Gastroenterology News and Research

RSS

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

Stress won't cause stomach ulcers, but it can make them worse

“Stress won't cause stomach ulcers, but it can make them worse,” says Dr. David Graham, professor of medicine and molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine. “Stress causes the body to produce higher amounts of acid, which can irritate preexisting ulcers.”

27 Aug 2004

Paracentesis performed in an outpatient setting by gastrointestinal endoscopy assistants is safe

Large-volume paracentesis is a treatment used to remove excess fluid in the abdominal cavity resulting from such conditions as cirrhosis of the liver or cardiac failure. It is normally performed as an inpatient procedure due to possible complications, which may include infection, bleeding, and bowel perforation.

18 Aug 2004

Physicians today perform more colonoscopies than necessary

A colonoscopy allows a physician look inside the entire large intestine, from the lowest part, the rectum, all the way up through the colon to the lower end of the small intestine.

16 Aug 2004

New pill-size camera travels beyond other scope procedures to reveal gastrointestinal disorders in small intestines that often go unseen

If it doesn't sound like your typical disposable camera, that's because it's not. And while this new camera is not designed to snap shots during vacations or at other special occasions, patients are finding that the latest in high-tech, digital photography is very easy to swallow.

9 Aug 2004

Correlation between HCV viral load and severity of liver disease

The significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) serum titers (HCV viral load) has been examined in several clinical situations. There is much evidence that patients with a lower viral load have better response rates to anti-viral therapy compared to those with higher levels.

9 Aug 2004

New drug application for cilansetron, an investigational product for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for cilansetron, an investigational product being studied for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea predominance (IBS-D), to the FDA on June 30, 2004.

1 Jul 2004

Celiac disease may affect 3 million Americans, ten times higher than previous estimates

Celiac disease is considerably under-diagnosed, according to an independent consensus panel convened this week by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

1 Jul 2004

New educational campaign on celiac disease

The Children's Digestive Health and Nutrition Foundation (CDHNF) with the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) today announced the launch of a new educational campaign on celiac disease

30 Jun 2004

New study challenges current thinking about varied response to hepatitis C treatment in different racial groups

Results of a new study published in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine show that in patients who have chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1 -- the most common form of the disease and difficult to treat successfully -- non-Hispanic whites achieved one of the highest response rates reported to date, but response rates in African Americans were significantly lower.

27 May 2004

Human Genome Sciences has begun dosing patients with chronic hep C drug

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. announced today that it has begun dosing patients in a Phase 2 clinical trial of Albuferon™ (albumin-interferon alpha) in patients with chronic hepatitis C who are naïve to interferon-alpha treatments.

27 May 2004

Mothers who are concerned about their own health may unwittingly be passing their anxieties on to their children

A new study of parenting suggests that mothers who suffer from certain illnesses like Irritable Bowel Syndrome are more likely to take their babies to the doctors for a range of minor problems.

24 May 2004

Significant symptom relief reported in clinical trial patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Solvay Pharmaceuticals unveiled this week results from a six-month study of both male and female patients and from a subgroup analysis of males with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea predominance (IBS-D).

24 May 2004

Causes of hepatitis and potential therapies that may improve care presented in study

Hepatitis, a potentially serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver, is a major problem worldwide. Hepatitis A is generally food-borne, while hepatitis B and C spread primarily through parenteral or sexual routes. Hepatitis B and C can be life-long, potentially deadly chronic infections.

19 May 2004

Accurate and effective new methods for diagnosis of Inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases collectively cause significant lifestyle sacrifices and suffering and millions of dollars in related health care costs every year, partially due to a lack of effective diagnostic procedures and therapies. In new studies presented today at Digestive Disease Week in New Orleans, researchers show evidence of accurate and effective new methods for diagnosis, as well as improved treatment options, for sufferers of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s diseases.

19 May 2004

Studies identify risk factors for colon cancer in women

In new studies presented today at Digestive Disease Week in New Orleans, scientists report that women’s preferences for a female physician may delay or prevent proper colorectal screenings due to a lack of females in the field and diabetes may be a significant risk factor for development of colon cancer.

19 May 2004

Caffeinated beverages may benefit some people who are at high-risk for liver disease

According to new research presented today at Digestive Disease Week, drinking caffeinated beverages may benefit some people who are at high-risk for liver disease. Conversely, a study by researchers from India found that soda drinkers, who represent a huge percentage of the American population, may actually have an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.

19 May 2004

Fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children has distinct characteristics different from those found in adults

Potentially life-threatening non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children has distinct characteristics, often different from those found in adults, according to a University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine study led by Jeffrey Schwimmer, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics.

19 May 2004

1 in every 10 children worldwide is obese

In a comprehensive dossier revealing how the global obesity epidemic is affecting children, the International ObesityTaskForce says that one in 10 children is overweight, a total of 155 million. Around 30-45 million within that figure are classified as obese - accounting for 2-3% of the world’s children aged 5-17. A further 22 million younger children are also affected according to previous IOTF global estimates based on WHO data for under fives.

13 May 2004

Researchers receive almost £1 million in funding for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Researchers at The University of Nottingham, England have picked up almost £1 million in funding for a number of studies into a painful and distressing bowel condition that will affect up to one in 10 of the population at some time or another.

11 May 2004

Focusing on soft drinks is the next logical step in the war against pediatric obesity

According to a year-long study of 644 children aged between 7 and 11 in six primary schools in Christchurch, England – outlined this week on the website of the British Medical Journal – a one-year campaign to curb soft drink intake led to a decrease in the percentage of those children who were overweight or obese.

23 Apr 2004

Gastroenterology News and Research

Further Reading

Stress won't cause stomach ulcers, but it can make them worse

Paracentesis performed in an outpatient setting by gastrointestinal endoscopy assistants is safe

Physicians today perform more colonoscopies than necessary

New pill-size camera travels beyond other scope procedures to reveal gastrointestinal disorders in small intestines that often go unseen

Correlation between HCV viral load and severity of liver disease

New drug application for cilansetron, an investigational product for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Celiac disease may affect 3 million Americans, ten times higher than previous estimates

New educational campaign on celiac disease

New study challenges current thinking about varied response to hepatitis C treatment in different racial groups

Human Genome Sciences has begun dosing patients with chronic hep C drug

Mothers who are concerned about their own health may unwittingly be passing their anxieties on to their children

Significant symptom relief reported in clinical trial patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Causes of hepatitis and potential therapies that may improve care presented in study

Accurate and effective new methods for diagnosis of Inflammatory bowel diseases

Studies identify risk factors for colon cancer in women

Caffeinated beverages may benefit some people who are at high-risk for liver disease

Fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children has distinct characteristics different from those found in adults

1 in every 10 children worldwide is obese

Researchers receive almost £1 million in funding for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Focusing on soft drinks is the next logical step in the war against pediatric obesity

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

Latest News