Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Gastroenterology for December 2019. 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.
Nurses Can Help Manage Drug Interactions in HIV/Hep C Treatment
TUESDAY, Dec. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Drug interactions between antiretroviral therapy (ART) and direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) pose a clinical challenge in patients with HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection, according to an article published online Dec. 17 in the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.
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Machine Learning System Makes More Alerts for Med Errors
TUESDAY, Dec. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A machine learning system can generate clinically valid alerts for medication errors that might be missed with existing clinical decision support (CDS) systems, according to a study published in the January issue of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.
Incidence of Early-Onset Gastric Cancer Increasing in the U.S.
TUESDAY, Dec. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of early-onset gastric cancer has been increasing in the United States, and it seems to be distinct clinically and genetically from late-onset gastric cancer, according to a study recently published in Surgery.
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Gastric Sleeve Tied to Lower Risk for Subsequent Procedures
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients undergoing vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) appear to be less likely than matched patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) to experience subsequent abdominal operative interventions, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in JAMA Network Open.
Bariatric Surgery in Teens May Cut Diabetic Kidney Disease Risk
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Among obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes, metabolic bariatric surgery is associated with decreased rates of hyperfiltration and elevated urinary albumin excretion (UAE), according to a study published in the January issue of Diabetes Care.
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Many Hospitals Fail to Provide Instructions for Patient Portals
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many hospital patient portals fail to educate patients fully and set expectations for secure messaging, according to a study recently published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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Polygenic Risk Score More Strongly Linked to Early-Onset CRC
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A polygenic risk score (PRS), developed from 95 colorectal cancer (CRC)-associated genetic risk variants, is more strongly associated with early- than late-onset cancer, especially in the absence of family history, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in Gastroenterology.
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Patient Share of Out-of-Network Costs Rising
TUESDAY, Dec. 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network (OON) care grew rapidly for privately insured Americans from 2012 to 2017, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Managed Care.
Half of Patients on PPIs for GERD Still Have Persistent Symptoms
TUESDAY, Dec. 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) symptoms are common, and more than half of patients taking daily proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy continue to experience persistent symptoms, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in Gastroenterology.
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Enrollment in Affordable Care Act Holds Steady for Third Straight Year
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Enrollment in Affordable Care Act coverage for next year has surpassed 8 million, a sign that many Americans still turn to the government health insurance program to help pay for their medical care.
Continuing Full Induction Regimen Not Beneficial in Metastatic CRC
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, continuing full cytotoxic chemotherapy until progression offers no benefit over observation, according to research published online Dec. 19 in JAMA Oncology.
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Private Care Program for U.S. Vets Gets $8.9 Billion in Budget Deal
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A controversial program meant to get more U.S. veterans to use private health care received $8.9 billion as part of a government spending bill approved by the House.
Treatment for Younger Adults With CRC Improved Under ACA
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of the Dependent Coverage Expansion (DCE) under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) increased early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and receipt of timely adjuvant chemotherapy for surgically resected stage IIB to IIIC CRC among DCE-eligible patients, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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FDA to Allow States to Import Prescription Drugs From Other Countries
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Federal health officials have unveiled plans to allow prescription drug imports from Canada and other foreign nations.
CRC Screening Up for Ages 45 to 49 After ACS Guideline Update
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Following publication of updated guidelines by the American Cancer Society recommending that the age for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening be lowered to 45 years, there was an increase in screening among those aged 45 to 49 years, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in Cancer.
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Cannabis Use Disorder May Up Risk of Perioperative Heart Attack
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Active cannabis use disorder is associated with an increased perioperative risk of myocardial infarction, according to a study published in the December issue of Anesthesiology.
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New Rules Seek to Increase Organ Transplants in U.S.
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Two new rules meant to increase organ transplants in the United States have been proposed by the federal government.
