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Post 9/11 GERD-Like Symptoms: Endoscopic and Pathologic Evaluation of a New Entity [Meeting Abstract]

Khungar, Vandana; Rajapaksa, Roshini; Liu, Mengling; Cheng, Qinyi; Reibman, Joan
ISI:000275277201466
ISSN: 0016-5085
CID: 2213062

Post 9/11 GERD: a new entity [Meeting Abstract]

Rajapaksa, R; Cheng, Q; Liu, M; Fernandez-Beros, ME; Reibman, J
ISI:000259145200082
ISSN: 0002-9270
CID: 86595

Ask Health. Straight talk about sweating down there, whiteheads, earwax, and more

Rajapaksa R
CINAHL:2009975328
ISSN: 1059-938x
CID: 80317

Straight talk about body odor, reusing towels, and more

Rajapaksa R
CINAHL:2009919811
ISSN: 1059-938x
CID: 79162

Straight talk about hair loss, urinary trouble, and yoga during your period

Rajapaksa R
CINAHL:2009919630
ISSN: 1059-938x
CID: 79164

Racial/ethnic differences in patient experiences with and preferences for computed tomography colonography and optical colonoscopy

Rajapaksa, Roshini C; Macari, Michael; Bini, Edmund J
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Racial/ethnic minorities are less likely than whites to undergo colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Although computed tomography colonography (CTC) is a less invasive alternative to optical colonoscopy (OC), it is not known whether CTC will increase acceptance of CRC screening in minorities. METHODS: Patients undergoing OC for clinically indicated reasons had CTC followed by same-day OC. After the sedation from the OC had worn off, a questionnaire was administered to assess pain, discomfort, bloating, embarrassment, anxiety, and patient satisfaction using a 10-point scale (1 = least, 10 = greatest). RESULTS: Of the 272 patients enrolled, there were 134 whites, 71 blacks, 53 Hispanics, and 14 who self-identified their race/ethnicity as other. Although the proportion of subjects who preferred CTC over OC was not significantly different (52.9% vs 47.1%, P = .36), racial/ethnic minorities were significantly less likely than whites to prefer CTC over OC (whites, 65.7%; blacks, 45.1%; Hispanics, 35.8%; and other, 35.7%; P < .001). Racial/ethnic minorities were less satisfied with CTC (whites, 8.4 +/- 1.7; blacks, 7.8 +/- 1.7; Hispanics, 7.4 +/- 1.8; and other, 7.5 +/- 2.1; P = .001) and were significantly less willing to undergo CTC again in the future (whites, 95.5%; blacks, 80.3%; Hispanics, 84.9%; and other, 85.7%; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with white patients, OC is better tolerated and is preferred over CTC for evaluation of the colon among racial/ethnic minorities. Although CTC is less invasive than OC, our findings suggest that CTC is unlikely to overcome racial/ethnic disparities in CRC screening
PMID: 17689294
ISSN: 1542-7714
CID: 75365

Marked racial and ethnic differences in patient satisfaction with and preferences for CT colonography and optical colonoscopy [Meeting Abstract]

Rajapaksa, RC; Macari, M; Bini, EJ
ISI:000240656102467
ISSN: 0002-9270
CID: 69316

Positive predictive value of fecal occult blood testing in persons taking warfarin

