In the News

Gastro experts offer best practice advice on iron to treat anemia

The American Gastroenterological Association issued a clinical practice update on management of iron-deficiency anemia, including when to use oral versus IV iron and how to handle anemia related to GI conditions.

Despite guidelines, some patients opt for second fecal blood test following positive result

Although the proportion of patients who repeat tests after receiving a positive result for colorectal cancer is low, at 7.4%, among those that do repeat tests, less than half go on to receive a colonoscopy, according to a study carried out across four large health systems.

Adding baclofen may improve GERD symptoms, but long-term use may increase side effects

Add-on therapy with baclofen reduced reflux symptoms among patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) but prolonged use led to an increased incidence of side effects and failed to effectively reduce acid reflux occurrence, a review found.

MKSAP Quiz: Follow-up of cirrhosis due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

A 60-year-old woman is evaluated for follow-up of cirrhosis due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Her cirrhosis has been complicated by ascites that has persisted despite escalating diuretic treatment. Following a physical exam and other tests, what is the most appropriate initial management?

Spotlight on H. pylori

One trial looked at the treatment of Helicobacter pylori in patients with penicillin allergy, while another compared therapy tailored based on H. pylori susceptibility to empiric therapy. A third study assessed whether H. pylori treatment reduced gastric cancer rates in high-risk patients.

Decompression procedures showed small effect on chronic pancreatitis pain

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography reduced pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis more than a sham procedure at 12 weeks but not at 24 weeks.

Real-world data quantifies injuries from potentially hepatotoxic medications

Incidence rates of severe acute liver injury ranged from 0 events per 10,000 person-years with candesartan and minocycline to 86.4 events per 10,000 person-years with stavudine among patients without preexisting liver or biliary disease, according to Veterans Affairs data.

PPIs associated with decreased bone health in some patients with rheumatic disease

Among patients with rheumatic disease taking glucocorticoids at a dose of more than 7.5 mg of prednisone equivalent per day, concurrent proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use was linked to lower bone mineral density at the spine and femoral neck, a cross-sectional study found.

A plan for paracentesis

A new clinic successfully reduced demand for paracentesis in the ED among patients with ascites.

Case reports cover gastroenterology and hepatology

Five case reports related to gastroenterology and hepatology, including diagnoses such as spur-cell anemia and epiploic appendagitis, were published in May and June.

In NASH with liver fibrosis, resmetirom improved NASH resolution and reduced fibrosis at 1 y

This was an interim analysis of an industry trial, and final results are needed to determine whether patients with nonalcoholic (or metabolic dysfunction-associated) steatohepatitis (NASH) show clinically meaningful benefits, an ACP Journal Club commentary said.

New medication approved for primary biliary cholangitis

The FDA recently approved elafibranor oral tablets (Iqirvo) for primary biliary cholangitis.