Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-03-27DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003432
Naim Alkhouri, Terry Cheuk-Fung Yip, Laurent Castera, Marina Takawy, Leon A Adams, Nipun Verma, Juan Pablo Arab, Syed-Mohammed Jafri, Bihui Zhong, Julie Dubourg, Vincent L Chen, Ashwani K Singal, Luis Antonio Díaz, Nicholas Dunn, Rida Nadeem, Vincent Wai-Sun Wong, Manal F Abdelmalek, Zhengyi Wang, Ajay Duseja, Yousef Almahanna, Haya A Omeish, Junzhao Ye, Stephen A Harrison, Jessica Cristiu, Marco Arrese, Sage Robert, Grace Lai-Hung Wong, Amani Bajunayd, Congxiang Shao, Matthew Kubina, Winston Dunn
Introduction: The recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of resmetirom for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis in patients necessitates patient selection for significant fibrosis or higher (≥F2). No existing vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) algorithm targets ≥F2.
Methods: The mAchine Learning ADvanceD fibrosis and rIsk metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis Novel predictor (ALADDIN) study addressed this gap by introducing a machine-learning-based web calculator that estimates the likelihood of significant fibrosis using routine laboratory parameters with and without VCTE. Our study included a training set of 827 patients, a testing set of 504 patients with biopsy-confirmed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease from 6 centers, and an external validation set of 1,299 patients from 9 centers. Five algorithms were compared using area under the curve (AUC) in the test set: ElasticNet, random forest, gradient boosting machines, XGBoost, and neural networks. The top 3 (random forest, gradient boosting machines, and XGBoost) formed an ensemble model.
Results: In the external validation set, the ALADDIN-F2-VCTE model, using routine laboratory parameters with VCTE (AUC 0.791, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.764-0.819), outperformed VCTE alone (0.745, 95% CI 0.717-0.772, P < 0.0001), FibroScan-aspartate aminotransferase (0.710, 0.679-0.748, P < 0.0001), and Agile-3 model (0.740, 0.710-0.770, P < 0.0001) regarding the AUC, decision curve analysis, and calibration. The ALADDIN-F2-Lab model, using routine laboratory parameters without VCTE, achieved an AUC of 0.706 (95% CI: 0.668-0.749) and outperformed Fibrosis-4, steatosis-associated fibrosis estimator, and LiverRisk scores.
Discussion: Along with the steatosis-associated fibrosis estimator model developed to target significant fibrosis or higher, ALADDIN-F2-VCTE ( https://aihepatology.shinyapps.io/ALADDIN1 ) uniquely supports a refined noninvasive approach to patient selection for resmetirom without the need for liver biopsy. In addition, ALADDIN-F2-Lab ( https://aihepatology.shinyapps.io/ALADDIN2 ) offers an effective alternative when VCTE is unavailable.
{"title":"ALADDIN: A Machine Learning Approach to Enhance the Prediction of Significant Fibrosis or Higher in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.","authors":"Naim Alkhouri, Terry Cheuk-Fung Yip, Laurent Castera, Marina Takawy, Leon A Adams, Nipun Verma, Juan Pablo Arab, Syed-Mohammed Jafri, Bihui Zhong, Julie Dubourg, Vincent L Chen, Ashwani K Singal, Luis Antonio Díaz, Nicholas Dunn, Rida Nadeem, Vincent Wai-Sun Wong, Manal F Abdelmalek, Zhengyi Wang, Ajay Duseja, Yousef Almahanna, Haya A Omeish, Junzhao Ye, Stephen A Harrison, Jessica Cristiu, Marco Arrese, Sage Robert, Grace Lai-Hung Wong, Amani Bajunayd, Congxiang Shao, Matthew Kubina, Winston Dunn","doi":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003432","DOIUrl":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003432","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of resmetirom for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis in patients necessitates patient selection for significant fibrosis or higher (≥F2). No existing vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) algorithm targets ≥F2.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The mAchine Learning ADvanceD fibrosis and rIsk metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis Novel predictor (ALADDIN) study addressed this gap by introducing a machine-learning-based web calculator that estimates the likelihood of significant fibrosis using routine laboratory parameters with and without VCTE. Our study included a training set of 827 patients, a testing set of 504 patients with biopsy-confirmed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease from 6 centers, and an external validation set of 1,299 patients from 9 centers. Five algorithms were compared using area under the curve (AUC) in the test set: ElasticNet, random forest, gradient boosting machines, XGBoost, and neural networks. The top 3 (random forest, gradient boosting machines, and XGBoost) formed an ensemble model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the external validation set, the ALADDIN-F2-VCTE model, using routine laboratory parameters with VCTE (AUC 0.791, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.764-0.819), outperformed VCTE alone (0.745, 95% CI 0.717-0.772, P < 0.0001), FibroScan-aspartate aminotransferase (0.710, 0.679-0.748, P < 0.0001), and Agile-3 model (0.740, 0.710-0.770, P < 0.0001) regarding the AUC, decision curve analysis, and calibration. The ALADDIN-F2-Lab model, using routine laboratory parameters without VCTE, achieved an AUC of 0.706 (95% CI: 0.668-0.749) and outperformed Fibrosis-4, steatosis-associated fibrosis estimator, and LiverRisk scores.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Along with the steatosis-associated fibrosis estimator model developed to target significant fibrosis or higher, ALADDIN-F2-VCTE ( https://aihepatology.shinyapps.io/ALADDIN1 ) uniquely supports a refined noninvasive approach to patient selection for resmetirom without the need for liver biopsy. In addition, ALADDIN-F2-Lab ( https://aihepatology.shinyapps.io/ALADDIN2 ) offers an effective alternative when VCTE is unavailable.</p>","PeriodicalId":7608,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Gastroenterology","volume":" ","pages":"362-374"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12854381/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143717565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-08-25DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003753
