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Scope-associated infection still a concern in the US
On April 12, FDA issued a safety communication releasing new information on the duodenoscope contamination rate from postmarket surveillance studies and medical device reports. While the outlook has improved significantly since this issue first arose in 2015, we are not yet at our goal of zero device-associated infections.
AGA encourages all members to stay vigilant when it comes to duodenoscope reprocessing and strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s reprocessing and maintenance instructions.
In the safety communication, FDA reports:
• In the past 6 months, three people died and 45 people developed infections from contaminated endoscopes.
• Results from sampling studies show up to 5.4% of all properly collected samples tested positive for “high concern” organisms. “High concern” bacteria are more often associated with disease, such as E. coli or Staphylococcus aureus.
• Additionally, up to 3.6% of properly collected samples tested positive for low to moderate concern organisms; while these organisms don’t usually lead to dangerous infections, they are indicative of a reprocessing failure.
Jeff Shuren, MD, director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at FDA, also issued a communication on continued efforts to assess duodenoscope contamination risk. Dr. Shuren puts this new data into perspective:
“While the current contamination rates we’re seeing in the postmarket studies show the need for improvement, I want to emphasize that an individual patient’s risk of acquiring infection from an inadequately reprocessed medical device remains relatively low given the large number of such devices in use.”
The AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology (CGIT) continuously monitors this issue and engages with industry and FDA on efforts that will help us reach our goal of zero device-transmitted infections to our patients.
“We continually meet with industry partners, just as recently as last week at the AGA Tech Summit, to understand how they are innovating to reduce the risk of potential infection. We are also in close communication with FDA and other key stakeholders. We all have a role in preventing device-transmitted infections, and we don’t take our role lightly,” added V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, AGAF, FACG, FASGE, chair of the AGA CGIT.
On April 12, FDA issued a safety communication releasing new information on the duodenoscope contamination rate from postmarket surveillance studies and medical device reports. While the outlook has improved significantly since this issue first arose in 2015, we are not yet at our goal of zero device-associated infections.
AGA encourages all members to stay vigilant when it comes to duodenoscope reprocessing and strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s reprocessing and maintenance instructions.
In the safety communication, FDA reports:
• In the past 6 months, three people died and 45 people developed infections from contaminated endoscopes.
• Results from sampling studies show up to 5.4% of all properly collected samples tested positive for “high concern” organisms. “High concern” bacteria are more often associated with disease, such as E. coli or Staphylococcus aureus.
• Additionally, up to 3.6% of properly collected samples tested positive for low to moderate concern organisms; while these organisms don’t usually lead to dangerous infections, they are indicative of a reprocessing failure.
Jeff Shuren, MD, director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at FDA, also issued a communication on continued efforts to assess duodenoscope contamination risk. Dr. Shuren puts this new data into perspective:
“While the current contamination rates we’re seeing in the postmarket studies show the need for improvement, I want to emphasize that an individual patient’s risk of acquiring infection from an inadequately reprocessed medical device remains relatively low given the large number of such devices in use.”
The AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology (CGIT) continuously monitors this issue and engages with industry and FDA on efforts that will help us reach our goal of zero device-transmitted infections to our patients.
“We continually meet with industry partners, just as recently as last week at the AGA Tech Summit, to understand how they are innovating to reduce the risk of potential infection. We are also in close communication with FDA and other key stakeholders. We all have a role in preventing device-transmitted infections, and we don’t take our role lightly,” added V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, AGAF, FACG, FASGE, chair of the AGA CGIT.
On April 12, FDA issued a safety communication releasing new information on the duodenoscope contamination rate from postmarket surveillance studies and medical device reports. While the outlook has improved significantly since this issue first arose in 2015, we are not yet at our goal of zero device-associated infections.
AGA encourages all members to stay vigilant when it comes to duodenoscope reprocessing and strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s reprocessing and maintenance instructions.
In the safety communication, FDA reports:
• In the past 6 months, three people died and 45 people developed infections from contaminated endoscopes.
• Results from sampling studies show up to 5.4% of all properly collected samples tested positive for “high concern” organisms. “High concern” bacteria are more often associated with disease, such as E. coli or Staphylococcus aureus.
• Additionally, up to 3.6% of properly collected samples tested positive for low to moderate concern organisms; while these organisms don’t usually lead to dangerous infections, they are indicative of a reprocessing failure.
Jeff Shuren, MD, director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at FDA, also issued a communication on continued efforts to assess duodenoscope contamination risk. Dr. Shuren puts this new data into perspective:
“While the current contamination rates we’re seeing in the postmarket studies show the need for improvement, I want to emphasize that an individual patient’s risk of acquiring infection from an inadequately reprocessed medical device remains relatively low given the large number of such devices in use.”
The AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology (CGIT) continuously monitors this issue and engages with industry and FDA on efforts that will help us reach our goal of zero device-transmitted infections to our patients.
“We continually meet with industry partners, just as recently as last week at the AGA Tech Summit, to understand how they are innovating to reduce the risk of potential infection. We are also in close communication with FDA and other key stakeholders. We all have a role in preventing device-transmitted infections, and we don’t take our role lightly,” added V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, AGAF, FACG, FASGE, chair of the AGA CGIT.
A doctor in the House: Rep. Raul Ruiz is fighting for GIs and our patients
Rep. Ruiz was a virtually unknown candidate and defeated then incumbent Mary Bono, R-CA, for the seat that represents Coachella Valley and Palm Springs. Rep. Ruiz is the son of migrant farmers from Mexico who went on to medical school and became the first Latino to receive three graduate degrees from Harvard — a medical degree, a masters of public policy, and a masters of public health. Rep. Ruiz is an emergency physician by training and AGA got to know him early in his congressional career and provided support for his initiatives that aligned with our policy priorities and support through AGA PAC.
When Rep. Ruiz was elected to Congress, the Democrats were in the minority in the House and as a freshman member in the minority, did not yield a lot of power and influence. However, AGA continued to work with Rep. Ruiz in garnering his support for repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) that was created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — it was charged with making budgetary decisions for the Medicare program that would have disproportionately impacted physicians. Rep. Ruiz was willing to work with Republicans to support legislation to repeal IPAB; Congress eventually repealed it in the last Congress.
AGA also worked with Rep. Ruiz in support of increasing access to colorectal cancer screening especially for underrepresented minorities and he has been a strong supporter of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act that would fix the current Medicare screening colonoscopy coinsurance problem that disproportionately impacts poorer Medicare beneficiaries who lack supplemental coverage.
