Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Gastroenterology for April 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Symptomatic Health Care Staff in U.K. Screened for COVID-19
THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Screening symptomatic health care workers for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is feasible during the pandemic, according to a research letter published online April 22 in The Lancet.
David Shulkin, M.D., on COVID-19 Financial Consequences for Health Care System
MONDAY, April 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Health care organizations are facing hard financial decisions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but an end is in sight as some are beginning to slowly open back up around the country, according to David Shulkin, M.D. Shulkin, who served as ninth secretary for Veterans Affairs and is former president and CEO of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, spoke with HealthDay during a live stream on the HealthDay YouTube channel and live blog.
GI Manifestations Seen for Nearly One in Three With SARS-CoV-2
WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have gastrointestinal manifestations, according to a study involving patients at a U.S. hospital published online April 10 in Gastroenterology.
Roadmap Developed for Resuming Elective Surgery During COVID-19
MONDAY, April 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A roadmap for resuming elective surgery after new cases of COVID-19 begin to wane is presented in a joint statement published by the American College of Surgeons and other societies.
Joint Statement
Infection Rate Up Prior to Detection of Malignant Cancer
FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The rate of infection with influenza, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, and pneumonia is increased before detection of malignant cancer, according to a study published online April 17 in Cancer Immunology Research.
SARS-CoV-2 Stays in Respiratory Samples Longer in Severely Ill
FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The median duration of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA is significantly longer in the respiratory samples of patients with severe versus mild disease, according to a study published online April 21 in The BMJ.
Clinical, Genetic, Biomarker Model IDs Risk for Pancreatic Cancer
WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A model that includes data on clinical and genetic factors and circulating biomarkers may improve risk discrimination for pancreatic cancer, according to a study published online April 22 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Scoring System Helps Guide Surgical Care During COVID-19
WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A scoring system for medically necessary time-sensitive (MeNTS) procedures can facilitate decision making and triage in the setting of COVID-19, according to a study published online April 9 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
IBD Symptoms in Pregnancy Tied to Higher C-Section Rate, IUGR
WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have lower pregnancy rates, and those with uncontrolled disease are at increased risk for adverse outcomes, according to a study published online April 7 in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Benefit of Social Distancing Outweighs Economic Impact
MONDAY, April 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The economic benefits of lives saved through social distancing substantially outweigh the value of the projected losses to the U.S. economy, according to a study to be published in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis.
Family History-Based Early Screen Could ID More Young-Onset CRC
MONDAY, April 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — About one in four cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients aged 40 to 49 years meet family history-based criteria for early screening, according to a study published online April 20 in Cancer.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction May Cut IBS Symptoms
FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Mindfulness-based stress reduction training is associated with robust improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a study published online April 7 in Neurogastroenterology & Motility.
Telehealth Usage Was Growing Among Internists Prior to COVID-19
THURSDAY, April 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is wide variation in the use of telehealth among internal medicine physicians and subspecialists, according the “2020 American College of Physicians (ACP) Member Survey About Telehealth Implementation.”
SARS-CoV-2 Contamination of Air, Surfaces Examined in ICU, Wards
WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Considerable severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) contamination of air and object surfaces is reported in intensive care units (ICUs) and general coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wards (GW), according to a study published online April 10 in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hep C Screening Recommended for Adults, Pregnant Women
TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Hepatitis C screening is recommended for all adults and for all pregnant women, except where the prevalence is below 0.1 percent; meanwhile, the annual rate of reported acute hepatitis C cases increased to 1.2 per 100,000 population in 2018, according to recommendations and a report published in the April 10 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Abstract/Full Text – Recommendations
Abstract/Full Text – Vital Signs Report
Medical Masks May Be Sufficient During COVID-19 Routine Care
TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Use of medical masks, such as surgical or procedural masks, does not increase the risk for viral infection or respiratory illness, and their use may serve as a protective measure in instances of N95 respirator shortages, according to the results of a meta-analysis published online April 4 in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.
COVID-19 RNA Detectable in Patient Fecal Matter
TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA is detectable in the feces of COVID-19 patients and remains even after negative conversion in pharyngeal swabs, according to a study published online April 3 in the Journal of Medical Virology.
