In the News
GI bleeding risks with warfarin and DOACs compared
Warfarin was associated with a similar risk of lower GI bleeding as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) but more than twice the rate of upper GI bleeding, which led study authors to suggest that DOACs may be preferable to warfarin in patients at high risk of upper GI bleeds.
Heart failure risk increased in patients with NAFLD, meta-analysis finds
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was associated with a 50% increased risk of new-onset heart failure, independent of age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, and other common cardiovascular risk factors, according to an international meta-analysis.
HCV treatment effective, but underutilized, studies show
One study found that re-infection rates are low after successful hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in people who inject drugs, while another found that use of direct-acting antivirals in patients diagnosed with HCV is low, regardless of insurance status.
MKSAP Quiz: Follow-up for bleeding duodenal ulcer
This month's issue asks readers to determine the most effective ulcer prevention strategy for a 70-year-old man evaluated for follow-up 8 weeks after hospitalization for a bleeding duodenal ulcer.
Spotlight on hospital care for cirrhosis
In recent studies of patients with cirrhosis, an admission order set was associated with better care quality, data supported culture-based deescalation of antibiotics during hospitalization, and nonvariceal upper GI bleeding was associated with higher readmission rates.
Monkeypox-associated proctitis treated with oral tecovirimat
A research letter details two cases in the District of Columbia.
6-food elimination diet may work for more than half of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis
Removing milk, wheat, soy, eggs, tree nuts/peanuts, and fish/shellfish from one's diet and then gradually reintroducing these food categories identified a single food trigger for 69% of participating patients with eosinophilic esophagitis, a retrospective study found.
Procalcitonin algorithm reduced antibiotic use in patients with acute pancreatitis
A randomized trial assigned some patients to a treatment strategy of starting, stopping, or continuing antibiotics based on whether their procalcitonin test value was more or less than 1.0 ng/mL.
In IBS, a smartphone application for self-managing a FODMAP-lowering diet vs. otilonium bromide reduced symptoms at 8 wk
Delivery of a fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP)-lowering dietary intervention via an app may help educate patients about diet and augment the clinician-patient relationship, an ACP Journal Club commentary noted.
In drug-refractory IBS, group CBT with interoceptive exposure improved symptoms and quality of life at 13 wk
Given the results of this small, randomized trial, a head-to-head comparison of multidisciplinary care versus group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered over the internet for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is now warranted, an ACP Journal Club commentary noted.
Case reports published on gastroenterology, hepatology topics
Reports on biliary obstruction secondary to pancreatic cancer, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome precipitated by recurrent pancreatitis, emphysematous cholecystitis, and colon perforation in the setting of sevelamer crystals were published in the past month.
Marketing authorized for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty systems
The systems are the first to be authorized by the FDA for the minimally invasive weight-loss procedure, which is intended for adults with obesity who have not been able to lose weight or maintain weight loss through measures such as diet and exercise.