Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Gastroenterology for December 2015. 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.
AMA: Burnout Is Top Issue for Physicians in 2015
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physician burnout is the top issue for physicians in 2015, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Alcohol Binge Damage May Be Worse Than Previously Thought
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Chronic drinking combined with binge drinking may be more destructive than previously thought, according to an animal study published online Nov. 20 in Biomolecules.
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Celiac Disease Ups Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Risk in T1DM
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Celiac disease (CD) is a risk factor for development of autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Diabetes Care.
Higher Hospital Prices in U.S. ‘Monopoly Markets’
MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Prices at hospitals in monopoly markets are 15 percent higher than those at hospitals in areas with at least four providers, according to research published recently at the Health Care Pricing Project website.
Specific, Consistent ICD-10 Coding Key to Timely Payments
TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In order to prevent denials, it is important to code correctly within the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), with specificity matching documentation, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Affordable Care Act Has Improved Access to Care, Affordability
MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has improved access to care and affordability of care for many adults, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
FDA Approves New Device for Fecal Incontinence
FRIDAY, Dec. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Fenix Continence Restoration System has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat an inability to control bowel movements for patients who can’t tolerate or use other approved methods.
Nonoperative Management Feasible for Pediatric Appendicitis
THURSDAY, Dec. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For children with uncomplicated acute appendicitis, choosing nonoperative management is an effective treatment strategy, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in JAMA Surgery.
Industry Outpacing NIH in Funding Research
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There’s been a sharp rise in the number of industry-funded clinical trials and a significant decline in those financed by the U.S. government in recent years, according to findings published in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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HSCT Not Linked to Sustained Remission in Refractory Crohn’s
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For adult patients with refractory Crohn’s disease with impaired quality of life, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is not associated with sustained disease remission at one year, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Platelet Counts Rise With Viral Response to Hep C Therapy
TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Platelet counts rise among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who experience a sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral therapy, according to research published online Dec. 8 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Hepatitis E Virus Rare Among HIV-Infected Population
MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is low in HIV-infected (HIV+) women and men, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in Hepatology.
New Model of Inpatient Care Can Improve Outcomes
MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of a new model of care can improve outcomes of care in medical and surgical units, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Paracentesis Underutilized in Patients With Cirrhosis, Ascites
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients admitted with diagnoses of cirrhosis and ascites, paracentesis is associated with decreased in-hospital mortality but is underutilized, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Seven Behaviors Suggested to Improve ‘Art of Medicine’
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Seven behaviors should be implemented to improve the art of medicine, which can help improve relationships with patients, according to an article published in Family Practice Management.
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Percentage of Graduates Entering GME Stable Over Past Decade
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Despite an increase in the number of U.S. medical school graduates, over the past decade the percentage entering graduate medical education (GME) training has remained stable, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
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Depression Not Uncommon Among Resident Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than one in four doctors-in-training may be depressed, which could put their patients at risk, according to a study published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Med Ed Can Be Improved for High-Value, Cost-Conscious Care
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The combination of effective transmission of knowledge, facilitation of reflective practice, and a supportive environment can educate physicians to deliver high-value, cost-conscious care, according to a review published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
CDC: Fewer Americans Struggling With Medical Bills
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer American families are struggling to pay medical bills, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Skin Lesions for 29 Percent With Anti-TNF Treatment in IBD
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, skin lesions frequently develop but rarely necessitate treatment discontinuation, according to research published online Dec. 8 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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U.S. Health Care Spending Increased in 2014
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The expansion of insurance coverage and increases in retail prescription drug spending contributed to an increase in total national health care expenditures in 2014, according to a report published online Dec. 2 in Health Affairs.
AFP Levels Predict Fibrosis Regression After SVR in Hep C
MONDAY, Dec. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), lower post-treatment α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and HCV genotype 2 correlate with liver fibrosis regression after sustained virological response (SVR), according to a study published online Dec. 3 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
AMA: Case Before Supreme Court Threatens Patient Privacy
THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A case before the Supreme Court is potentially threatening patient confidentiality, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Burden, Costs of Gastrointestinal, Liver Disease Estimated in U.S.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In the United States, the burden and associated costs of gastrointestinal (GI), liver, and pancreatic diseases are substantial, according to a report published in the December issue of Gastroenterology.
Burnout Rates on the Rise for Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Burnout is a growing problem among American doctors, according to research published in the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
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