Recently, AGA has been working closely with Rep. Ruiz as he champions an issue that impacts GI patients with inflammatory bowel disease and their ability to access the treatment that their doctor recommends. Rep. Ruiz has introduced H.R. 2279, the Safe Step Act, legislation that would provide a clear, transparent, and easily accessible appeals process for physicians and their patients when subject to step therapy protocols. Step therapy, also known as “fail first,” requires patients to try and fail one or more medications before the insurer will provide coverage for the therapy that their doctor thinks is the best to manage their condition. The Safe Step Act would not eliminate step therapy but would provide some common sense guardrails for patients and reasonable exceptions for patients who would be harmed if subjected to such a policy.
Because of AGA PAC’s and other physician organizations’ PAC support for Rep. Ruiz, he was able to secure a seat on the highly coveted Energy and Commerce Committee and its Health Subcommittee. The Committee has jurisdiction over all public health programs such as NIH, CDC, FDA, and Medicare Part B which is all physician services. Given Rep. Ruiz’s background and the committee position he holds, he is well-suited to continue to help champion AGA’s policy priorities and those of all organized medicine.
Over the years, Rep. Ruiz has spoken to AGA members at our annual Advocacy Day on the importance of physicians being involved politically and also in advocacy. He has also met with AGA Government Affairs Committee member Gaurav Singhvi, MD, in the district on issues important to the gastroenterology community and our patients.
AGA looks forward to working with Rep. Ruiz to continue to ensure that patients have access to specialty care, that the administrative burdens that physicians face like prior authorization are reduced, we continue to invest in research, and that we continue to train the next generation of GIs.
Rep. Ruiz was a virtually unknown candidate and defeated then incumbent Mary Bono, R-CA, for the seat that represents Coachella Valley and Palm Springs. Rep. Ruiz is the son of migrant farmers from Mexico who went on to medical school and became the first Latino to receive three graduate degrees from Harvard — a medical degree, a masters of public policy, and a masters of public health. Rep. Ruiz is an emergency physician by training and AGA got to know him early in his congressional career and provided support for his initiatives that aligned with our policy priorities and support through AGA PAC.
When Rep. Ruiz was elected to Congress, the Democrats were in the minority in the House and as a freshman member in the minority, did not yield a lot of power and influence. However, AGA continued to work with Rep. Ruiz in garnering his support for repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) that was created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — it was charged with making budgetary decisions for the Medicare program that would have disproportionately impacted physicians. Rep. Ruiz was willing to work with Republicans to support legislation to repeal IPAB; Congress eventually repealed it in the last Congress.
AGA also worked with Rep. Ruiz in support of increasing access to colorectal cancer screening especially for underrepresented minorities and he has been a strong supporter of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act that would fix the current Medicare screening colonoscopy coinsurance problem that disproportionately impacts poorer Medicare beneficiaries who lack supplemental coverage.
Recently, AGA has been working closely with Rep. Ruiz as he champions an issue that impacts GI patients with inflammatory bowel disease and their ability to access the treatment that their doctor recommends. Rep. Ruiz has introduced H.R. 2279, the Safe Step Act, legislation that would provide a clear, transparent, and easily accessible appeals process for physicians and their patients when subject to step therapy protocols. Step therapy, also known as “fail first,” requires patients to try and fail one or more medications before the insurer will provide coverage for the therapy that their doctor thinks is the best to manage their condition. The Safe Step Act would not eliminate step therapy but would provide some common sense guardrails for patients and reasonable exceptions for patients who would be harmed if subjected to such a policy.
Because of AGA PAC’s and other physician organizations’ PAC support for Rep. Ruiz, he was able to secure a seat on the highly coveted Energy and Commerce Committee and its Health Subcommittee. The Committee has jurisdiction over all public health programs such as NIH, CDC, FDA, and Medicare Part B which is all physician services. Given Rep. Ruiz’s background and the committee position he holds, he is well-suited to continue to help champion AGA’s policy priorities and those of all organized medicine.
Over the years, Rep. Ruiz has spoken to AGA members at our annual Advocacy Day on the importance of physicians being involved politically and also in advocacy. He has also met with AGA Government Affairs Committee member Gaurav Singhvi, MD, in the district on issues important to the gastroenterology community and our patients.
AGA looks forward to working with Rep. Ruiz to continue to ensure that patients have access to specialty care, that the administrative burdens that physicians face like prior authorization are reduced, we continue to invest in research, and that we continue to train the next generation of GIs.
Rep. Ruiz was a virtually unknown candidate and defeated then incumbent Mary Bono, R-CA, for the seat that represents Coachella Valley and Palm Springs. Rep. Ruiz is the son of migrant farmers from Mexico who went on to medical school and became the first Latino to receive three graduate degrees from Harvard — a medical degree, a masters of public policy, and a masters of public health. Rep. Ruiz is an emergency physician by training and AGA got to know him early in his congressional career and provided support for his initiatives that aligned with our policy priorities and support through AGA PAC.
When Rep. Ruiz was elected to Congress, the Democrats were in the minority in the House and as a freshman member in the minority, did not yield a lot of power and influence. However, AGA continued to work with Rep. Ruiz in garnering his support for repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) that was created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — it was charged with making budgetary decisions for the Medicare program that would have disproportionately impacted physicians. Rep. Ruiz was willing to work with Republicans to support legislation to repeal IPAB; Congress eventually repealed it in the last Congress.
AGA also worked with Rep. Ruiz in support of increasing access to colorectal cancer screening especially for underrepresented minorities and he has been a strong supporter of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act that would fix the current Medicare screening colonoscopy coinsurance problem that disproportionately impacts poorer Medicare beneficiaries who lack supplemental coverage.
Recently, AGA has been working closely with Rep. Ruiz as he champions an issue that impacts GI patients with inflammatory bowel disease and their ability to access the treatment that their doctor recommends. Rep. Ruiz has introduced H.R. 2279, the Safe Step Act, legislation that would provide a clear, transparent, and easily accessible appeals process for physicians and their patients when subject to step therapy protocols. Step therapy, also known as “fail first,” requires patients to try and fail one or more medications before the insurer will provide coverage for the therapy that their doctor thinks is the best to manage their condition. The Safe Step Act would not eliminate step therapy but would provide some common sense guardrails for patients and reasonable exceptions for patients who would be harmed if subjected to such a policy.
Because of AGA PAC’s and other physician organizations’ PAC support for Rep. Ruiz, he was able to secure a seat on the highly coveted Energy and Commerce Committee and its Health Subcommittee. The Committee has jurisdiction over all public health programs such as NIH, CDC, FDA, and Medicare Part B which is all physician services. Given Rep. Ruiz’s background and the committee position he holds, he is well-suited to continue to help champion AGA’s policy priorities and those of all organized medicine.
