Gastroenterology

A large multinational observational study of patients with hepatitis C reveals etiology does not play a major role in HCV survival rates and that early detection and access to treatment have a greater impact.

Preliminary results from the M12-999 study show that treatment with ABT-450/ritonavir/ombitasvir plus dasabuvir and ribavirin is well tolerated and associated with high rates of sustained virologic response in adult liver transplant recipients with recurrent HCV genotype 1 infection.

Results from the phase III ION-2 study show a 24-week regimen of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir does not produce significantly better cure rates than a 12-week regimen in treatment-experienced patients.

Results from the NEED study show combination treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a and either adefovir or entecavir does not increase HBeAg seroconversion rate compared to monotherapy alone in patients with hepatitis B.

Results from the SAPPHIRE-I trial show that Abbvie's 3D therapy produced 96% sustained viral response rates at 12 weeks in treatment-naive patient with genotype 1 hepatitis C.

Data from the PEARL-I trial of patients with hepatitis C genotype 4 show high rates of sustained virologic response at 12 weeks associated with combination treatment with ABT-450 (a protease inhibitor boosted by ritonavir) and ombitasvir.

An 8-week course of treatment with a fixed dose combination of ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir produced sustained virologic response in more than 90 percent of treatment-naïve patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C.

Results from the ELECTRON-2 study presented at EASL 2014 show treatment with fixed-dose combo of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir produced sustained virologic response in three cohorts of patients.

Study of farnesoid-x receptor agonist demonstrates protective effects on bacterial translocation from the small intestine in rat model of cholestatic liver disease.

SAPPHIRE II trial results show sustained virologic response in 96% of treatment-experienced patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C who were treated with interferon-free, triple-drug regimen.

IBS symptoms play a minor role, according to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, which asked patients to rate their overall health.

Isotretinoin, a treatment for severe acne, has been linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in some case reports and 1 study. To investigate whether isotretinoin can induce IBD, French researchers conducted a 2-year nationwide registry study.

Federal plan includes new hepatitis C testing recommendations, enhanced hepatitis B education and outreach initiatives, and increased efforts at surveillance to monitor disease transmission, and other components.

Bristol Myers-Squibb announced it has submitted new drug applications for the investigational products daclatasvir and asunaprevir for the treatment of patients with genotype 1b hepatitis C.

Gilead's new drug application for a once-daily, fixed dose combination of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infection in adults has been given priority review by the FDA.

Preliminary FDA advisory panel recommends approval of a stool DNA-based colorectal cancer screening test based on favorable study results.

A new retrospective study suggests that patients with autoimmune disorders should be monitored for epilepsy, and vice versa.

Fitful nights of sleeplessness and daytime fatigue were more common among people with hepatitis C regardless of whether they had cirrhosis of the liver when compared to the healthy control group involved in a small study.

Trial data presented at ACC.14 showed bariatric surgery was associated with much better long-term glycemic control in obese patients with diabetes compared with standard intensive medical therapy alone.

Although wound dehiscence is believed to occur in only 0.2-6% of abdominal laparotomies, its associated mortality rate is high.

Postoperative surgical site infection is exceedingly rare after hemorrhoidectomy, and routine antibiotic prophylaxis seems to be unnecessary.

Of the 3 to 4 million Americans with chronic HCV infection, only 13% to 18% have received treatment. Understanding the current guidelines in HCV treatment and understanding the current role of direct-acting antiviral agents is an important priority for clinicians.

Laparoscopically skilled surgeons with low case volumes have operative times, complication rates, and 30-day hospital readmission rates similar to high-volume surgeons.

Genetics, diet, past trauma, and anxiety have all been thought to play a role in the cause of irritable bowel syndrome, but new research has found a clue to the disease.

With the approval of several new therapies in hepatitis C, by late 2013, the 2011 hepatitis C treatment guidelines were well out of date. A multidisciplinary group of infectious disease specialists and hepatology specialists have changed that with a website offering treatment guideline updates at unprecedented speed.

Nearly one-third of the population in the US who have hepatitis C are people who are incarcerated; however, prevalence of the disease among this group has dipped in recent years.

Study results show hepatic decompensation is more common in people who have both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared to those infected only with HCV, an indication that early HCV treatment among coinfected patients is needed.

Morbidly or severely obese individuals develop migraine disorders significantly more often than patients who carry less weight.

Sodium picosulfate, a commonly prescribed medication for bowel prep prior to colonoscopy, is associated with increased risk of hyponatremia in older adults compared to polyethylene glycol.

Patients with unreasonable or uninformed expectations are often unprepared for the postoperative period and dissatisfied with their outcomes. As a result, healthcare professionals are dedicating more time to studying and managing patient expectations, including making sure all involved have a clear understanding of what to expect in terms of risks and benefits.