Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Gastroenterology for June 2017. 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.
Poll Finds Seniors Struggling With Drug Costs Don’t Seek Help
FRIDAY, June 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many older Americans who have difficulty paying for their medications don’t seek help in finding more economical options, according to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.
Genes Responsible for Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis Identified
FRIDAY, June 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Researchers say they’ve come closer to pinpointing genes linked with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. The research was published online June 28 in Nature.
Doctors Urged to Take Care With Electronic Communications
THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Care should be taken when conveying electronic messages to patients, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Health of the Nation Presented in 40th Annual CDC Report
THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The health of the United States is summarized in the 40th annual report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
PPIs Not Found to Raise Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
WEDNESDAY, June 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) don’t appear to increase the risk of dementia, as has been previously suspected, according to a study published online June 7 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
FDA Seeks to Increase Number of Generic Drugs on Market
WEDNESDAY, June 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — New measures to increase the number of generic prescription drugs available to Americans have been taken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Shorter Fasting After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Feasible
WEDNESDAY, June 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), a short fasting period after the procedure is associated with shorter hospital stay and greater patient satisfaction, with no impact on discomfort or bleeding, according to a study published online June 23 in the Journal of Digestive Diseases.
Bacterial Colonization Linked to Food Sensitization, Allergy
TUESDAY, June 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is a correlation between bacterial colonization and food sensitization and allergy in young children, according to a study published online June 20 in Allergy.
More Racial Disparity With Medicare Advantage
MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Medicare Advantage is associated with more racial disparity than traditional Medicare for hospital readmissions, according to a study published online June 21 in Health Affairs.
Immune Profile Differs During Symptom Flare, Free in IBS-D
MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), interferon-γ concentrations and THELPER cells are inhibited during symptom flare, according to a research letter published online June 10 in Gut.
Family History Questionnaire Ups Genetic Counseling for CRC
FRIDAY, June 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy, a family history questionnaire (FHQ) sent by mail is associated with an increase in available family history and referral for genetic counseling, according to a study published online May 29 in the Journal of Digestive Diseases.
1991-2014 Saw Minimal Change in Health Spending Per State
THURSDAY, June 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 1991 to 2014 there was minimal change in health spending by state, according to a study published online June 14 in Health Affairs.
HCC Drops Beyond Five Years of Entecavir/Tenofovir Tx for Hep B
WEDNESDAY, June 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) decreases beyond year five of entecavir/tenofovir therapy, particularly in those with compensated cirrhosis, according to a study published online June 16 in Hepatology.
Imaging of Pelvis Has Limited Value in Hepatocellular Cancer
TUESDAY, June 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with a primary diagnosis of hepatocellular cancer (HCC), imaging of the pelvis rarely provides additional pathologic information, according to a study published online June 14 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
NSAID Use, Survival Link Varies With KRAS Status in CRC Patients
TUESDAY, June 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with improved survival among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors with KRAS wild-type tumors, according to a study published online June 15 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Endurance Exercise Tied to Gastrointestinal Implications
MONDAY, June 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The risk of gastrointestinal injury and impaired function seems to increase along with the intensity and duration of exercise, according to a study published online June 7 in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
Health Insurers Recruiting Former Pharma Reps to Cut Costs
FRIDAY, June 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Health insurers are recruiting former pharmaceutical company representatives to educate doctors and help save money on prescription medications, according to a report published June 8 in Kaiser Health News.
Donor Microbes Can Persist Long-Term After Fecal Transplant
FRIDAY, June 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Researchers say their small study, published online June 7 in Biofilms and Microbiomes, offers the first proof that therapeutic donor microbes remain for months or years in patients who’ve undergone fecal microbiota transplantation.
20 Percent of Hospital Patients Have Side Effects From Abx Rx
FRIDAY, June 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — About 20 percent of U.S. hospital patients who receive antibiotics experience side effects from the drugs, according to research published online June 12 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Modified Colorectal CA Screening Score Improves Risk Prediction
FRIDAY, June 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A modified colorectal cancer screening score improves risk prediction of advanced neoplasia, according to a study published online May 31 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
High HCV Cure Rates in HIV Coinfection Cases at Urban Clinic
THURSDAY, June 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients in an urban clinic with hepatitis C virus (HCV) with HIV coinfection, HCV treatment is effective with standardized nurse/pharmacist support, according to a study published online June 13 in Hepatology.
AMA Endeavors to Increase Transparency of Rx Pricing
THURSDAY, June 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) is calling for more transparency in drug pricing amid rising costs that are putting some lifesaving medications out of reach for patients and communities.
