Heidi Splete

More than half – 59% – of new cases of HIV in the United States in 2009 occurred in men who have sex with men, based on data from 7,271 of them, as published on June 2 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

"Given the high prevalence of new HIV infection among MSM [men who have sex with men] who had been tested during the past year, sexually active MSM might benefit from more frequent HIV testing," such as every 3-6 months, the researchers wrote (MMWR 2011;60:694-9).

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed data from MSM in 21 cities that were collected as part of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS). The MSM were aged 18 years and older (mean, 34 years); 44% were white, 25% were Hispanic, and 23% were black.

Overall, 680 (9%) of the MSM were infected with HIV. Although 29% of these had been tested during the past 6 months, 16% had never been tested. A total of 61% had tested negative for HIV during the past year. Of the 61%, 7% were positive for HIV when they were tested by the NHBS (15% of blacks, 7% of Hispanics, and 3% of whites).

In general, men with higher incomes and education were more likely to be tested. Testing rates were similar among different ethnicities. However, "the high proportion of HIV-infected persons among minority MSM, particularly black MSM, who had not previously received a diagnosis of HIV infection and were tested during the past year underscores that testing among these populations should be a priority for HIV testing programs," the researchers wrote.

The findings were limited by several factors, including the possible underreporting of HIV-positive status and high-risk behaviors, and the recruitment of study participants from bars and clubs in cities with a high prevalence of AIDS, the researchers noted.

But the results suggest that MSM could be tested every 3 months or every 6 months, instead of the annual testing currently recommended by the CDC, they added.

"MSM account for just [2%] of the U.S. population but represent more than half of all new [HIV] infections in the United States," CDC director Thomas R. Frieden said in a statement issued on June 2.

The statement and the current MMWR report appear on the 30-year anniversary of the publication of the first case of HIV in what became the MMWR, Dr. Frieden said. Although effective treatment for HIV is widely available, high-risk groups such as MSM should remain vigilant about prevention, and they should be encouraged to take advantage of new interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, he emphasized.

Visit http://www.hivtest.org/ for HIV testing sites in your area.

More than half – 59% – of new cases of HIV in the United States in 2009 occurred in men who have sex with men, based on data from 7,271 of them, as published on June 2 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

"Given the high prevalence of new HIV infection among MSM [men who have sex with men] who had been tested during the past year, sexually active MSM might benefit from more frequent HIV testing," such as every 3-6 months, the researchers wrote (MMWR 2011;60:694-9).

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed data from MSM in 21 cities that were collected as part of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS). The MSM were aged 18 years and older (mean, 34 years); 44% were white, 25% were Hispanic, and 23% were black.

Overall, 680 (9%) of the MSM were infected with HIV. Although 29% of these had been tested during the past 6 months, 16% had never been tested. A total of 61% had tested negative for HIV during the past year. Of the 61%, 7% were positive for HIV when they were tested by the NHBS (15% of blacks, 7% of Hispanics, and 3% of whites).

In general, men with higher incomes and education were more likely to be tested. Testing rates were similar among different ethnicities. However, "the high proportion of HIV-infected persons among minority MSM, particularly black MSM, who had not previously received a diagnosis of HIV infection and were tested during the past year underscores that testing among these populations should be a priority for HIV testing programs," the researchers wrote.

The findings were limited by several factors, including the possible underreporting of HIV-positive status and high-risk behaviors, and the recruitment of study participants from bars and clubs in cities with a high prevalence of AIDS, the researchers noted.

But the results suggest that MSM could be tested every 3 months or every 6 months, instead of the annual testing currently recommended by the CDC, they added.

"MSM account for just [2%] of the U.S. population but represent more than half of all new [HIV] infections in the United States," CDC director Thomas R. Frieden said in a statement issued on June 2.

The statement and the current MMWR report appear on the 30-year anniversary of the publication of the first case of HIV in what became the MMWR, Dr. Frieden said. Although effective treatment for HIV is widely available, high-risk groups such as MSM should remain vigilant about prevention, and they should be encouraged to take advantage of new interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, he emphasized.

Visit http://www.hivtest.org/ for HIV testing sites in your area.

More than half – 59% – of new cases of HIV in the United States in 2009 occurred in men who have sex with men, based on data from 7,271 of them, as published on June 2 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

"Given the high prevalence of new HIV infection among MSM [men who have sex with men] who had been tested during the past year, sexually active MSM might benefit from more frequent HIV testing," such as every 3-6 months, the researchers wrote (MMWR 2011;60:694-9).

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed data from MSM in 21 cities that were collected as part of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS). The MSM were aged 18 years and older (mean, 34 years); 44% were white, 25% were Hispanic, and 23% were black.

Overall, 680 (9%) of the MSM were infected with HIV. Although 29% of these had been tested during the past 6 months, 16% had never been tested. A total of 61% had tested negative for HIV during the past year. Of the 61%, 7% were positive for HIV when they were tested by the NHBS (15% of blacks, 7% of Hispanics, and 3% of whites).

In general, men with higher incomes and education were more likely to be tested. Testing rates were similar among different ethnicities. However, "the high proportion of HIV-infected persons among minority MSM, particularly black MSM, who had not previously received a diagnosis of HIV infection and were tested during the past year underscores that testing among these populations should be a priority for HIV testing programs," the researchers wrote.

The findings were limited by several factors, including the possible underreporting of HIV-positive status and high-risk behaviors, and the recruitment of study participants from bars and clubs in cities with a high prevalence of AIDS, the researchers noted.

But the results suggest that MSM could be tested every 3 months or every 6 months, instead of the annual testing currently recommended by the CDC, they added.

"MSM account for just [2%] of the U.S. population but represent more than half of all new [HIV] infections in the United States," CDC director Thomas R. Frieden said in a statement issued on June 2.

The statement and the current MMWR report appear on the 30-year anniversary of the publication of the first case of HIV in what became the MMWR, Dr. Frieden said. Although effective treatment for HIV is widely available, high-risk groups such as MSM should remain vigilant about prevention, and they should be encouraged to take advantage of new interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, he emphasized.

