Associations between educators' and children's physical activity and sedentary time in Norwegian preschools: A cross-sectional study.

Preschool educators may be important role models influencing children's physical activity (PA) behaviours. The main aim of this paper was to examine the relationship between educators' and children's PA and sedentary time (SED) by including 1230 children (mean age 4.8 yrs, 48% girls) and 422 educators (mean age 42.4 yrs, 90% women) from 68 preschools in Western Norway. PA and SED were measured over 10 preschool days using hip worn ActiGraph GT3×+ accelerometers. Associations between child and educator PA and SED during preschool hours, determined by multivariate pattern analyses, provided explained variances (R2) = 2.8-5.2%. Levels of educator moderate PA were positively related to child PA (all intensities) and educator vigorous PA were positively related to child vigorous PA, while educator light PA was negatively associated with PA and positively associated with child SED. Educator SED were positively associated with child vigorous PA and negatively associated to child SED. Association patterns were similar for boys and girls, while educator moderate and vigorous PA were more strongly related to the younger vs. the older children's PA. The positive relationships between educators' moderate and vigorous PA and children's PA found herein suggest educators' PA behaviours should be addressed in future interventions.

Effects of a school-based physical activity intervention on cardiometabolic health 5 years after cessation.

BACKGROUND: While there have been several school-based physical activity (PA) interventions targeting improvement in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, few have assessed long-term effects. The aim of this paper was therefore to determine intervention effects on CVD risk factors 5 years after cessation. METHODS: Two schools were assigned to intervention (n = 125) or control (n = 134). The intervention school offered 210 min/week more PA than the control school over two consecutive years (fourth and fifth grades). Follow-up assessment was conducted 5-year post-intervention (10th grade) where 180-210 (73%-85%) children provided valid data. Outcomes were CVD risk factors: triglyceride, total-to-high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio (TC:HDL ratio), insulin resistance, blood pressure (BP), waist circumference, and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak ). Variables were analyzed individually and as a composite score through linear mixed models, including random intercepts for children. RESULTS: Analyses revealed significant sustained 5-year intervention effects for HDL (effect sizes [ES] = 0.22), diastolic BP (ES = 0.48), VO2peak (ES = 0.29), and composite risk score (ES = 0.38). These effects were similar to the immediate results following the intervention. In contrast, while TC:HDL ratio initially decreased post-intervention (ES = 0.27), this decrease was not maintained at 5-year follow-up (ES = 0.09), whereas WC was initially unchanged post-intervention (ES = 0.02), but decreased at 5-year follow-up (ES = 0.44). CONCLUSION: The significant effects of a 2-year school-based PA intervention remained for CVD risk factors 5 years after cessation of the intervention. As cardiometabolic health can be maintained long-term after school-based PA, this paper demonstrates the sustainability and potential of schools in the primary prevention of future CVD risk in children.

The multivariate physical activity signature associated with fundamental motor skills in preschoolers.

Physical activity (PA) is essential for development of fundamental motor skills (FMS) in children, but it is uncertain which PA intensities are most influential. A limitation to current evidence is the reliance on analytic approaches that cannot handle collinearity. The aim of this study was to determine the PA signature related to FMS in preschoolers, by investigating the association pattern for the whole spectrum of PA intensities using multivariate pattern analysis. We used a sample of N = 1081 Norwegian preschoolers (4.7 yr; 52% boys) who provided valid accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X+) and FMS data (TGMD-3, modified version). We created 33 PA variables (from 0-100 to ≥15,000 counts per minute [cpm]), and used partial least squares regression to analyse the associations between PA and FMS, after controlling for potential covariates. PA was positively associated with locomotor- and object control skills (explained variances for vertical axes; R2 = 9.7% and 3.9%, respectively). The strongest associations were found for PA between 5000-8000 cpm. No association pattern was found for PA and balance skills. This study is the first to determine the multivariate PA intensity signature related to FMS. This approach shows that PA within the vigorous range is strongest related to FMS in preschoolers.Abbreviations: FMS: fundamental motor skills; PA: Physical activity; TPA: total physical activity; SED: Sedentary behaviour; LPA: Light physical activity; MPA: Moderate physical activity; VPA: Vigorous physical activity; MVPA: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; Min: minutes; cpm: counts per minute; SD: standard deviation; SES: Socioeconomic status; BMI: Body Mass Index.

