In the News


Colonoscopy common, riskier in those with life expectancy of less than 10 years

A study of patients undergoing screening colonoscopy after age 75 years found that relatively few cancers were found and treated and that the risk of adverse events requiring hospitalization was high and rose with age.

Guidance offered on management of extraesophageal GERD

The clinical practice update from the American Gastroenterological Association was based on a review of the evidence and expert opinion regarding extraesophageal symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Risk for CRC with young-onset adenomas may vary by stage

A cohort study in U.S. veterans younger than age 50 years found that those with advanced adenomas had an eightfold increased risk for incident colorectal cancer (CRC) versus those with normal results, whereas cumulative CRC incidence and mortality at 10 years were relatively low overall.

MKSAP Quiz: Hospitalization for gallstone pancreatitis

This month's quiz asks readers to determine the most appropriate management for a 40-year-old woman who was hospitalized 3 days ago with gallstone pancreatitis.

Spotlight on H. pylori and gastric cancer risk

Recent studies in Japan found that eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection may be particularly important for gastric cancer prevention in certain patients and that lack of follow-up after eradication is a risk factor for undifferentiated gastric cancer.

In older patients receiving aspirin, H pylori eradication reduced hospitalization or death due to peptic ulcer bleeding at 2.5 y

Several limitations of the trial may affect the extent to which the results will change current practice of Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients receiving aspirin, especially older patients, an ACP Journal Club commentary noted.

Another warning for endoscope manufacturer after facility inspection in Japan

The warning letter to Olympus Medical Systems Corporation followed previous warning letters issued to the firm and one of its subsidiaries and described numerous violations, including failure to evaluate and report user reports of adverse events.

Case reports, series published on gastroenterology, hepatology topics

Recent cases include massive empyema with Edwardsiella tarda in a patient with cirrhosis, paraneoplastic myositis in a patient with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and two patients with refractory iron deficiency anemia secondary to angiodysplasia-related GI bleeding.