Author: Rutali Thakur

Conducting staging laparoscopy on patients who have recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer helps with the early detection of cancer spread and determination of the cancer’s stage, according to a June 29 news release from Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic conducted a five-year study that observed just over 1,000 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent staging laparoscopy. The research found that the procedure helped detect cancer spread in the liver or lining of the abdomen in 1 of 5 patients. 

Here are five numbers that may be troubling gastroenterologists. This information comes from Medscape’s “Gastroenterologist Lifestyle, Happiness & Burnout Report 2023” and “Gastroenterologist Compensation Report 2023.” 36 percent: The percentage of gastroenterologists who said they are burned out.

The article discusses the psychological barriers that contribute to low rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Many Americans, over 40%, are skipping standard CRC screening due to negative emotional associations with the disease and the tests involved. Fear, embarrassment, and disgust associated with CRC and its screening tests lead to denial and defensiveness, causing individuals to put off screening and hope for the best. Although there are various screening options available, such as colonoscopy, stool-based tests, and direct visualization tests, the overall CRC screening rates remain below the target percentage. Practical challenges, like the invasiveness and time commitment of colonoscopy,…

Metoclopramide is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of gastroparesis; however, it comes with a black box warning. To discuss the challenges in diagnosing and treating gastroparesis, Dr. Peter Buch is joined by Dr. Michael Camilleri, Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. 

Digestive Disease Week 2023 in Chicago was a key event with significant focus on the latest data on colorectal cancer, including subsequent cancer diagnoses, cell-free DNA blood test for screening, and the impact of aspirin and NSAID use. A study revealed that 16% of early-onset colorectal cancer survivors developed a second cancer, with a higher risk among men. Another study showed a cell-free DNA blood-based test having 83% sensitivity for colorectal cancer detection and 90% specificity in an average-risk population, similar to the performance of current noninvasive screening options. In addition to colorectal cancer, there was also coverage of treatment…

The article discusses Walgreens’ latest venture into the clinical trials business through a new partnership with Parexel, a contract research organization (CRO). Walgreens aims to leverage its vast network of retail locations to provide convenient access for patients participating in clinical trials. This move follows Walgreens’ previous partnership with PRA Health Sciences in the same field. The article notes that these developments reflect the growing interest among pharmacies and healthcare organizations in the clinical trials space. By incorporating clinical trials into their services, Walgreens and other organizations seek to enhance patient engagement, provide broader access to research opportunities, and contribute…

This article discusses the use of the drug “sotagliflozin” in patients with type 2 diabetes. The article reports on the results of a study that found that sotagliflozin was effective in reducing blood sugar levels and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes who were already taking insulin. The study also found that sotagliflozin was well-tolerated by patients and did not increase the risk of hypoglycemia. The article concludes that sotagliflozin may be a useful treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes who are already taking insulin and are struggling to control their blood sugar levels.

The article provides an update on the pipeline of new treatments for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. It discusses several new drugs that are currently in development, including oral and injectable medications. The article also outlines the potential benefits and drawbacks of these new treatments, as well as the challenges associated with developing new drugs for these conditions. It concludes by noting that while there is still much work to be done in this area, there is reason for optimism that new treatments will be developed that can help patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Having a lot of rules and regulations is the most challenging part of being a gastroenterologist, according to Medscape’s “Gastroenterologist Compensation Report 2023.” The data comes from a Medscape “Physician Compensation Report” for 2023 that surveyed 10,011 physicians across more than 29 specialties about their income, work hours, job satisfaction and more from Oct. 7 to Jan. 17. Here is how gastroenterologists responded when asked about the most challenging part of their job, according to Medscape: Having so many rules and regulations: 18 percent