The American Gastroenterological Association introduced an updated clinical care pathway for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as NAFLD. The update reflects new disease terminology, emerging therapies, and improved noninvasive tools for identifying and managing patients at risk. The pathway provides clinicians with a structured approach to screening, diagnosis, and risk stratification, including identifying patients at risk of fibrosis, performing routine history and blood tests, using noninvasive fibrosis scoring tools, and confirming risk through liver stiffness measurements or specialized blood tests. MASLD affects about 30% of U.S. adults and up to 65% of people with type 2 diabetes,…
Author: Abhay Panchal
The American Gastroenterological Association, together with the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, released 2026 CPT coding updates affecting gastroenterology practices. Key updates include a new CPT code for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, revisions to colon motility testing codes, a new Category I code for percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS), and updates to evaluation and management (E/M) codes to support proper reimbursement for GI procedures and services.
In a report by Amy Pfeiffer, a large randomized trial found that AI assistance during upper endoscopy did not significantly improve detection of gastric neoplasms after centralized pathology review. The study, led by Zehua Dong, PhD, and published in Gastroenterology, analyzed 29,514 patients across 24 hospitals in China comparing standard EGD with AI-assisted EGD using the ENDOANGEL-GN system. Detection rates were 1.42% with AI vs 1.25% without AI, a difference that was not statistically significant after expert pathology review. However, AI reduced blind spots during endoscopy and increased inspection time, and subgroup analysis suggested potential benefits for less experienced endoscopists…
A study has found that electronic health record (EHR) use contributes significantly to workload and burnout among gastroenterology providers.Analyzing data from 347 clinicians across three tertiary referral centers, researchers found that hepatology, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and motility specialists spent the most time in the EHR, including outside regular work hours. In-basket messaging and documentation were identified as the biggest stressors, with over 30% of surveyed providers reporting burnout.
In an article by Donavyn Coffey, the growing influence of private equity in healthcare is examined, highlighting both opportunities and risks for physicians. While selling practices to private equity firms can offer financial relief, operational support, and early payouts, some physicians report loss of autonomy, pay cuts, and even clinic closures after acquisition. Experts note that many deals provide less upfront cash than initially advertised and often require physicians to remain with the practice for 3–5 years under new management. While some doctors benefit from expanded resources and scale, others caution that physicians should carefully evaluate investors and financial terms…
Guardant Health announced that its blood-based colorectal cancer screening test Shield is now accessible nationwide through the testing network of Quest Diagnostics. The partnership allows physicians to order Shield through existing Quest accounts and EHR systems, while patients can access testing through Quest’s ~2,000 patient service centers and 6,000 phlebotomists. Shield is the first blood test fully approved by the FDA as a primary colorectal cancer screening option for average-risk adults aged 45+. The company reports that the test has shown 93% screening adherence in real-world use, offering a potentially easier alternative to colonoscopy or stool-based screening and aiming to…
AcuityMD, the intelligence platform for MedTech, announced data revealing increased access to colorectal screening and early treatment at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Across the U.S., the majority of all endoscopic colorectal procedures are now performed in ASCs, lowering barriers to care for patients who might delay or avoid screening. ASCs handled nearly 9 million endoscopic colorectal procedures in 2024 alone, a 50% volume increase since 2018.
In a commentary by David A. Johnson, MD, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is highlighted as a condition that is being diagnosed with increasing frequency in both adults and children. Referencing updated guidance from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Dr. Johnson notes that endoscopy remains central to EoE diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment decisions. Clinicians are encouraged to use the EoE Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS), obtain at least six esophageal biopsies, and evaluate for strictures, which occur in about 25% of adults. He also emphasizes the importance of ongoing follow-up, as EoE can recur quickly after treatment is stopped.
With GI cancers expected to double globally by 2050 and colorectal cancer rising among younger adults, clinicians are exploring new technologies to improve detection and treatment. Researchers at Rush University Medical Center recently tested a system combining GI Genius endoscopy module (by Medtronic) with Apple Vision Pro, turning the headset into a “clinical cockpit” for endoscopy.
Widely used GLP-1 receptor agonists, commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, may be associated with a small increase in colorectal cancer risk, according to a recent meta-analysis discussed by oncology expert David Kerr, MD, of the University of Oxford. The analysis pooled data from seven retrospective cohort studies involving more than 5 million individuals. Researchers found a slight but statistically significant increase in colorectal cancer risk among patients using GLP-1 drugs. GLP-1 medications—such as those used for weight loss and diabetes—are often expected to reduce cancer risk because they lower body weight and adiposity, both known risk factors…