Bini, Edmund J; Rajapaksa, Roshini C; Weinshel, Elizabeth H
BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, some physicians discontinue warfarin prior to fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). Although anticoagulant use is associated with an increased risk of overt gastrointestinal bleeding, the impact of warfarin on the positive predictive value of FOBT is unknown. METHODS: During a 5-yr period, we prospectively studied all patients taking warfarin who were referred for the evaluation of a positive FOBT. For each patient taking warfarin, we enrolled one age- and gender-matched control subject with a positive FOBT who was not taking anticoagulants. A detailed clinical history was obtained, and all subjects underwent colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. RESULTS: Lesions consistent with occult bleeding were identified in 59.0% of the 210 patients in the warfarin group and 53.8% of the 210 control subjects (p= 0.27). Although more lesions were identified by colonoscopy in the warfarin group than in control subjects (36.2%vs 25.7%, p= 0.02), there was no difference in the frequency of lesions identified by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (35.2%vs 39.5%, p= 0.43). Overall, adenomas > or =1 cm in diameter (16.2%) and colorectal carcinoma (9.5%) were the most common lesions identified by colonoscopy, while erosive gastritis (15.5%) and erosive duodenitis (11.0%) were the most frequent lesions found by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Among individuals with colorectal cancer, 83.3% of patients in the warfarin group had early cancers (Dukes' stage A or B) compared with 50.0% of control subjects (p= 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Warfarin use did not decrease the positive predictive value of FOBT. These findings suggest that warfarin should not be discontinued prior to FOBT
PMID: 15984986
ISSN: 0002-9270
CID: 57718

Prevalence and impact of extracolonic findings in patients undergoing CT colonography

Rajapaksa, Roshini C; Macari, Michael; Bini, Edmund J
BACKGROUND: CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) is a new technique being offered to patients as a noninvasive method of imaging the colon. The aims of this study were to prospectively determine the prevalence of extracolonic findings in patients undergoing CT colonography, as well as to determine the clinical significance and consequences of these findings. METHODS: Two-hundred and fifty patients who were referred for colonoscopy for clinically indicated reasons underwent CT colonography using low-dose radiation (50 mAs) immediately prior to conventional colonoscopy. A single radiologist reviewed the CT images for extracolonic pathology, and findings were classified as having high, moderate, or low clinical significance. Electronic medical records were reviewed to assess what follow up diagnostic tests, if any, were performed. RESULTS: A total of 136 extracolonic findings were detected in 83 (33.2%) of the 250 patients. Of these 136 findings, 17 (12.5%) were highly significant, 53 (38.9%) were moderately significant, and 66 (48.5%) were of low significance. The most common highly significant lesions were solitary lung nodules in 3 patients, mesenteric lymphadenopathy in 3, adrenal masses in 2, low attenuation liver lesions consistent with metastases in 2, and bone metastases in 2 patients. Fourteen of the 17 (82.4%) highly significant findings were new findings, and in 11 the extracolonic abnormalities resulted in further diagnostic testing. None of the patients with moderate or low significance lesions underwent further testing. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose CT colonography can detect highly significant extracolonic findings. Although extracolonic lesions were common, only a small proportion of patients required further diagnostic testing. Additional studies to determine the optimal radiation dose, cost-effectiveness, and legal implications of detecting extracolonic findings are warranted
PMID: 15365402
ISSN: 0192-0790
CID: 49341

Fractured colon: an endoscopically distinctive lesion associated with colonic perforation following colonoscopy in patients with collagenous colitis [Case Report]

Sherman, Alex; Ackert, John J; Rajapaksa, Roshini; West, A Brian; Oweity, Thaira
BACKGROUND: Collagenous colitis is characterized by collagen deposition in the superficial colonic mucosa, beneath the surface epithelium, resulting in chronic nonbloody diarrhea of variable severity. The mucosa generally appears endoscopically normal. METHODS: We report the occurrence of distinctive linear mucosal tears, unassociated with trauma, in 4 patients during diagnostic colonoscopy. The patients' tissue specimens were examined histologically, and clinical courses were recorded. OBSERVATIONS: Recognition of linear 'fractures' was followed in 3 patients by colonic perforation. One patient required colectomy. Severe collagenous colitis was present in all. The resection specimen contained shallow linear ulcers overlying fibrotic submucosa, with pneumatosis and acute peritonitis. CONCLUSIONS: We theorize that the stiffness of the colon in areas of collagenous colitis with submucosal fibrosis makes it susceptible to linear 'fractures' during colonoscopic air insufflation with subsequent transmural air dissection. We urge extreme caution if this lesion is recognized at colonoscopy and recommend aborting the examination and obtaining plain radiographs to detect free intraperitoneal air
PMID: 15087693
ISSN: 0192-0790
CID: 56129