In the Clinic, 2023 summary highlight gastroenterology topics
Colorectal cancer screening was the focus of the latest In the Clinic article, while an article in a supplement to Annals reviewed clinically important developments in gastroenterology and hepatology in 2023.
An In the Clinic article published by Annals of Internal Medicine on April 9 provided an overview on colorectal cancer screening. It reviewed the various screening tests available and their advantages, disadvantages, and varying levels of evidence support. The article noted that clinicians should offer screening to average-risk persons ages 50 to 75 years. Starting screening at age 45 years remains controversial, and screening may be beneficial in select persons ages 76 to 85 years. "Offering a choice of screening tests or sequentially offering an alternate test for those who do not complete screening can significantly increase participation," said the article. The editors of Annals develop In the Clinic with the assistance of additional physician writers, MKSAP, and other resources of ACP.
An article in a supplement to Annals published on April 16 summarized clinically important developments in gastroenterology and hepatology from last year. "Gastroenterology/Hepatology: What You May Have Missed in 2023" covered colorectal cancer screening, discussing the new RNA fecal screening test on the horizon and research on the use of artificial intelligence in screening colonoscopy. Other topics discussed included new evidence on management of gastrointestinal bleeding, a drug for recurrent small-intestinal angiodysplasia, endoscopic treatment of gastrointestinal tumor bleeding, amitriptyline for irritable bowel syndrome, and biologic agents for inflammatory bowel disease and eosinophilic esophagitis, as well as changes in terminology and management of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.