Introduction Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent intestinal symptoms. The attachment theory provides a psychodynamic perspective to investigate the relationship between interpersonal relationships and stress in UC. Aim The aim of this study was to compare the attachment dimensions between UC patients and controls and to evaluate the impact of these dimensions on perceived stress in patients. Method In all, 101 patients with UC completed the attachment style questionnaire and the perceived stress questionnaire (PSQ). Clinical and psychometric parameters were added as predictor variables in a regression with the PSQ score as dependent variable. One hundred and five healthy subjects took part in the study as controls. Results Compared to controls, UC patients exhibited greater scores in relationships as secondary, need for approval and preoccupation with relationships. In UC, disease activity, confidence and preoccupation with relationships resulted predictors of perceived stress. Discussion Compared to healthy controls, UC patients exhibited more pronounced attachment insecurity that, in turn, was a significant predictor of the perceived stress. Implications for practice The knowledge of attachment insecurity may help the nurses and all health care providers to face with dysfunctional patients' styles of manifesting distress, help seeking and expectations of health professionals.

Only a minority of patients with MC had diarrhea more than once a week in a long-term follow-up and the symptom pattern was similar between CC and LC patients.

No abstract

Outstanding progress regarding the pathophysiology of Crohn's disease (CD) has led to the development of innovative therapeutic concepts. Numerous controlled trials have been performed in CD. This review concentrates on the results of randomized, placebo-controlled trials, and meta-analyses when available, that provide the highest degree of evidence. Current guidelines on the management of CD recommend a step-up approach to treatment involving the addition of more powerful therapies as the severity of disease and refractoriness to therapy increase. The advent of biological drugs has opened new therapeutic horizons for treating CD, modifying the treatment goals. However, the large majority of patients with CD will be managed through conventional therapy, even if they are a prelude to biological therapy.

No abstract

to be an indicator of a good bowel preparation for screening colonoscopy, we found that only 12 (11.2%) of our patients were well prepared. A score <5 is considered an inadequate bowel preparation. 30 (28%) of our patients had a score <5 and another 18 (16.8%) had the limit score of 5. For all these the patients a new screening evaluation of the colon has to be made sooner. Conclusion: only 11% of the patients undergoing screening colonoscopy in our Department were well prepared and, only these, in the absence of lesions at the current evaluation, can have a new screening colonoscopy in 10 years. The other patients must be screened sooner.

No abstract

No abstract