In the News

H. pylori treatment, supplements linked to improved gastric cancer outcomes

A randomized trial of high-risk patients in China found that Helicobacter pylori treatment, vitamin supplementation, and garlic supplementation were associated with significant reductions in gastric cancer mortality.

Biologics found to be effective for ulcerative colitis in industry-funded trials

An editorial said the results highlight the importance of alternative biologic treatments and regimens for some patients but noted that further research is needed on cost-effectiveness.

Two-year results show continued benefit of phone or web CBT for refractory IBS

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who had been randomized to receive remote cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) had lower symptom severity scores than those who had received usual care, according to follow-up data from a British trial.

MKSAP quiz: Management of epigastric pain

This month's quiz asks readers to determine the most appropriate treatment for a 55-year-old woman with throbbing and sometimes burning epigastric pain who has not responded to a four-week trial of omeprazole.

Spotlight on HCV guidance

Recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) work group, and the Choosing Wisely campaign all focused on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Hepatitis C medicines have led to liver decompensation in some patients

The FDA has identified 63 cases of liver decompensation with medications to treat hepatitis C, most of which occurred in patients with moderate to severe liver impairment who should not have been prescribed the drugs.

FDA recommends transition to duodenoscopes with disposable endcaps

While a full transition away from conventional duodenoscopes to innovative models will take time, health care facilities should develop plans to transition away from older models that have fixed endcaps, the FDA said.

FDA limits packaging for loperamide to encourage safe use

To help address abuse and misuse, the FDA approved changes to the packaging for tablet and capsule forms of the over-the-counter antidiarrheal drug.

Probable carcinogen found in some ranitidine medicines

While the FDA is not calling for individuals to stop taking ranitidine at this time, it said that patients who wish to discontinue prescription use should talk to their clinician about other treatment options.

Model supports high-intensity surveillance after detection of colorectal adenomas

The target population was U.S. patients ages 50, 60, or 70 years with low-risk or high-risk adenomas removed after screening via colonoscopy or fecal immunochemical testing.

In US veterans, PPIs were linked to increased all-cause and some cause-specific mortality compared with H2-blockers

The observational study cannot establish causation, and the only way to prove that proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) cause the various adverse outcomes attributed to them is to compare them with placebo or no treatment in a randomized trial, according to an ACP Journal Club commentary.