Deaths and disability-adjusted life-years lost due to digestive diseases decreased over the last few decades, according to analyses of the Global Burden of Disease study data. However, incidence and point prevalence remained relatively steady, and there is significant variation across sociodemographic strata in all four measures. As part of the study, a multicenter team examined data on 18 digestive diseases from over 200 countries to describe trends in age-standardized incidence, point prevalence, deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2019 (Gastroenterology 2023;165[3]:773-785). The researchers also stratified their results by quintile of the sociodemographic index (SDI), a defined measure ranging…
Author: Abhay Panchal
A new analysis from the QUASAR study reveals that patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who had previously shown intolerance or had failed to respond to advanced therapies still benefited from guselkumab treatment. The intravenous (IV) guselkumab 200 mg treatment for moderately to severely active UC resulted in significant improvements in clinical, symptomatic, and endoscopic outcomes compared to a placebo. While the most notable benefits were observed in patients without a history of intolerance to advanced therapies, the data suggests that prior intolerance to treatments like tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists or Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors shouldn’t prevent the use of…
Artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine has shown both promise and pitfalls. While there’s enthusiasm for its potential in drug discovery and diagnosing conditions, there have been instances of inaccurate predictions and unintended consequences. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is actively discussing AI’s role but faces criticism over its vetting process. President Biden has issued an executive order addressing AI’s security and privacy risks in health care. Doctors seek clarity on how AI tools are developed and tested. Concerns also arise from the lack of transparency and publicly available information on these tools. As AI’s presence in health care grows,…
Just over half of endoscopists use cold snare polypectomy to remove small polyps of less than 1 cm, even though the U.S. Multisociety Task Force recommends its use for small lesions. This was revealed in new research presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Vancouver. Cold snare polypectomy is favored for removing polyps smaller than 1 cm due to its high complete resection rate and strong safety profile. In contrast, forceps and hot snares often result in high incomplete resection rates, inadequate histopathologic specimens, and/or increased complication rates. The average endoscopist cold snare polypectomy rate…
A post hoc analysis of the ELEVATE UC trials showed a “rapid treatment effect” with early symptomatic response in patients treated with etrasimod for ulcerative colitis. The findings were presented by Marla C. Dubinsky, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting. The study revealed that more patients treated with etrasimod compared to placebo achieved clinical remission and response during the 12-week induction period for both ELEVATE UC 52 and ELEVATE UC 12. Key takeaways from the study include:
Two ASCs managed by GI management services organization United Digestive have earned spots on Newsweek’s list of the best ASCs in the nation for 2024. The United Digestive ASCs earning recognition include Fort Myers, Fla.-based Gastroenterology Associates of Southwest Florida’s Barkley Surgicenter and Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates’ Stockbridge, Ga.-based Southern Crescent Endoscopy Center, according to an Oct. 25 press release. The two centers are among 67 endoscopy ASCs named on the list.
VANCOUVER—Computer-aided detection in colonoscopy proved to be beneficial for a wide spread of colonoscopy providers, improving adenoma per colonoscopy rates among several subsets of clinicians, according to a new study presented at the 2023 annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. “Our results show that CADe helps gastroenterologists in both academic and community practices, at all times of the day, with the largest increase for physicians with more than 20 years of experience and those with ADR [adenoma detection rate] lower than 45%,” Aasma Shaukat, MD, the Robert M. and Mary H. Glickman Professor of Medicine at the NYU…
Nearly one in 100 people in the United States have a form of inflammatory bowel disease, according to a new study led by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. This number—touted by researchers as the clearest depiction to date of IBD in the United States—is one of the highest national rates in the world, according to researchers. The INPUT (INcidence, Prevalence, Treatment, and OUTcomes in Patients with IBD) study found that IBD affects more than 0.7% of Americans, translating to approximately 721 cases per 100,000 people. “The numbers from our study and those from studies around the world mean two main…
1. Updated Recommended Age for Cancer Screenings: 2. Prior Authorizations: 3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Gastroenterology:
There is a significant gap in identifying hereditary genetic cancer predispositions, which are estimated to affect 2-4% of the population. In this study, a genetic risk assessment tool (questionnaire) was developed and given to patients before their appointments. If the assessment showed positive results, the clinician was immediately informed and educated the patient about the potential hereditary genetic risk. These patients were then offered a specific genetic assessment for colorectal, pancreatic, ovarian, and breast cancer through on-site saliva collection. Those who tested positive received genetic counseling, and the results and recommendations were shared with their primary care physicians for a…