Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Gastroenterology for September 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.
CVS Halts Sales of OTC Zantac
MONDAY, Sept. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- CVS is the latest drugstore chain to stop selling over-the-counter Zantac (ranitidine), as well as the store's own generic version of the heartburn medicine, because of contamination with a known carcinogen.
AP News Article
Low Cancer Suspicion Tied to Delay in CRC Referral in Primary Care
MONDAY, Sept. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Delay in referral for colorectal cancer (CRC) in primary care is associated with low cancer suspicion, according to a study published in the September/October issue of Annals of Family Medicine.
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DPP4 Inhibitors Do Not Up Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
FRIDAY, Sept. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Short-term use of a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor (DPP4i) for the treatment of diabetes does not increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a study published online Aug. 30 in Diabetes Care.
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Mental Health Service Use Up After Bariatric Surgery
FRIDAY, Sept. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- There is an increase in mental health service presentations after bariatric surgery, according to a study published online Sept. 25 in JAMA Psychiatry.
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SBRT Shortens Tx for Prostate Cancer Without Greater Toxicity
FRIDAY, Sept. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- A targeted radiotherapy technique can substantially cut treatment time for prostate cancer without increasing gastrointestinal or genitourinary acute toxicity, according to a phase 3 study published online Sept. 17 in The Lancet Oncology.
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Recommendations Developed for Evaluating Chronic Diarrhea
FRIDAY, Sept. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- In new American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) clinical practice guidelines, published in the September issue of Gastroenterology, recommendations are presented for laboratory evaluation of chronic watery diarrhea.
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Average Annual Premium for Workers Increased in 2019
THURSDAY, Sept. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- In 2019, the average annual health insurance premium for workers increased slightly for single coverage and family coverage, according to a report published online Sept. 25 in Health Affairs.
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Deep Learning Models Classify Disease From Medical Imaging
THURSDAY, Sept. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Early evidence suggests that diagnostic performance of deep learning models is equivalent to that of health care professionals for interpreting medical imaging, according to a study published online Sept. 25 in The Lancet Digital Health.
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Vedolizumab Beats Adalimumab for Ulcerative Colitis Remissions
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- In moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis, vedolizumab is superior to adalimumab for achieving clinical remission and endoscopic improvement, but not corticosteroid-free clinical remission, and ustekinumab is superior to placebo for inducing and maintaining remission, according to two studies published in the Sept. 26 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Risk for Developing Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Up in IBD
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially male patients, have an increased risk for development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a study published online Aug. 16 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Mortality Persist in the U.S.
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- There are still racial and ethnic disparities in mortality, and these disparities are widening for some age groups, according to a study published online Sept. 24 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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Percentage of Women in Internal Med Residencies Increasing
TUESDAY, Sept. 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- From 1999 to 2016, the percentage of women in internal medicine residencies increased, but the percentage in subspecialty fellowships decreased, according to a research letter published online Sept. 23 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Guideline Updated for Prevention, Management of Hep C in CKD
MONDAY, Sept. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- In a synopsis of the 2018 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical practice guideline, published online Sept. 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, updated recommendations are presented for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
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High-Intensity Surveillance of Colorectal Adenomas Modeled
MONDAY, Sept. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with colorectal adenomas, high-intensity surveillance could provide modest benefits over low-intensity surveillance, at an acceptable cost, according to a study published online Sept. 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Protected Health Info Breaches Compromise Sensitive Data
MONDAY, Sept. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Most protected health information (PHI) breaches compromise sensitive demographic and/or financial information, according to a research letter published online Sept. 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Liver Transplants Rarely Performed for Unauthorized Immigrants
FRIDAY, Sept. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Liver transplantation (LT) is rarely performed for unauthorized immigrants in the United States, according to a study published online Sept. 20 in Hepatology.
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Maker Halts Distribution of Generic Zantac Due to Possible Carcinogen
THURSDAY, Sept. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Novartis, the maker of a generic form of Zantac, said Wednesday it will cease distribution of the medicine after investigations suggested that generic and branded versions contain a known carcinogen.
CBS News Article
More Information: FDA
Cognitive Therapy by Phone, Web May Ease Irritable Bowel Symptoms
TUESDAY, Sept. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered via telephone and web is effective for relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a study published online Sept. 3 in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
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ASTRO Issues Guideline for Radiation Tx in Pancreatic Cancer
THURSDAY, Sept. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- In a new American Society for Radiation Oncology clinical practice guideline, published in the September-October issue of Practical Radiation Oncology, recommendations are presented for radiation treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Skipping Cancer Referral Appointments Linked to Earlier Death
THURSDAY, Sept. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Cancer diagnosis is less likely in patients not attending referral appointments for suspected cancer, but these patients have worse early mortality outcomes than attending patients, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in Cancer Epidemiology.