Physical activity preferences of 10-year-old children and identified activities with positive and negative associations to cardiorespiratory fitness.

AIM: This study investigated children's physical activity (PA) preferences, as these can aid the design of school-based interventions. METHODS: Data were collected in 2014 as a part of the Active Smarter Kids study and 1026 students (52% boys) from 57 Norwegian primary schools completed a questionnaire about their favourite physical activities at a mean age of 10.2 ± 0.3 years. We identified five patterns of PA and studied whether gender, cardiorespiratory fitness and abdominal adiposity were associated with these patterns. RESULTS: Soccer and slalom skiing were the favourite activities, and the most pronounced gender differences were for activities favoured by girls, which included dancing, gymnastics, exercising to music and jumping rope (p < 0.001). When the five component patterns were analysed using linear mixed-effect models, this showed a strong female preference for dancing, gymnastics, exercising to music and climbing. Cardiovascular fitness was negatively associated with frisbee, dodgeball, baseball and floorball, and positively associated with team handball, volleyball and basketball and with slalom skiing and cross-country skiing. It was interesting that the children's preferences were not related to their abdominal adiposity. CONCLUSION: The results showed different gender-based PA preferences and positive and negative associations with cardiovascular fitness, but no relationship with abdominal adiposity.

Strong association between cardiorespiratory fitness and serum lipoprotein subclass pattern in prepubertal healthy children.

This study reveals the lipoprotein subclass pattern associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in healthy children. Serum concentrations of lipoprotein subclasses and concentrations and average particle size of their main classes were quantified in 94 ethnic Norwegian children using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Twenty-four lipoprotein features were used as input to multivariate regression analysis with CRF measured either by peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) using a continuous treadmill protocol or indirectly by the 10-minute Andersen intermittent running field test. By including BMI and gender as descriptors, a predictive cross-validated multivariate regression model was obtained for both CRF measures. CRF correlated positively with average particle size for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and its subclasses of large HDL particles and negatively with very small HDL particles, chylomicrons, triglycerides, and average size and concentration of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles and VLDL subclasses of large particles (P<.05). BMI correlated negatively with both measures of CRF, but exhibited a stronger association with VO2peak than with the Andersen test. Our data showed a strong association between CRF measured either by VO2peak or by the Andersen test and a subclass lipoprotein pattern that is associated with cardiovascular (CV) health. Thus, our results show why high levels of CRF are beneficial for children's CV health. The Andersen test, being a practical field test that involves minimal equipment and, being less influenced by BMI than VO2peak, represents a good measure of CRF, and, accordingly, a proxy measure of cardiovascular health status in children.

The Andersen aerobic fitness test: New peak oxygen consumption prediction equations in 10 and 16-year olds.

Measurement of aerobic fitness by determining peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak ) is often not feasible in children and adolescents, thus field tests such as the Andersen test are required in many settings, for example in most school-based studies. This study provides cross-validated prediction equations for VO2peak based on the Andersen test in 10 and 16-year-old children. We included 235 children (n = 113 10-year olds and 122 16-year olds) who performed the Andersen test and a progressive treadmill test to exhaustion to determine VO2peak . Joint and sex-specific prediction equations were derived and tested in 20 random samples. Performance in terms of systematic (bias) and random error (limits of agreement) was evaluated by means of Bland-Altman plots. Bias varied from -4.28 to 5.25 mL/kg/min across testing datasets, sex, and the 2 age groups. Sex-specific equations (mean bias -0.42 to 0.16 mL/kg/min) performed somewhat better than joint equations (-1.07 to 0.84 mL/kg/min). Limits of agreement were substantial across all datasets, sex, and both age groups, but were slightly lower in 16-year olds (5.84-13.29 mL/kg/min) compared to 10-year olds (9.60-15.15 mL/kg/min). We suggest the presented equations can be used to predict VO2peak from the Andersen test performance in children and adolescents on a group level. Although the Andersen test appears to be a good measure of aerobic fitness, researchers should interpret cross-sectional individual-level predictions of VO2peak with caution due to large random measurement errors.

The effect of a two-year school-based daily physical activity intervention on a clustered CVD risk factor score-The Sogndal school-intervention study.