Over the years, Rep. Ruiz has spoken to AGA members at our annual Advocacy Day on the importance of physicians being involved politically and also in advocacy. He has also met with AGA Government Affairs Committee member Gaurav Singhvi, MD, in the district on issues important to the gastroenterology community and our patients.
AGA looks forward to working with Rep. Ruiz to continue to ensure that patients have access to specialty care, that the administrative burdens that physicians face like prior authorization are reduced, we continue to invest in research, and that we continue to train the next generation of GIs.
Top AGA Community patient cases
Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses.
In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:
1. Biologic blood levels for pediatric IBD patient
An 11-year-old was experiencing right lower quadrant pain, a low-grade fever, painful red nodules in his legs, joint pain, moderate anemia, a peri-anal abscess and high fecal calprotectin. An MRI revealed signs of lower small bowel disease and moderate narrowing of the ileum. He was treated and showing no symptoms at about 20 weeks. The community discussed if the patient would benefit from adding adalimumab blood levels to his maintenance.
2. False positives in new DNA-based colon cancer tests
A discussion around some noninvasive colon cancer tests, such as Cologuard and liquid biopsy tests like Epi proColon, revealed community frustrations with false positives and dealing with an increased number of anxious patients awaiting colonoscopies.
3. Olmesartan-induced enteropathy
A female patient switched blood pressure medications and developed diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and weight loss. She tested positive for celiac-type enteropathy and was placed on a gluten-free diet, with symptoms resolving a couple weeks later. She switched back to her original medication, and her GI had questions for the community regarding potential for a long-term condition, as well as celiac serology follow-up.
4. Inactive UC
A 49-year-old woman with a history of pancolitis hasn’t required therapy for over 10 years. Recent biopsies showed architectural distortion and atrophy consistent with inactive colitis, without any active colitis in the rectum, but the descending colon presented a polyp mucosa with chronic colitis, erosion, and regenerative hyperplasia. Given her history, the physician solicited advice on therapy and rescoping consistency going forward.
More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.
Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses.
In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:
1. Biologic blood levels for pediatric IBD patient
An 11-year-old was experiencing right lower quadrant pain, a low-grade fever, painful red nodules in his legs, joint pain, moderate anemia, a peri-anal abscess and high fecal calprotectin. An MRI revealed signs of lower small bowel disease and moderate narrowing of the ileum. He was treated and showing no symptoms at about 20 weeks. The community discussed if the patient would benefit from adding adalimumab blood levels to his maintenance.
2. False positives in new DNA-based colon cancer tests
A discussion around some noninvasive colon cancer tests, such as Cologuard and liquid biopsy tests like Epi proColon, revealed community frustrations with false positives and dealing with an increased number of anxious patients awaiting colonoscopies.
3. Olmesartan-induced enteropathy
A female patient switched blood pressure medications and developed diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and weight loss. She tested positive for celiac-type enteropathy and was placed on a gluten-free diet, with symptoms resolving a couple weeks later. She switched back to her original medication, and her GI had questions for the community regarding potential for a long-term condition, as well as celiac serology follow-up.
4. Inactive UC
A 49-year-old woman with a history of pancolitis hasn’t required therapy for over 10 years. Recent biopsies showed architectural distortion and atrophy consistent with inactive colitis, without any active colitis in the rectum, but the descending colon presented a polyp mucosa with chronic colitis, erosion, and regenerative hyperplasia. Given her history, the physician solicited advice on therapy and rescoping consistency going forward.
More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.
Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses.
In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:
1. Biologic blood levels for pediatric IBD patient
An 11-year-old was experiencing right lower quadrant pain, a low-grade fever, painful red nodules in his legs, joint pain, moderate anemia, a peri-anal abscess and high fecal calprotectin. An MRI revealed signs of lower small bowel disease and moderate narrowing of the ileum. He was treated and showing no symptoms at about 20 weeks. The community discussed if the patient would benefit from adding adalimumab blood levels to his maintenance.
2. False positives in new DNA-based colon cancer tests
A discussion around some noninvasive colon cancer tests, such as Cologuard and liquid biopsy tests like Epi proColon, revealed community frustrations with false positives and dealing with an increased number of anxious patients awaiting colonoscopies.
3. Olmesartan-induced enteropathy
A female patient switched blood pressure medications and developed diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and weight loss. She tested positive for celiac-type enteropathy and was placed on a gluten-free diet, with symptoms resolving a couple weeks later. She switched back to her original medication, and her GI had questions for the community regarding potential for a long-term condition, as well as celiac serology follow-up.
4. Inactive UC
A 49-year-old woman with a history of pancolitis hasn’t required therapy for over 10 years. Recent biopsies showed architectural distortion and atrophy consistent with inactive colitis, without any active colitis in the rectum, but the descending colon presented a polyp mucosa with chronic colitis, erosion, and regenerative hyperplasia. Given her history, the physician solicited advice on therapy and rescoping consistency going forward.
More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.
Screening colonoscopy coinsurance fix legislation introduced
Medicare beneficiaries who have a screening colonoscopy and have polyps found and removed, find themselves on the hook for the coinsurance since the screening is now classified as a therapeutic procedure. AGA has been working for years with Congress to change this since removal of polyps is integral to the screening. Screenings save lives and Congress must enact legislation to fix this “surprise bill” that beneficiaries face.
Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-OH, Roger Wicker, R-MS, Ben Cardin, D-MD, and Susan Collins, R-ME, and Reps. Donald Payne Jr., D-NJ, Rodney Davis, R-IL, Donald McEachin, D-VA, and David McKinley, R-WV, have introduced the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would waive the Medicare coinsurance for a screening colonoscopy that becomes therapeutic. Fixing this barrier will ensure that seniors will have access to lifesaving screenings and we will continue to make progress in fighting colorectal cancer.
AGA continues to advocate that Congress support and pass the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act and we need your help. Please take a moment to ask your legislator to support this important legislation by going to www.gastro.org/take-action.
Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. despite the evidence that screening can save lives. The Affordable Care Act made great strides in ensuring that all Americans have access and coverage of lifesaving colorectal cancer screenings without cost sharing and clarified that private insurers could not impose cost sharing on screening colonoscopies that become therapeutic since “removal of polyps is integral” to the screening. We believe that same policy should be applied to our nation’s seniors and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid should use their authority to make this change.
