A new analysis presented at DDW 2025 shows just how much a gastroenterologist’s vs. a surgeon’s perspective can shape GERD treatment. The study compared three guideline sets: AGA (largely GI-authored evidence), ACG (almost entirely GI-driven), and a multi-society consensus (dominated by surgical literature with some GI input). The divide was striking: The result? Patients may be directed toward very different management pathways depending on whether they start with a GI or a surgeon.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is emerging as a compelling alternative to surgical bypass and enteral stenting. By deploying a lumen-apposing stent under ultrasound guidance, the technique mimics a surgical gastrojejunostomy—without the scalpel. A January 2025 Translational Gastroenterology and Hepatology review reports pooled success rates above 90%, with fewer complications than surgery and lower recurrence than stenting. Could EUS-GE soon redefine the standard of care for gastric outlet obstruction?
The COLONPREV randomized trial compared invitations to biennial FIT versus a one-time colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening across 53,000 people in Spain. After 15 years, mortality from CRC was virtually identical between groups. While colonoscopy detected more advanced precancerous polyps, FIT achieved higher participation and similar cancer outcomes. But here’s the twist: only about one-third of invitees actually got screened — far below the 80% uptake goal set by the U.S. National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. That low participation clouds the real-world meaning of the results. So, does this trial reaffirm colonoscopy as the “gold standard,” or does it bolster the…
Up to 44% of colonoscopies still suffer from poor bowel prep — leading to missed lesions, longer procedures, and higher costs. In their latest review, Marcello Maida, Alexander D. Grieme, Yizhong Wu, and colleagues spotlight advances reshaping prep: from ultra-low-volume PEG regimens and split dosing <5 hours before procedures to AI-enabled prediction tools for personalizing prep. Even simple changes, like shifting from multi-day restrictions to a 1-day low-fiber diet, are boosting patient compliance. But risk factors like age, comorbidities, and socioeconomic barriers persist, leaving the field searching for sharper, more adaptive strategies.
A new Kaufman Hall report finds physicians are logging record productivity (12% YoY increase in work RVUs) while support staff has dropped 13%. Despite more work, reimbursement per unit has fallen 7% and expenses keep climbing. Experts warn burnout will rise unless systemic changes — or tech adoption like AI documentation tools — fill the gap. And with over $1 trillion in federal healthcare cuts from the new “Big Beautiful Bill,” the pressure is only expected to grow.
A new vaccine, ELI-002 from Elicio Therapeutics, is generating excitement in early trials for KRAS-driven pancreatic and colorectal cancers. In the phase 1 AMPLIFY-201 study, more than 80% of patients developed strong T-cell responses — a signal linked to longer relapse-free and overall survival. Lead investigator Zev Wainberg, MD (UCLA) reported tumor biomarker clearance in some patients, with no severe side effects. Experts like Magnus Dillon, PhD and Richard Sullivan, PhD welcomed the findings but urged caution — calling the data promising yet far from proven efficacy. Larger trials will decide whether this vaccine can truly change outcomes for patients…
From 2009 to 2023, use of continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps surged among people with type 1 diabetes — and with it, better glycemic control. Michael Fang, PhD, and colleagues report in JAMA Network Open that technology adoption jumped dramatically, particularly among youth, but disparities persist. Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and Medicaid patients remain least likely to benefit, raising equity concerns.
In BMC Gastroenterology, Dr. Adam Burton and Dr. Bryce Perler review the fast-growing role of mobile health technologies in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). From apps like HealthPROMISE and UCLA eIBD to commercial platforms like Oshi Health and Ayble, these tools are reshaping how patients track symptoms, manage diets, access mental health support, and connect with providers. Wearables also show promise: metrics like heart rate variability and step counts may predict flares before symptoms arise. But challenges remain — from cost barriers and digital literacy to the lack of large-scale trials proving long-term outcomes. Are we on the cusp of seeing…
A new Gastroenterology study led by Dr. Eric Shah (University of Michigan) shows most patients are still paying out-of-pocket for colonoscopy prep — despite ACA rules that should make it free. As Dr. Shah put it: “Bowel prep is a major reason patients defer screening.”
A breakthrough in endoscopy could change how we spot esophageal cancer. Researchers at Helmholtz Munich, the Technical University of Munich, and the Medical University of Vienna have developed O2E, a dual-imaging capsule that combines optical coherence tomography with optoacoustic imaging. Prof. Vasilis Ntziachristos says the system can reveal microscopic structural and vascular changes that older techniques missed, while Dr. Qian Li points to the potential for future integration of confocal endo-microscopy for even greater precision. Could this innovation slash the need for biopsies, cut treatment costs, and transform outcomes for a cancer often diagnosed too late?