Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology Audio Summaries

Gluten-free diet may not be all that safe because of an increase in the accumulation of heavy metals. New study identifies optimal histologic cutoff for treatment of EoE. Researchers examine the benefits and risks of biologic treatment withdrawal in patients with Crohn's. New data shed light on the efficacy and limitations of budesonide as a second-line treatment for patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

New data suggest that urgent endoscopy within 6 hours may reduce mortality in selected high-risk patients with non-variceal upper GI bleeding. New decision-analytic model compares the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of endoscopic therapy versus esophagectomy for T1a and T1b esophageal adenocarcinoma Diaphragmatic breathing reduces belching and PPI refractory gastroesophageal symptoms. Biliary sphincter of Oddidysfunction and suspected choledocholithias benefits from adoption of standardized practice algorithms for management of intermediate-risk patients to minimize unnecessary invasive testing.

New data reinforce the perils of opiate use in IBD patients. Researchers find that non-CDI enteric infections are uncommon triggers of flares in IBD patients. Pioglitazone is effective for treating NASH in patients with or without diabetes. Hypothetical biomarker test with substantially better performance than FIT would be more cost-effective than FIT if its cost doesn't exceed $57.

New systematic review looks at patient-reported outcome measures for IBD. New research highlights the importance of standardizing measures for clinical trials of ulcerative colitis. Identification of new biomarkers to guide vedolizumab use is necessary for treatment of IBD. Two articles by the same research group review topical issues in the management of IBD.

New meta-analysis shows that celiac disease is a global problem. Uncomplicated diverticular disease does not cause chronic GI symptoms. Patients with downstaging HCC by liver transplantation have excellent outcomes. Observational study shows that patients with anal and/or perianal Crohn's disease are at higher risk for anal and rectal cancer.