In the News

Patients may not always want to stop low-value colorectal cancer screening

Veterans at one health system were asked to rate the reasonableness of using age and risk calculators in decisions about screening cessation.

Guideline recommends standardized management of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis

The guideline focuses on oral and topical 5-aminosalicylic acid medications, rectal corticosteroids, and oral budesonide in patients with mild to moderate disease.

Individual or group hypnotherapy associated with relief from IBS

Although hypnotherapy did not improve quality of life, psychological symptoms, cognition, self-efficacy, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms significantly more than an educational support program, it may provide relief to patients by changing their perception of IBS.

MKSAP quiz: Persistent constipation for 2 years

This month's quiz asks readers to determine the most appropriate treatment for persistent constipation in a 60-year-old woman taking chronic opioid analgesic therapy for reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.

Spotlight on postpolypectomy care

One recent study compared postpolypectomy surveillance with colonoscopy versus fecal immunochemical testing, while another assessed the rate of postpolypectomy complications in patients prescribed antithrombotic agents.

Infliximab biosimilar safe, effective for Crohn's disease

CT-P13 and infliximab were compared in infliximab-naive patients who had recently started treatment with either drug.

Data show higher-than-expected rates of duodenoscope contamination

While the number of medical device reports associated with patient infections has declined by 62% since peaking in 2015, the FDA and duodenoscope manufacturers continue to address issues around device reprocessing.

Recent conference coverage featured gastroenterology and hepatology topics

Conference coverage in the December ACP Hospitalist addressed acute-on-chronic liver failure and inpatient constipation.

Anticoagulants compared for associated risk of hospitalization due to upper GI bleeding

Proton-pump inhibitor cotherapy significantly reduced risk among patients on anticoagulation, a cohort study found.

In Barrett esophagus, high- vs low-dose esomeprazole improved clinical outcomes; aspirin vs no aspirin did not

The safety of high-dose proton-pump inhibitor therapy is probably acceptable, but the addition of aspirin carries more risk, has less evidence on efficacy, and needs an individualized approach, an ACP Journal Club commentary said.