Unregistered User If this is not your name, click here.
		Contact Us | Order Now | Journals | Bookstore | Register a colleague
	Select a ChannelAcneAIDS and HIVAllergy OtherAlzheimer'sAnaesthesiology OtherAngina Pectoris/MIAnxietyArthritis OtherAsthmaBack PainBacterial InfectionsBladder CancerBone Marrow TransplantationBreast CancerCardiology OtherCataractCell TransplantationCervical CancerCholesterol/Lipid disordersCirrhosisClinical PharmacologyColorectal CancerCongestive Heart FailureContact DermatitisContraceptionCOPDCystic FibrosisDental and Oral DisordersDepressionDermatology OtherDiabetesDialysisEating DisordersElbowEmergency MedicineEndocrinology OtherEpilepsyErectile DysfunctionFibromyalgiaGastro OtherGeneticsGenitourinary OtherGeriatricsGERD/GastritisGlaucomaH. Pylori/UlcerHaematology OtherHair LossHeadachesHepa/Biliary OtherHepatitisHipHRTHypertensionIBDImmunologyInfectious OtherInfertilityIntensive CareIrritable Bowel SyndromeKneeLeukemiasLiver CancerLung CancerLupusLymphomasMelanomaMenopauseMultiple Sclerosis Nephrology OtherNeurologic OtherNutritional / Metabolic OtherOb/Gyn OtherObesityOncology OtherOphth. OtherOphthalmic SurgeryOrgan TransplantationOrthopaedics OtherOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisOtitisOtorhino. OtherOvarian CancerPaediatricsPainPancreatic CancerParkinson'sPregnancyProstate CancerPsychiatry OtherPulmonary OtherRadiologyRenal CancerRenal FailureRespiratory InfectionsRheumatoid arthritisRheumatology OtherRhinitisSchizophreniaShoulderSleep ApnoeaSleep DisordersSpineStrokeSTDsSurgeryThyroid DisordersTransfusionTransplant Surgery OtherTraumaUrinary IncontinenceUrinary tract infectionsVaccinologyVascular DisordersViral Infections

SEARCH   News Bookstore Medline The Web Meetings & Congresses Complete Doctor's Guide    EXPLORE :    All News   All Webcasts   All Cases   All Meetings & Congresses   All Medical Resources New drugs / indications English Dictionary Medical Dictionary Thesaurus Warning | Privacy | Awards  Favourite Journals  Click here to choose your favourite journals  Favourite Sites  Click here to choose your favourite sites  Languages  Select languageEnglishFrançais

Early Oral Feeding in Mild Acute Pancreatitis: Presented at ACG By Danny Kucharsky PHILADELPHIA, PA -- October 25, 2007 -- Early feeding in patients with mild acute pancreatitis does not increase the risk of severe disease, according to a study presented here at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). "It has been a commonly accepted practice that the initial treatment of acute pancreatitis is absence of feeding, to allow the pancreas to rest," said study presenter Nison Badalov, MD, Gastroenterologist, Division of Gastroenterology, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States. "But recent studies have suggested the early feeding of patients in acute pancreatitis is safe and effective." Among other things, early feeding stimulates bowel function, attenuates the systemic inflammatory response system, prevents bacterial overgrowth and translocation, and promotes the immune response. Dr. Badalov and colleagues therefore conducted their study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of early oral feeding as compared with traditional fasting in patients with mild acute pancreatitis. The prospective, single-centre study randomised patients into one of three regimens -- standard treatment (fasting); a semi-elemental formula (low-fat diet), as tolerated, started within 12 hours of admission; a regular diet, as desired, started within 12 hours of admission. Patients were followed for pain medication requirements, complications, length of stay, and recurrence of disease. After randomisation, 22 patients were enrolled in the fasting group, 18 in the low-fat diet, and 22 were enrolled in a regular diet group. The three groups did not differ in terms of age, gender and aetiology of acute pancreatitis. There were no differences in the three groups regarding severe disease, narcotic usage, mortality and recurrence of acute pancreatitis. The study found no significant differences in organ failure or pancreatic necrosis among the three groups. One patient developed multisystem organ failure and subsequently died. Dr. Badalov concluded, "Patients with mild acute pancreatitis may be fed early in the course of the disease." The study provides further evidence that "placing the pancreas at rest" is not necessary in the management of patients with acute pancreatitis, he said. Limitations of the study include enrolment, a design that did not include blinding, a lack of study on the placebo effect of eating on patients, and lack of quantification of nutrient intake. Further study with a larger enrolment will be needed to confirm the results, he added. [Presentation title: Early Oral Feeding in Mild Acute Pancreatitis: A Randomized Prospective Trial. Abstract 10] E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version