Pediatric colorectal and pelvic floor disorders often remain undiscussed due to the embarrassment they cause. Many U.S. medical centers aren’t equipped to treat these conditions. The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Colorectal and Pelvic Anomalies Program is an exception, treating around 200 patients annually for various complex disorders. Established in 2017, the program offers comprehensive care, including repairing anorectal malformations. Dr. Gayer, a co-director, believes they’re only addressing a fraction of the community’s needs and aims to raise awareness. Transitioning from pediatric to adult care presents challenges, especially with insurance. Effective treatment requires dedicated and passionate providers.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Dr. Russ Arjal, co-founder and chief medical officer of Telebelly Health, joins The Scope Forward show to discuss the future of gastroenterology and the role of technology in reshaping the field. With a focus on patient-centric care and the integration of AI, Dr. Arjal provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing GI practitioners today. Watch this super insightful interview.
The article emphasizes the significance of a multidisciplinary approach in treating gastroenterology patients, particularly those with inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. While medications are essential, the role of diet and behavioral therapy as supplementary treatments is gaining recognition. An integrative approach can enhance patient care, potentially reducing health care utilization and costs. However, challenges like access to dietitians and psychologists or reimbursement for their services persist. Collaborative efforts, such as regular conferences to discuss complex cases with specialists, can be invaluable. Some centers, like the Mayo Clinic, have even integrated dietitians and psychologists into their daily practices to…
An updated meta-analysis of 82 randomized controlled trials, involving 10,332 adult patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), suggests that certain probiotics may improve IBS symptoms. The study found moderate certainty evidence for the benefit of Escherichia strains, low certainty evidence for some Lactobacillus strains, and very low certainty for combination probiotics, LacClean Gold S, Duolac 7s, and Bacillus strains in addressing global IBS symptoms. However, the researchers emphasized the need for a stronger evidence base before gastroenterologists can confidently recommend probiotics for IBS patients.
Dr. Sara Horst of Vanderbilt University Medical Center discussed the significant benefits of recent digital health developments for both patients and providers. She expressed enthusiasm for the growth of telehealth and the rise of behavioral health digital therapeutics, including applications for gut hypnotherapy and symptom monitoring. However, Dr. Horst emphasized the need for careful implementation, ensuring that these tools are used strategically and don’t overwhelm clinicians with excessive data.
During the first week of August, the American College of Physicians updated its guidance for colorectal screenings in asymptomatic, average-risk individuals, raising the recommended screening age from 45 to 50, a decision met with disagreement by some experts. Research from the American Cancer Society indicates that adults between 40 to 54 years old are experiencing the steepest increase in colorectal cancer rates, while rates have decreased in adults over 50 in the past two decades, largely due to increased screenings.
In response to concerns about the safety of sedation for patients taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, major GI societies, including AGA, AASLD, ACG, ASGE, and NASPGHAN, have urged gastroenterologists to adhere to “best practices” during endoscopy procedures. While these medications have been associated with adverse GI events, the societies emphasized that there is “little or no data” regarding the risk of complications from aspiration during sedation, and the effects of discontinuing these drugs before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy remain uncertain.
Dallas ranks as the top-paying city for mid-career gastroenterologists with 8-14 years of experience, offering an average salary of $425,017, which is 5% higher than the national average. Other leading cities in terms of high salaries for such professionals include Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, and Detroit.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Rectal-Anal Task Force has released consensus recommendations for the design of future clinical trials involving rectal cancer patients. These guidelines emphasize the importance of including patient-centric endpoints, determining the best use of radiation and neoadjuvant therapy, and focusing on specific rectal cancer subpopulations and unique trial design features.
Austin Chiang, MD, MPH, highlighted the dangers of the “No Poop July” trend on TikTok, emphasizing that participating in such a fake health challenge can have real harmful effects. The trend, initiated by TikTok influencer Evan Cronin (@okcron), involves pretending not to have a bowel movement for the entire month of July, and while many see it as a joke, Chiang stresses the importance of understanding the potential health risks of withholding bowel movements.