The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has released updated best practices for peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) as a treatment for achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders. The guidelines highlight POEM’s effectiveness compared to traditional methods, the importance of individualized treatment approaches, and key considerations such as tunnel orientation, antibiotic prophylaxis, and post-procedure reflux management. The update also emphasizes long-term surveillance due to the chronic nature of achalasia and the potential risks of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal cancer. The article gives insights on the latest recommendations and expert perspectives on POEM’s evolving role in gastroenterology.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Colorectal cancer rates are rising in younger adults, making early detection crucial. Sanford Health launched a mail-based stool screening initiative, sending 40,000 kits that led to the removal of precancerous polyps in 300 patients and the early diagnosis of 10 cancers. The initiative improves accessibility, particularly for those at normal risk or in remote areas, offering FIT and Cologuard tests as non-invasive alternatives to colonoscopies. The program aims to catch cancer early, ensuring better outcomes. The article gives insights on how home-based testing is enhancing colorectal cancer screening and prevention.
The future of anti-obesity drugs is rapidly evolving, with over 100 new candidates in development. While semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have revolutionized weight loss treatments, they come with side effects, muscle loss concerns, and variability in effectiveness. Researchers are now exploring next-generation drugs that target multiple pathways, such as GIP, glucagon, and amylin, to enhance fat loss while preserving muscle. Oral alternatives, monthly injectables, and metabolism-boosting therapies are also in the pipeline. The article gives insights on how these advancements could reshape obesity treatment in the coming years.
Praveen Suthrum, a healthcare futurist and co-founder of NextServices, will deliver the opening keynote at the 2025 AGA Tech Summit, emphasizing the transformative power of AI and digital health in gastroenterology. He highlights three key challenges: making time for innovation, broadening GI’s focus beyond traditional methods, and fully leveraging AI’s potential beyond polyp detection. Suthrum urges gastroenterologists to lead the digital revolution rather than react to it, redefining the field’s boundaries. The article gives insights on how innovation will shape the future of GI care.
Physician adoption of AI in healthcare has nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024, with 66% of doctors now using AI—a sharp increase from 38% the previous year, according to an AMA survey. AI is being leveraged for documentation automation, administrative relief, and patient care, but concerns over regulation, data privacy, and liability persist. Physicians emphasize the need for stronger oversight, seamless EHR integration, and AI education to ensure responsible implementation. The article gives insights on how AI is reshaping healthcare and the challenges that remain.
Previse has announced new clinical validation for Esopredict®, a groundbreaking test that uses DNA methylation to assess the risk of esophageal cancer in patients with Barrett’s esophagus. Published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, the study confirms Esopredict’s reliability across different biopsy locations and time points, reinforcing its role in early risk stratification. This advancement enables earlier intervention for high-risk patients while reducing unnecessary procedures for those at lower risk. Learn more about how Esopredict is shaping the future of GI cancer prevention.
Fujifilm Healthcare Americas has transferred its exclusive U.S. distributorship of EndoGel—a cutting-edge endoscopy simulation model—to EndoSim, expanding access to this advanced training tool. EndoGel mimics human tissue, enabling endoscopists to practice complex procedures like ESD and POEM more effectively. This move aims to enhance training opportunities for endoscopy professionals in the U.S., bridging an educational gap in minimally invasive procedures. Fujifilm and EndoSim’s partnership reinforces their commitment to advancing endoscopic education and patient care. Learn more at endosim.com.
Gastroenterology physicians are grappling with significant financial pressures as declining reimbursement rates fail to keep pace with the rising costs of medical practiceHere are 10 numbers illustrating the ongoing decline in GI physician pay:
There have been 30 physician practice bankruptcies since 2019, according to a report on Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings from healthcare restructuring advisory firm Gibbins Advisors.Here are the physician practice or clinics that filed for Chapter 11 protection, along with the date of the filing, according to the report: 2024:
People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face a heightened risk of colorectal cancer, yet early detection remains a challenge. Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research in London have developed a new genetic test that can predict bowel cancer risk in IBD patients with over 90% accuracy, potentially eliminating unnecessary surgeries and reducing patient anxiety.By analyzing DNA changes in pre-cancerous cells, this test offers a more precise approach than traditional colonoscopy-based surveillance, which can miss early warning signs. Experts praise the innovation as a game-changer in IBD care, with potential future adaptations into blood or stool-based tests for even less…