In the News


Telemedicine app reduced gastroenterology visits for inflammatory bowel disease

The trial, which was conducted at multiple sites in the Netherlands, randomly assigned outpatients ages 18 to 75 years with inflammatory bowel disease without an ileoanal or ileorectal pouch system to standard care or the telemedicine system.

NAFLD practice guidance issued for screening, treatment

The guidance, from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, notes that routine screening for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a primary care setting or obesity clinics is not typically recommended due to uncertainties in long-term benefits and cost-effectiveness.

Clinical prediction model may help determine management for acute lower GI bleeding

Factors associated with safe discharge in the development and validation cohorts were age, female sex, no previous admission for lower GI bleeding, no blood on digital rectal exam, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and hemoglobin level.

MKSAP quiz: Complications of hepatitis C-related cirrhosis

This month's quiz asks readers to evaluate a 58-year-old man at a follow-up visit for hepatitis C-related cirrhosis complicated by nonbleeding small esophageal varices and ascites.

Spotlight on PPI use and cognition

Studies published in July found no unfavorable association between proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use and cognitive function.

Use of PPIs associated with higher risk of death than use of H2 blockers

Study results should not deter prescription and use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) where medically indicated but rather emphasize the need to be judicious about use of PPIs and duration of therapy, the authors said.

Recurrent C. difficile infections more than doubled between 2001 and 2012

Risk factors for recurrence include age; sex; and use of antibiotics, proton-pump inhibitors, or corticosteroids. These factors could adjust treatment algorithms for high-risk patients, including earlier use of fecal transplant.

FIT may be useful for screening above-average-risk populations for colorectal cancer

A meta-analysis of 12 studies found that fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) may be a viable alternative screening strategy for patients at increased risk for colorectal cancer, but the authors and an accompanying editorial noted that the quality of the evidence was low.

Duodenoscopes recalled

The recall of ED-530XT duodenoscopes by Fujifilm includes replacement of the ED-530XT forceps elevator mechanism (including the O-ring seal), replacement of the distal end cap, and new operation manuals.

New HCV drug combo approved

The fixed-dose tablet combines the previously approved drugs sofosbuvir and velpatasvir with a new drug, voxilaprevir.

Review: In chronic hepatitis C virus infection, oral direct-acting antivirals have high sustained virologic response

A commentary in ACP Journal Club noted that while screening and treating all patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) would be cost-effective and probably cost-saving, some payers are still resistant.

Antibiotic stewardship programs reduce incidence of C. difficile, multidrug-resistant infections, review finds

The systematic review also found that antibiotic stewardship programs were significantly more effective when implemented along with infection control measures.