Visit http://www.hivtest.org/ for HIV testing sites in your area.

More than half – 59% – of new cases of HIV in the United States in 2009 occurred in men who have sex with men, based on data from 7,271 of them, as published on June 2 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

"Given the high prevalence of new HIV infection among MSM [men who have sex with men] who had been tested during the past year, sexually active MSM might benefit from more frequent HIV testing," such as every 3-6 months, the researchers wrote (MMWR 2011;60:694-9).

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed data from MSM in 21 cities that were collected as part of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS). The MSM were aged 18 years and older (mean, 34 years); 44% were white, 25% were Hispanic, and 23% were black.

Overall, 680 (9%) of the MSM were infected with HIV. Although 29% of these had been tested during the past 6 months, 16% had never been tested. A total of 61% had tested negative for HIV during the past year. Of the 61%, 7% were positive for HIV when they were tested by the NHBS (15% of blacks, 7% of Hispanics, and 3% of whites).

In general, men with higher incomes and education were more likely to be tested. Testing rates were similar among different ethnicities. However, "the high proportion of HIV-infected persons among minority MSM, particularly black MSM, who had not previously received a diagnosis of HIV infection and were tested during the past year underscores that testing among these populations should be a priority for HIV testing programs," the researchers wrote.

The findings were limited by several factors, including the possible underreporting of HIV-positive status and high-risk behaviors, and the recruitment of study participants from bars and clubs in cities with a high prevalence of AIDS, the researchers noted.

But the results suggest that MSM could be tested every 3 months or every 6 months, instead of the annual testing currently recommended by the CDC, they added.

"MSM account for just [2%] of the U.S. population but represent more than half of all new [HIV] infections in the United States," CDC director Thomas R. Frieden said in a statement issued on June 2.

The statement and the current MMWR report appear on the 30-year anniversary of the publication of the first case of HIV in what became the MMWR, Dr. Frieden said. Although effective treatment for HIV is widely available, high-risk groups such as MSM should remain vigilant about prevention, and they should be encouraged to take advantage of new interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, he emphasized.

Visit http://www.hivtest.org/ for HIV testing sites in your area.

More than half – 59% – of new cases of HIV in the United States in 2009 occurred in men who have sex with men, based on data from 7,271 of them, as published on June 2 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

"Given the high prevalence of new HIV infection among MSM [men who have sex with men] who had been tested during the past year, sexually active MSM might benefit from more frequent HIV testing," such as every 3-6 months, the researchers wrote (MMWR 2011;60:694-9).

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed data from MSM in 21 cities that were collected as part of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS). The MSM were aged 18 years and older (mean, 34 years); 44% were white, 25% were Hispanic, and 23% were black.

Overall, 680 (9%) of the MSM were infected with HIV. Although 29% of these had been tested during the past 6 months, 16% had never been tested. A total of 61% had tested negative for HIV during the past year. Of the 61%, 7% were positive for HIV when they were tested by the NHBS (15% of blacks, 7% of Hispanics, and 3% of whites).

In general, men with higher incomes and education were more likely to be tested. Testing rates were similar among different ethnicities. However, "the high proportion of HIV-infected persons among minority MSM, particularly black MSM, who had not previously received a diagnosis of HIV infection and were tested during the past year underscores that testing among these populations should be a priority for HIV testing programs," the researchers wrote.

The findings were limited by several factors, including the possible underreporting of HIV-positive status and high-risk behaviors, and the recruitment of study participants from bars and clubs in cities with a high prevalence of AIDS, the researchers noted.

But the results suggest that MSM could be tested every 3 months or every 6 months, instead of the annual testing currently recommended by the CDC, they added.

"MSM account for just [2%] of the U.S. population but represent more than half of all new [HIV] infections in the United States," CDC director Thomas R. Frieden said in a statement issued on June 2.

The statement and the current MMWR report appear on the 30-year anniversary of the publication of the first case of HIV in what became the MMWR, Dr. Frieden said. Although effective treatment for HIV is widely available, high-risk groups such as MSM should remain vigilant about prevention, and they should be encouraged to take advantage of new interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, he emphasized.

Visit http://www.hivtest.org/ for HIV testing sites in your area.

More than half – 59% – of new cases of HIV in the United States in 2009 occurred in men who have sex with men, based on data from 7,271 of them, as published on June 2 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

"Given the high prevalence of new HIV infection among MSM [men who have sex with men] who had been tested during the past year, sexually active MSM might benefit from more frequent HIV testing," such as every 3-6 months, the researchers wrote (MMWR 2011;60:694-9).

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed data from MSM in 21 cities that were collected as part of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS). The MSM were aged 18 years and older (mean, 34 years); 44% were white, 25% were Hispanic, and 23% were black.

Overall, 680 (9%) of the MSM were infected with HIV. Although 29% of these had been tested during the past 6 months, 16% had never been tested. A total of 61% had tested negative for HIV during the past year. Of the 61%, 7% were positive for HIV when they were tested by the NHBS (15% of blacks, 7% of Hispanics, and 3% of whites).

In general, men with higher incomes and education were more likely to be tested. Testing rates were similar among different ethnicities. However, "the high proportion of HIV-infected persons among minority MSM, particularly black MSM, who had not previously received a diagnosis of HIV infection and were tested during the past year underscores that testing among these populations should be a priority for HIV testing programs," the researchers wrote.

The findings were limited by several factors, including the possible underreporting of HIV-positive status and high-risk behaviors, and the recruitment of study participants from bars and clubs in cities with a high prevalence of AIDS, the researchers noted.

But the results suggest that MSM could be tested every 3 months or every 6 months, instead of the annual testing currently recommended by the CDC, they added.

"MSM account for just [2%] of the U.S. population but represent more than half of all new [HIV] infections in the United States," CDC director Thomas R. Frieden said in a statement issued on June 2.

The statement and the current MMWR report appear on the 30-year anniversary of the publication of the first case of HIV in what became the MMWR, Dr. Frieden said. Although effective treatment for HIV is widely available, high-risk groups such as MSM should remain vigilant about prevention, and they should be encouraged to take advantage of new interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, he emphasized.

