Researchers have developed a new risk prediction model for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that goes beyond symptom checklists—focusing instead on lifestyle factors like poor sleep, BMI, tobacco and alcohol use, and low dietary fiber. Using a 45-item questionnaire tested across two patient cohorts, the scoring system (GRSS) demonstrated high accuracy and reliability in identifying individuals at risk for GERD. With strong predictive power (C-index >0.88) and over 95% specificity, the tool could mark a shift toward proactive prevention. Could this model redefine how we detect and manage GERD?
Author: Abhay Panchal
In this compelling episode of The Scope Forward Show, Praveen Suthrum interviews Jeff Glueck, a tech entrepreneur best known for leading Foursquare and Travelocity, who has now turned his focus to healthcare. Jeff shares his deeply personal story that inspired the founding of Salvo Health — a virtual platform redefining chronic GI care by integrating traditional medicine with lifestyle and environmental health practices. Jeff discusses the fragmentation in GI follow-on care, the unrealistic expectations placed on patients post-diagnosis, and how Salvo aims to close these gaps. The conversation also dives into the role of private equity, the pressures on community GIs, and why collaboration…
Personalis, Inc. has extended its exclusive commercialization agreement with Tempus AI to include colorectal cancer (CRC), building on its existing focus in breast, lung, and immunotherapy monitoring. The deal centers on NeXT Personal, an ultra-sensitive, tumor-informed minimal residual disease (MRD) test designed to detect cancer recurrence earlier and more accurately. Backed by interim data from the VICTORI study presented at AACR 2025, the collaboration now runs through 2029 with exclusivity across all four indications until 2028. With Tempus’ reach to over 50% of U.S. oncologists, the expanded alliance aims to accelerate adoption of MRD testing in colorectal cancer — affecting…
National healthcare expenditures in the U.S. hit $5.2 trillion in 2024, growing faster than the economy, with physician and clinical services—closely linked to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs)—crossing $1 trillion for the first time. This trend is expected to continue, driven by an aging Medicare population and rising outpatient demand. Medicare spending is projected to grow faster than Medicaid and commercial payers, presenting both opportunity and complexity for ASCs, especially amid growing Medicare Advantage enrollment. Meanwhile, hospital care remains the top expenditure category, but CMS is pushing for more procedures to shift to lower-cost outpatient settings—further favoring ASCs.
Drs. Lisa Mathew (Colorado) and Violeta Popov (New York) are urging state lawmakers to mandate Medicaid coverage for obesity treatments, especially given the rising rates of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) among Hispanic populations. In their local op-eds, both physicians emphasize that obesity is a root cause of MASLD and that prevention hinges on access to comprehensive care — from medication to lifestyle interventions.
By year’s end, the FDA may approve the first oral GLP-1 pill — a 25 mg daily dose of semaglutide (Wegovy) — for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight and comorbidities. Based on the phase 3 OASIS 4 trial, the pill led to an average 13.6% weight loss over 64 weeks with a favorable safety profile, showing promise comparable to injectable GLP-1s. Physicians are cautiously optimistic. While some predict high demand — especially among patients averse to needles or weekly injections — others note uncertainties around insurance coverage, adherence, and misuse risks. There’s also buzz around newer…
Patient recruitment has long been a bottleneck in clinical trials, especially in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where competition for eligible participants is fierce. In a game-changing collaboration, Thermo Fisher’s PPD clinical research business and Virgo are leveraging real-time endoscopy video data and AI-powered tools to identify trial candidates during routine diagnostic procedures. Virgo’s platform, already deployed in 150+ sites, captures and analyzes endoscopic video to match patients to appropriate IBD trials at the moment of diagnosis — eliminating the need for repeat procedures and drastically shortening recruitment timelines. With over 1.7 million procedures recorded and proprietary AI like AutoIBD, Virgo…
Host: Dr. Ruchir PaladiyaGuest: Dr. Neil Khoury, outgoing PGY-6 GI Fellow at UConn, incoming attending at USF Tampa GeneralIn this kickoff to the Gastroenterology sub-specialty mini-series, Dr. Neil Khoury offers practical, high-yield advice for interns joining the inpatient GI team. He covers everything from setting expectations and optimizing consults to managing team dynamics—tailored for both medical students and residents beginning their GI rotations.
The first half of 2025 has brought major developments in gastroenterology, spanning new drug approvals, trial data, and clinical guidance. Two major FDA approvals expanded the use of IL-23-targeted therapies in Crohn’s disease: mirikizumab (Omvoh) and guselkumab (Tremfya), both showing strong clinical efficacy across trials.
At the 2025 ASCO GI Spotlight, Dr. Anita Turk, a medical oncologist at IU Health, highlighted promising developments in colorectal cancer treatment, particularly in the adjuvant immunotherapy space. She emphasized the significance of the ATOMIC trial (NCT02912559) in demonstrating the curative potential of immunotherapy and discussed the ongoing BREAKWATER trial (NCT04607421), which explores the addition of encorafenib and cetuximab to chemotherapy for BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer. Dr. Turk also expressed optimism about emerging immunotherapy combinations showing early activity in metastatic colorectal cancer, including in patients with traditionally resistant MMR-proficient or microsatellite-stable tumors. These developments reflect a shift toward more effective, personalized…