structure