In the News
Updated recommendations issued on colorectal cancer screening
The recommendations from the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force of Colorectal Cancer apply to persons at average risk for colorectal cancer and cover approaches to screening, screening targets, and specific screening tests, as well as screening in cases of family history of colorectal cancer and polyps and at different age ranges.
Cirrhosis associated with increased risk of stroke, study finds
Researchers performed a retrospective cohort study using a random 5% sample of more than 1.6 million inpatient and outpatient Medicare claims from Jan. 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2014.
HCV treatment appeared successful for patients who hadn't responded to previous direct-acting antivirals, industry-funded study finds
The study included two phase 3 trials: POLARIS-1, in which patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) had previously taken a regimen containing an NS5A inhibitor, and POLARIS-4, in which patients had previously received a direct-acting antiviral agent regimen that did not include an NS5A inhibitor.
MKSAP quiz: 4-month history of dysphagia
This month's quiz asks readers to evaluate a 54-year-old man with a 4-month history of intermittent, nonprogressive solid-food dysphagia and a long-standing history of heartburn that has been well-controlled for the past 5 years with daily proton-pump inhibitors.
Spotlight on FODMAPs
Two studies published this month, a review and a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, looked at the impact of a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Generic form of mesalamine approved
The drug is indicated to induce remission in adults with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and to maintain remission of ulcerative colitis.
Facility-level antibiotic use associated with C. difficile rates in long-term care
Importation of Clostridium difficile was three times more common in long-term care than in acute care, leading the study authors to recommend better coordination of infection control across settings.