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Frailty Assessment May Aid Liver Transplant Evaluation
THURSDAY, Sept. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- A frailty assessment as part of liver transplant evaluation may help identify transplant candidates at higher risk for death, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in JAMA Surgery.
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Medical Students Not Ready to Provide Nutritional Care
THURSDAY, Sept. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Medical education does not equip students to provide high-quality, effective nutrition care, according to a review published in the September issue of The Lancet Planetary Health.
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Nonphysician Providers Rarely Interpret Diagnostic Images
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Despite increasing roles of nonphysician providers (NPPs) in health care (nurse practitioners and physician assistants), they still rarely interpret diagnostic imaging studies, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in the American Journal of Roentgenology.
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High-Risk Antibiotic Use Linked to Hospital-Associated C. Difficile
TUESDAY, Sept. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Hospital-level high-risk antibiotic use is associated with the risk for hospital-associated (HA) Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), according to a study published online Sept. 16 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
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FDA: Zantac May Contain Small Amounts of Known Carcinogen
FRIDAY, Sept. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- A substance that could cause cancer has been found in some ranitidine heartburn and ulcer medicines, including the brand-name drug Zantac, and the source of this contamination is being investigated, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
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CDC Revises Number of Vaping-Linked Lung Illnesses to 380
FRIDAY, Sept. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. health officials have revised downward the number of cases of severe lung injury linked to vaping, from more than 450 cases cited last week to the total of 380 cases announced late Thursday.
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Cancer Survival Increasing in High-Income Countries
THURSDAY, Sept. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Cancer survival is continuing to increase across high-income countries, although there are international disparities, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in The Lancet Oncology.
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H. Pylori Treatment May Reduce Gastric Cancer Incidence, Death
THURSDAY, Sept. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Helicobacter pylori treatment, vitamin supplementation, and garlic supplementation are associated with a reduced risk for gastric cancer mortality, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in The BMJ.
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EPA to Phase Out Chemical Testing on Mammals
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- The eventual elimination of chemical testing on mammals was announced Tuesday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The New York Times Article
More Information: EPA
Risk for Long-Term Opioid Use Up in Hidradenitis Suppurativa
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have an increased risk for long-term opioid use, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in JAMA Dermatology.
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Guideline Updated for Screening, Surveillance of Barrett Esophagus
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- In a guideline published in the September issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, updated recommendations are presented for screening and surveillance among patients with Barrett esophagus (BE).
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Spending Up With Treatment in Hospital-Owned Practices
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Financial integration between physicians and hospitals raises patient spending but does not impact care quality, according to a study published online Sept. 3 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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Poverty Rate Drops, but Fewer Americans Have Health Insurance
TUESDAY, Sept. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- The percentage of Americans living in poverty declined in 2018, but the rate of those without health insurance increased, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report.
The New York Times Article
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Malnutrition Common in Older Brazilians Hospitalized for Cancer
TUESDAY, Sept. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of malnutrition is high among older, Brazilian patients hospitalized for cancer, according to a study published online Sept. 9 in Cancer.
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Studies Look at E-Cigarette Use Linked to Pulmonary Illness
MONDAY, Sept. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Electronic cigarette use has been associated with severe pulmonary illness, according to three studies published online Sept. 6 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Racial, Ethnic Underrepresentation Found in Med School Matriculants
FRIDAY, Sept. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Among medical school matriculants, black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) students are underrepresented, according to a study published online Sept. 4 in JAMA Network Open.
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Incidence of Colorectal Cancer Up in Younger Adults Worldwide
FRIDAY, Sept. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Among younger adults, colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence rates have increased in several countries, according to a study published online Sept. 5 in Gut.
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1971 to 2017 Saw 32 Drinking Water Hepatitis A Outbreaks
FRIDAY, Sept. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Thirty-two outbreaks of hepatitis A associated with drinking water were identified during 1971 to 2017, and all occurred before 2010, according to research published in the Sept. 6 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Majority of U.S. Doctors Believe ACA Has Improved Access to Care
THURSDAY, Sept. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Sixty percent of U.S. physicians believe that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has improved access to care and insurance after five years of implementation, according to a report published in the September issue of Health Affairs.
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Drinking More Coffee Tied to Lower Risk for Gallstone Disease
THURSDAY, Sept. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Individuals who drink more than six cups of coffee per day have a reduced risk for developing symptomatic gallstone disease (GSD), according to a study published online Sept. 5 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
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Drinking Soft Drinks Tied to Higher Risk for Early Death
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Greater consumption of soft drinks, both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened, is associated with a higher risk for all-cause mortality, according to a European study published online Sept. 3 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Microplastics Detected in Human Stool Samples
TUESDAY, Sept. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Microplastics have been detected in stool samples of healthy volunteers, according to research published online Sept. 3 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