AGA is committed to ensuring that patients have access to quality lifesaving screenings. Unfortunately, this current Medicare policy has caused enormous confusion among patients and providers and we continue to provide information and education to practices on how this policy impacts their patients. Fixing this problem will alleviate this confusion and ensure that Medicare patients are incentivized to have preventive screenings.
Medicare beneficiaries who have a screening colonoscopy and have polyps found and removed, find themselves on the hook for the coinsurance since the screening is now classified as a therapeutic procedure. AGA has been working for years with Congress to change this since removal of polyps is integral to the screening. Screenings save lives and Congress must enact legislation to fix this “surprise bill” that beneficiaries face.
Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-OH, Roger Wicker, R-MS, Ben Cardin, D-MD, and Susan Collins, R-ME, and Reps. Donald Payne Jr., D-NJ, Rodney Davis, R-IL, Donald McEachin, D-VA, and David McKinley, R-WV, have introduced the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would waive the Medicare coinsurance for a screening colonoscopy that becomes therapeutic. Fixing this barrier will ensure that seniors will have access to lifesaving screenings and we will continue to make progress in fighting colorectal cancer.
AGA continues to advocate that Congress support and pass the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act and we need your help. Please take a moment to ask your legislator to support this important legislation by going to www.gastro.org/take-action.
Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. despite the evidence that screening can save lives. The Affordable Care Act made great strides in ensuring that all Americans have access and coverage of lifesaving colorectal cancer screenings without cost sharing and clarified that private insurers could not impose cost sharing on screening colonoscopies that become therapeutic since “removal of polyps is integral” to the screening. We believe that same policy should be applied to our nation’s seniors and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid should use their authority to make this change.
AGA is committed to ensuring that patients have access to quality lifesaving screenings. Unfortunately, this current Medicare policy has caused enormous confusion among patients and providers and we continue to provide information and education to practices on how this policy impacts their patients. Fixing this problem will alleviate this confusion and ensure that Medicare patients are incentivized to have preventive screenings.
Medicare beneficiaries who have a screening colonoscopy and have polyps found and removed, find themselves on the hook for the coinsurance since the screening is now classified as a therapeutic procedure. AGA has been working for years with Congress to change this since removal of polyps is integral to the screening. Screenings save lives and Congress must enact legislation to fix this “surprise bill” that beneficiaries face.
Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-OH, Roger Wicker, R-MS, Ben Cardin, D-MD, and Susan Collins, R-ME, and Reps. Donald Payne Jr., D-NJ, Rodney Davis, R-IL, Donald McEachin, D-VA, and David McKinley, R-WV, have introduced the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would waive the Medicare coinsurance for a screening colonoscopy that becomes therapeutic. Fixing this barrier will ensure that seniors will have access to lifesaving screenings and we will continue to make progress in fighting colorectal cancer.
AGA continues to advocate that Congress support and pass the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act and we need your help. Please take a moment to ask your legislator to support this important legislation by going to www.gastro.org/take-action.
Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. despite the evidence that screening can save lives. The Affordable Care Act made great strides in ensuring that all Americans have access and coverage of lifesaving colorectal cancer screenings without cost sharing and clarified that private insurers could not impose cost sharing on screening colonoscopies that become therapeutic since “removal of polyps is integral” to the screening. We believe that same policy should be applied to our nation’s seniors and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid should use their authority to make this change.
AGA is committed to ensuring that patients have access to quality lifesaving screenings. Unfortunately, this current Medicare policy has caused enormous confusion among patients and providers and we continue to provide information and education to practices on how this policy impacts their patients. Fixing this problem will alleviate this confusion and ensure that Medicare patients are incentivized to have preventive screenings.
‘Put your own oxygen mask on first’
Takeaways from the leadership conference stress the importance of self-care, emotional intelligence, and remaining optimistic.
“Leadership 101: put your own oxygen mask on first @DarwinConwell #AGAleads #AGAForward @AmerGastroAssn”— Dr Michelle T. Long (@DrMTLong)
The inaugural Leadership Development Conference combined participants from three AGA programs for a weekend of networking, mentorship, and mapping out goals and initiatives.
Attendees included the 2020 class of AGA Future Leaders and mentors, Women’s Leadership Conference participants, and mentors and scholars of the new AGA FORWARD Program, an NIH-funded initiative that supports underrepresented minority physicians and scientists.
“Got to meet one of my tweeps heroes today! She’s even more awesome in real life!! #AGALeads #WomenInMedicine #WomenInGI @drfolamay @AmerGastroAssn” — Dr Aline Charabaty (@DCharabaty)
“Dr. Boland (Lynch syndrome) discussing career success in an ever changing scientific environment #AGALeads #AGAForward” — Eric J. Vargas M.D. (@EricJVargasMD)
“7 AGA Presidents, moderated by Dr. Anandasabapathy on Pathways to Leadership and Overcoming Challenges of the Era Presidential Panel @AmerGastroAssn Leadership conference program @SeragHashem @BCMDeptMedicine @KanwalFasiha @Aketwaroo @richashukla84” — Ruben Hernaez (@ruben_hernaez)
The event coincided with International Women’s Day, giving Women’s Leadership Conference attendees the chance to celebrate their journeys and grow into leadership roles with other #WomenInGI.
“#AGALeads #womenleadershipconference #womeninGI #InternationWomensDay with some amazing ladies in GI!! @AmerGastroAssn @AlisonGoldinMD @ibddocmaria @joanwchen” — ReezwanaCMD (@reezwanc)
“#AGAleads #WomeninGI women negotiating in a group are perceived favorably – Ellen Zimmerman, MD”
— Fazia Mir-Shaffi,MD (@Faiziya) March 9, 2019
“What I learned at @AmerGastroAssn #womeninGI Leadership course (after waiting a bit to see what stuck w me)
1. If you say yes to a request, you’re saying yes to doing it well.
2. Knowing your limitations will serve you better than being great at everything” — Laura Targownik (@UofM_GI_Head)
Aline Charabaty Pishvaian, MD, shared some takeaways in the AGA Community forum (community.gastro.org) about challenges women in GI face — a breakout discussion from the Women’s Leadership Conference.
View more insight and takeaways from participants on Twitter using #AGALeads.
Takeaways from the leadership conference stress the importance of self-care, emotional intelligence, and remaining optimistic.
Takeaways from the leadership conference stress the importance of self-care, emotional intelligence, and remaining optimistic.
“Leadership 101: put your own oxygen mask on first @DarwinConwell #AGAleads #AGAForward @AmerGastroAssn”— Dr Michelle T. Long (@DrMTLong)
The inaugural Leadership Development Conference combined participants from three AGA programs for a weekend of networking, mentorship, and mapping out goals and initiatives.