To evaluate changes in clustered cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in 9-year-old children following a 2-year school-based physical activity intervention. In total, 259 children (age 9.3 ± 0.3 years) were invited, of whom 256 participated. The intervention group (63 boys, 62 girls) carried out 60-minute teacher-controlled daily physical activity over two school years. The control group (62 boys, 69 girls) had the curriculum-defined amount of physical education (45 minutes twice each week). Of these, 67% (171 total, 91 intervention) successfully completed both baseline and post-intervention of six CVD risk factors: systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TC:HDL ratio), waist circumference (WC), the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA), and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak ). All variables were standardized by sex prior to constructing a cluster score (sum of z scores for all variables). The effect of the intervention on the cluster score was analyzed using linear multiple regression. The cluster score improved after the intervention (ES = .29). Furthermore, the analyses showed significant effects in favor of the intervention group for systolic blood pressure (ES = .35), total cholesterol-to-HDL-c ratio (ES = .23), triglyceride (ES = .40), and VO2peak (ES = .57). A teacher-led school-based physical activity intervention that is sufficiently long and includes a substantial amount of daily physical activity can beneficially modify children's clustered CVD risk profile.

Gender-specific effects of physical activity on children's academic performance: The Active Smarter Kids cluster randomized controlled trial.

Active learning combines academic content with physical activity (PA) to increase child PA and academic performance, but the impact of active learning is mixed. It may be that this is a moderated relationship in which active learning is beneficial for only some children. This paper examine the impact of baseline academic performance and gender as moderators for the effects of active learning on children's academic performance. In the ASK-study, 1129 fifth-graders from 57 Norwegian elementary schools were randomized by school to intervention or control in a physical activity intervention between November 2014 and June 2015. Academic performance in numeracy, reading, and English was measured and a composite score was calculated. Children were split into low, middle and high academic performing tertiles. 3-way-interactions for group (intervention, control)∗gender (boys, girls)∗academic performance (tertiles) were investigated using mixed model regression. There was a significant, 3-way-interaction (p=0.044). Both boys (ES=0.11) and girls (ES=0.18) in the low performing tertile had a similar beneficial trend. In contrast, middle (ES=0.03) and high performing boys (ES=0.09) responded with small beneficial trends, while middle (ES=-0.11) and high performing girls (ES=-0.06) responded with negative trends. ASK was associated with a significant increase in academic performance for low performing children. It is likely that active learning benefited children most in need of adapted education but it may have a null or negative effect for those girls who are already performing well in the sedentary classroom. Differences in gendered responses are discussed as a possible explanation for these results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov registry, trial registration number: NCT02132494.

Validity of noninvasive composite scores to assess cardiovascular risk in 10-year-old children.

Agreement between and classification accuracy of six different noninvasive composite scores and a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor score were investigated in 911 (466 boys and 445 girls) 10-year-old Norwegian children. A CVD risk factor score (triglyceride, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, systolic blood pressure (SBP), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and cardiorespiratory fitness) and six noninvasive risk scores (fitness+three different measurements of fatness (body mass index (BMI), WHtR, and skinfolds), with and without inclusion of SBP) were calculated (mean z-score by gender). Agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman plots. The ability of noninvasive scores to correctly classify children with clustered CVD risk was examined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ). For both sexes, the noninvasive scores without SBP showed excellent AUC values (AUC=0.93-0.94, 95% CI=0.88-0.98) and moderate kappa values (κ=0.49-0.64) and had limits of agreement of 0.0±0.78-0.89 (arbitrary unit). Inclusion of SBP increased AUC values (AUC=0.96-0.97, 95% CI=0.94-0.99), kappa values (κ=0.58-0.69), and reduced limits of agreement (0.0±0.68-0.76). Noninvasive scores that include fitness and fatness provide acceptable agreement and classification accuracy, allowing for widespread early identification of children that might be at risk for developing CVD later in life. SBP should be included in the noninvasive score to improve classification accuracy if possible.

Reference values for and cross-validation of time to exhaustion on a modified Balke protocol in Norwegian men and women.

The aims of the present study were to provide reference values for time to exhaustion (TTE) on a modified Balke treadmill protocol, and to perform a cross-validation of TTE as a measure of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max ), in Norwegian men and women 20-85 years of age. Reference values for TTE were derived from a national sample of 765 subjects. An additional sample of 119 subjects was included in the cross-validation (total n = 884), where prediction equations for VO2max was established. A decline in TTE was seen with increased age. Prediction of VO2max in an independent dataset (n = 319) resulted in a R2  = 0.78 and standard error of the estimate = 4.55 mL/kg/min. The observed-predicted bias was small (mean difference <1.24 mL/kg/min), whereas random error was considerable (95% limits of agreement ± 7.11-9.70 mL/kg/min) across age in both men and women. Despite limitations concerning the prediction of VO2max on an individual level, TTE from the Balke protocol is a good measure of aerobic fitness in adults across a range of settings, and could be evaluated according to the suggested reference values.