Visit http://www.hivtest.org/ for HIV testing sites in your area.

CHICAGO – The risk of gallbladder disease was more than twice as high in pregnant women in the top quartile of carbohydrate consumption, compared with those in the bottom quartile, based on data from a prospective study of 3,070 pregnant women.

Female sex is a risk factor for gallstones, and pregnancy is an especially high-risk time for gallstone development, Dr. Alexander Wong of the University of Washington, Seattle, said at a press conference.

“Gallbladder disease is the most common nonobstetrical cause of maternal rehospitalization the first 60 days after delivery,” said Dr. Wong.

“Carbohydrate intake has been linked to increased risk of cholecystectomy in women.

“However, the effect of carbohydrate intake on gallbladder disease during pregnancy is unclear,” he commented.

To determine the effect of diet during pregnancy on gallstone formation, Dr. Wong and his colleages performed ultrasounds on pregnant women during each trimester and at 4–6 weeks post partum.

The average age of the women was 25 years, and each had at least two interpretable ultrasounds. Women who had gallstones at the first ultrasound and those with a history of gallstones were excluded.

Overall, the cumulative incidence of new gallstones or biliary sludge indicative of gallbladder disease was 10%. In addition, women in the highest quartile of starch consumption were 80% more likely than those in the lowest quartile to show signs of gallbladder disease.

In addition, those in the highest quartile of fructose consumption had double the risk, compared with the lowest quartile, of showing signs of gallbladder disease. Dietary factors were assessed using standard food composition data.

Women who formed sludge or stones were more likely to have a higher caffeine and alcohol intake, be of Hispanic origin, and gain less weight during pregnancy.

By contrast, the highest quartile of galactose intake was independently associated with a decreased risk of gallbladder disease, compared with the lowest quartile, noted coauthor Dr. Cynthia Ko, also of the university, who presented the study results at the press conference. The results held after control for variables including age, prepregnancy weight, ethnicity, smoking, diabetes, total calorie intake, alcohol intake, and weight gain during pregnancy.

“We believe that high carbohydrate intake during pregnancy may stimulate even more insulin release, therefore increasing the negative effects of hyperinsulinemia on bile composition,” Dr. Wong said.

“The fructose finding is fairly novel,” added Dr. Ko.

“We hypothesize that fructose is metabolized differently than many other carbohydrates,” she said.

High fructose intake can cause insulin resistance, which can predispose individuals to gallstone formation, she noted.

“The galactose finding is quite novel, and we don't have a good scientific explanation for why we found that,” Dr. Ko added. “This is a very preliminary finding that needs further confirmation and explanation.”

The results suggest that cutting down on refined, processed carbohydrates during pregnancy might reduce a woman's risk of gallstones, Dr. Ko commented.

Dr. Ko said she had no relevant financial disclosures.

CHICAGO – The risk of gallbladder disease was more than twice as high in pregnant women in the top quartile of carbohydrate consumption, compared with those in the bottom quartile, based on data from a prospective study of 3,070 pregnant women.

Female sex is a risk factor for gallstones, and pregnancy is an especially high-risk time for gallstone development, Dr. Alexander Wong of the University of Washington, Seattle, said at a press conference.

“Gallbladder disease is the most common nonobstetrical cause of maternal rehospitalization the first 60 days after delivery,” said Dr. Wong.

“Carbohydrate intake has been linked to increased risk of cholecystectomy in women.

“However, the effect of carbohydrate intake on gallbladder disease during pregnancy is unclear,” he commented.

To determine the effect of diet during pregnancy on gallstone formation, Dr. Wong and his colleages performed ultrasounds on pregnant women during each trimester and at 4–6 weeks post partum.

The average age of the women was 25 years, and each had at least two interpretable ultrasounds. Women who had gallstones at the first ultrasound and those with a history of gallstones were excluded.

Overall, the cumulative incidence of new gallstones or biliary sludge indicative of gallbladder disease was 10%. In addition, women in the highest quartile of starch consumption were 80% more likely than those in the lowest quartile to show signs of gallbladder disease.

In addition, those in the highest quartile of fructose consumption had double the risk, compared with the lowest quartile, of showing signs of gallbladder disease. Dietary factors were assessed using standard food composition data.

Women who formed sludge or stones were more likely to have a higher caffeine and alcohol intake, be of Hispanic origin, and gain less weight during pregnancy.

By contrast, the highest quartile of galactose intake was independently associated with a decreased risk of gallbladder disease, compared with the lowest quartile, noted coauthor Dr. Cynthia Ko, also of the university, who presented the study results at the press conference. The results held after control for variables including age, prepregnancy weight, ethnicity, smoking, diabetes, total calorie intake, alcohol intake, and weight gain during pregnancy.

“We believe that high carbohydrate intake during pregnancy may stimulate even more insulin release, therefore increasing the negative effects of hyperinsulinemia on bile composition,” Dr. Wong said.

“The fructose finding is fairly novel,” added Dr. Ko.

“We hypothesize that fructose is metabolized differently than many other carbohydrates,” she said.

High fructose intake can cause insulin resistance, which can predispose individuals to gallstone formation, she noted.

“The galactose finding is quite novel, and we don't have a good scientific explanation for why we found that,” Dr. Ko added. “This is a very preliminary finding that needs further confirmation and explanation.”

The results suggest that cutting down on refined, processed carbohydrates during pregnancy might reduce a woman's risk of gallstones, Dr. Ko commented.

Dr. Ko said she had no relevant financial disclosures.

CHICAGO – The risk of gallbladder disease was more than twice as high in pregnant women in the top quartile of carbohydrate consumption, compared with those in the bottom quartile, based on data from a prospective study of 3,070 pregnant women.

Female sex is a risk factor for gallstones, and pregnancy is an especially high-risk time for gallstone development, Dr. Alexander Wong of the University of Washington, Seattle, said at a press conference.

“Gallbladder disease is the most common nonobstetrical cause of maternal rehospitalization the first 60 days after delivery,” said Dr. Wong.

“Carbohydrate intake has been linked to increased risk of cholecystectomy in women.