Attendees included the 2020 class of AGA Future Leaders and mentors, Women’s Leadership Conference participants, and mentors and scholars of the new AGA FORWARD Program, an NIH-funded initiative that supports underrepresented minority physicians and scientists.
“Got to meet one of my tweeps heroes today! She’s even more awesome in real life!! #AGALeads #WomenInMedicine #WomenInGI @drfolamay @AmerGastroAssn” — Dr Aline Charabaty (@DCharabaty)
“Dr. Boland (Lynch syndrome) discussing career success in an ever changing scientific environment #AGALeads #AGAForward” — Eric J. Vargas M.D. (@EricJVargasMD)
“7 AGA Presidents, moderated by Dr. Anandasabapathy on Pathways to Leadership and Overcoming Challenges of the Era Presidential Panel @AmerGastroAssn Leadership conference program @SeragHashem @BCMDeptMedicine @KanwalFasiha @Aketwaroo @richashukla84” — Ruben Hernaez (@ruben_hernaez)
The event coincided with International Women’s Day, giving Women’s Leadership Conference attendees the chance to celebrate their journeys and grow into leadership roles with other #WomenInGI.
“#AGALeads #womenleadershipconference #womeninGI #InternationWomensDay with some amazing ladies in GI!! @AmerGastroAssn @AlisonGoldinMD @ibddocmaria @joanwchen” — ReezwanaCMD (@reezwanc)
“#AGAleads #WomeninGI women negotiating in a group are perceived favorably – Ellen Zimmerman, MD”
— Fazia Mir-Shaffi,MD (@Faiziya) March 9, 2019
“What I learned at @AmerGastroAssn #womeninGI Leadership course (after waiting a bit to see what stuck w me)
1. If you say yes to a request, you’re saying yes to doing it well.
2. Knowing your limitations will serve you better than being great at everything” — Laura Targownik (@UofM_GI_Head)
Aline Charabaty Pishvaian, MD, shared some takeaways in the AGA Community forum (community.gastro.org) about challenges women in GI face — a breakout discussion from the Women’s Leadership Conference.
View more insight and takeaways from participants on Twitter using #AGALeads.
“Leadership 101: put your own oxygen mask on first @DarwinConwell #AGAleads #AGAForward @AmerGastroAssn”— Dr Michelle T. Long (@DrMTLong)
The inaugural Leadership Development Conference combined participants from three AGA programs for a weekend of networking, mentorship, and mapping out goals and initiatives.
Attendees included the 2020 class of AGA Future Leaders and mentors, Women’s Leadership Conference participants, and mentors and scholars of the new AGA FORWARD Program, an NIH-funded initiative that supports underrepresented minority physicians and scientists.
“Got to meet one of my tweeps heroes today! She’s even more awesome in real life!! #AGALeads #WomenInMedicine #WomenInGI @drfolamay @AmerGastroAssn” — Dr Aline Charabaty (@DCharabaty)
“Dr. Boland (Lynch syndrome) discussing career success in an ever changing scientific environment #AGALeads #AGAForward” — Eric J. Vargas M.D. (@EricJVargasMD)
“7 AGA Presidents, moderated by Dr. Anandasabapathy on Pathways to Leadership and Overcoming Challenges of the Era Presidential Panel @AmerGastroAssn Leadership conference program @SeragHashem @BCMDeptMedicine @KanwalFasiha @Aketwaroo @richashukla84” — Ruben Hernaez (@ruben_hernaez)
The event coincided with International Women’s Day, giving Women’s Leadership Conference attendees the chance to celebrate their journeys and grow into leadership roles with other #WomenInGI.
“#AGALeads #womenleadershipconference #womeninGI #InternationWomensDay with some amazing ladies in GI!! @AmerGastroAssn @AlisonGoldinMD @ibddocmaria @joanwchen” — ReezwanaCMD (@reezwanc)
“#AGAleads #WomeninGI women negotiating in a group are perceived favorably – Ellen Zimmerman, MD”
— Fazia Mir-Shaffi,MD (@Faiziya) March 9, 2019
“What I learned at @AmerGastroAssn #womeninGI Leadership course (after waiting a bit to see what stuck w me)
1. If you say yes to a request, you’re saying yes to doing it well.
2. Knowing your limitations will serve you better than being great at everything” — Laura Targownik (@UofM_GI_Head)
Aline Charabaty Pishvaian, MD, shared some takeaways in the AGA Community forum (community.gastro.org) about challenges women in GI face — a breakout discussion from the Women’s Leadership Conference.
View more insight and takeaways from participants on Twitter using #AGALeads.
AGA president advocates for increased access to care for digestive disease patients
AGA President David Lieberman, MD, AGAF, was on Capitol Hill advocating for legislation to ensure that digestive disease patients have timely access to lifesaving treatments and touted the importance of increasing access to colorectal cancer screenings. Specifically, Dr. Lieberman sought support for H.R. 1570/S. 668, the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, legislation that would fix the current Medicare screening colonoscopy coinsurance problem. Currently, when a Medicare beneficiary has a screening colonoscopy that turns therapeutic, the procedure is no longer considered a screening and the patient is on the hook for the “surprise” bill. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would fix this problem for beneficiaries.
Dr. Lieberman also participated in a congressional briefing sponsored by AGA, ACG, and ASGE on the importance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and spoke of the geographic, ethnic, and socioeconomic barriers to CRC screening and how it impacts the rates of screening. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-MA, chair of the House Rules Committee, also spoke about the importance of CRC screenings and the number of lives that can be saved with screening. He also stressed that we have made strides in screening because of the research that is funded through the NIH which Congress needs to continue to support.
Protection for patients who are subject to step-therapy protocols was another area that Dr. Lieberman emphasized during his meetings with congressional staff. Step therapy is a utilization management tool where insurers force patients to fail one or more therapies before they will cover the initial therapy recommended by their physician. This policy is more and more common especially for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who rely on biologics for treatment. Dr. Lieberman stressed that forcing a patient to fail a medication that they know will be ineffective is in violation of the Hippocratic oath. Restoring the Patient’s Voice Act, legislation soon to be reintroduced by Reps. Raul Ruiz, D-CA, and Brad Wenstrup, R-OH, would provide an expeditated appeals process and provide some common sense exceptions for patients when subjected to step therapy.
Dr. Lieberman stressed the importance of funding the NIH and requested Congress increase their budget by $2 billion in fiscal year 2020. Dr. Lieberman described the NIH as our country’s crown jewel since it invests in biomedical research that will ultimately find cures for countless conditions, increase our country’s economic competitiveness, and spur industries and invests in our country’s best and brightest scientists. We are hopeful that Congress will reject the Trump Administration’s recommendation of a 12% cut for NIH and instead continue to provide the necessary increases the agency needs to remain competitive.
