Most studies of depression and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been drawn from clinical populations or from samples selected from the membership of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis community organizations. This study determined the prevalence and correlates of depression in people with IBD or a similar bowel disorder from 2 nationally representative Canadian surveys. In the Canadian Community Health Survey, conducted in 2000 through 2001, there were 3076 respondents who reported that they had "a bowel disorder such as Crohn's disease or colitis" that had lasted >or=6 months and had been diagnosed by a health professional. The National Population Health Survey, conducted from 1996 through 1997, had 1438 respondents who reported that they had such a condition. Within each subsample, bivariate analyses were conducted to compare the depressed and nondepressed individuals. Logistic regression analyses also were conducted using the Canadian Community Health Survey 1.1 data set. The 12-month period prevalence of depression among individuals with IBD and similar bowel disorders was comparable in the 2 data sets (16.3% and 14.7%). Depression rates were higher among female respondents, those without partners, younger respondents, those who reported greater pain, and those who had functional limitations. Seventeen percent of depressed respondents had considered suicide in the past 12 months; an additional 30% had considered suicide at an earlier time. Only 40% of depressed individuals were using antidepressants. Individuals with IBD and similar bowel disorders experience rates of depression that are triple those of the general population. It is important for clinicians to assess depression and suicidal ideation among their patients with active IBD symptoms, particularly among those reporting moderate to severe pain.

Objectives: To describe the early single‐center clinical experience with the Amplatzer Ductal Occluder II (ADO II). Methods: All patients undergoing attempted transcatheter closure of persistent arterial duct (PDA) with the ADO II were included. Data collected included demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic parameters. Results: From March until September 2008, 29 procedures were undertaken in 27 patients (21 female). Median age was 1.4 years (range 0.4–76 years) with median weight 9.4 kg (range 4.7–108 kg). A transarterial approach was used in 2 patients. The median minimum ductal diameter was 2.7 mm (range 1.7–5). ADO II was released in 25 patients (92.5%). Two patients had significant residual shunting following deployment of ADO II and underwent closure with Amplatzer ductal occluder (ADO I). Postprocedural echocardiography identified one occluder had changed position with development of a significant leak and one occluder had embolized to the left pulmonary artery. Both occluders were retrieved successfully at a second catheter procedure. Complete occlusion was noted predischarge in 22 of the remaining 23 occluders (96%). One patient had mild flow acceleration in the left pulmonary artery which has resolved. Conclusions: The ADO II is highly effective at providing rapid occlusion of morphologically varied PDAs. Occluder design allows closure with arterial or venous approach and delivery with 4 or 5 F delivery catheters. Stable occluder position is dependent on correct positioning of both aortic and pulmonary discs. A larger range of sizes and configurations of this occluder may be required to successfully occlude all ductal sizes and morphologies. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Study mothers experienced intense role disequilibrium during the unanticipated crisis of preterm birth of a VLBW infant; situational crises owing to the high-tech NI CU environment and their infant's condition; and developmental crises with feelings of loss, guilt, helplessness, and anxiety. Language barriers compounded the difficulties. Parent-buddies helped non-English-speaking mothers mobilize their strengths. Culture and language are important determinants of service satisfaction for non-English-speaking mothers. Linguistically congruent parent-to-parent matching increases access to service.

Our findings show that IBD is robustly related to generalized anxiety disorder. Health care professionals should be aware of the increased prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder among their patients with IBD, particularly women, those in chronic pain, and those with a history of childhood sexual abuse.