American College of Gastroenterology » News

Colonoscopy bests CT in polyp detection

jgaulin — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:43:49 +0000

Computed tomography coupled with a contrast agent that shows fecal matter identified large colon polyps in 91% of patients, compared with 95% of patients who had a colonoscopy with bowel preparation, according to research by Michael Zalis and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The difference in screening methods was larger for smaller polyps. Virtual colonoscopy only found 70% of polyps less than 8 millimeters, compared with 88% found using a scope. Indiana University School of Medicine professor Dr. Douglas Rex said the advantages of colonoscopy are worth the inconvenience of bowel preparation unless a patient cannot tolerate the regimen. Bloomberg (5/14)

ACG note: Readers who are members of the ACG GI Circle are encouraged to review Dr. Rex’s full commentary on the clinical implications of the Zalis study in terms of accuracy in indentifying smaller lesions and specificity for larger polyps. The research highlighted in the article was partially funded by GE Healthcare.

Analysis links PPIs to higher risk of C. diff infection

jgaulin — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:41:26 +0000

An analysis of 42 observational studies found proton pump inhibitors raise the risk of Clostridium difficile infection, especially for patients taking antibiotics, U.K. researchers reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Researchers said PPIs should be avoided by patients taking antibiotics “unless there are clear gastrointestinal indications for acid-suppression therapy.” Medscape (free registration)/Reuters (5/14)

Physicians comment on link between IBS, gluten sensitivity

jgaulin — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:39:54 +0000

Research, including data published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, supports the notion of gluten sensitivity without celiac disease and ties gluten to irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, according to Drs. Courtney Ferch and William Chey of the University of Michigan Health System. The physicians said recent analyses find IBS patients have higher rates of celiac disease, but U.S. studies find no higher risk among patients with IBS symptoms and no warning signs. Celiac.com (5/14)

ACG joins medical groups in critique of meaningful use criteria

jgaulin — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:52:49 +0000

A letter to CMS signed by the American Medical Association, ACG and 97 other medical groups argued proposed stage 2 meaningful use requirements for EHRs will discourage health care providers from using them. The organizations say CMS should ask physicians about what did and did not work in stage 1 and seek suggestions on structuring the stage 2 requirements. ACG also sent a separate letter with sister GI societies AGA and ASGE on the specific impact on clinical GI practice. Medscape (free registration) (5/8)

Probiotic use might limit antibiotic-associated diarrhea

jgaulin — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:51:59 +0000

Consumption of foods rich in probiotics reduces the risk of diarrhea in patients taking antibiotics by 42%, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers emphasized that more studies are needed to demonstrate whether benefits vary in terms of antibiotic type, probiotic preparation or patient population. HealthDay News (5/8)

Study: Hispanics, blacks face higher risk of polyps

jgaulin — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:51:14 +0000

In a study of 5,075 men and women over 50 who had their first colonoscopy between 2006 to 2010, at least one polyp was found in 22% of Hispanics and 26% of blacks, compared with 19% of whites. Columbia University Medical Center gastroenterologist and lead author Dr. Benjamin Lebwohl said the study shows the need to “redouble our efforts to increase colon cancer screening in areas with large numbers of racial and ethnic minorities.” Daily News (New York) (5/3)

CDC expected to call for nationwide HCV testing of baby boomers

jgaulin — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:27:12 +0000

CDC officials said they will make a nationwide push for hepatitis C screening based on age as a risk factor because of growing mortality among baby boomers. Officials anticipate the CDC this year will recommend everyone born between 1945 and 1965 be tested for hepatitis C virus. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.)/Los Angeles Times (5/2)

Study: 63% do not follow physicians’ orders on meds

jgaulin — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:17:53 +0000

An analysis of nearly 76,000 patient urine samples showed 63% were not following doctors’ orders. Of those people, 40% were not taking drugs they had been prescribed, while 60% were taking drugs they had not been prescribed. The Wall Street Journal/Health Blog (4/25)

Meta-analysis evaluates acupuncture in IBS

jgaulin — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:16:46 +0000

A meta-analysis reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterology suggests mixed evidence on whether acupuncture benefits IBS patients. The team from the University of Maryland said some trials indicate acupuncture is no better than a sham treatment, whereas in others acupuncture outperformed certain medications. The researchers said both sets of trials were limited by study design. Read the abstract. Medscape (free registration)/Reuters (4/25)

Study links NAFLD to cancer even without liver disease

jgaulin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:42:47 +0000

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who do not have other liver diseases or cirrhosis, according to a study from Newcastle Hospitals in the U.K. Researchers said only 9% of patients in the study got liver cancer without having metabolic risk factors and that alcohol played only a minor role. Medscape (free registration) (4/25)