AGA President David Lieberman, MD, AGAF, was on Capitol Hill advocating for legislation to ensure that digestive disease patients have timely access to lifesaving treatments and touted the importance of increasing access to colorectal cancer screenings. Specifically, Dr. Lieberman sought support for H.R. 1570/S. 668, the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, legislation that would fix the current Medicare screening colonoscopy coinsurance problem. Currently, when a Medicare beneficiary has a screening colonoscopy that turns therapeutic, the procedure is no longer considered a screening and the patient is on the hook for the “surprise” bill. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would fix this problem for beneficiaries.
Dr. Lieberman also participated in a congressional briefing sponsored by AGA, ACG, and ASGE on the importance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and spoke of the geographic, ethnic, and socioeconomic barriers to CRC screening and how it impacts the rates of screening. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-MA, chair of the House Rules Committee, also spoke about the importance of CRC screenings and the number of lives that can be saved with screening. He also stressed that we have made strides in screening because of the research that is funded through the NIH which Congress needs to continue to support.
Protection for patients who are subject to step-therapy protocols was another area that Dr. Lieberman emphasized during his meetings with congressional staff. Step therapy is a utilization management tool where insurers force patients to fail one or more therapies before they will cover the initial therapy recommended by their physician. This policy is more and more common especially for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who rely on biologics for treatment. Dr. Lieberman stressed that forcing a patient to fail a medication that they know will be ineffective is in violation of the Hippocratic oath. Restoring the Patient’s Voice Act, legislation soon to be reintroduced by Reps. Raul Ruiz, D-CA, and Brad Wenstrup, R-OH, would provide an expeditated appeals process and provide some common sense exceptions for patients when subjected to step therapy.
Dr. Lieberman stressed the importance of funding the NIH and requested Congress increase their budget by $2 billion in fiscal year 2020. Dr. Lieberman described the NIH as our country’s crown jewel since it invests in biomedical research that will ultimately find cures for countless conditions, increase our country’s economic competitiveness, and spur industries and invests in our country’s best and brightest scientists. We are hopeful that Congress will reject the Trump Administration’s recommendation of a 12% cut for NIH and instead continue to provide the necessary increases the agency needs to remain competitive.
AGA President David Lieberman, MD, AGAF, was on Capitol Hill advocating for legislation to ensure that digestive disease patients have timely access to lifesaving treatments and touted the importance of increasing access to colorectal cancer screenings. Specifically, Dr. Lieberman sought support for H.R. 1570/S. 668, the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, legislation that would fix the current Medicare screening colonoscopy coinsurance problem. Currently, when a Medicare beneficiary has a screening colonoscopy that turns therapeutic, the procedure is no longer considered a screening and the patient is on the hook for the “surprise” bill. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would fix this problem for beneficiaries.
Dr. Lieberman also participated in a congressional briefing sponsored by AGA, ACG, and ASGE on the importance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and spoke of the geographic, ethnic, and socioeconomic barriers to CRC screening and how it impacts the rates of screening. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-MA, chair of the House Rules Committee, also spoke about the importance of CRC screenings and the number of lives that can be saved with screening. He also stressed that we have made strides in screening because of the research that is funded through the NIH which Congress needs to continue to support.
Protection for patients who are subject to step-therapy protocols was another area that Dr. Lieberman emphasized during his meetings with congressional staff. Step therapy is a utilization management tool where insurers force patients to fail one or more therapies before they will cover the initial therapy recommended by their physician. This policy is more and more common especially for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who rely on biologics for treatment. Dr. Lieberman stressed that forcing a patient to fail a medication that they know will be ineffective is in violation of the Hippocratic oath. Restoring the Patient’s Voice Act, legislation soon to be reintroduced by Reps. Raul Ruiz, D-CA, and Brad Wenstrup, R-OH, would provide an expeditated appeals process and provide some common sense exceptions for patients when subjected to step therapy.
Dr. Lieberman stressed the importance of funding the NIH and requested Congress increase their budget by $2 billion in fiscal year 2020. Dr. Lieberman described the NIH as our country’s crown jewel since it invests in biomedical research that will ultimately find cures for countless conditions, increase our country’s economic competitiveness, and spur industries and invests in our country’s best and brightest scientists. We are hopeful that Congress will reject the Trump Administration’s recommendation of a 12% cut for NIH and instead continue to provide the necessary increases the agency needs to remain competitive.
Are you ready to celebrate 50 years of DDW®?
With 2019 being the 50th anniversary of Digestive Disease Week® (DDW), this year’s meeting is one you won’t want to miss. AGA looks forward to seeing members May 18 to 21, 2019, in San Diego, California. Register and view additional information on the DDW website. You can learn more about AGA programming and events at DDW by visiting www.gastro.org/DDW.
With 2019 being the 50th anniversary of Digestive Disease Week® (DDW), this year’s meeting is one you won’t want to miss. AGA looks forward to seeing members May 18 to 21, 2019, in San Diego, California. Register and view additional information on the DDW website. You can learn more about AGA programming and events at DDW by visiting www.gastro.org/DDW.
With 2019 being the 50th anniversary of Digestive Disease Week® (DDW), this year’s meeting is one you won’t want to miss. AGA looks forward to seeing members May 18 to 21, 2019, in San Diego, California. Register and view additional information on the DDW website. You can learn more about AGA programming and events at DDW by visiting www.gastro.org/DDW.
Your recap of the 2019 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit
On March 23 and 24, AGA and the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) gathered 350+ international clinicians and researchers to network and discuss the latest evidence on the interaction between diet, nutrition and the gut microbiome at the 2019 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit.
Twenty-three novel abstracts were presented as posters at the meeting. The abstracts covered topics ranging from probiotics to diet to potential microbiome-driven treatments for GI disorders.
Below are some key takeaways (as shared on Twitter) from the meeting. Stay tuned for more news and resources from the 2019 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit, including an official meeting report in Gastroenterology, on-demand presentation recordings, video clips, and more.
