Results from a large clinical trial show that proton pump inhibitors relieve some, but not all the symptoms of chronic laryngitis. One type of laryngitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), is characterized by hoarseness, chronic cough, frequent throat clearing, and the feeling of something in the throat. Because it is believed to
Read moreThe only effective treatment for liver failure is transplantation, which is limited by the short supply of organ donors. A study by Laura Erker et al. in the September issue of Gastroenterology reports that liver cells from human cadavers might someday be used for transplantation. Erker et al. showed that
Read moreIn patients with pancreatitis, treatments for the nervous system, rather than the pancreas itself, might better reduce pain, according to a study in the August issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Chronic pancreatitis is painful—surgery or endoscopy to reduce pressure in the parenchyma or in the pancreatic duct does not
Read moreIt is a challenge to monitor the course of chronic hepatitis B. Patients still carry the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) but have varying levels of viral DNA, HBeAg, and liver inflammation—and remain at risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Two papers in this month’s issue of Gastroenterology investigate Hepatitis
Read moreInsurance companies and government agencies attempt to assess healthcare quality to develop quality-based reimbursement models. It is a challenge to define and measure quality of care, however, especially for complex, chronic diseases such as cirrhosis. Two studies in the August issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH) identify tools for
Read moreProton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are useful for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), although heartburn completely resolves in only 40% of patients that take these drugs. Furthermore, long-term use of PPIs can increase risk for pneumonia, Clostridium difficile infection, and bone disorders, so other therapeutic strategies are needed. In the August
Read moreMost people with Crohn’s disease receive surgery, yet the disease comes back a short time later. A study in the July issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology reports that giving patients low doses of infliximab immediately after surgery prevents disease recurrence over long time periods. Dario Sorrentino et al. began
Read moreWhich Roads Lead to NASH? The progressive liver disease nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is mediated by an innate immune response in the liver that causes tissue damage and fibrosis. The innate immune system protects against invading pathogens, but it’s not clear how it becomes activated in livers of patients with NASH.
Read moreComputed tomography colonography (CTC) is a useful tool for colon cancer screening. The challenge, however, is determining which lesions are most dangerous—should some be treated aggressively and others just monitored or ignored? Does size matter? In the July issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Perry Pickhardt et al. assessed the
Read moreHow does infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) increase risk for gastric cancer but reduce risk for esophageal cancers? One proposed mechanism is that H. pylori induces gastric atrophy and hypochlorhydria—these promote gastric cancer but reduce acid exposure to the lower esophagus, which protects against esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, many people
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Dr. Kristine Novak is the science editor for Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. She has worked as an editor at biomedical research journals and as a science writer for 15 years, covering advances in gastroenterology, hepatology, cancer, immunology, biotechnology, molecular genetics, and clinical trials. She has a PhD in cell biology and an interest in all areas of medical research.
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