Five training sessions improves 3000 meter running performance.

AIM: The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two weeks of endurance training on 3000-meter running performance. Secondary we wanted to assess the relationship between baseline running performance and change in running performance over the intervention period. METHODS: We assigned 36 military recruits to a training group (N.=28) and a control group. The training group was randomly allocated to one of three sub-groups: 1) a 3000 meter group (test race); 2) a 4x4-minutes high-intensity interval group; 3) a continuous training group. The training group exercised five times over a two-week period. RESULTS: The training group improved its 3000 meter running performance with 50 seconds (6%) compared to the control group (P=0.003). Moreover, all sub-groups improved their performance by 37 to 73 seconds (4-8%) compared to the control group (P<0.037). There was a significant relationship between pretest performance and improvement from pre- to post-test (ρ=-0.65, P<0.001) in the training group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that five endurance training sessions improved 3000 meter running performance and the slowest runners achieved the greatest improvement in running performance.

Impact of physical activity and diet on lipoprotein particle concentrations in severely obese women participating in a 1-year lifestyle intervention.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT: Physical activity and high aerobic fitness protects against cardiovascular disease and early death, besides having a very modest impact on lipoprotein-cholesterol in obese subjects. Physical activity has been shown to favourably alter lipoprotein particle concentrations and apolipoprotein B with minimal weight loss in overweight to moderately obese subjects. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: We studied the impact of physical activity on lipoprotein subclass particle concentrations in women with severe obesity. Increased physical activity duration was associated with favourable changes, whereas increased PA intensity was associated with adverse changes in some lipoprotein particle subclasses in severely obese women. Severely obese women that manage to increase their physical activity level can improve their lipoprotein profile, whether or not they lose fat mass Physical activity (PA) and high aerobic fitness protects against cardiovascular disease and early death possibly among others because of an anti-atherogenic impact on lipoprotein particle concentrations. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of PA and diet on lipoprotein particle concentrations. Thirty-one severely obese women (age 43.6 ± 10.2 years; body mass index 43.0 ± 6.3 kg m(-2) ) participated in a 1-year lifestyle intervention with repeated measurements of lipoprotein particle subclass concentrations and size of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL), as well as fat mass, PA and diet. Multiple regression was used to determine associations with change (Δ) in two principal components (PCs) describing lipoprotein distributions: ΔPC 1 LIPO (dominated by VLDL and LDL) and ΔPC 2 LIPO (dominated by large HDL and mean HDL particle size). ΔPA duration was the only variable that was significantly related to ΔPC 1 LIPO (partial r = -0.40, P = 0.008), while ΔPA intensity was the only variable that was significantly related to ΔPC 2 LIPO (partial r = -0.43, P = 0.003) in adjusted models. Increased PA duration was associated with favourable changes, whereas increased PA intensity was associated with adverse changes in some lipoprotein particle subclasses in severely obese women.

Health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease five years after the initial diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has become an important tool in evaluating patient satisfaction in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). So far, few prospective follow-up studies have been done to identify variables that influence HRQOL. We aimed to identify demographic and clinical variables that influence HRQOL 5 years after diagnosis in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn disease (CD) included in a prospective follow-up study from 1990 to 1994 (the IBSEN study). METHODS: All patients completed the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), a disease-specific quality-of-life questionnaire translated into Norwegian and validated. We present data from 497 patients (328 UC patients and 169 CD patients, mean age 43.3 years, 48% female). The impact of age, gender, smoking, symptom severity, disease distribution, rheumatic symptoms and surgery on IBD patients' HRQOL was analysed. RESULTS: Women had a reduction in IBDQ total score of 10 points compared to men, CD patients had a reduction of 7.5 compared to UC patients. The patients with moderate/severe symptoms had a 50 points lower score than the patients without symptoms. The patients with rheumatic symptoms had a 10 points lower total score than the patients without these symptoms. All differences were statistically significant. The multiple regression analysis showed that symptom severity, rheumatic symptoms and female gender were the strongest predictors of reduction in HRQOL for both diagnosis groups. CONCLUSION: IBD symptoms, rheumatic symptoms and female gender have a significant influence on patients' HRQOL as measured by IBDQ. This was confirmed by the regression analysis.

Bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based prospective two-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Bone loss and osteoporosis are commonly reported in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially Crohn disease (CD). The aims of the present study were to evaluate changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in IBD patients during a 2-year follow-up period, and to investigate the role played by possible contributing factors in bone loss. METHODS: Sixty patients with CD and 60 with ulcerative colitis (UC) were studied initially. Fifty-five CD and 43 UC patients were re-examined after 1 year, and 50 CD and 44 UC patients after 2 years. Lumbar spine, femoral neck and total body BMD were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and Z scores were obtained by comparison with age-matched and sex-matched healthy subjects. Biochemical variables were assessed at inclusion and at the 1-year follow-up visit. RESULTS: Mean BMD values were unchanged in both CD and UC patients. In patients with repeated measurements, significant differences in Z scores (delta Z score) were found for femoral neck and total body in CD and for total body in UC. Significant bone loss occurred in 11 CD (22%) and 12 UC (27%) patients. A significant increase in BMD was found in 21 CD (42%) and 20 UC (46%) patients. In CD patients the initial BMD values for lumbar spine and femoral neck were inversely correlated to BMD changes at the same sites and the change in body mass index (BMI) was positively correlated to change in the total body BMD. C-reactive protein was significantly higher in CD patients with bone loss. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism could not be used to predict BMD changes. Although it was not significant, there was a relationship between corticosteroid therapy and bone loss in CD. CONCLUSIONS: Only minor changes in BMD were observed in both CD and UC patients during a 2-year period. The multifactorial pathogenesis of bone loss in IBD makes it difficult to assess the importance of each single contributing factor. However, our results indicate that disease activity and corticosteriod therapy are involved in bone loss in CD patients.

Comparison of faecal and intestinal concentrations of granulocyte marker protein and localization of gastrointestinal tumours in rats.

BACKGROUND: Increased faecal concentrations of the granulocyte marker protein (GMP) have been found in rats with azoxymethane (AOM) induced carcinoma of the colon, but the origin of this GMP is unknown. The aims were to investigate the concentrations of GMP in different parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in rats with or without AOM-induced carcinoma and to correlate the GMP concentrations to localization of the carcinomas. METHODS: Nineteen rats were given intramuscular injections of AOM, 15 mg/kg, once weekly for 6 weeks and were killed after 22 weeks. Five rats that were not given AOM injections served as controls. RESULTS: All rats given AOM developed tumours; 18 developed a total of 33 adenocarcinomas in the GI tract and one developed an adenoma in the colon. Nine animals had carcinoma in the small bowel, seven of which also had carcinoma of the colon, and nine animals had carcinomas in the large bowel only. No other tumours were found. All except one of the animals that had carcinoma of the colon had elevated faecal GMP concentrations, and from week 11 there was a significant difference in the GMP values between the control group and the group that developed colon carcinoma. In all rats that developed carcinoma in the small bowel, the tumour was localized in the proximal part. In the rats that had been given AOM, the luminal GMP concentrations were significantly higher in the proximal part of the small bowel than in the distal part, but there were no significant differences in the GMP concentrations between animals with and without carcinoma in the small bowel. Sixteen rats developed a total of 24 carcinomas in the colon, and one rat developed an adenoma. Luminal GMP concentration in the distal part of the colon was elevated in all animals with carcinomas in the colon, and the GMP concentrations were significantly higher in the distal part than in the proximal part. Rats with one carcinoma in the colon had significantly lower GMP values in the distal part, compared to rats that had two carcinomas in the colon. CONCLUSIONS: The animal model described is suitable for further studies on many aspects of tumour development in the colon. Furthermore, it is likely that increased faecal GMP concentration in rats with colon carcinoma is a result of an inflammatory process in or around tumours.