“Excess zinc supplementation can change the gut #microbiota and increase risk AND severity of #cdiff infection, says @joeyzacks #GMFH2019 @cdiffFoundation” — Dr. Caterina Oneto (@caterina_oneto)
“You need a #dietitian for low #FODMAP diet education to ensure the patient consumes a nutritionally adequate diet. @MagnusSimren #GMFH2019” — Kate Scarlata, RDN (@KateScarlata_RD)
“Patients with cirrhosis have increased bacteremia, blood LPS levels and intestinal permeability. This background has led to study the role of gut microbiota in liver disease #GMFH2019” — GutMicrobiota Health (@GMFHx)
“Much anticipated talk on #probiotics happening now at #GMFH2019 led by AGA’s probiotics experts @KashyapPurna & Geoffrey Preidis. This work will culminate in a new AGA guideline on using probiotics in clinical practice. Additional data will be presented at #DDW19” — AGA (@AmerGastroAssn)
“Eric Martens: while a low fibre diet may not drive inflammation in the short term, it may increase disease risk in the long term, due to changes in microbiota & mucus degrading bacteria! #GMFH2019” — Andrea Hardy RD (@AndreaHardyRD)
View additional Twitter coverage of the meeting: #GMFH2019.
On March 23 and 24, AGA and the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) gathered 350+ international clinicians and researchers to network and discuss the latest evidence on the interaction between diet, nutrition and the gut microbiome at the 2019 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit.
Twenty-three novel abstracts were presented as posters at the meeting. The abstracts covered topics ranging from probiotics to diet to potential microbiome-driven treatments for GI disorders.
Below are some key takeaways (as shared on Twitter) from the meeting. Stay tuned for more news and resources from the 2019 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit, including an official meeting report in Gastroenterology, on-demand presentation recordings, video clips, and more.
“Excess zinc supplementation can change the gut #microbiota and increase risk AND severity of #cdiff infection, says @joeyzacks #GMFH2019 @cdiffFoundation” — Dr. Caterina Oneto (@caterina_oneto)
“You need a #dietitian for low #FODMAP diet education to ensure the patient consumes a nutritionally adequate diet. @MagnusSimren #GMFH2019” — Kate Scarlata, RDN (@KateScarlata_RD)
“Patients with cirrhosis have increased bacteremia, blood LPS levels and intestinal permeability. This background has led to study the role of gut microbiota in liver disease #GMFH2019” — GutMicrobiota Health (@GMFHx)
“Much anticipated talk on #probiotics happening now at #GMFH2019 led by AGA’s probiotics experts @KashyapPurna & Geoffrey Preidis. This work will culminate in a new AGA guideline on using probiotics in clinical practice. Additional data will be presented at #DDW19” — AGA (@AmerGastroAssn)
“Eric Martens: while a low fibre diet may not drive inflammation in the short term, it may increase disease risk in the long term, due to changes in microbiota & mucus degrading bacteria! #GMFH2019” — Andrea Hardy RD (@AndreaHardyRD)
View additional Twitter coverage of the meeting: #GMFH2019.
On March 23 and 24, AGA and the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) gathered 350+ international clinicians and researchers to network and discuss the latest evidence on the interaction between diet, nutrition and the gut microbiome at the 2019 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit.
Twenty-three novel abstracts were presented as posters at the meeting. The abstracts covered topics ranging from probiotics to diet to potential microbiome-driven treatments for GI disorders.
Below are some key takeaways (as shared on Twitter) from the meeting. Stay tuned for more news and resources from the 2019 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit, including an official meeting report in Gastroenterology, on-demand presentation recordings, video clips, and more.
“Excess zinc supplementation can change the gut #microbiota and increase risk AND severity of #cdiff infection, says @joeyzacks #GMFH2019 @cdiffFoundation” — Dr. Caterina Oneto (@caterina_oneto)
“You need a #dietitian for low #FODMAP diet education to ensure the patient consumes a nutritionally adequate diet. @MagnusSimren #GMFH2019” — Kate Scarlata, RDN (@KateScarlata_RD)
“Patients with cirrhosis have increased bacteremia, blood LPS levels and intestinal permeability. This background has led to study the role of gut microbiota in liver disease #GMFH2019” — GutMicrobiota Health (@GMFHx)
“Much anticipated talk on #probiotics happening now at #GMFH2019 led by AGA’s probiotics experts @KashyapPurna & Geoffrey Preidis. This work will culminate in a new AGA guideline on using probiotics in clinical practice. Additional data will be presented at #DDW19” — AGA (@AmerGastroAssn)
“Eric Martens: while a low fibre diet may not drive inflammation in the short term, it may increase disease risk in the long term, due to changes in microbiota & mucus degrading bacteria! #GMFH2019” — Andrea Hardy RD (@AndreaHardyRD)
View additional Twitter coverage of the meeting: #GMFH2019.
Meet a rising star in fecal incontinence research
The AGA Research Foundation offers its flagship grant, the AGA Research Scholar Award, to the most promising early career investigators. Kyle Staller, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, is no exception. We’re thrilled to highlight Dr. Staller – a 2016 AGA Research Scholar Award winner — as our AGA Research Foundation researcher of the month.
The Staller lab’s AGA-funded project is specifically focused on the risk factors for fecal incontinence, which have not been well studied. One in 10 women over age 80 suffer from this debilitating condition. Dr. Staller looked at the lifestyles and dietary factors of female study participants in research databases to determine whether they were predisposed to developing fecal incontinence beyond the usual risk factors such as childbirth, which can cause injury to the pelvic floor, and diabetes. Dr. Staller believes that understanding and modifying risk factors could decrease the chance, or even prevent, women from developing this condition.
With his AGA Research Foundation grant, Dr. Staller found that consuming dietary fiber in higher quantities, and increasing moderate exercise up to a point, lowered the risk of developing fecal incontinence. “This tells us that not only is fiber healthy but also preventative to fecal incontinence,” he said.
Dr. Staller says that he became interested in this area of study after patients, who were getting excited about their impending retirement or enjoying their retirement years, developed this life-altering condition. His compassion for his patients inspired him to study the factors leading to fecal incontinence, which will likely become more prevalent as the U.S. population ages.
Dr. Staller is using the baseline data from his AGA Research Foundation grant to support his application for a 5-year NIH grant designed to help young investigators learn new research skills to further their careers.
Read more and get to know Dr. Staller by visiting https://www.gastro.org/news/meet-a-rising-star-in-fecal-incontinence-research.
Help AGA build a community of investigators through the AGA Research Foundation.
Your donation to the AGA Research Foundation can fund future success stories by keeping young scientists working to advance our understanding of digestive diseases. Donate today at www.gastro.org/donateonline.
The AGA Research Foundation offers its flagship grant, the AGA Research Scholar Award, to the most promising early career investigators. Kyle Staller, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, is no exception. We’re thrilled to highlight Dr. Staller – a 2016 AGA Research Scholar Award winner — as our AGA Research Foundation researcher of the month.
