Gastro Girl, Inc., a leader in digestive health education, has launched the Ask Gastro Girl App, an AI-powered digestive health coach offering evidence-based guidance and tools like health tracking, meal planning, and wellness tips tailored to individual needs. Designed to combat misinformation and enhance patient confidence, the app bridges gaps in healthcare by providing 24/7 support. HIPAA-compliant and developed with input from top GI clinicians, the app aims to complement professional care, empowering patients to manage their digestive health proactively. Available now on major app platforms, it redefines patient support in gastroenterology.
Author: Abhay Panchal
A joint report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) highlights the “new and unique risks” posed by private equity (PE) in healthcare, including rising costs, staffing cuts, and diminished care quality. After a year-long investigation, which included analyzing over 2,000 stakeholder comments, the report identifies PE-backed consolidation through “roll-ups” as a major concern, with firms acquiring smaller entities to avoid regulatory thresholds. The agencies cited examples of PE’s growing footprint in emergency rooms and mental health facilities and noted that PE-backed healthcare firms represented 21% of bankruptcies in…
The landscape for gastroenterologists is rapidly shifting due to rising practice costs, declining reimbursements, and increased consolidation in healthcare. Independent, Medicare-billing gastroenterologists decreased by 58% from 2019 to 2022, as average GI reimbursements dropped 33% (adjusted for inflation) between 2007 and 2022. CMS’ finalized 2025 conversion factor decrease of 2.83% compounds these challenges, with experts warning of severe impacts on rural and underserved areas. While private practice remains attractive for its higher median compensation (15% increase vs. 4% in employed settings), its sustainability is threatened by increasing operational burdens and declining autonomy. Will private practice endure, or is its dominance…
Trellus Health, a digital health solutions provider specializing in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), has announced a collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc. This partnership aims to enhance care for IBD patients in the United States by integrating Trellus Health’s platform, Trellus Elevate™, into patient support programs for those prescribed a Johnson & Johnson therapy.The one-year pilot program will provide patients with access to Trellus Elevate™, a platform designed to offer a holistic approach to patient care by combining data analytics with resilience-driven health programs. This initiative seeks to address both the psychological and physiological aspects of IBD,…
In 2024, major drug approvals in gastroenterology and hepatology included FDA and EMA authorizations of biosimilars to Stelara and Humira for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, enhancing treatment options for both adult and pediatric patients. Additionally, the FDA approved Hercessi, a biosimilar to Herceptin, for treating HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric and gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma. These advancements signify strides in expanding therapeutic accessibility and personalized care. Could this trend mark the beginning of a transformative era in GI and hepatology treatments?
Eli Lilly’s Omvoh® (mirikizumab-mkrz) has received FDA approval for treating moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in adults, marking its second indication for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Results from the pivotal Phase 3 VIVID-1 trial demonstrated significant improvement in clinical remission (53%) and endoscopic response (46%) at one year, with nearly 90% maintaining remission after two years in an open-label extension. Omvoh targets the IL-23p19 protein to reduce inflammation, offering long-term disease control even for patients unresponsive to other therapies. Could Omvoh redefine care for Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis globally?
Fractyl Health announced promising early results from the REVEAL-1 cohort of the REMAIN-1 study, showing weight maintenance one month after GLP-1 drug discontinuation and the Revita procedure. This aligns with prior findings and underscores Revita’s potential in addressing post-GLP-1 weight regain challenges. Strong enrollment progress highlights significant demand for alternatives to chronic GLP-1 therapies, with mid-point analysis expected in Q2 2025. Revita, a breakthrough device targeting gut-driven metabolic disease, represents a promising step toward durable weight maintenance solutions. Could this mark the start of a new era in obesity and diabetes care?
Advancements in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care, including wearable biosensors, at-home testing, and oral medications, promise to revolutionize disease management, offering personalized, efficient, and proactive treatment options. UChicago Medicine IBD Center is at the forefront, exploring technologies like inflammation-detecting wearables, sweat sensors, and stool analysis apps.
This comprehensive review by the AGA explores best practices in endoscopic enteral access, aiming to guide gastroenterologists in optimizing patient care. It discusses the indications, preprocedural considerations, techniques, and complications of enteral tube placements like NG, NJ, PEG, PEGJ, and DPEJ, emphasizing their role in delivering nutrition, medications, or decompression in patients unable to maintain adequate oral intake. Highlighting a multidisciplinary approach and careful tube selection based on patient anatomy and needs, the article underscores the importance of informed consent, infection control, and postprocedural care. Familiarity with these methods is vital for mitigating malnutrition and enhancing patient outcomes.
In 2024, pivotal advancements in gastrointestinal cancer research have emerged, spotlighting innovative treatments and potential new standards of care. Highlights include the promising efficacy of sotorasib plus panitumumab for KRAS-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer, and the success of novel combinations like durvalumab with bevacizumab and TACE for hepatocellular carcinoma.