Natalie J Wilson, Nicholas Mordan, Cole Potrock, Nicholas J Shaheen
Barrett esophagus (BE) is the only known histological precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The incidence of EAC has risen significantly over the past 4 decades in the United States and other Western countries, and the prognosis of EAC remains poor, with over half of individuals diagnosed at a late stage. Despite this, fewer than 1 in 5 eligible individuals undergo endoscopic screening for BE. Current screening practices rely on upper endoscopy, limiting widespread adoption and missing a significant portion of at-risk individuals. Recent technological advancements in minimally invasive screening modalities have the potential to expand screening efforts, improve detection rates, and reduce healthcare resource utilization. This review discusses the conceptual underpinnings and hurdles to successful screening for EAC and BE, evaluates newer technologies for screening, including nonendoscopic cell collection devices, blood-based biomarkers, transnasal endoscopy, and exhaled volatile organic compounds, and examines emerging methods for enhancing detection of dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia, including artificial intelligence and wide area transepithelial sampling. The value of screening in light of a recent randomized trial of surveillance from the United Kingdom, as well as a landmark study on nonendoscopic risk stratification for dysplasia in BE, are considered. While direct evidence linking screening to reduced EAC mortality is lacking, trials highlight promising outcomes in early detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions. Future directions, challenges, and recommendations for optimizing BE screening are discussed.
{"title":"Screening for Barrett Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: Approaches and Outcomes.","authors":"Natalie J Wilson, Nicholas Mordan, Cole Potrock, Nicholas J Shaheen","doi":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003753","DOIUrl":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003753","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Barrett esophagus (BE) is the only known histological precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The incidence of EAC has risen significantly over the past 4 decades in the United States and other Western countries, and the prognosis of EAC remains poor, with over half of individuals diagnosed at a late stage. Despite this, fewer than 1 in 5 eligible individuals undergo endoscopic screening for BE. Current screening practices rely on upper endoscopy, limiting widespread adoption and missing a significant portion of at-risk individuals. Recent technological advancements in minimally invasive screening modalities have the potential to expand screening efforts, improve detection rates, and reduce healthcare resource utilization. This review discusses the conceptual underpinnings and hurdles to successful screening for EAC and BE, evaluates newer technologies for screening, including nonendoscopic cell collection devices, blood-based biomarkers, transnasal endoscopy, and exhaled volatile organic compounds, and examines emerging methods for enhancing detection of dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia, including artificial intelligence and wide area transepithelial sampling. The value of screening in light of a recent randomized trial of surveillance from the United Kingdom, as well as a landmark study on nonendoscopic risk stratification for dysplasia in BE, are considered. While direct evidence linking screening to reduced EAC mortality is lacking, trials highlight promising outcomes in early detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions. Future directions, challenges, and recommendations for optimizing BE screening are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":7608,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Gastroenterology","volume":" ","pages":"302-311"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-08-22DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003743
Usamah Chaudhary, Ahmad Anouti, Jody A Rule, William M Lee
Introduction: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a rare cause of acute liver failure (ALF) that carries a relatively good prognosis for recovery. In recent years, overall numbers of HAV cases have declined, likely because of increased hepatitis A vaccination rates.
Methods and results: We reviewed the Acute Liver Failure Study Group registry for the number HAV-related ALF cases over 24 years.
Discussion: Overall, the number of HAV ALF cases enrolled steeply declined. After 2010, when we began recording acute liver injury (ALI: International normalized ratio ≥ 2 but no encephalopathy), an apparent increase in ALI incidence was noted, despite a near absence of ALF cases.
