A new study presented at the 2024 United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week reveals that computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) systems perform differently depending on the region of the colon, with lower accuracy in identifying polyps in the proximal colon compared to the distal colon. Led by Dr. Tommy Rizkala of the IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, the study analyzed 7,782 polyps ≤5 mm and highlighted that CADx systems show significantly lower specificity in the proximal colon, despite comparable sensitivity across regions. This finding raises concerns about using CADx tools beyond the rectosigmoid colon, suggesting the need for more advanced systems trained…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Oshi Health, a leading virtual gastrointestinal (GI) center of excellence, has secured $60 million in Series C funding, led by Oak HC/FT, to meet the rising demand for digestive health solutions. With 40 million people now able to access Oshi’s in-network services, the company aims to address a growing healthcare challenge—digestive issues account for 25% of all Americans’ medical conditions and rank as the top cause of avoidable ER visits.
Gastroenterologist compensation has seen steady growth in recent years, while burnout has slightly decreased. Here are 10 key insights into the GI workforce in 2024:
In 2024, over 18,700 gastroenterologists were practicing in the U.S., treating conditions involving the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and other GI organs. Most procedures are performed in outpatient settings, offering significant sales opportunities for medical devices and supplies.Below is a list of 20 hospitals ranked by outpatient gastroenterology procedure volumes, as provided by Definitive Healthcare.
Mainz Biomed N.V., a company specializing in early cancer detection, has reported growing demand for its enhanced ColoAlert colorectal cancer (CRC) screening product, launched in July 2024. This advanced DNA biomarker-based test is being adopted by laboratory partners across Europe and select international markets. One of the first adopters is GANZIMMUN Diagnostics, a leading German laboratory, which will fully implement the enhanced ColoAlert by early 2025. The updated product features improved sample processing and usability, reducing retesting rates and offering quicker results, typically within 2–3 days.
Denmark’s Zealand Pharma and German partner Boehringer Ingelheim have received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their experimental weight-loss drug, survodutide, aimed at treating non-cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a type of fatty liver disease. This designation allows for a speedier review process, indicating the drug’s potential to address a significant unmet medical need.
New research offers hope for improving the lives of those living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, conditions that affect as many as three million Americans. Matt Baker, who has lived with ulcerative colitis since college, describes the often crippling pain associated with the disease. While medications helped initially, Baker eventually enrolled in a clinical trial at University Gastroenterology to test Ozanimod, a once-daily pill that reduces intestinal inflammation. Since starting the trial, Baker has experienced significant improvements in his quality of life, with fewer and milder flare-ups.
In a recent video, Dr. Craig Munroe highlighted how updated quality indicators for colonoscopy, set by the ACG and ASGE, could enhance patient outcomes by raising procedural standards. Key updates include benchmarks for adenoma detection rate (ADR), sessile serrated detection rate, appropriate use of screening intervals, bowel prep adequacy, and cecal intubation rate. Munroe emphasized that the new 35% ADR threshold can help prevent colon cancer by ensuring more thorough examinations. Additionally, advancements in medical technology, he noted, play a crucial role in improving colorectal cancer detection, treatment, and follow-up.
After the FDA approved a new blood test called Shield for detecting colon cancer, health providers in Oregon are cautioning that this test should not replace a colonoscopy. While Shield can detect late-stage colon cancer, specialists warn that by that stage, the disease may require more aggressive treatments like chemotherapy or surgery, and the chances of curing it are reduced. In contrast, a colonoscopy can identify and remove pre-cancerous polyps during the procedure, offering a more effective means of preventing colon cancer.
At Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024, a study addressing the colonoscopy backlog and highlighting the need for increased colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings was presented. With 40% of the eligible U.S. population not up to date with their screenings, the research focused on how stool-based CRC screening options could help bridge this gap. To explore the study’s findings and their practical applications, Dr. Jennifer Caudle will speak with Dr. Mark Fendrick, a Professor at the University of Michigan, covering how these options can be incorporated into clinical practice to improve screening rates.