In the News


COVID-19 mRNA vaccines appear effective in patients with cirrhosis

A retrospective cohort study compared outcomes among U.S. veterans with cirrhosis who received at least one dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with those of a propensity-matched control group of unvaccinated patients at similar risk.

New best practice advice tackles pain in disorders of gut-brain interaction

An expert review from the American Gastroenterological Association cautioned against using opioids to treat pain from irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, or centrally mediated abdominal pain syndrome, among other advice.

Antibody-based multitarget FIT may be more accurate than standard FIT

A multitarget fecal immunochemical test (FIT) could reduce colorectal cancer incidence and death and might be cost-effective, according to a recent validation study.

MKSAP Quiz: Dysphagia to both solids and liquids

This month's quiz asks readers to determine the most likely diagnosis for a 75-year-old man with recent weight loss and progressive dysphagia of 8 months' duration, as well as chest pain and heartburn symptoms.

Spotlight on PPIs and cancer

Recent studies assessed the association between proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and cancer, as well as the effects of PPI treatment after a cancer diagnosis.

Colorectal cancer screening offering colonoscopy and FIT vs. colonoscopy alone improved participation

Results of a Polish trial corroborate studies showing that noninvasive tests, such as fecal immunochemical testing (FIT), or screening choice increases colorectal cancer screening participation over colonoscopy, an ACP Journal Club commentary said.

In patients having transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, rifaximin prevented overt hepatic encephalopathy

Results from a French trial provide the best available evidence to justify using the expensive antibiotic in patients with hepatic encephalopathy associated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, according to an ACP Journal Club commentary.