In the News

Score predicts hepatic decompensation among patients with NAFLD

Age, presence of diabetes, and platelet count were significant predictors of hepatic events up to 12 years from the time of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) diagnosis, a retrospective study found.

CT, MRI recommended for first-line diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis

Endoscopic ultrasonography should be used only if the diagnosis is in question after cross-sectional imaging, according to a guideline from the American College of Gastroenterology.

Model may help identify inpatients with inadequate colon cleansing

Odds of inadequate cleansing were higher in patients who were bedridden or constipated, those with diabetes, those taking antipsychotic drugs, and those hospitalized for seven days or longer.

MKSAP Quiz: A new diagnosis of anemia

A 65-year-old woman is reevaluated following an initial evaluation for anemia. Other than a gradually increasing sense of fatigue, she has no symptoms. Her only other medical problem is autoimmune thyroid disease. What is the most appropriate diagnostic test to perform next?

Spotlight on COVID-19

In the past month, several studies focused on the gastrointestinal manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as the virus' possible fecal-oral route of transmission.

USPSTF expands hepatitis C screening recommendation to most adults

All adults ages 18 to 79 years should now be screened at least once, but people who use injection drugs and pregnant women may require screening more often.

Middle-age adults getting less colorectal cancer screening than retirement-age adults

Specific population-based efforts to increase colorectal cancer screening are needed so that patients start at age 50 years and continue through age 75 years for the most benefit, study authors said.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass associated with better long-term diabetes outcomes than sleeve gastrectomy

While both procedures were associated with high rates of type 2 diabetes remission, the rate of remission five years after surgery was about 10% higher in patients who had gastric bypass than in those who had sleeve gastrectomy.

Warning on risks of serious adverse events with use of fecal microbiota for transplantation

Several patients who have received fecal microbiota for transplantation from a U.S.-based stool bank have developed serious or life-threatening infections caused by pathogenic bacteria.

Ranitidine recalled due to nitrosamine impurity

American Health Packaging recalled 11 lots of the histamine-2 receptor antagonist due to the potential presence of excess amounts of N-nitrosodimethylamine, a probable carcinogen.

Any of 4 screening options suggested for screen-naive adults 59 to 70 y with ≥ 3% 15-y risk for colorectal cancer

To balance shared decision making and population health in colorectal cancer screening, as called for in a recent guideline, a viable strategy could include universal, opt-out fecal immunochemical testing starting at age 50 years, a commentary in ACP Journal Club noted.

In reflux-related heartburn unresponsive to PPIs, surgery increased treatment success vs active medical treatment

An ACP Journal Club commentary noted that physicians should not change their practice based on the results of the trial, which are in contrast to the literature and expert opinion, until they are confirmed by studies assessing objective primary end points.