Articles related to Gastroenterology

We already shared the story about the financial advantage of AI being used in colonoscopies — here is a related story featuring key takeaways regarding the importance of screening in younger people, new techniques such as linked color imaging, and the non-invasive modality MRI colonography.

Technology to the rescue. Employing artificial intelligence (AI) during a colonoscopy could save money and lead to earlier detection of cancer and better health outcomes for patients. AI detection tools also were associated with a cost savings of $57 per patient after lowering discounted costs from $3,400 to $3,343, which persisted in secondary colonoscopy modeling analysis.

Capsule endoscopy, also known as wireless capsule endoscopy or video capsule endoscopy, is a noninvasive procedure that uses a swallowed capsule-shaped miniature camera for direct visual and diagnostic evaluation of various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. Although originally intended as a tool to examine the small intestine, which is mostly beyond the reach of conventional endoscopy, capsule endoscopy is now being used to examine the entire length of the GI tract.

New research into intermittent fasting has found that the practice is generally safe, producing few gastrointestinal, neurologic, hormonal, or metabolic effects. Additionally, the research found that intermittent fasting is on par with traditional calorie-restricted diets for weight loss.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said “no” to Akebia Therapeutics’ drug application for vadadustat, a therapy to treat anemia due to chronic kidney disease. Vadadustat is an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor designed to mimic the physiologic effect of altitude on oxygen availability. The FDA cited safety concerns as the main reason for it rejecting the application.

New guidelines recommend that internists treat uncomplicated diverticulitis in an outpatient setting without the use of antibiotics. The new guidelines on diagnosis and management of patients with diverticulitis have been published by the Annals of Internal Medicine. And they are stirring up debate among physicians.