“However, the effect of carbohydrate intake on gallbladder disease during pregnancy is unclear,” he commented.

To determine the effect of diet during pregnancy on gallstone formation, Dr. Wong and his colleages performed ultrasounds on pregnant women during each trimester and at 4–6 weeks post partum.

The average age of the women was 25 years, and each had at least two interpretable ultrasounds. Women who had gallstones at the first ultrasound and those with a history of gallstones were excluded.

Overall, the cumulative incidence of new gallstones or biliary sludge indicative of gallbladder disease was 10%. In addition, women in the highest quartile of starch consumption were 80% more likely than those in the lowest quartile to show signs of gallbladder disease.

In addition, those in the highest quartile of fructose consumption had double the risk, compared with the lowest quartile, of showing signs of gallbladder disease. Dietary factors were assessed using standard food composition data.

Women who formed sludge or stones were more likely to have a higher caffeine and alcohol intake, be of Hispanic origin, and gain less weight during pregnancy.

By contrast, the highest quartile of galactose intake was independently associated with a decreased risk of gallbladder disease, compared with the lowest quartile, noted coauthor Dr. Cynthia Ko, also of the university, who presented the study results at the press conference. The results held after control for variables including age, prepregnancy weight, ethnicity, smoking, diabetes, total calorie intake, alcohol intake, and weight gain during pregnancy.

“We believe that high carbohydrate intake during pregnancy may stimulate even more insulin release, therefore increasing the negative effects of hyperinsulinemia on bile composition,” Dr. Wong said.

“The fructose finding is fairly novel,” added Dr. Ko.

“We hypothesize that fructose is metabolized differently than many other carbohydrates,” she said.

High fructose intake can cause insulin resistance, which can predispose individuals to gallstone formation, she noted.

“The galactose finding is quite novel, and we don't have a good scientific explanation for why we found that,” Dr. Ko added. “This is a very preliminary finding that needs further confirmation and explanation.”

The results suggest that cutting down on refined, processed carbohydrates during pregnancy might reduce a woman's risk of gallstones, Dr. Ko commented.

Dr. Ko said she had no relevant financial disclosures.

CHICAGO – The risk of gallbladder disease was more than twice as high in pregnant women in the top quartile of carbohydrate consumption, compared with those in the bottom quartile, based on data from a prospective study of 3,070 pregnant women.

Female sex is a risk factor for gallstones, and pregnancy is an especially high-risk time for gallstone development, Dr. Alexander Wong of the University of Washington, Seattle, said at a press conference at the annual Digestive Disease Week.

"Gallbladder disease is the most common nonobstetrical cause of maternal rehospitalization the first 60 days after delivery," said Dr. Wong. "Carbohydrate intake has been linked to increased risk of cholecystectomy in women. However, the effect of carbohydrate intake on gallbladder disease during pregnancy is unclear."

To determine the effect of diet during pregnancy on gallstone formation, Dr. Wong and his colleagues performed ultrasounds on pregnant women during each trimester and at 4-6 weeks post partum. The average age of the women was 25 years, and each had at least two interpretable ultrasounds. Women who had gallstones at the first ultrasound and those with a history of gallstones were excluded.

Overall, the cumulative incidence of new gallstones or biliary sludge indicative of gallbladder disease was 10%. In addition, women in the highest quartile of starch consumption were 80% more likely than those in the lowest quartile to show signs of gallbladder disease. In addition, those in the highest quartile of fructose consumption had double the risk, compared with the lowest quartile, of showing signs of gallbladder disease. Dietary factors were assessed using standard food composition data.

Women who formed sludge or stones were more likely to have a higher caffeine and alcohol intake, be of Hispanic origin, and gain less weight during pregnancy.

By contrast, the highest quartile of galactose intake was independently associated with a decreased risk of gallbladder disease, compared with the lowest quartile, noted coauthor Dr. Cynthia Ko, also of the university, who presented the study results at a press conference. The results held after control for variables including age, prepregnancy weight, ethnicity, smoking, diabetes, total calorie intake, alcohol intake, and weight gain during pregnancy.

"We believe that high carbohydrate intake during pregnancy may stimulate even more insulin release, therefore increasing the negative effects of hyperinsulinemia on bile composition," Dr. Wong said.

"The fructose finding is fairly novel," added Dr. Ko. "We hypothesize that fructose is metabolized differently than many other carbohydrates." High fructose intake can cause insulin resistance, which can predispose individuals to gallstone formation, she noted.

"The galactose finding is quite novel, and we don’t have a good scientific explanation for why we found that," she added. "This is a very preliminary finding that needs further confirmation and explanation."

The results suggest that cutting down on refined, processed carbohydrates during pregnancy might reduce a woman’s risk of gallstones, Dr. Ko noted.

Dr. Ko said she had no relevant financial disclosures.

CHICAGO – The risk of gallbladder disease was more than twice as high in pregnant women in the top quartile of carbohydrate consumption, compared with those in the bottom quartile, based on data from a prospective study of 3,070 pregnant women.

Female sex is a risk factor for gallstones, and pregnancy is an especially high-risk time for gallstone development, Dr. Alexander Wong of the University of Washington, Seattle, said at a press conference at the annual Digestive Disease Week.

"Gallbladder disease is the most common nonobstetrical cause of maternal rehospitalization the first 60 days after delivery," said Dr. Wong. "Carbohydrate intake has been linked to increased risk of cholecystectomy in women. However, the effect of carbohydrate intake on gallbladder disease during pregnancy is unclear."

To determine the effect of diet during pregnancy on gallstone formation, Dr. Wong and his colleagues performed ultrasounds on pregnant women during each trimester and at 4-6 weeks post partum. The average age of the women was 25 years, and each had at least two interpretable ultrasounds. Women who had gallstones at the first ultrasound and those with a history of gallstones were excluded.

Overall, the cumulative incidence of new gallstones or biliary sludge indicative of gallbladder disease was 10%. In addition, women in the highest quartile of starch consumption were 80% more likely than those in the lowest quartile to show signs of gallbladder disease. In addition, those in the highest quartile of fructose consumption had double the risk, compared with the lowest quartile, of showing signs of gallbladder disease. Dietary factors were assessed using standard food composition data.

