What’s new Study design (analytical + clinical equivalency) Clinical equivalency (in-lab FIT vs at-home FIT) Interpretation
Author: Abhay Panchal
Emerging studies show that immune system shifts, like anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies, can appear up to six years before symptoms. Environmental triggers such as pollution and microplastics are being linked to rising cases worldwide, while AI-driven prediction models are being trained on blood, stool, and genetic data to map disease risk. Microbiome-based diagnostics are uncovering bacterial signatures that precede flares, and even wearable biosensors are being tested to detect inflammation early through sweat. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is fueling this research with its IBD Plexus data platform—the world’s most comprehensive collection of patient samples. Experts believe that within five years, clinical…
GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are rewriting the rules of obesity care—and virtual startups are racing to meet demand. A new review of 39 companies reveals a spectrum: some offering comprehensive, clinically guided programs with nutrition, behavioral health, and long-term monitoring, and others operating as high-volume “pill mills” with minimal oversight. Physicians remain skeptical—67% warn that telehealth GLP-1 prescribing risks patient safety—yet millions of Americans now turn to these platforms for faster, more affordable, and less judgmental care. With billions in venture capital fueling growth, the question is whether digital health can scale responsibly, or if GLP-1’s…
Independent physician practices are delivering significantly lower-cost care compared to hospital-owned settings, according to a new study in the Journal of Market Access & Health Policy. Researchers analyzing cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, and urology practices found that hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) remain the most expensive sites of care, while independent and private-equity–affiliated practices provide substantially lower-cost options. Medicare reimbursements to HOPDs reached as much as 861% of office or ASC payments, while commercial insurers paid up to 1,346% more—differences that experts warn are driving consolidation, inflating costs, and threatening the survival of independent practices. The findings add urgency to calls for…
Castlight Health has partnered with Ayble Health to bring personalized, AI-driven digestive care to millions of employees and health plan members. The collaboration makes Ayble the first GI-focused partner in Castlight’s digital health ecosystem, giving employers a seamless way to offer evidence-based care for conditions like IBS, IBD, and GERD. Backed by 15 peer-reviewed studies, Ayble combines a multidisciplinary GI team with AI-powered nutrition and stress management tools to cut costs and improve outcomes. Executives say demand is surging as digestive disorders now rank among the top three drivers of healthcare spend.
In this episode of The Scope Forward Show, Praveen Suthrum speaks with Cheryl Sew Hoy, Founder & CEO of Tiny Health, a microbiome testing company that’s redefining preventive care from pregnancy through infancy. Cheryl shares why the first 1,000 days are critical for lifelong gut health, how restoring beneficial microbes matters more than chasing pathogens, and why over 80,000 families are already turning to Tiny Health for answers. Functional medicine has embraced the microbiome faster than GI — but Cheryl makes the case that gastroenterologists are uniquely positioned to lead this revolution. The question is: will the GI community step up before…
A real-world study of 1,984 adults using an app-connected breath analyzer found that just one week of low-FODMAP eating significantly lowered breath hydrogen and methane and reduced bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence, with the biggest absolute gains in those starting with moderate/severe symptoms—hinting that simple, nonfasting breath-gas tracking could personalize who benefits most from FODMAP restriction.
Democrats are sounding alarms over CMS’s 2026 pilot that will let AI companies decide prior authorizations for Medicare. Lawmakers worry it could incentivize denials and harm patients — critics have dubbed it an “AI death panel.” Physicians and legal experts echoed concerns at a congressional hearing, urging independent oversight before rollout.
A large national study published in JAMA Surgery shows that GLP-1 use after bariatric surgery is rising sharply, especially among women, Black patients, and those with sleeve gastrectomy or less-than-expected weight loss. Nearly 14% of 113,000 patients turned to GLP-1s post-surgery, with uptake climbing from 1.7% in 2015–2019 to 12.6% by 2025. Physicians note it’s “logical” to combine surgery with GLP-1s, though questions remain about timing, dosing, and outcomes—fueling ongoing debate on whether these drugs will become a standard adjunct to bariatric care.
A new Medical Economics piece highlights how Management Services Organizations (MSOs) are becoming a powerful growth strategy for physician groups. By spinning off non-clinical staff, assets, and contracts into a separate entity, MSOs let non-physician executives take ownership of operations—boosting recruitment, aligning incentives, and streamlining practice management. Physicians retain control of clinical services while the MSO handles billing, HR, IT, and more, often at scale by contracting with multiple practices. Experts caution, however, that MSOs must be carefully structured to comply with complex tax, state, and federal regulations.