The gut-skin axis (GSA) is emerging as a key player in linking gastrointestinal health to dermatological diseases through immune, metabolic, and microbial pathways. This narrative review highlights how dysbiosis, leaky gut, and systemic inflammation can manifest as skin disorders like acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa — often serving as early warning signs of underlying GI disease. For gastroenterologists, the GSA offers both a diagnostic lens and a therapeutic opportunity. Microbiome-targeted interventions — probiotics, prebiotics, dietary strategies, and even fecal microbiota transplantation — show promise in reshaping systemic inflammation and improving outcomes in both gut and skin conditions.
Author: Abhay Panchal
This Medscape Gastroenterology commentary by Grace E. Kim, MD highlights why mentorship should be a priority for new GI fellows, even amid the pressures of scoping skills and consults. The right mentor, she argues, can shape not only fellowship success but also long-term career trajectories — especially for those aiming for subspecialties like IBD or interventional GI. Dr. Kim offers practical guidance: identify your true passions rather than chasing reputations, research mentors’ recent work and real-world commitments, and remain patient if the right fit isn’t immediate. Program directors can often help, and fellows should consider building a “team” of mentors…
A first-of-its-kind real-world study reports that an AI-enhanced digital collaborative care model (Ayble Health) delivered big, durable gains for people with IBS—without requiring a brick-and-mortar “IBS clinic.” In a prospective single-arm cohort of 202 adults with active symptoms, participants chose among three pathways—personalized elimination diet, brain–gut behavioral therapy (GDH/CBT/ACT), and a care team with coach support—while AI mined multimodal data to flag patterns and suggest next steps. Average symptom burden (IBS-SSS) fell by 140 points, and 86% achieved a clinically meaningful ≥50-point drop, with improvements emerging by week 4 and persisting out to 42 weeks; benefits were seen across IBS…
A new study in JAMA Health Forum raises pressing questions about the rise of private equity (PE) in gastroenterology. Analyzing more than 1.1 million patients, researchers found that PE-backed GI practices drove up colonoscopy prices and physician spending—but without improving quality measures such as polyp detection or complication rates. With 13% of U.S. gastroenterologists now working in PE-owned groups, the specialty leads medicine in private equity penetration. Proponents argue acquisitions boost efficiency and expand access, while critics warn of physician autonomy loss and profit-driven overutilization. As consolidation accelerates, this study spotlights a central tension: are patients and payors really getting…
Guardant Health and Quest Diagnostics have struck a multi-year deal to make Shield™, the first FDA-approved blood test for colorectal cancer screening, widely available across Quest’s massive network. Starting in early 2026, physicians will be able to order Shield directly through Quest’s EHR system, with patients accessing it at 2,000 service centers and 6,000 in-office phlebotomy sites. By replacing invasive prep with a simple blood draw, the partnership could unlock screening for the 50+ million U.S. adults who currently skip recommended testing — a potential game-changer for early CRC detection and outcomes.
Type 1 diabetes treatment is undergoing its most dramatic transformation in a century. For the first time, disease-modifying therapies like teplizumab are delaying clinical onset by targeting the autoimmune process itself, while stem-cell–derived β-cell replacement therapies are showing proof-of-concept for restoring natural insulin production. At the same time, next-generation insulins—ultrarapid, once-weekly, and even glucose-responsive—are converging with automated insulin delivery systems to bring care closer to physiological glucose control than ever before.
GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Trulicity, now staples in diabetes and obesity care, are presenting new challenges in colonoscopy and endoscopy prep. By slowing gastric emptying and bowel motility, these drugs can leave patients with retained contents and incomplete bowel clearance, raising concerns about inadequate visualization and anesthesia risks. CU Anschutz experts advise personalized strategies—from holding daily or weekly doses, to extending prep regimens or shifting to clear liquids—to balance safety with procedure quality. For GI leaders, the message is clear: as GLP-1 use accelerates, endoscopy teams must rethink prep protocols and collaborate closely with anesthesia to avoid missed…
A new single-operator study in Cureus throws a curveball at the AI-in-endoscopy hype: when a high-volume, expert endoscopist turned on real-time polyp-detection (GI Genius™), adenoma and polyp detection rates didn’t budge (ADR 35% pre-AI vs 31% with AI; NS). Yet the AI era shaved over a full minute off average withdrawal time (9.34 vs 10.44 minutes), hinting at a quiet efficiency dividend without sacrificing core quality metrics. Translation: for seasoned colonoscopists already performing at a high ADR, AI looks less like a magic booster and more like a workflow accelerator. The intriguing play may be targeted deployment—use AI to lift…
US Digestive Health (USDH) is leveraging AI-driven colonoscopy to boost early colorectal cancer (CRC) detection, aligning with the USPSTF’s lowered screening age to 45. Its Platinum Standard® AI platform reportedly improves polyp detection rates by 60–70%, giving the group a competitive edge in a $100B+ CRC screening market. USDH recently expanded with 19 Advanced Practice Providers, scaling its AI-first model across more patients and locations. With reimbursement incentives tied to early detection and rising payer interest in value-based care, USDH’s early adoption offers a strong first-mover advantage. Competitors face high entry barriers given the cost of AI development and regulatory…
Roche is making a big bet on fatty liver disease, announcing a $2.4B acquisition of 89bio to secure rights to its late-stage drug pegozafermin, a long-acting FGF21 analog in two Phase 3 studies for MASH. The deal, which could rise to $3.5B with milestone payments, positions Roche as a leading player in one of the fastest-growing therapeutic areas linked to obesity. Pegozafermin’s dual anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory mechanism could set a new standard for treating moderate to severe MASH, potentially generating $4.7B in annual global sales by 2035.