Gastroenterology

Fear avoidance contributes to disability and pain in children with functional abdominal pain but not inflammatory bowel disease, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society.

Many adhesions are asymptomatic, but in some patients, they can cause pain, small bowel obstruction and other postoperative issues, as well as increase cost and complicate surgical suite workload.

Although molecularly targeted cancer therapies are generally safe and more effective than previous treatment options, some serious adverse events can occur.

Inconsistencies between ClinicalTrials.gov and medical journals' reporting are raising questions about the editing and disseminating process.

Researchers have found a way to correct post-meal hypoglycemia in gastric bypass patients, according to a study published in Gastroenterology.

The California Technology Assessment Forum recently evaluated the comparative clinical effectiveness and value of simeprevir and sofosbuvir in the treatment of chronic hepatitis c infection.

Noting advances in hepatitis C treatment regimens, Walgreens expands access to its hepatitis C–focused patient care program.

Bristol-Myers Squibb's investigational combination of daclatasvir and asunaprevir for type-1b hepatitis C virus infection has received breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA.

Aggressive medical therapy might be more closely linked to mortality and malignancy in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease than the condition itself, according to a new study.

Recent studies suggest that combination therapy with infliximab and azathioprine is more effective than monotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease, but patients with more established Crohn's disease do not derive any extra benefit from triple therapy with infliximab, methotrexate, and prednisone compared to double therapy with infliximab and prednisone.

Preliminary research data revealed a significantly higher incidence of opioid-induced constipation among patients taking opioid analgesics for chronic non-cancer pain than self-reported constipation complaints suggest.

Despite ridicule and derision from their peers, many legitimate biomedical scientists have pursued drugs, treatments, and interventions to restore youth, extend life, or both.

Estimates from a national survey indicate that there are 2.7 million people in the United States who are chronically infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a decline over previous years.

Hepatitis C often goes unreported on death certificates and people who have the virus are more likely to die younger than those who don't, according to results from 2 mortality studies.

Mice models demonstrating colorectal cancer development were influenced by nongenetic factors such as gut microbes.

A minimally-invasive, surgically-implanted esophagus band developed at Stony Brook University Hospital effectively reduces symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Scientists in Sweden have identified CD14hiHLA-DRdim, which they believe is the primary macrophage responsible for the pro-inflammatory symptoms of Crohn's disease.

At the beginning of Colon Cancer Awareness month, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network expanded its guidelines to include Lynch syndrome screening, which should dramatically increase the number of patients eligible for hereditary colon cancer testing.

One patient-centered medical home pilot was associated with improvement in only one of 11 quality areas and was not associated with reductions in hospital utilization or costs of care over 3 years.

In a meta-analysis of 6 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies, researchers concluded that acupuncture is effective in controlling the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

While the dangers of influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia in patient with diabetes are well understood, less known is the fact that diabetics are at increased risk for contracting hepatitis B if they share blood glucose meters, finger stick devices, or other diabetes-care equipment.

Study results show that epsilon toxin, produced by a common foodborne bacterium, attacks the brain's myelin-producing cells and targets other cells associated with inflammation in MS.

Scientists have mapped the structure of a hepatitis C virus surface protein that is responsible for binding to host liver cells, leading to virus entry.

Combination therapy using daclatasvir and sofosbuvir has attained a sustained viral response 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12) in more than 90% of patients with hepatitis C, regardless of prior treatment.

The nutritionally skewed "Western" diet relies on processed foods that foster obesity and may even promote autoimmune diseases.

The Food and Drug Administration has updated a drug warning label and medication guide for Victrelis (boceprevir) after receiving reports of abnormally low levels of red and white blood cells in patients who received it as part of combination treatment for hepatitis C.

While there are no medical safety reasons to avoid becoming pregnant after a tummy tuck, there is no definitive way to ensure the results of the procedure will remain intact throughout a new pregnancy.

Saliva tests for detecting anti–hepatitis C antibodies may not be as effective in patients who also have an HIV infection.

Frequency phone calls were a predictor of future visits to the emergency department or hospitalization for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, according to a new study.

Although preoperative fasting is intended to address stomach acid and prevent the aspiration of gastric contents, some experts believe it is based more on tradition than necessity.