Hospital-Level Home Acute Care Can Cut Costs, Health Care Use
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For acutely ill adults, hospital-level care at home is associated with reduced costs, health care use, and readmissions compared with usual hospital care, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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One in 10 Hospital Patients May Carry C. Diff at Admission
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nearly one in 10 patients admitted to a hospital with no symptoms of diarrhea may be a carrier of Clostridioides difficile, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
Outcomes Worse for Rural Residents With Chronic Conditions
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Rural Medicare beneficiaries with complex chronic conditions have higher preventable hospitalization and mortality rates than their urban peers, which is partially explained by reduced access to specialists, according to a report published in the December issue of Health Affairs, a theme issue on rural health.
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease Ups Risk for Serious Viral Infections
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a threefold higher risk for systemic serious viral infections (SVIs) compared with the general population, according to a study published online Nov. 14 in the United European Gastroenterology Journal.
Many Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors Die From Other Causes
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Non-breast cancer (non-BC) causes of death represent a considerable proportion of deaths among patients diagnosed with BC, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in Cancer.
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Hahn Confirmed as New FDA Chief
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Stephen Hahn, M.D., was confirmed as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in a 72-18 Senate vote on Thursday.
Model May Predict Barrett Esophagus Diagnosis in GERD Patients
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A diagnostic model can help predict diagnosis of Barrett esophagus in patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in The Lancet Digital Health.
1999 to 2017 Saw Drop in IBD Hospitalization Rate for Whites
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 1999 to 2017, the hospitalization rate for Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis decreased among non-Hispanic white Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years, but not among non-Hispanic blacks, according to research published in the Dec. 13 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
U.S. Primary Care Doctors Face Challenges in Coordinating Care
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Physicians from the United States and other high-income countries report difficulties with care coordination, with a substantial proportion of U.S. physicians not receiving timely notification or the information needed from specialists or other sites of care, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in Health Affairs.
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U.S. Health Care Spending Up 4.6 Percent in 2018
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2018, U.S. health care spending increased 4.6 percent, a faster rate than that seen in 2017, according to a report published online Dec. 5 in Health Affairs.
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2016 to 2019 Saw Increase in Medical Students With Disabilities
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2016 to 2019, there was an increase in the proportion of medical students reporting disabilities, according to a research letter published in the Nov. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Half of U.S. Physicians Recommend Complementary Health Approaches
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than half of office-based physicians recommend complementary health approaches (CHAs) to their patients, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Rural Population Underrepresented Among Medical Students
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2017, less than 5 percent of all incoming medical students were rural students, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs, a theme issue on rural health.
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Retail Prescription Drug Prices Fall for First Time in 45 Years
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Retail prescription drug prices in the United States fell by 1 percent last year, a new government report shows.
Bariatric Surgery May Raise Risk for Colon Cancer Years Later
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Individuals who undergo bariatric surgery may be at increased risk for developing colon cancer years later, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the International Journal of Cancer.
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More Than 100 E. Coli Illnesses Now Linked to Romaine Lettuce
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Federal health officials are currently investigating a multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli infection linked to romaine lettuce thought to be grown in Salinas, California.
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Services Affected by Rural Hospitals Joining Health Systems
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — While affiliating with health systems may boost a rural hospital’s financial viability, the affiliation is often associated with reductions in critical services, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs, a theme issue on rural health.
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Aspirin Use May Reduce Cancer, All-Cause Mortality in Seniors
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Aspirin use three or more times per week is associated with reductions in all-cause, any cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality among older adults, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in JAMA Network Open.
Adults Not Living in Metro Areas Have Reduced Access to Care
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adults not living in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) are more likely to have reduced access to or use of health care services, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the National Health Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Physician Depressive Symptoms Tied to Higher Risk for Medical Errors
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Physicians showing depressive symptoms are at higher risk for medical errors, according to a review published Nov. 27 in JAMA Network Open.
Outcomes of Hep C Screening Intervention Examined
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A multicomponent intervention can improve hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening, although there is considerable variation by practice, according to a study published online Dec. 3 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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