Gastroenterology

Many common GI disorders are seen in the primary care setting. This compact slide show provides visual presentations of a range of these vexing problems.

The American College of Gastroenterology's last update to their gastroesophageal reflux disease guideline was published in 2005, so this February's new synthesis of more current treatment standards is welcome.

The rate of diagnosis for acute kidney injury in hospital admissions is higher with the use of high-potency statins than with low-potency statins, according to a retrospective observation analysis.

The mechanisms and effectiveness of probiotics in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease are emerging.

Emphysematous pancreatitis is a rare form of necrotizing pancreatitis. Free air within the pancreatic parenchyma is typically attributed to infection.

Researchers concluded that psychological factors might contribute to the development of this disorder but not ulcerative colitis.

These agents remain the mainstay of therapy for the majority of patients with the disease.

They are similar chronic inflammatory diseases with causes unknown, and recent clinical and genetic evidence supports an intertwined pathogenic relationship.

Therapy for ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease has been transformed with the introduction of anti–tumor necrosis factor treatment, according to University of Miami authors.

EoE is a chronic, immune/antigen-mediated esophageal disease. Clinical symptoms reflect esophageal dysfunction; histology is characterized by eosinophil-predominant inflammation.

Several classes of drugs seem to have positive effects for patients with GI disorders--including NSAIDs, anticonvulsants, alpha-adrenergic agents, neuromuscular agents, and antidepressants. Details here.

Here: an update on the challenges of detection, diagnosis, and management of celiac disease and non–celiac disease and the importance of gluten sensitivity.

Are you making the most out of your patients’ office visits? If you are not listening effectively, the answer is no, said Douglas A. Drossman, MD, at the American College of Gastroenterology 77th Annual Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas.

The number of patients who are dying because of upper GI bleeding has decreased over the past 2 decades, according to a study reported at the American College of Gastroenterology 77th Annual Scientific Meeting.

Patients who have chronic constipation may be at increased risk for colorectal cancer and benign neoplasms, researchers reported at the American College of Gastroenterology 77th Annual Scientific Meeting. In addition, new colonoscopy surveillance guidelines have been issued.

Despite warnings and concerns, the evidence points to this bottom line: PPIs are relatively safe over the long term.

Ulcerative colitis is primarily a mucosal disease, and other changes appear to be secondary to this process. By contrast, Crohn disease, or granulomatous colitis, involves the whole thickness of the bowel wall.

Intestinal helminthes represent one of the most prevalent types of human parasitic disease and remain a major health problem in developing countries.

The subcutaneous tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor golimumab shows robust clinical responses, mucosal healing, and improved quality of life for ulcerative colitis patients who respond poorly to conventional treatments.

Is the increased risk of IBD due to pollution, a too-clean home, or antibiotics? Or none of the above?

An association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and these two inflammatory bowel disorders has long been suspected but not, until now, documented.

Ulcerative colitis has a greater impact on patients’ quality of life than physicians perceive, and the disease affects their lives even more than the impact of other chronic conditions, according to paired surveys of doctors and patients.

Diagnostic colonoscopy revealed innumerable polyps carpeting the mucosa from the rectum to the cecum. Endoscopic findings and family history were most consistent with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Patients with IBD may have discomfort for 3 to 5 years before a diagnosis is made. Many are treated unsuccessfully with antibiotics, anti-spasmodics, or narcotics. Here, read 5 important tips, plus a bonus point, to help streamline diagnosis and management.

How best to manage ulcerative colitis? Here: highlights from guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology on assessment, treatment, indications for surgery, and cancer surveillance.

A diet high in fats and protein increases the risk of developing ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, researchers found. Hou and colleagues performed a systematic review to evaluate the association between diet and risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Despite a lower prevalence of traditional risk factors-such as hypertension and diabetes-patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher incidence of stroke, said researchers at the University of Miami.

Does upper endoscopy affect the diagnosis or management of adults with colitis? No, say investigators from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, although the procedure is routinely performed in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the colon.

Quality of life in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a key focus of research presented at the 2010 Advances in IBD conference in Hollywood, Florida. Two of the top abstracts address social isolation and patient adherence to medication regimens among teenagers with IBD.