Gastroenterology News and Research

RSS

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine where the digestive system and its disorders are studied.

Educating African Americans on colorectal cancer screening can reduce death rates

Physician experts from the American College of Gastroenterology raised concern that the majority of African Americans are not aware of the recommendation that they should undergo colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45—five years before current guidelines generally recommend.

26 Mar 2010

Hepatic encephalopathy drug XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets receives FDA marketing approval

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing approval for XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence in patients 18 years of age or older. HE is a serious disorder caused by chronic liver failure, resulting in cognitive, psychiatric and motor impairments. This approval was supported by findings from the largest randomized trial of maintenance therapy in HE conducted to date, which assessed the efficacy and safety of XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets and demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the risk of overt HE recurrence.

25 Mar 2010

Bariatric surgery may delay onset of type 2 diabetes, says study

A team of researchers, led by a UC Davis veterinary endocrinologist, has shown for the first time that a surgical procedure in rats that is similar to bariatric surgery in humans can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

25 Mar 2010

Xifaxan drug receives FDA approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the use of Xifaxan for reduction in the risk of the recurrence of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with advanced liver disease.

25 Mar 2010

Virtual biopsy probes to detect precancerous polyps to be available soon

The newest generation of "virtual biopsy" colonoscopy probes being tested at the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida demonstrate that it might soon be possible to use such a device to determine whether a colon polyp is benign and not remove it for biopsy. Currently, all colon polyps are extracted during a colonoscopy and sent to a pathologist for examination, which adds time, expense, and some surgical risk, to the procedure.

24 Mar 2010

AARDA launches campaign on family AQ

In honor of the designation of March as National Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month by the U.S. Senate on March 4, 2010, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) wants to help you learn your family's AQ. AQ is a play on IQ that stands for Autoimmune Quotient. It's about knowing how likely you or a loved one is to develop an autoimmune disease, based on the prevalence of these diseases and your family history. The campaign features AARDA National Spokesperson and Actress Kellie Martin, best known for her memorable roles on "E.R." and "Life Goes On."

22 Mar 2010

Given Imaging to purchase Sierra Scientific Instruments from Water Street Healthcare Partners for $35M

Water Street Healthcare Partners, a leading private equity firm focused exclusively on health care, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its gastrodiagnostic device company, Sierra Scientific Instruments, to Given Imaging Ltd ( GIVN). Given Imaging, the global leader in patient-friendly GI diagnostic and monitoring solutions, will purchase the business for $35 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close in early April.

22 Mar 2010

Enrollment in internal medicine residency program remains stagnant

The number of U.S. medical students choosing internal medicine residencies inched higher from 2009 but not enough to significantly impact the shortage of primary care physicians.

19 Mar 2010

Working rotating shifts may increase risk of developing IBS and abdominal pain

Nurses participating in shift work, especially those working rotating shifts, face a significantly increased risk of developing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and abdominal pain compared to those working a standard day-time schedule, according to research published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

19 Mar 2010

EndoChoice launches new CEU Video Program for reprocessing endoscopes

EndoChoice, Inc. strengthens its position as the leader in endoscopy industry with the launch of a new CEU program and a complete line of products focused on efficient and effective endoscope reprocessing.

18 Mar 2010

Researchers find some similarities between SPN and PET

Solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas is relatively rare. There are some similarities between SPN and pancreatic endocrine tumor (PET), especially the non-functioning ones, in clinical and pathological manifestations.

18 Mar 2010

Hypnotherapy and probiotics effective for reducing IBS symptoms

Hypnotherapy seems to be very effective for easing the distressing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and in a goodly proportion of cases, clears up symptoms altogether, reveal experts during a wide ranging discussion of the condition in a Frontline Gastroenterology podcast.

18 Mar 2010

Healthcare professionals need expertise in nutrition and intestinal failure

The profession must take advantage of changes in medical education to ensure that all health professionals, but especially gut specialists, are given adequate training in nutrition, urge Dr Penny Nield and colleagues, in the launch issue of Frontline Gastroenterology, the new quarterly companion journal to Gut.

18 Mar 2010

Bovie Medical reports revenues totalling $6.5M for fourth-quarter 2009

Bovie Medical Corporation, a manufacturer and marketer of electrosurgical products, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

16 Mar 2010

Vermont: Only state to pass bill mandating coverage of colon cancer screening

Progress towards nationwide, state-mandated coverage of colon cancer screening according to accepted medical guidelines has slowed to a crawl as state legislators await the outcome of the health care reform debate at the federal level, a coalition of public health associations and medical professional societies reported today. With a better grade for only a single state – Vermont – 2009 marks the least improvement in a single year since the Colorectal Cancer Legislation Report Card began in 2004.

12 Mar 2010

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center recommends colonoscopy screening to reduce risk of colon cancer

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center are encouraging men and women to learn more about colon polyps and how they affect a person's risks for cancer.

11 Mar 2010

Insulin resistance in Hepatitis C patients: Mostly in muscle and not in liver

We have known for several years that Hepatitis C, a common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, also makes people three to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

10 Mar 2010

IBS patients are at no greater risk of having polyps, colon cancer than healthy people undergoing colonoscopies

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome are at no greater risk of having polyps, colon cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases than healthy people undergoing colonoscopies, according to new research published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

10 Mar 2010

New study suggests rising childhood obesity is linked to food allergies

First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” Campaign tells us that about 32 percent of children and teens (or 25 million) are obese or overweight. It revealed those extra pounds put them at greater risk of developing debilitating and costly diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and may also cause them to lead a two to five year shorter life than their parents

10 Mar 2010

Pharmaceutical Institute announces the release of Therapeutic Area Essentials

Pharmaceutical Institute, a leading provider of specialized training solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry and a subsidiary of Campbell Alliance, today announced the release of Therapeutic Area Essentials™, a comprehensive suite of more than 155 therapeutic area e-courses covering diagnosis, cause, and treatment for over 40 disease states.

9 Mar 2010