Ayble Health, a digital health platform for patients with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, has announced a partnership with Commure Engage, an AI-powered care coordination platform. This collaboration aims to improve patient experiences and outcomes in GI care while reducing hospital admissions. Key aspects of this partnership include: Addressing the GI Specialist Shortage: The growing GI patient population faces challenges due to a critical shortage of GI specialists, dietitians, and psychologists. Ayble acts as a “specialty care referral in a box” for providers, offering an alternative solution to this shortage. Integration with Commure Engage: Ayble will be integrated within the Commure…
Author: Abhay Panchal
A study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that liver cancer screening rates among patients with cirrhosis nearly doubled when they were mailed a signed order from their specialist. This study, published in Hepatology Communications, did not find any significant difference in screening completion rates when a $20 incentive was added to the mailed orders. Key points from the study include: Increased Screening Rates: When patients with cirrhosis were mailed an order to get an abdominal ultrasound, about 55% completed their screening within six months of receiving the letter. This rate was significantly higher…
Patients with cirrhosis are especially susceptible to liver cancer, but mailing screening orders directly to patients helped nudge them toward getting ultrasounds.
The Becker’s ASC Review article highlights the top five gastroenterology stories of 2023, capturing significant events and developments in the field. These stories include: These stories reflect the diverse range of topics and issues that have shaped the field of gastroenterology in 2023, from personal tragedies and policy changes to recognitions of excellence in medical care and research.
The Fierce Healthcare article discusses the outlook for 2024 regarding the use of GLP-1 medications, particularly in the context of weight loss and the sustainability of results after discontinuing the drug. Key points from the article include: Popularity of GLP-1 Medications: GLP-1 medications, such as Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), were a major topic in healthcare in 2023. These drugs have shown significant results in weight loss, with a study in JAMA Network indicating an average 20% mean body weight loss in overweight or obese adults using tirzepatide. Weight Regain Concerns: A major concern highlighted is the weight regain…
The Healio article discusses significant developments in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer screening that occurred in 2023, highlighting whether these updates have been effectively communicated to patients. Key points include: These updates reflect significant advancements in GI cancer screening and treatment, emphasizing the importance of patient awareness and education in these areas.
The article from New Atlas discusses a significant advancement in the field of gastroenterology, where researchers have found that AI-assisted colonoscopies can greatly improve the detection of polyps by inexperienced doctors. This development is particularly important in reducing the chances of missing polyps, which are potential precursors to colorectal cancer. The use of AI in medical diagnostics has been expanding, with applications in mammography, ultrasound, and MRI. The introduction of AI in colonoscopy represents a significant step forward. Colonoscopy is a crucial diagnostic tool for reducing colorectal cancer-related deaths by detecting and removing premalignant polyps, known as adenomas. However, the…
Dr. David Johnson discusses the importance and current practices of genetic testing in colorectal cancer (CRC). Dr. Johnson highlights the evolution of genetic testing for CRC, beginning with the discovery of the APC gene in 1991, which is linked to familial adenomatous polyposis, and the identification of mismatch repair gene abnormalities (MLH1, MSH2, PMS2) related to Lynch syndrome in 1993. Dr. Johnson emphasizes that around 1 million people in the United States have Lynch syndrome, an autosomal dominant disease, but most are unaware of it. He estimates that gastroenterologists may encounter one to two hereditary colon cancer patients per month,…
The gastroenterology field was full of new developments in 2023. Here we present a collection of interviews from the year, with topics including the microbiome, colorectal cancer screening, endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease, anorectal disease and hepatology. This video features conversations with:
The Healio article reports on a series of significant FDA approvals in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology towards the end of 2023, particularly focusing on treatments for ulcerative colitis (UC). The FDA approved four new therapies for UC, which are expected to compete in an already crowded market. These include Eli Lilly’s IL-23p19 inhibitor Omvoh (mirikizumab), Pfizer’s Velsipity (etrasimod), Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ Entyvio (vedolizumab), and Celltrion USA’s Zymfentra (infliximab-dyyb). The article highlights the potential market impact of these new treatments, which will be competing with established drugs like Stelara, Humira, and Xeljanz. Additionally, the FDA approved treatments for erosive esophagitis…