New biomechanical evidence suggests that increased stiffness of the colon—driven by chronic inflammation and tissue scarring—may play a central role in the development and progression of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), offering a potential explanation for the alarming rise in cases among patients under 50. The study, co-led by UT Southwestern Medical Center and UT Dallas researchers and published in Advanced Science, is the first to systematically link biomechanical forces in the colon to EOCRC pathogenesis. While incidence and mortality from average-onset colorectal cancer have steadily declined over the past three decades, EOCRC has risen sharply and now accounts for approximately…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Frustration with inefficient, inconsistent gastroenterology sign-off processes prompted clinicians at Northwestern Medicine to redesign how GI consult recommendations are communicated at discharge—resulting in measurable gains in provider satisfaction and workflow efficiency.By replacing ad hoc paging and variable consult notes with a standardized GI sign-off form, the team aimed to reduce ambiguity, minimize back-and-forth communication, and improve continuity of care as patients and providers transition. To determine what information mattered most, the GI team partnered closely with primary care colleagues, ensuring the final template emphasized clarity, actionability, and relevance. The resulting formal sign-off form consolidated key clinical details, recommendations, follow-up needs,…
Earlier and more widespread adoption of advanced therapies—including biologics and small molecules—has not meaningfully altered long-term outcomes in Crohn’s disease at a population level, according to 10-year data from the pan-European Epi-IBD cohort.Despite marked regional differences in treatment intensity and timing, patients in Western and Eastern Europe experienced nearly identical rates of surgery, disease progression, and hospitalization over a decade of follow-up.Published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the analysis draws on one of the most rigorous contemporary IBD datasets available. The Epi-IBD cohort prospectively followed unselected, newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease patients across 22 centers in Europe, using standardized data collection…
Earlier this year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services introduced the “Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction” model, a series of prior authorization requirements designed to ensure timely and appropriate Medicare payment for select items and services in six states (New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Washington) that take effect Jan. 1. As part of the “WISeR” requirements, CMS selected tech vendors to implement enhanced technological models to scrutinize prior authorizations involving Medicare recipients. The program set out to save money by targeting “a specific subset of items and services that may have little to no clinical benefit for…
Medtronic’s diabetes business, MiniMed, has formally filed for an IPO, marking a major restructuring move that will create a standalone competitor in the increasingly crowded diabetes technology market—but not without near-term financial and operational headwinds.The filing reveals that MiniMed generated $2.72 billion in revenue in fiscal 2025, while posting a $198 million loss, underscoring the challenge of balancing scale, innovation, and profitability in diabetes devices.
An AI-enabled digital collaborative care model significantly improved symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), demonstrating how clinician-guided AI can scale guideline-recommended, multidisciplinary care without overwhelming specialty practices. In a study published in Neurogastroenterology & Motility, researchers evaluated Ayble Health, a digital collaborative care model (DCCM) that integrates personalized nutrition, brain-gut behavioral therapy (BGBT), and access to a multidisciplinary care team for patients with IBS. The analysis included 202 patients (median age 41.5 years, 78% women), nearly all of whom engaged with the nutrition pathway, while three-quarters utilized behavioral therapy and clinician support. Most patients selected multiple pathways, with…
The American Gastroenterological Association’s 2025 clinical guidance reflects a clear shift toward risk-based, personalized, and technology-enabled GI care—aimed at helping clinicians deliver higher-quality outcomes while navigating growing complexity in practice. In its year-in-review update, AGA highlights a broad set of evidence-driven guidelines and clinical practice updates designed to translate rapidly evolving research into practical decision-making at the bedside. Among the top clinical practice updates, AGA addressed everyday yet high-impact challenges, including optimized screening and vaccination strategies for patients with IBD, guidance on portal vein thrombosis, and updated approaches to gastric cancer prevention. New recommendations also tackle less common but often…
A large international microbiome study has identified a distinct and consistent bacterial shift at the very onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), strengthening the case for microbiome-based early diagnosis and prevention strategies. Published in Gastroenterology, the study is the first to pool and harmonize raw microbiome data across multiple cohorts, analyzing more than 1,700 treatment-naïve children and adults from 11 countries at the time of initial IBD diagnosis. The analysis shows that newly diagnosed patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis experience a pronounced loss of beneficial anaerobic bacteria responsible for fermenting complex carbohydrates and maintaining gut homeostasis. At the…
Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in the U.S. is no longer limited by evidence, technology, or insurance coverage—but by misalignment between clinical culture, patient preference, and finite system capacity. While colonoscopy remains the most comprehensive single-step screening tool, national guidelines from the USPSTF and others clearly place stool-based tests on equal footing when used appropriately and followed by diagnostic colonoscopy after abnormal results. Yet, according to Mark Fendrick, MD, clinical norms have been slower to adapt to two realities: colonoscopy capacity is constrained, and most patients prefer noninvasive screening options. Fendrick argues that gastroenterology has historically treated colonoscopy as the “24-karat…
From novel procedures to practice openings, here are the firsts from the gastroenterology and endoscopy industry that happened in 2025, as reported by Becker’s. Note: This list is not exhaustive. . . .