Women who formed sludge or stones were more likely to have a higher caffeine and alcohol intake, be of Hispanic origin, and gain less weight during pregnancy.

By contrast, the highest quartile of galactose intake was independently associated with a decreased risk of gallbladder disease, compared with the lowest quartile, noted coauthor Dr. Cynthia Ko, also of the university, who presented the study results at a press conference. The results held after control for variables including age, prepregnancy weight, ethnicity, smoking, diabetes, total calorie intake, alcohol intake, and weight gain during pregnancy.

"We believe that high carbohydrate intake during pregnancy may stimulate even more insulin release, therefore increasing the negative effects of hyperinsulinemia on bile composition," Dr. Wong said.

"The fructose finding is fairly novel," added Dr. Ko. "We hypothesize that fructose is metabolized differently than many other carbohydrates." High fructose intake can cause insulin resistance, which can predispose individuals to gallstone formation, she noted.

"The galactose finding is quite novel, and we don’t have a good scientific explanation for why we found that," she added. "This is a very preliminary finding that needs further confirmation and explanation."

The results suggest that cutting down on refined, processed carbohydrates during pregnancy might reduce a woman’s risk of gallstones, Dr. Ko noted.

Dr. Ko said she had no relevant financial disclosures.

CHICAGO – The risk of gallbladder disease was more than twice as high in pregnant women in the top quartile of carbohydrate consumption, compared with those in the bottom quartile, based on data from a prospective study of 3,070 pregnant women.

Female sex is a risk factor for gallstones, and pregnancy is an especially high-risk time for gallstone development, Dr. Alexander Wong of the University of Washington, Seattle, said at a press conference at the annual Digestive Disease Week.

"Gallbladder disease is the most common nonobstetrical cause of maternal rehospitalization the first 60 days after delivery," said Dr. Wong. "Carbohydrate intake has been linked to increased risk of cholecystectomy in women. However, the effect of carbohydrate intake on gallbladder disease during pregnancy is unclear."

To determine the effect of diet during pregnancy on gallstone formation, Dr. Wong and his colleagues performed ultrasounds on pregnant women during each trimester and at 4-6 weeks post partum. The average age of the women was 25 years, and each had at least two interpretable ultrasounds. Women who had gallstones at the first ultrasound and those with a history of gallstones were excluded.

Overall, the cumulative incidence of new gallstones or biliary sludge indicative of gallbladder disease was 10%. In addition, women in the highest quartile of starch consumption were 80% more likely than those in the lowest quartile to show signs of gallbladder disease. In addition, those in the highest quartile of fructose consumption had double the risk, compared with the lowest quartile, of showing signs of gallbladder disease. Dietary factors were assessed using standard food composition data.

Women who formed sludge or stones were more likely to have a higher caffeine and alcohol intake, be of Hispanic origin, and gain less weight during pregnancy.

By contrast, the highest quartile of galactose intake was independently associated with a decreased risk of gallbladder disease, compared with the lowest quartile, noted coauthor Dr. Cynthia Ko, also of the university, who presented the study results at a press conference. The results held after control for variables including age, prepregnancy weight, ethnicity, smoking, diabetes, total calorie intake, alcohol intake, and weight gain during pregnancy.

"We believe that high carbohydrate intake during pregnancy may stimulate even more insulin release, therefore increasing the negative effects of hyperinsulinemia on bile composition," Dr. Wong said.

"The fructose finding is fairly novel," added Dr. Ko. "We hypothesize that fructose is metabolized differently than many other carbohydrates." High fructose intake can cause insulin resistance, which can predispose individuals to gallstone formation, she noted.

"The galactose finding is quite novel, and we don’t have a good scientific explanation for why we found that," she added. "This is a very preliminary finding that needs further confirmation and explanation."

The results suggest that cutting down on refined, processed carbohydrates during pregnancy might reduce a woman’s risk of gallstones, Dr. Ko noted.

Dr. Ko said she had no relevant financial disclosures.

CHICAGO – Adding the protease inhibitor telaprevir to the standard combination therapy of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin significantly improved outcomes in three categories of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients who had failed standard treatment, according to final results from the phase III REALIZE trial.

Approximately 60% of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients treated with standard therapy do not respond, said Dr. Zobair M. Younossi of Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA. "Re-treating these patients will be very difficult if you want to treat them with the currently available double-combination therapy," said Dr. Younossi, who presented the study findings in a press conference at the annual Digestive Disease Week.

The researchers, led by Dr. Paul Pockros of the Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla, Calif., conducted an international, multicenter, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial – the REALIZE trial – to assess the safety and tolerability of adding 750 mg of telaprevir every 8 hours to the standard therapy of 180 mcg/week of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and 1000-1200 mg/day of ribavirin. The control group received the standard therapy plus a placebo.

The treatment arms were as follows: telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks followed by standard therapy for 36 weeks; standard therapy for 4 weeks followed by telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks and then standard therapy for 32 weeks; and standard therapy for 48 weeks.

Approximately 70% of the 662 treated patients were male, and 93% were white. About one-quarter (26%) had cirrhosis, and 89% had a baseline HCV RNA level of at least 800,000 IU/mL. They were divided into three groups: those who had relapsed after standard treatment, those who had a partial response to standard treatment, and those who had no response to standard treatment.

Among the prior relapsers, the response rate in the telaprevir patients was 83%-88%, compared with 23% in the placebo group. Among the prior partial responders, the response rate in the telaprevir patients ranged from 54% to 59%, compared with 23% of the placebo patients. And among the prior nonresponders, the response rate was 29% to 33% in the telaprevir group and 5% in the placebo group. The differences between telaprevir and placebo were significant in all three patient categories – prior partial responders, prior nonresponders, and prior relapsers.

The main goal of the study was to assess whether telaprevir together with standard therapy had superior efficacy for prior relapsers and prior nonresponders, compared with standard therapy alone.

"Another important part of the study was that the lead-in phase did not add to the efficacy and the sustained virologic response in these patients," Dr. Younossi noted.

