In the News

GERD recurrence appears common after laparoscopic antireflux surgery

Researchers in Sweden performed a population-based cohort study using national databases to determine recurrence risk in 2,655 patients who had antireflux surgery between Jan. 1, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2014.

Sepsis-3 better than SIRS in patients with cirrhosis and infection

Compared to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, both Sepsis-3 criteria and the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) tool had significantly better discrimination for in-hospital mortality.

Low-dose CT for appendicitis appears noninferior to standard-dose CT

Patients with suspected appendicitis at 20 South Korean teaching hospitals were randomly assigned to receive low-dose CT (2 mSv) or standard-dose CT (3 to 8 mSv).

MKSAP quiz: Evaluation for Crohn disease flare

This month's quiz asks readers to determine the most appropriate treatment in a 22-year-old pregnant woman evaluated for a flare of Crohn disease.

Spotlight on screening in primary care

Patient-specific reminders for clinicians performed best for increasing colorectal cancer screening in a French study, while an EHR alert appeared to successfully increase hepatitis C virus screening rates for baby boomers in a U.S. health care system.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate should be taken separately from other oral meds, FDA advises

The FDA's recommendation follows a study finding that sodium polystyrene sulfonate also binds to many common oral medications, which decreases their absorption and effectiveness.

Weight-loss devices linked to patient deaths

In a letter to clinicians, the FDA noted five reports of unanticipated deaths that occurred from 2016 to the present in patients treated with liquid-filled intragastric balloon systems.