Author: Praveen Suthrum

Key takeaways: Machine learning-derived histologic feature may provide prognostic value when learned and scored by pathologists. While this represents a “milestone for AI,” research is needed to validate reproducible scoring. A prognostic study validated the use of an artificial intelligence-derived tumor adipose feature, which may aid risk stratification of colon cancer and provide prognostic value when integrated into practice, according to study results. Read More

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With more than 10 highly experienced specialists, PBDA will become MSPB’s Gastrointestinal Division NEW YORK, April 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches (MSPB), a primary care-focused, multi-specialty physician group practice in South Florida, today announced that it has acquired Palm Beach Digestive Associates (PBDA), a premier gastroenterology practice and colonoscopy clinic. Effective immediately, PBDA will become the Gastrointestinal Division of MSPB, extending its scope, reach, and clinical offerings. This is the first acquisition since Ascend Partners and CareAbout made an equity investment in MSPB in December 2022. Read More

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Investors are keeping their eye on gastroenterology, cardiology and orthopedics, according to McDermott Health’s “2023 Physician Practice Management” report. According to the McDermott Health report, gastroenterology has high utilization of evaluation and management codes, which increased for 2021. Medicare ASC payments for colonoscopies with lesion removals and colonoscopies and biopsies are expected to increase in 2023, according to VMG Health’s “ASCs in 2022: A Year in Review” report. These factors put the specialty in an advantageous spot for growth in 2023. Cardiology is the fastest growing ASC specialty, according to Avanza’s “2022 Key ASC Benchmarks and Industry Figures” report. As…

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April 2, 2023 – The largest health insurer in the United States says it will no longer require lengthy paperwork known as prior authorization for many types of health care starting later this year. UnitedHealthcare made the announcement last week that it would trim prior authorizations by 20% amid growing calls from medical professionals, patients, and politicians that the process causes harmful treatment delays or denials. “We’re not deaf to the complaints out there,” Philip Kaufman, chief growth officer at UnitedHealthcare, told The Wall Street Journal. “We’ve taken a hard look at ourselves and this process.” Read More

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According to a survey funded by the California Health Care Foundation of over 3,000 Black Californians questioned, 41% of such individuals conveyed they were educated to their healthcare providers, 35% modified their behavior and speech to put doctors at ease, and 32% paid close attention to their dress before seeing their physician. In other words, a large proportion of Black patients in this survey felt they needed to change their appearance, words, or actions in some way in order to get the best possible care from their physicians. This same survey also revealed that more than a quarter of Black…

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We read with great interest the SPARE trial published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 1 The authors are to be congratulated on this trial, as it provides important information guiding treatment de-escalation strategies for patients receiving combination immunosuppression for Crohn’s disease. The study assesses the outcome of infliximab retreatment, which is an important issue in routine clinical practice. 25 (35%) of 71 patients in the infliximab withdrawal group relapsed and were retreated with infliximab, and remission was achieved in 22 (96%) of 23 patients in that group. No infusion reactions or increased frequency of adverse events were associated with…

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Despite affecting nearly 10% of the population, irritable bowel syndrome remains highly stigmatized. During IBS Awareness Month, a gastrointestinal disease advocacy group has launched the #YouandIBS campaign to confront this stigma head on. Although IBS is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in the world, it remains a source of shame for many patients, who often go undiagnosed either due to a lack of awareness and unwillingness to disclose their symptoms. To help raise awareness, the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) has launched a social media campaign with the hashtag, #YouandIBS. Read More

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Key takeaways: Using linear staplers cannot effectively block recanalization of the afferent limb. Uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction is not recommended until a means to reduce the recanalization rate is identified. Patients who underwent uncut Roux-en-Y had more severe gastrointestinal symptoms and higher incidence of residual gastritis and degree of bile reflux, while experiencing no reduction in stasis syndrome compared with traditional Roux-en-Y. Read More

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PARIS, France — Exercise has a variable impact on the onset of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. The mechanisms at play are complex and seldom studied. Frank Zerbib, MD, head of the department of gastroenterology at Bordeaux University Hospital, broke them down during a session dedicated to exercise, which was the common theme of the JFHOD 2023, a French-speaking hepato-gastroenterology and digestive oncology conference held this year in Paris. A Contributing FactorSeveral factors can affect how exercise causes gastroesophageal reflux.”Vigorous,” or mainly sports-related, exercise has a detrimental effect on GERD. Approximately 60% of athletes are said to report GERD symptoms…

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