The safety and tolerability data for telaprevir were similar to results from previous studies, Dr. Younossi said. The most frequently reported adverse events included fatigue, pruritus, rash, nausea, flulike symptoms, anemia, and diarrhea. Rash (4%) and anemia (3%) were the most common reasons given for treatment discontinuation.

"We are on the verge of the next wave of treatment for hepatitis C," said the moderator of the press conference, Dr. Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, codirector of the liver center and chief of hepatology, St. Louis University. Both telaprevir and boceprevir (which was not evaluated in the REALIZE trial) are protease inhibitors; they are direct-acting antivirals that have been tested in phase III trials with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, he said.

On April 27, the Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration unanimously voted to recommend approval of boceprevir and, on April 28, unanimously voted to recommend approval of telaprevir, both for use in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin as a treatment for genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. At press time, neither drug had been approved, but approval was considered imminent for both drugs.

Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review boards for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including study sponsor Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

CHICAGO – Adding the protease inhibitor telaprevir to the standard combination therapy of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin significantly improved outcomes in three categories of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients who had failed standard treatment, according to final results from the phase III REALIZE trial.

Approximately 60% of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients treated with standard therapy do not respond, said Dr. Zobair M. Younossi of Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA. "Re-treating these patients will be very difficult if you want to treat them with the currently available double-combination therapy," said Dr. Younossi, who presented the study findings in a press conference at the annual Digestive Disease Week.

The researchers, led by Dr. Paul Pockros of the Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla, Calif., conducted an international, multicenter, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial – the REALIZE trial – to assess the safety and tolerability of adding 750 mg of telaprevir every 8 hours to the standard therapy of 180 mcg/week of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and 1000-1200 mg/day of ribavirin. The control group received the standard therapy plus a placebo.

The treatment arms were as follows: telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks followed by standard therapy for 36 weeks; standard therapy for 4 weeks followed by telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks and then standard therapy for 32 weeks; and standard therapy for 48 weeks.

Approximately 70% of the 662 treated patients were male, and 93% were white. About one-quarter (26%) had cirrhosis, and 89% had a baseline HCV RNA level of at least 800,000 IU/mL. They were divided into three groups: those who had relapsed after standard treatment, those who had a partial response to standard treatment, and those who had no response to standard treatment.

Among the prior relapsers, the response rate in the telaprevir patients was 83%-88%, compared with 23% in the placebo group. Among the prior partial responders, the response rate in the telaprevir patients ranged from 54% to 59%, compared with 23% of the placebo patients. And among the prior nonresponders, the response rate was 29% to 33% in the telaprevir group and 5% in the placebo group. The differences between telaprevir and placebo were significant in all three patient categories – prior partial responders, prior nonresponders, and prior relapsers.

The main goal of the study was to assess whether telaprevir together with standard therapy had superior efficacy for prior relapsers and prior nonresponders, compared with standard therapy alone.

"Another important part of the study was that the lead-in phase did not add to the efficacy and the sustained virologic response in these patients," Dr. Younossi noted.

The safety and tolerability data for telaprevir were similar to results from previous studies, Dr. Younossi said. The most frequently reported adverse events included fatigue, pruritus, rash, nausea, flulike symptoms, anemia, and diarrhea. Rash (4%) and anemia (3%) were the most common reasons given for treatment discontinuation.

"We are on the verge of the next wave of treatment for hepatitis C," said the moderator of the press conference, Dr. Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, codirector of the liver center and chief of hepatology, St. Louis University. Both telaprevir and boceprevir (which was not evaluated in the REALIZE trial) are protease inhibitors; they are direct-acting antivirals that have been tested in phase III trials with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, he said.

On April 27, the Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration unanimously voted to recommend approval of boceprevir and, on April 28, unanimously voted to recommend approval of telaprevir, both for use in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin as a treatment for genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. At press time, neither drug had been approved, but approval was considered imminent for both drugs.

Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review boards for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including study sponsor Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

CHICAGO – Adding the protease inhibitor telaprevir to the standard combination therapy of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin significantly improved outcomes in three categories of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients who had failed standard treatment, according to final results from the phase III REALIZE trial.

Approximately 60% of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients treated with standard therapy do not respond, said Dr. Zobair M. Younossi of Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA. "Re-treating these patients will be very difficult if you want to treat them with the currently available double-combination therapy," said Dr. Younossi, who presented the study findings in a press conference at the annual Digestive Disease Week.

The researchers, led by Dr. Paul Pockros of the Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla, Calif., conducted an international, multicenter, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial – the REALIZE trial – to assess the safety and tolerability of adding 750 mg of telaprevir every 8 hours to the standard therapy of 180 mcg/week of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and 1000-1200 mg/day of ribavirin. The control group received the standard therapy plus a placebo.

The treatment arms were as follows: telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks followed by standard therapy for 36 weeks; standard therapy for 4 weeks followed by telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks and then standard therapy for 32 weeks; and standard therapy for 48 weeks.

Approximately 70% of the 662 treated patients were male, and 93% were white. About one-quarter (26%) had cirrhosis, and 89% had a baseline HCV RNA level of at least 800,000 IU/mL. They were divided into three groups: those who had relapsed after standard treatment, those who had a partial response to standard treatment, and those who had no response to standard treatment.

Among the prior relapsers, the response rate in the telaprevir patients was 83%-88%, compared with 23% in the placebo group. Among the prior partial responders, the response rate in the telaprevir patients ranged from 54% to 59%, compared with 23% of the placebo patients. And among the prior nonresponders, the response rate was 29% to 33% in the telaprevir group and 5% in the placebo group. The differences between telaprevir and placebo were significant in all three patient categories – prior partial responders, prior nonresponders, and prior relapsers.

The main goal of the study was to assess whether telaprevir together with standard therapy had superior efficacy for prior relapsers and prior nonresponders, compared with standard therapy alone.

"Another important part of the study was that the lead-in phase did not add to the efficacy and the sustained virologic response in these patients," Dr. Younossi noted.