Vitamin D status, parathyroid hormone and bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Although the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not established, vitamin D deficiency and disturbances in calcium metabolism are thought to be of importance, especially in Crohn disease (CD). Vitamin D status is assessed and the relation between indices of calcium metabolism, including 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone concentrations. and bone mineral density (BMD) in CD and ulcerative colitis (UC) are examined. Sixty patients with CD and 60 with UC were investigated. Each group comprised 24 men and 36 women. METHODS: Vitamin D metabolites, parathyroid hormone and biochemical markers of bone metabolism were measured in blood and urine. Lumbar spine, femoral neck and total body BMD were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and Z-scores were obtained by comparison with age- and sex-matched normal values. RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D3 <30 nmol/l) was present in 27% of patients with CD and in 15% with UC. Furthermore, CD patients had a significantly lower mean concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 compared with UC patients. Vitamin D status was not related to BMD at any of the skeletal sites measured. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was found in 10 out of 27 patients with CD after small-bowel resections. No differences were found in serum osteocalcin and urine pyridinoline between patients with CD and those with UC. CONCLUSIONS: Hypovitaminosis D is common in CD patients. Patients with CD and small-bowel resections are at risk of developing secondary hyperparathyroidism and low BMD.

Screening of first degree relatives of patients operated for colorectal cancer: evaluation of fecal calprotectin vs. hemoccult II.

UNLABELLED: Fecal calprotectin (CPT) is elevated in the majority of patients with known colorectal cancer (CRC), but the specificity is not clarified. AIM: To evaluate if a CPT test (PhiCal ELISA) was more sensitive than Hemoccult II test in detecting colorectal neoplasia, and to obtain reference values in subjects with normal colonoscopy. To evaluate a possible relation between number and extent of dysplasia of adenomas in first degree relatives of patients with CRC and the stage of the carcinoma in the index casus. Further to study the prevalence of CRC and adenomas in the first degree relatives of patients operated for CRC. METHOD: In a multicenter study, 253 first degree relatives of patients with CRC, aged 50-75 years (mean age 60 years) underwent colonoscopy after having delivered stool samples and three Hemoccult II slides. RESULTS: In 237 first degree relatives from 148 patients with CRC, polyps were found in 118 (50%). Seventy three (31%) had adenomas and 17 had adenomas > or =10 mm. Five had asymptomatic cancers. The specificity of fecal CPT for adenomas at cut off levels 15 mg/l. The sensitivity of Hemoccult II for adenomas was 8%, and 4/5 of patients with carcinoma had negative Hemoccult II. The specificity for adenomas was 95%. CONCLUSION: Fecal CPT test was more sensitive than Hemoccult II in detecting colorectal neoplasia but the specificity was lower. In a high risk group like first degree relatives of patients with CRC, there are good reasons to consider fecal CPT as a first test in selecting patients for endoscopy.

[Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography--a 4-year retrospective study]. / Endoskopisk retrograd kolangiopankreatikografi--et fireårsmateriale.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may lead to serious complications. Recently, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) has been introduced as a diagnostic alternative to ERCP. This study was initiated to document the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of ERCP, enabling us to compare the two techniques. Results of 567 ERCP procedures in 371 patients were reviewed. Bile duct stones were the most frequent indication for the procedure (66%). Normal duct systems (37%) and common bile duct stones (35%) were the most frequent findings. Stone extraction was performed in 97 patients. In 18 patients minor stones were left behind and in six patients open choledocholithotomy was performed. Procedure related mortality was 0.3% and 0.8% in the diagnostic and therapeutic group respectively. Five patients developed serious pancreatitis, and duodenal perforation complicated two procedures. 56% of the procedures were diagnostic and could probably have been replaced by MRCP if this technique had been available during the study period.

MR cholangiopancreaticography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography in patients with suspected common bile duct stones.

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare MR cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) vs. endoscopic retrograde pancreaticography (ERCP) in patients with suspected common bile duct (CBD) stone disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with suspected CBD disease underwent MRCP and then ERCP within 12 h of each other. The result of the MRCP was blinded to the reader of the ERCP. The MRCP was done using a superconducting 1.0 T unit with a heavily T2-weighted breath-hold technique. The ERCP was done in the fluoroscopy suite by one of the clinicians and was evaluated by one of the radiologists who had not read the MRCP examinations. RESULTS: There were 28 true-positives, 17 true-negatives, 1 false-positive, and 4 false-negatives. The sensitivity was 87.5% and the specificity 94.4%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 96.6% and the negative predictive value was 81.1%. CONCLUSION: MRCP was shown to be good enough to replace ERCP as a diagnostic method in patients with suspected CBD disease. MRCP is now our modality of choice after ultrasound in the diagnostic evaluation of these patients.