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GERD

News, opinions and meeting coverage in gastroenterology.

A close up of a prescription bottle of omeprazole in a man’s hand.

AGA: Consider De-Prescribing PPIs in Patients With 'Murky' Indications

New clinical practice update suggests either abrupt discontinuation or tapering when appropriate

ACG over a photo of Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

Weight Loss Program for GERD Relief?

In patients with BMI over 25, nearly 50% reduced use of acid blockers or stopped altogether

Boxes of Prilosec (omeprazole) and Prevacid (lansoprazole) over a computer rendering of inflamed intestines.

Proton Pump Inhibitors and IBD: What's the Link?

Use tied to "modest" increase in risk for ulcerative colitis, Crohn's in observational studies

A bottle of (ranitidine) tablets spilled on a table.

Ranitidine Did Not Convert to Carcinogen in Two Small FDA Studies

However, don't expect the drug's return to market anytime soon, say editorialists

A computer rendering of a transparent body with the esophagus highlighted in red

Obesity Ups Risk of Erosive Esophagitis in Middle-Age Adults

Japanese study researchers note it may also increase risk for GERD

A computer rendering of a pill dissolving in bubbling gastric acid in the stomach

Mixed Bag for PPI Use and COVID-19 Infection, Severity

Small meta-analysis with varying conclusions emphasizes need for more research

A computer rendering of a gastric ulcer

Potassium Acid Blocker No Better Than PPI for Artificial Gastric Ulcers

Small Japanese trial found similar outcomes with both drugs

A micrograph of Lactobacillus reuteri bacteria

Probiotic Add-On Eased GI Symptoms of H. Pylori

Small study showed improvement over first-line therapy plus placebo

COVID-19 UPDATE and Other News over a background of illustrated coronaviruses

$1 Million Vax Lotto; 'A Hell Out Here'; Oldest Organ Transplanted

A daily roundup of news on COVID-19 and the rest of medicine

Cartoon image of a man holding the back of his ear to hear better

'That's Not Spin, That's Stats': What We Heard This Week

Quotable quotes from MedPage Today's sources

A photo of gastroenterologists operating the GERDx device.

Can an Agile Endoscopic Device Curb PPI-Dependent GERD?

GERDx device improved quality of life; not so much for esophageal acid exposure

A computer rendering of a transparent human body with the stomach highlighted in red

Diet Curbs GERD Beyond Acid Suppressants

Study finds five anti-reflux behaviors could prevent almost 40% of the symptoms in women

A computer rendering of a transparent human body depicting a tumor on the esophagus

Young-Onset Esophageal Cancer Rapidly Increasing

Physicians should be on the alert for younger patients with dysphagia, researchers urge

A computer rendering of gut microbiota

Chronic PPI Use Tied to Diabetes Risk

But association weak and possibly spurious

Photo of the Cytosponge in pill form and fully expanded

Cytosponge Finds More Barrett's Esophagus in Primary-Care Setting

Novel cell collection device could increase early cancer detection while decreasing endoscopies

A woman with her hand on her stomach and a computer rendering of her stomach with acid bubbling

Could Proton Pump Inhibitors Increase COVID-19 Risk?

Survey data suggest a link with biological plausibility

A woman receiving acupuncture

Acupuncture Eases Postprandial Distress Syndrome

A win in sham-controlled Chinese trial

DDW over a computer rendering of the digestive tract

Ranitidine Cancer Risk: Health Records Offer Reassurance

Huge study finds no indication that nitrosamine contamination affected real-world outcomes

NITROSAMINE over two red and white pill capsules with a skull and bones icon printed on them

The Year Nitrosamine Contamination Went Beyond ARBs

As sartans continued to struggle, the problem expanded in 2019

A photo of medical equipment drying after cleaning

Experts Tell FDA to Consider Relaxing Sterilization Standards

Panel lukewarm on alternatives, say switching could be a decade away

A computer rendering of small finger-like projections that extend into the lumen of the small intestine and gut bacteria

18 Common Drugs Tied to Altered Gut Microbiome

PPIs, oral antidiabetics, antibiotics, and laxatives had most impact

A bottle of generic Zantac (Ranitidine) tablets

Does Zantac Break Down Into a Carcinogen?

Rather than contamination, "the fundamental problem is that it's an unstable molecule"

Perinatal HCV Spurs Earlier Cirrhosis

Researchers stress need for young people to have access to new treatments

ACG: Focus on the Practical at Annual Meeting

Topics will range from gluten contamination to artificial intelligence for polyp detection

Barrett's Tied to Better Survival in Esophageal Ca

Data suggests existence of two distinct types of esophageal adenocarcinoma

Slow Medicine: Discontinuing PPIs

Plus waiting for the evidence on screening for Afib and selecting basal insulins

Minor Psychiatric Disorders Don't Predict GERD

No significant correlations with anxiety, depression found in prospective study

No Extra Liver Cancer Risk with Interferon-Free HCV Regimens

Earlier suggestions not supported in retrospective study of 857 patients

Gastroenterology: What to Expect in 2018

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic predict value and cost efficiency

Electronic Nose Promising for Barrett's Esophagus Detection

Test may facilitate surveillance for esophageal adenocarcinoma

Diet Beats Meds for Type of Reflux (JAMA)

Plant-based Mediterranean diet with alkaline water tops PPIs in laryngopharyngeal reflux

Mortality and Long-Term PPIs: Pharmacy Practice News Report

Also, opioids prescriptions in the U.S. on decline

Make the Diagnosis: Gastric Pain Puzzler

Case Findings: A 37-year-old woman was admitted to the ED with vomiting, nausea, right upper quadrant pain, and epigastric pain. She reported that she had been having brief episodes of pain for the past few months, but they came and went so quickly that she hadn't sought medical advice. They mostly happened after meals and were accompanied by burping, so she thought it might be some especially unpleasant indigestion. Can you diagnosis the patient?

DDW 2017: Diversity Will Be Meeting's Strength

Four-society meeting has plenty to offer across and among specialties

FDA: Bleeding Risk With Antacid-Aspirin Combo

Reports of serious events despite label warning

Brief Talk Gets Patients in Control of Reflux

Explaining when to take medication gets big return in symptom relief

Big Screen, Big Ticket Laparoscopic Surgery

Larger screen, brighter picture improves vision in gastrointestinal operations

Early pH Test in GERD May Save Money

ORLANDO -- Early referral of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for pH monitoring can help avoid extensive and costly use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a researcher said here.

Doctors Say 45 Common Tests 'Overused'

Nine specialty groups have listed tests and treatments that are frequently overused, such as antibiotics for sinus attacks and CT scans for low back pain, in the first phase of a long-term project.

FDA Issues Warning on Acid Reflux Drugs

The FDA warned today that use of proton pump inhibitors -- including popular brands such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid -- may increase the risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

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