Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology最新文献

Purpose of review: The COVID-19 pandemic helped us understand that telemedicine provides an alternative way to manage patients remotely, with an added benefit of saving time and travel costs. However, barriers may exist in an older population of patients such as inadequate technology availability and knowledge, and lack of internet connectivity. This systematic review and analysis of data at an academic medical center examines the current literature and investigates the efficacy of telemedicine for older adults requiring gastrointestinal care.

Recent findings: In the systematic review, we included 22 manuscripts from an initial 120 that were identified based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. In this existing literature, telemedicine visits were equivalent or better than in-person visits based on many metrics, including patient satisfaction, time and money saved, and standard patient outcomes. At a rural academic medical center, there was a steady decrease in the failure rate of telemedicine visits from April 2020 to May 2022 in all age groups, including the 65 + age group, from 17% in April 2020 to 3% in May 2022.

Summary: Telemedicine offers a comparable alternative to in-person visits that is convenient, low-cost, and does not compromise quality of care for older patients obtaining GI care. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated progress and uptake of telemedicine, and the successful use by all ages including older patients opens the broader conversation about the continued use of telemedicine for care in various areas of medicine.

Purpose of review: To assess the current challenges regarding liver diseases, including the burden of disease, access to care, screening, and treatment needs in Latin America.

Recent findings: Latin America is a region with a rich multicultural heritage and important socioeconomic differences. The burden of liver diseases is high and mainly determined by a high level of alcohol intake and the surge of risk factors associated with NAFLD (i.e., sedentary lifestyles, broader access to highly processed foods, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus). Hepatotropic viruses also play a role in the development of chronic liver diseases, although their comparative frequency has been decreasing over the last decades. There are important disparities in access to screening and treatment for liver diseases in Latin America, which are reflected in low access to critical treatments such as direct-acting antiviral agents and drugs to treat hepatocellular carcinoma. Also, important barriers to liver transplantation are present in multiple countries, including a low deceased donors' rate and a lack of availability in several countries (especially in Central America). Our region also has disadvantages in research and education in liver diseases, which limits regional academic development and improvement in quality of care of liver diseases.

Summary: In order to tackle an increasing health burden due to liver diseases, Latin America urgently needs tailored interventions aiming to control the main risk factors for these disorders through the establishment of effective public health policies. Also, development of liver transplantation programs and improvement of medical education and research capabilities as well as extensive collaboration between all stakeholders are keys to address the liver disease agenda in the region.

Purpose of review: This paper reviews the latest literature regarding the impact of COVID on endoscopy service provision.

Recent findings: Endoscopy has been shown to be largely safe when appropriate infection prevention and control measures are in place. Endoscopy training and education has been profoundly affected though novel training models to overcome this have been developed. Proper handling of delayed or cancelled procedures is of utmost importance to minimize delays in diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer. Adoption of new technologies such as non-endoscopy alternatives and telehealth may be a viable alternative to minimize infection risks.

Summary: This pandemic has led to tangible differences in how we provide endoscopy service in the future. Future research focusing on better risk stratification of patients who need endoscopy, validating novel endoscopy training models, and adopting new technologies are urgently needed to support these changes in the post-pandemic world.

Purpose of the review: Though it is well known that cirrhosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, management of symptoms in cirrhosis can be difficult. This review serves to offer practical guidance in the management of liver-specific symptoms of cirrhosis as well as other symptoms with special hepatic considerations.

Recent findings: We discuss liver-specific symptoms and management, including ascites and refractory ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, pruritus, and muscle cramping. We also discuss the challenges of treating more generalized symptoms in cirrhosis, including pain, depression/anxiety, appetite, and fatigue. Medication management is, especially complex in this population given the altered metabolism of drugs, and we consider some strategies to approach this.

Summary: With the right tools, provided throughout this review, hepatologists should be well equipped to manage the nuanced liver-specific and generalized symptoms in patients with cirrhosis.

Purpose of review: Bariatric surgery is the most effective and durable treatment for severe obesity. Postoperative behavioral weight management approaches are available for optimizing weight change for both short- and long-term outcomes.

Recent findings: Varying settings such as groups and telemedicine along with techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy have been assessed in the post-bariatric surgery population. The assessment and application of these programs have been limited due to methodological, financial, and attrition-related constraints.

Summary: This review aims to summarize the current evidence for different postoperative behavioral interventions on postoperative outcomes, specifically highlighting weight loss. Future opportunities for study include mechanisms for overcoming some of the barriers to implementing these programs in clinical, non-research settings.