Description

Welcome to the first issue of 2008. In this issue we present a review of the
epidemiology, natural history and current treatment of diverticular disease
and its complications. Though a common problem, diverticular disease has
been, until recently, little studied and its medical treatment rather neglected. In the past
few years much progress has been made in the treatment of uncomplicated diverticular
disease and treatment regimens involving the use of 5-ASA compounds non absorbable
antibiotics and probiotics have been shown to decrease the incidence of recurrence of
acute episodes. The evidence is reviewed in the first article of this issue.

In the second article we continue our theme of the interphase of gastroenterology with
other medical specialties, this time psychiatry. Drs C Marshall and M Heydtmann from
the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, review Gastroenterological aspects of
the Munchhausen syndrome.

Dr Evangelos Kalaitzkis from the University Hospital in Gothenberg, Sweden, reviews
the latest evidence based practice in the management of hepatic encephalopathy in
chronic liver disease.

We continue our series of original articles with a paper on the clinical experience and
changing prevalence of microscopic colitis at a district general hospital, as presented
in a retrospective study from Drs D Bowen and LA Thomas from Singleton Hospital,
Swansea.

We continue our series of instructive case reports with a case by Drs Hedge and
Thompson from the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle who present a case of warfarininduced
cholestatic jaundice.

The issue is completed with a book review from Dr James East from St. Marks
Hospital, London commenting on a book entitled Practical Paediatric Gastrointestinal
Endoscopy.

Marios Z Panos

Editor