The safety and tolerability data for telaprevir were similar to results from previous studies, Dr. Younossi said. The most frequently reported adverse events included fatigue, pruritus, rash, nausea, flulike symptoms, anemia, and diarrhea. Rash (4%) and anemia (3%) were the most common reasons given for treatment discontinuation.

"We are on the verge of the next wave of treatment for hepatitis C," said the moderator of the press conference, Dr. Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, codirector of the liver center and chief of hepatology, St. Louis University. Both telaprevir and boceprevir (which was not evaluated in the REALIZE trial) are protease inhibitors; they are direct-acting antivirals that have been tested in phase III trials with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, he said.

On April 27, the Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration unanimously voted to recommend approval of boceprevir and, on April 28, unanimously voted to recommend approval of telaprevir, both for use in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin as a treatment for genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. At press time, neither drug had been approved, but approval was considered imminent for both drugs.

Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review boards for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including study sponsor Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

CHICAGO – Adding the protease inhibitor telaprevir to the standard combination therapy of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin significantly improved outcomes in three categories of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients who had failed standard treatment, according to final results from the phase III REALIZE trial.

Approximately 60% of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients treated with standard therapy do not respond, said Dr. Zobair M. Younossi of Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va. "Re-treating these patients will be very difficult if you want to treat them with the currently available double-combination therapy," said Dr. Younossi, who presented the study findings in a press conference at the annual Digestive Disease Week.

The researchers, led by Dr. Paul Pockros of the Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla, Calif., conducted an international, multicenter, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial – the REALIZE trial – to assess the safety and tolerability of adding 750 mg of telaprevir every 8 hours to the standard therapy of 180 mcg/week of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and 1000-1200 mg/day of ribavirin. The control group received the standard therapy plus a placebo.

The treatment arms were as follows: telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks followed by standard therapy for 36 weeks; standard therapy for 4 weeks followed by telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks and then standard therapy for 32 weeks; and standard therapy for 48 weeks.

Approximately 70% of the 662 treated patients were male, and 93% were white. About one-quarter (26%) had cirrhosis, and 89% had a baseline HCV RNA level of at least 800,000 IU/mL. They were divided into three groups: those who had relapsed after standard treatment, those who had a partial response to standard treatment, and those who had no response to standard treatment.

Among the prior relapsers, the response rate in the telaprevir patients was 83%-88%, compared with 23% in the placebo group. Among the prior partial responders, the response rate in the telaprevir patients ranged from 54% to 59%, compared with 23% of the placebo patients. And among the prior nonresponders, the response rate was 29% to 33% in the telaprevir group and 5% in the placebo group. The differences between telaprevir and placebo were significant in all three patient categories – prior partial responders, prior nonresponders, and prior relapsers.

The main goal of the study was to assess whether telaprevir together with standard therapy had superior efficacy for prior relapsers and prior nonresponders, compared with standard therapy alone.

"Another important part of the study was that the lead-in phase did not add to the efficacy and the sustained virologic response in these patients," Dr. Younossi noted.

The safety and tolerability data for telaprevir were similar to results from previous studies, Dr. Younossi said. The most frequently reported adverse events included fatigue, pruritus, rash, nausea, flulike symptoms, anemia, and diarrhea. Rash (4%) and anemia (3%) were the most common reasons given for treatment discontinuation.

"We are on the verge of the next wave of treatment for hepatitis C," said the moderator of the press conference, Dr. Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, codirector of the liver center and chief of hepatology, St. Louis University. Both telaprevir and boceprevir (which was not evaluated in the REALIZE trial) are protease inhibitors; they are direct-acting antivirals that have been tested in phase III trials with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, he said.

On April 27, the Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration unanimously voted to recommend approval of boceprevir and, on April 28, unanimously voted to recommend approval of telaprevir, both for use in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin as a treatment for genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. At press time, neither drug had been approved, but approval was considered imminent for both drugs.

Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review boards for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including study sponsor Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

CHICAGO – Adding the protease inhibitor telaprevir to the standard combination therapy of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin significantly improved outcomes in three categories of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients who had failed standard treatment, according to final results from the phase III REALIZE trial.

Approximately 60% of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients treated with standard therapy do not respond, said Dr. Zobair M. Younossi of Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va. "Re-treating these patients will be very difficult if you want to treat them with the currently available double-combination therapy," said Dr. Younossi, who presented the study findings in a press conference at the annual Digestive Disease Week.

The researchers, led by Dr. Paul Pockros of the Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla, Calif., conducted an international, multicenter, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial – the REALIZE trial – to assess the safety and tolerability of adding 750 mg of telaprevir every 8 hours to the standard therapy of 180 mcg/week of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and 1000-1200 mg/day of ribavirin. The control group received the standard therapy plus a placebo.

The treatment arms were as follows: telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks followed by standard therapy for 36 weeks; standard therapy for 4 weeks followed by telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks and then standard therapy for 32 weeks; and standard therapy for 48 weeks.

Approximately 70% of the 662 treated patients were male, and 93% were white. About one-quarter (26%) had cirrhosis, and 89% had a baseline HCV RNA level of at least 800,000 IU/mL. They were divided into three groups: those who had relapsed after standard treatment, those who had a partial response to standard treatment, and those who had no response to standard treatment.

Among the prior relapsers, the response rate in the telaprevir patients was 83%-88%, compared with 23% in the placebo group. Among the prior partial responders, the response rate in the telaprevir patients ranged from 54% to 59%, compared with 23% of the placebo patients. And among the prior nonresponders, the response rate was 29% to 33% in the telaprevir group and 5% in the placebo group. The differences between telaprevir and placebo were significant in all three patient categories – prior partial responders, prior nonresponders, and prior relapsers.

The main goal of the study was to assess whether telaprevir together with standard therapy had superior efficacy for prior relapsers and prior nonresponders, compared with standard therapy alone.

"Another important part of the study was that the lead-in phase did not add to the efficacy and the sustained virologic response in these patients," Dr. Younossi noted.

The safety and tolerability data for telaprevir were similar to results from previous studies, Dr. Younossi said. The most frequently reported adverse events included fatigue, pruritus, rash, nausea, flulike symptoms, anemia, and diarrhea. Rash (4%) and anemia (3%) were the most common reasons given for treatment discontinuation.

