Despite the introduction of more specific ICD-10-CM codes for short bowel syndrome (SBS), new real-world U.S. claims data presented at ASPEN 2026 suggest that the majority of eligible patients may still be going uncounted. In an analysis led by Alan Buchman, MD, MSPH, researchers found that only 28% of the expected SBS population was captured using the updated, syndrome-specific codes—raising concerns around widespread undercoding and misclassification in clinical practice. Historically, SBS prevalence estimates have varied significantly due to reliance on broad diagnostic labels such as postoperative malabsorption, which fail to distinguish between patients with minimal resections and those with true…
Author: Abhay Panchal
A new population-based study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology evaluated the real-world performance of a smartphone-based fecal immunochemical test (FIT) designed for at-home colorectal cancer (CRC) screening—no lab visit required. Conducted within Germany’s BLITZ screening cohort (2021–2023), the study compared a rapid stool test interpreted via smartphone camera with a conventional laboratory FIT among individuals scheduled for screening colonoscopy. More than half of participants (55%) opted to use the smartphone-based FIT, and 89% viewed it as a useful alternative to traditional lab-based testing. Among users, the digital FIT demonstrated comparable specificity (92%) and similar sensitivity for detecting advanced neoplasms…
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has released updated practice guidance on Barrett’s esophagus (BE) surveillance, marking its first comprehensive update on post-diagnosis monitoring since 2011. Published in Gastroenterology, the guideline introduces eight evidence-based recommendations that shift BE surveillance away from a one-size-fits-all model toward a more individualized, risk-based approach. Notably, BE segment length is now recommended as a key determinant for guiding endoscopic surveillance intervals, while routine surveillance is no longer advised for patients with columnar-lined esophagus measuring less than 1 cm in the absence of dysplasia or visible lesions. The guidance also underscores the importance of reassessing surveillance based…
The gastroenterology workforce is entering a pivotal stretch as an aging physician base collides with rising patient demand, all the while access gaps widen and compensation pressures mount in the background. Here are five trends to keep an eye on: 1. Large geographic access gaps persist across the GI workforce: More than two-thirds of U.S. counties do not have a practicing gastroenterologist, according to a Nov. 14 report from Medicus Healthcare Solutions. The report found that about 7 million people live more than 50 miles from a GI specialist. Workforce constraints are also tightening recruitment, with healthcare organizations taking a…
New data presented at ECCO 2026 suggests that a site-centric, AI-supported research network may significantly improve the speed and consistency of clinical trial execution in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Evaluating multiple Phase II and III trials across ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease in the U.S. and Europe, Iterative Health’s global site network demonstrated an average patient enrollment rate of 0.34 per site per month—approximately 3.4× higher than published industry benchmarks. Trial activation timelines were also notably shorter, with a median of 74 days from site selection to activation compared to the typical 120–171 days, translating to a potential three-month time…
As most colorectal cancers (CRC) originate from precancerous adenomas, the ability to detect these lesions early remains central to reducing disease burden. A new review highlights the growing promise of blood-based biomarkers as a noninvasive alternative to conventional screening methods like colonoscopy—which, despite clinical effectiveness, continue to face compliance challenges due to their invasive nature. Advances in multiomics—including proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics—are enabling the identification of circulating biomarkers such as noncoding RNAs, DNA methylation signatures, disease-specific proteins, and metabolic profiles from plasma and serum samples. Emerging technologies like liquid biopsy, extracellular vesicle profiling, and machine learning–driven analytics are further…
In a bid to close persistent colorectal cancer (CRC) screening gaps, Guardant Health has launched a community grant program offering up to 100 free Shield blood-based screening tests per organization during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March. FDA-approved for average-risk adults aged 45 and older, Shield uses methylation-based cfDNA analysis to detect colorectal cancer–associated alterations from a simple blood draw—potentially overcoming participation barriers tied to stool-based or invasive screening methods. The initiative is aimed at underserved and historically under-screened populations, enabling nonprofits and public health groups to host local screening drives and educational outreach events at no cost to patients.…
Exact Sciences closed 2025 with $3.25 billion in total revenue, marking an 18% year-over-year increase—fueled largely by its cancer screening portfolio, including stool-based colorectal cancer screening test Cologuard. Screening revenue reached $2.53 billion, reflecting continued uptake of non-invasive, at-home CRC testing among average-risk adults aged 45 and older. Since launch, Cologuard has been used more than 20 million times, highlighting growing patient and provider preference for guideline-supported alternatives to colonoscopy. The company is now expanding beyond stool-based diagnostics, having secured exclusive U.S. rights to Freenome’s blood-based colorectal cancer screening test—signaling a strategic move into multi-modal CRC detection. Meanwhile, next-generation platforms…
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is moving past its traditional role as a diagnostic imaging and sampling tool toward enabling early disease detection, molecular profiling, and personalized treatment, according to a comprehensive review published in Gastroenterology. The review, led by Michael B. Wallace, MD, MPH, the Fred C. Andersen Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla., describes how new technologies and workflows spanning molecular assays, advanced needle designs, and artificial intelligence (AI) are redefining the diagnostic potential of EUS across gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases. “In the past five years or so, there’s been a…
Infliximab (IFX) transformed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care when it was introduced as the first biologic therapy for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Now, a subcutaneous (SC) formulation may represent the next evolution. A review of published evidence shows that SC infliximab achieves higher and more stable serum drug levels compared with intravenous (IV) administration, with fewer neutralizing antibodies and comparable remission rates. Real-world data suggest that switching stable patients from IV to SC IFX (120 mg) is well tolerated and associated with a low relapse risk. Beyond pharmacokinetics, SC IFX offers practical advantages: While SC infliximab supports a more…