Latest Conference Articles

Perfecting an exercise regimen on an individual basis for people with multiple sclerosis is no easy task, as described at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Center (CMSC) in National Harbor, Maryland.

A change in appetite may not be a huge red flag in most people, but in patients with multiple sclerosis, it could have a larger meaning.

To date, there is no treatment approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. But a promising treatment could change that regardless of apparent skin reactions.

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) help reduce relapses in people with multiple sclerosis. While options have expanded, little is known about which one has the greatest effectiveness.

A phase III study that examined teriflunomide (Aubagio) in a subtype of patients with multiple sclerosis was presented at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Center (CMSC) in National Harbor, Maryland.

There are various disease-modifying treatment (DMT) options for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). But how much do neurologists and patients agree on the first-line course?

Ophthalmology has made great strides in recent years treating many of the more commonly seen conditions, but work is being done to address some of the more rare problems, as well.

Even a decade ago the technology used in diagnosis for ophthalmology was still developing. In that time work has been done to improve the ways doctors can see the potential problems their patients may have to provide a higher level of care.

A condition like chronic traumatic encephalopathy is only able to be diagnosed now after a patient has already died. New technology is being developed to help patients while they are still alive. These new techniques could also be used to help other conditions as well.

For more than a decade medical researchers have been learning more about their fields from studying the injuries sustained by soldiers on the battlefield. A recent study looked at vision loss in this patient population, particularly in regards to traumatic brain injury.

While cataracts may be one of the most common conditions being treated the National Eye Institute is also looking at ways to treat other less commonly seen issues as well.

Cataracts are one of the most common diagnosis in eye care but there is still work being done to help treat the condition in the most effective way possible.

As medications for hepatitis C become more widely used, studies are being done to see how effective these treatments are when used in combination.

The development of new medications for any condition requires attention to detail in a number of areas, especially safety and efficacy. A recent drug developed for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) looked to be effective in both areas prior to its approval.

Researchers reported that SVR12 rates in real-world, post-transplant genotype 1 HCV patients treated with ledipasvir-sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, is 98% across regimens and various characteristics.

Researchers report promising results from the QUARTZ-I study that assessed the efficacy of the 3D regimen combined with sofosbuvir in treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 1 infection.

Results from the ION-3 trial showed that the rapidity and durability of viral suppression achieved with ledipasvir-sofosbuvir therapy allows a shorter treatment course of 8 weeks in genotype 1, treatment-naïve, non-cirrhotic patients.

As more women take leadership roles in gastroenterology and , it can go a long way in helping to bridge the gender gap in that other specialties in medicine.

As with many areas of medicine, the ratio of male doctors in gastroenterology to female counterparts is considerable – although work is being done to lessen that gap across the field.

As with all surgical procedures, there are risks that come with gastric bypass surgery. While the procedure itself is not new, there is work being done to make it more effective and longer lasting for patients who utilize this valuable weight loss option.

Obesity remains a growing problem and while gastric bypass surgery has become a viable option for many patients, there is still work being done to improve the procedure.

The new Rome IV criteria classify the functional bowel disorders into five distinct categories, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional constipation, functional diarrhea, functional abdominal bloating/distention, and unspecified functional bowel disorder. A new category for opioid-induced constipation, which is distinct from the functional bowel disorders, has been added.

Rome IV updates include more specific definitions and diagnostic criteria for functional gastroduodenal disorders such as functional dyspepsia, belching disorders, and nausea and vomiting disorders.

The Rome Foundation announced the release of updated and revised Rome IV diagnostic criteria for more than 20 different gastrointestinal disorders at DDW 2016.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a common procedure in adult patients but a recent study looked at whether the procedure was safe for younger patients and whether it provided the same level of efficacy.

A recent study looked to shed light on the long-researched belief that caffeine decreases the risk of advanced hepatic fibrosis in people with hepatitis C.

Not only is chronic liver disease the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, but it hurts a patient’s wallet and quality of life.

Obesity, not a low-fiber diet, is more strongly associated with colonic diverticula.

The connection between morbid obesity and death from acute pancreatitis has been studied, however, most obese patient do not fall in the “morbid†category. So researchers decided to analyze that very topic.

Treatment isn’t enough to keep ulcerative colitis relapses at bay; dietary factors play in an important role in flares as well. New research identifies foods that patients should stay away from.