High Rates of Appropriate E-Consults Seen Across Specialties
MONDAY, April 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The rates of appropriate electronic consultations (e-consults) are high across specialties, according to a study published online April 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Prognosis Poor for Pediatric, Adolescent Patients With Colon Cancer
TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients with colon cancer who are younger than 25 years have a higher risk for death compared with older adults, according to a retrospective review published in the April issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Suppressing Stomach Acid May Up Intestinal Growth of MDROs
THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Stomach acid suppression medications increase the odds of intestinal colonization with multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDROs), according to a review and meta-analysis recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
‘Dead’ Probiotic Treatment May Help Reduce Irritable Bowel Symptoms
THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Probiotic treatment with dead bacteria is better than placebo at alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a study published online April 8 in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
Racial Differences Seen for Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, Survival
THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Stage at diagnosis, treatment, and survival differ by race and ethnicity for patients with one of the nine leading cancers, according to a study published online April 8 in JAMA Network Open.
Celiac Disease May Slightly Increase Mortality Risk
WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients with celiac disease have a small but statistically significantly increased mortality risk compared with controls, according to a study published in the April 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Recommendations Issued for GI Procedures During COVID-19
TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a document issued by the American Gastroenterological Association, published online April 1 in Gastroenterology, recommendations are presented for gastrointestinal (GI) procedures during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
No Treatment Change Needed for Peds IBD During COVID-19 Pandemic
TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Preliminary data regarding outcomes for pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak are reassuring, according to research published online March 31 in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
Majority of Physicians Report Serious Concerns About COVID-19
MONDAY, April 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — According to a national survey conducted by Harvard Medical School, the RAND Corporation, and Doximity, practicing physicians currently report substantial concerns about supplies, the government response, and availability of testing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bacteremia Risk Higher in Older Patients Hospitalized With IBD
MONDAY, April 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Older age is associated with an increased risk for bacteremia in hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a study published in the March issue of the United European Gastroenterology Journal.
Presymptomatic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 ID’d in Singapore
FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Presymptomatic transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been observed in epidemiological clusters in Singapore, with transmission occurring one to three days before symptom onset, according to research published in the April 1 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms Common in COVID-19 Patients
FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with increased prevalence seen in the later stages of the epidemic in China, according to a review published online March 29 in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
Early Deep Remission of Crohn Disease Tied to Better Outcomes
FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Deep early remission of Crohn disease is associated with a significant decrease in long-term adverse effects, according to a study published online March 26 in Gastroenterology.
Unemployed Workers Less Likely to Be Uninsured Post-ACA
THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Following implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), unemployed workers were less likely to be uninsured, and uninsurance rates decreased more in states with Medicaid expansion, according to a report from the Urban Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Hospitalizations for Chronic Liver Disease on the Rise
THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Hospitalizations for chronic liver disease (CLD) increased from 2012 to 2016, reaching a total estimated national cost of $81.1 billion, according to a study published online April 2 in JAMA Network Open.
Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy May Up Fracture Risk in Children
THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) taken for acid reflux may lead to an increased risk for fractures in children and adolescents, according to a study published online March 12 in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
Risk Factors for Missed Appendicitis Diagnosis Identified
THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Certain patient and presentation factors increase the likelihood of a missed appendicitis diagnosis in the emergency department, according to a study published online March 9 in JAMA Network Open.
Endoscopy Within Six Hours Does Not Lower Mortality in GI Bleed
THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Endoscopy within six hours versus six to 24 hours after consultation is not associated with lower 30-day mortality in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding who are at high risk for further bleeding or death, according to a study published in the April 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Burden of Clostridioides difficile Infection Down in the U.S.
THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2011 to 2017, there was a decrease in the estimated national burden of Clostridium difficile infection, according to a study published in the April 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
FDA Pulls Heartburn Drug Zantac From Market
WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) — All versions of the heartburn drug Zantac (ranitidine) have been pulled from the U.S. market due to possible contamination with a probable human carcinogen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.
Patients With Mild COVID-19 May Present With Digestive Symptoms
WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can present with digestive symptoms, sometimes without concurrent fever, according to a study published online March 30 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
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