The Staller lab’s AGA-funded project is specifically focused on the risk factors for fecal incontinence, which have not been well studied. One in 10 women over age 80 suffer from this debilitating condition. Dr. Staller looked at the lifestyles and dietary factors of female study participants in research databases to determine whether they were predisposed to developing fecal incontinence beyond the usual risk factors such as childbirth, which can cause injury to the pelvic floor, and diabetes. Dr. Staller believes that understanding and modifying risk factors could decrease the chance, or even prevent, women from developing this condition.
With his AGA Research Foundation grant, Dr. Staller found that consuming dietary fiber in higher quantities, and increasing moderate exercise up to a point, lowered the risk of developing fecal incontinence. “This tells us that not only is fiber healthy but also preventative to fecal incontinence,” he said.
Dr. Staller says that he became interested in this area of study after patients, who were getting excited about their impending retirement or enjoying their retirement years, developed this life-altering condition. His compassion for his patients inspired him to study the factors leading to fecal incontinence, which will likely become more prevalent as the U.S. population ages.
Dr. Staller is using the baseline data from his AGA Research Foundation grant to support his application for a 5-year NIH grant designed to help young investigators learn new research skills to further their careers.
Read more and get to know Dr. Staller by visiting https://www.gastro.org/news/meet-a-rising-star-in-fecal-incontinence-research.
Help AGA build a community of investigators through the AGA Research Foundation.
Your donation to the AGA Research Foundation can fund future success stories by keeping young scientists working to advance our understanding of digestive diseases. Donate today at www.gastro.org/donateonline.
The AGA Research Foundation offers its flagship grant, the AGA Research Scholar Award, to the most promising early career investigators. Kyle Staller, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, is no exception. We’re thrilled to highlight Dr. Staller – a 2016 AGA Research Scholar Award winner — as our AGA Research Foundation researcher of the month.
The Staller lab’s AGA-funded project is specifically focused on the risk factors for fecal incontinence, which have not been well studied. One in 10 women over age 80 suffer from this debilitating condition. Dr. Staller looked at the lifestyles and dietary factors of female study participants in research databases to determine whether they were predisposed to developing fecal incontinence beyond the usual risk factors such as childbirth, which can cause injury to the pelvic floor, and diabetes. Dr. Staller believes that understanding and modifying risk factors could decrease the chance, or even prevent, women from developing this condition.
With his AGA Research Foundation grant, Dr. Staller found that consuming dietary fiber in higher quantities, and increasing moderate exercise up to a point, lowered the risk of developing fecal incontinence. “This tells us that not only is fiber healthy but also preventative to fecal incontinence,” he said.
Dr. Staller says that he became interested in this area of study after patients, who were getting excited about their impending retirement or enjoying their retirement years, developed this life-altering condition. His compassion for his patients inspired him to study the factors leading to fecal incontinence, which will likely become more prevalent as the U.S. population ages.
Dr. Staller is using the baseline data from his AGA Research Foundation grant to support his application for a 5-year NIH grant designed to help young investigators learn new research skills to further their careers.
Read more and get to know Dr. Staller by visiting https://www.gastro.org/news/meet-a-rising-star-in-fecal-incontinence-research.
Help AGA build a community of investigators through the AGA Research Foundation.
Your donation to the AGA Research Foundation can fund future success stories by keeping young scientists working to advance our understanding of digestive diseases. Donate today at www.gastro.org/donateonline.
Top AGA Community patient cases
Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses.
In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:
1. Refractory lymphocytic colitis and diarrhea
An elderly female with lymphocytic colitis wasn’t responding to any treatment provided by her physician, who was trying to avoid a colectomy due to her advanced age. The GI community shared their support with recommendations for therapy options and next steps.
2. Atypical case of enteropathy
This physician found mild erosive gastritis, villous blunting and mucosal accumulation of eosinophils up to 55/hpf in an 18-year-old female with a history of nausea, vomiting, nonbloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss over the past year. She tested negative for celiac disease and a gluten-free diet only provided partial improvement. The conversation in the Community forum covered potential diagnoses to be considered and recommendations for therapy.
3. Eosinophilic esophagitis with aperistalsis
A 21-year-old male presented with progressive dysphagia due to eosinophilic esophagitis with a weight loss of 17 pounds in two months. A panendoscopy revealed a hiatal hernia and aperistalsis of the esophagus, with normal inferior and superior sphincter pressures. No changes were observed recently; he is being managed with prokinetics and remains asymptomatic.
More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.
Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses.
In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:
1. Refractory lymphocytic colitis and diarrhea
An elderly female with lymphocytic colitis wasn’t responding to any treatment provided by her physician, who was trying to avoid a colectomy due to her advanced age. The GI community shared their support with recommendations for therapy options and next steps.
2. Atypical case of enteropathy
This physician found mild erosive gastritis, villous blunting and mucosal accumulation of eosinophils up to 55/hpf in an 18-year-old female with a history of nausea, vomiting, nonbloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss over the past year. She tested negative for celiac disease and a gluten-free diet only provided partial improvement. The conversation in the Community forum covered potential diagnoses to be considered and recommendations for therapy.
3. Eosinophilic esophagitis with aperistalsis
A 21-year-old male presented with progressive dysphagia due to eosinophilic esophagitis with a weight loss of 17 pounds in two months. A panendoscopy revealed a hiatal hernia and aperistalsis of the esophagus, with normal inferior and superior sphincter pressures. No changes were observed recently; he is being managed with prokinetics and remains asymptomatic.
More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.
Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses.
In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:
1. Refractory lymphocytic colitis and diarrhea
An elderly female with lymphocytic colitis wasn’t responding to any treatment provided by her physician, who was trying to avoid a colectomy due to her advanced age. The GI community shared their support with recommendations for therapy options and next steps.
2. Atypical case of enteropathy
This physician found mild erosive gastritis, villous blunting and mucosal accumulation of eosinophils up to 55/hpf in an 18-year-old female with a history of nausea, vomiting, nonbloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss over the past year. She tested negative for celiac disease and a gluten-free diet only provided partial improvement. The conversation in the Community forum covered potential diagnoses to be considered and recommendations for therapy.
3. Eosinophilic esophagitis with aperistalsis
A 21-year-old male presented with progressive dysphagia due to eosinophilic esophagitis with a weight loss of 17 pounds in two months. A panendoscopy revealed a hiatal hernia and aperistalsis of the esophagus, with normal inferior and superior sphincter pressures. No changes were observed recently; he is being managed with prokinetics and remains asymptomatic.
More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.