Risk of HPV-Linked Second Cancers Up After Anal Cancer
THURSDAY, June 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Survivors of squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) have an elevated risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related second primary malignancies (SPMs), according to a study published online June 13 in Cancer.
Rate of X-Ray Can Be Reduced for Constipation in Pediatric ER
WEDNESDAY, June 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The rate of abdominal radiograph (AXR) use can be reduced in the pediatric emergency department setting with use of rational subgrouping and stratification on statistical process control (SPC) charts, according to a study published online June 14 in Pediatrics.
Antiplatelet Bleeding Risk Higher Than Expected for Older Patients
WEDNESDAY, June 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Long-term daily aspirin use is linked to a higher-than-expected risk of disabling or fatal bleeding in patients aged 75 and over, according to a study published online June 13 in The Lancet.
Coffee, Herbal Tea Consumption May Protect Against Liver Disease
TUESDAY, June 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Regularly drinking coffee or herbal tea may help prevent chronic liver disease, according to a study published online June 6 in the Journal of Hepatology.
Case Report: Hyperammonemia to Be Considered in Cirrhosis Setting
TUESDAY, June 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Severe hyperammonemia, resulting from ammonia that accumulates in stored blood products, should be considered in the setting of cirrhosis, according to a case report published online June 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Medical Students Lacking Proficiency in BP Measurements
MONDAY, June 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Medical students frequently do not achieve mastery of the skills necessary for accurate measurement of blood pressure (BP), according to a study published online April 28 in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.
Distinct Features for Quitting Smoking After Crohn’s Diagnosis
MONDAY, June 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), smoking cessation at the time of diagnosis is positively associated with intestinal resection within three months and light smoking, according to a study published online May 26 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
New Bill With Tort Reforms Will Protect Iowa Physicians
FRIDAY, June 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A new bill with tort reforms to protect Iowa physicians will take effect July 1, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
FISH Beneficial for Diagnosing Cholangiocarcinoma
THURSDAY, June 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is associated with increased sensitivity compared with brush cytology for diagnosing cholangiocarcinoma in indeterminate biliary strictures, according to a study published online May 19 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
U.S. Leads in Income-Based Health Care Inequalities
THURSDAY, June 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The United States has larger income-related differences in perceptions of health and health care than other middle- and high-income countries, according to a report published in the June issue of Health Affairs.
Liver Cancer the Fastest-Growing Cause of Cancer Deaths in U.S.
THURSDAY, June 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Liver cancer is the fastest-growing cause of cancer deaths in the United States, with substantial disparity in mortality rates for race/ethnicity and state of residence, according to a study published online June 6 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Health System Sees Success With E-Visits Via Patient Portal
WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patient portals can successfully offer access to physicians without office visits, according to a report published online May 30 by the American Medical Association.
CDC: High-Deductible Health Plan Use Rising Among Employers
WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — High-deductible health plans are becoming more common among U.S. adults with employer-sponsored health insurance coverage, according to a report issued June 6 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Stroke Risk Elevated in Elderly Patients With Cirrhosis
TUESDAY, June 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Cirrhosis may raise older patients’ odds for a stroke, particularly hemorrhagic stroke, according to a study published online June 5 in JAMA Neurology.
Positive Clinical Effects Seen for Placebos Without Deception
TUESDAY, June 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Open-label placebos are associated with a positive effect compared with no treatment in a variety of clinical conditions, according to a review and meta-analysis published online May 30 in the Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine.
CDC: 14 in California Poisoned by Amanita phalloides Mushrooms
MONDAY, June 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A bumper crop of Amanita phalloides (“death cap”) mushrooms in northern California is likely to blame for the poisonings of 14 people in December, according to research published in the June 2 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Model Predicts Acute GI Bleeding in Anticoagulated Patients
FRIDAY, June 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients taking oral anticoagulants, a new model can predict acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, which is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, according to a study published online May 19 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Comorbid Celiac Disease Common Among Youth With T1DM
FRIDAY, June 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Children with type 1 diabetes often have comorbid celiac disease (CD), according to a study published online May 25 in Diabetes Care.
Cool Water Works As Well As Hot for Ridding Hands of Germs
FRIDAY, June 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For effective hand hygiene, water temperature matters less than time, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Food Protection.
Three-Drug Combo Pill Nearly 100 Percent Effective in Curing Hep C
THURSDAY, June 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A pill containing the antiviral drugs sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir is nearly 100 percent effective in curing hepatitis C in patients whose disease returned after treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents, according to research published in the June 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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