{"title":"Evolution of Hepatitis A-Related Acute Liver Failure in North America Over 22 years.","authors":"Usamah Chaudhary, Ahmad Anouti, Jody A Rule, William M Lee","doi":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003743","DOIUrl":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003743","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a rare cause of acute liver failure (ALF) that carries a relatively good prognosis for recovery. In recent years, overall numbers of HAV cases have declined, likely because of increased hepatitis A vaccination rates.</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>We reviewed the Acute Liver Failure Study Group registry for the number HAV-related ALF cases over 24 years.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Overall, the number of HAV ALF cases enrolled steeply declined. After 2010, when we began recording acute liver injury (ALI: International normalized ratio ≥ 2 but no encephalopathy), an apparent increase in ALI incidence was noted, despite a near absence of ALF cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":7608,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Gastroenterology","volume":" ","pages":"545-548"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-08-11DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003549
Chang Woo Kim, Hyunjin Kim, Hyoung Rae Kim, Daeyeon David Won, Woo Jung Nam, Byung Soh Min, Tae Jeong Oh, Sungwhan An, Suk-Hwan Lee
{"title":"Correction to: A Stool DNA-Based SDC2 Methylation Test for the Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer in an Asymptomatic, High-Risk Population: A Multicenter Prospective Randomized Trial.","authors":"Chang Woo Kim, Hyunjin Kim, Hyoung Rae Kim, Daeyeon David Won, Woo Jung Nam, Byung Soh Min, Tae Jeong Oh, Sungwhan An, Suk-Hwan Lee","doi":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003549","DOIUrl":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003549","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7608,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Gastroenterology","volume":" ","pages":"567"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144803263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-10-13DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003786
Mohamad Abi Nassif, Erini Gamal Nessim Kostandy, Lin Fei, Lev Dorfman, Neha R Santucci, Khalil El-Chammas, Ajay Kaul
Introduction: The optimal first-line treatment of pediatric achalasia remains debated. Pneumatic balloon dilation (PD) shows variable success and low complication rates in small cohorts. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD as first-line therapy for pediatric achalasia.
Methods: A retrospective review (2011-2022) of patients aged younger than 21 years treated at a single center was conducted. Success was defined as no additional intervention within 12 months.
Results: Of 23 patients (median age 13 years), 78% had success at 12 months; 74% maintained success at 30 months. No major complications occurred.
Discussion: PD is a safe, effective first-line treatment of pediatric achalasia.
{"title":"Safety and Efficacy of Pneumatic Balloon Dilation for Pediatric Achalasia-A Single-Center Experience.","authors":"Mohamad Abi Nassif, Erini Gamal Nessim Kostandy, Lin Fei, Lev Dorfman, Neha R Santucci, Khalil El-Chammas, Ajay Kaul","doi":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003786","DOIUrl":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003786","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The optimal first-line treatment of pediatric achalasia remains debated. Pneumatic balloon dilation (PD) shows variable success and low complication rates in small cohorts. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD as first-line therapy for pediatric achalasia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective review (2011-2022) of patients aged younger than 21 years treated at a single center was conducted. Success was defined as no additional intervention within 12 months.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 23 patients (median age 13 years), 78% had success at 12 months; 74% maintained success at 30 months. No major complications occurred.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>PD is a safe, effective first-line treatment of pediatric achalasia.</p>","PeriodicalId":7608,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Gastroenterology","volume":" ","pages":"557-560"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145278882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-12-24DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003852
Chaoyang Li, Jingwen Ma, Nan Wang
{"title":"Letter to the Editor.","authors":"Chaoyang Li, Jingwen Ma, Nan Wang","doi":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003852","DOIUrl":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003852","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7608,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Gastroenterology","volume":" ","pages":"e17-e18"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12854359/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145817471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003894
Amy G Ogurick
Article Title: Gastrointestinal and Extraintestinal Symptoms Among Subjects With Celiac Disease Undergoing a Dose Specified Gluten Challenge: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
文章标题:腹腔疾病患者在接受特定剂量麸质挑战时的胃肠道和肠外症状:一项系统综述和荟萃分析。
{"title":"Continuing Medical Education Questions: February 2026.","authors":"Amy G Ogurick","doi":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003894","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000003894","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Article Title: Gastrointestinal and Extraintestinal Symptoms Among Subjects With Celiac Disease Undergoing a Dose Specified Gluten Challenge: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":7608,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Gastroenterology","volume":"121 2","pages":"295"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146083902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003895
Ernesto S Robalino Gonzaga
Article Title: The San Diego Consensus for Laryngopharyngeal Symptoms and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease.
文章标题:关于咽喉症状和咽喉反流病的圣地亚哥共识。
{"title":"Continuing Medical Education Questions: February 2026.","authors":"Ernesto S Robalino Gonzaga","doi":"10.14309/ajg.0000000000003895","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000003895","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Article Title: The San Diego Consensus for Laryngopharyngeal Symptoms and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":7608,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Gastroenterology","volume":"121 2","pages":"296-297"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146083934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}