In the News
Guidance issued for comanagement of COVID-19 GI, liver manifestations
Two meta-analyses, one of them from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), found that GI symptoms and liver abnormalities are not uncommon in patients with COVID-19. The AGA issued a series of best practice statements based on its findings.
Novel therapy may be effective treatment for H. pylori infection, industry-funded trial finds
About 84% of participants randomly assigned to receive rifabutin in addition to amoxicillin and omeprazole achieved Helicobacter pylori eradication, compared to 58% of those who received amoxicillin and omeprazole alone.
Risk and severity of NAFLD differ in men and women
Women have a significantly lower risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) but a higher risk of developing advanced fibrosis from NAFLD, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.
MKSAP Quiz: Follow-up after colon cancer
A 37-year-old man is evaluated during a follow-up appointment after resection of a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon. His family history is significant for endometrial cancer in his mother and colon cancer in his maternal grandfather. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
Spotlight on HBV infection
In the past month, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published a draft recommendation statement on screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and two systematic reviews and meta-analyses looked at treatments and a novel immunoassay to quantify HBV DNA.
Guidelines update management of eosinophilic esophagitis
Recommendations from the American Gastroenterological Association and the Joint Task Force for Allergy-Immunology Practice Parameters cover use of proton-pump inhibitors, steroids, diets, and endoscopic dilation.
Acupuncture may offer some relief for postprandial distress syndrome, study finds
Patients were significantly more likely to report that their postprandial distress syndrome “extremely improved” or “improved” if they received acupuncture for 12 weeks rather than a sham treatment, a Chinese study found.
Postapproval studies find risks of gastric balloon devices used for weight loss
A small number of patients experienced balloon hyperinflation and acute pancreatitis with the Orbera and ReShape liquid-filled intragastric balloons.
First drug approved for fourth-line treatment of advanced GI stromal tumors
A new kinase inhibitor, ripretinib, is now indicated to treat adults with advanced GI stromal tumors who have previously received three or more kinase inhibitor therapies, including imatinib.
In irritable bowel syndrome, fecal microbiota transplantation improved symptoms at 3 months
While fecal microbiota transplantation was effective in patients with moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome in a randomized trial, long-term risks of the therapy remain uncertain, an ACP Journal Club commentary noted.