"We are on the verge of the next wave of treatment for hepatitis C," said the moderator of the press conference, Dr. Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, codirector of the liver center and chief of hepatology, St. Louis University. Both telaprevir and boceprevir (which was not evaluated in the REALIZE trial) are protease inhibitors; they are direct-acting antivirals that have been tested in phase III trials with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, he said.

On April 27, the Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration unanimously voted to recommend approval of boceprevir and, on April 28, unanimously voted to recommend approval of telaprevir, both for use in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin as a treatment for genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. At press time, neither drug had been approved, but approval was considered imminent for both drugs.

Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review boards for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including study sponsor Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

CHICAGO – Adding the protease inhibitor telaprevir to the standard combination therapy of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin significantly improved outcomes in three categories of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients who had failed standard treatment, according to final results from the phase III REALIZE trial.

Approximately 60% of genotype 1 hepatitis C patients treated with standard therapy do not respond, said Dr. Zobair M. Younossi of Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va. "Re-treating these patients will be very difficult if you want to treat them with the currently available double-combination therapy," said Dr. Younossi, who presented the study findings in a press conference at the annual Digestive Disease Week.

The researchers, led by Dr. Paul Pockros of the Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla, Calif., conducted an international, multicenter, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial – the REALIZE trial – to assess the safety and tolerability of adding 750 mg of telaprevir every 8 hours to the standard therapy of 180 mcg/week of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and 1000-1200 mg/day of ribavirin. The control group received the standard therapy plus a placebo.

The treatment arms were as follows: telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks followed by standard therapy for 36 weeks; standard therapy for 4 weeks followed by telaprevir plus standard therapy for 12 weeks and then standard therapy for 32 weeks; and standard therapy for 48 weeks.

Approximately 70% of the 662 treated patients were male, and 93% were white. About one-quarter (26%) had cirrhosis, and 89% had a baseline HCV RNA level of at least 800,000 IU/mL. They were divided into three groups: those who had relapsed after standard treatment, those who had a partial response to standard treatment, and those who had no response to standard treatment.

Among the prior relapsers, the response rate in the telaprevir patients was 83%-88%, compared with 23% in the placebo group. Among the prior partial responders, the response rate in the telaprevir patients ranged from 54% to 59%, compared with 23% of the placebo patients. And among the prior nonresponders, the response rate was 29% to 33% in the telaprevir group and 5% in the placebo group. The differences between telaprevir and placebo were significant in all three patient categories – prior partial responders, prior nonresponders, and prior relapsers.

The main goal of the study was to assess whether telaprevir together with standard therapy had superior efficacy for prior relapsers and prior nonresponders, compared with standard therapy alone.

"Another important part of the study was that the lead-in phase did not add to the efficacy and the sustained virologic response in these patients," Dr. Younossi noted.

The safety and tolerability data for telaprevir were similar to results from previous studies, Dr. Younossi said. The most frequently reported adverse events included fatigue, pruritus, rash, nausea, flulike symptoms, anemia, and diarrhea. Rash (4%) and anemia (3%) were the most common reasons given for treatment discontinuation.

"We are on the verge of the next wave of treatment for hepatitis C," said the moderator of the press conference, Dr. Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, codirector of the liver center and chief of hepatology, St. Louis University. Both telaprevir and boceprevir (which was not evaluated in the REALIZE trial) are protease inhibitors; they are direct-acting antivirals that have been tested in phase III trials with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, he said.

On April 27, the Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration unanimously voted to recommend approval of boceprevir and, on April 28, unanimously voted to recommend approval of telaprevir, both for use in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin as a treatment for genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. At press time, neither drug had been approved, but approval was considered imminent for both drugs.

Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review boards for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including study sponsor Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

CHICAGO - Older patients undergoing bariatric surgery had longer hospital stays, but no increased risk of death or major adverse events at 30 days, according to a study of more than 48,000 adults. The findings were presented at the annual Digestive Disease Week on May 9.

Patient age older than 65 years is not a contraindication to bariatric surgery, said Dr. Robert B. Dorman in a press conference in advance of the meeting. Previous studies of bariatric surgery in older adults have been limited to Medicare patients and have not included laparoscopic procedures, he noted.

In this multihospital study, Dr. Dorman of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and his colleagues analyzed data from 48,378 adults with a body mass index of 35 kg/m² or higher who underwent bariatric surgery between 2005 and 2009. The patients were part of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

The types of surgery included open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, open duodenal switch, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and vertical banded gastroplasty.

The percentage of bariatric surgery patients aged 65 years or older increased from 1.9% in 2005 to 4.8% in 2009, a significant change. Among all patients, a total of 72 deaths occurred during the study period, and 8 of these occurred in patients aged 65 years or older.

The 30-day mortality did not differ significantly by age group and was under 1% for all age ranges. Specifically, for patients aged 35-49 years, 50-64 years, and 65 years and older mortality was 0.12%, 0.21%, and 0.40%, respectively. A multivariate analysis showed a trend for advancing age as a predictor of mortality, but this was not statistically significant, the researchers noted.

However, age of 65 years or older was a significant predictor of prolonged length of stay for both open and laparoscopic procedures. In addition, older age alone was not a significant predictor of major adverse events for either procedure type. The significant predictors of major adverse events included BMI of 55 or higher, cardiac comorbidities, severe ASA [American Society of Anesthesiologists] score, albumin levels less than 3 g/dL, and creatinine levels greater than 1.5 mg/dL.

“Once corroborated, these results [will] provide important information to patients, surgeons, hospitals, and payers prior to performing bariatric surgery in older persons with obesity,” Dr. Dorman said.

However, “we are certainly not giving the green light for bariatric surgeons to operate on these patients without determining their risk on an individual basis,” he added.

Dr. Dorman had no financial conflicts to disclos

CHICAGO - Older patients undergoing bariatric surgery had longer hospital stays, but no increased risk of death or major adverse events at 30 days, according to a study of more than 48,000 adults. The findings were presented at the annual Digestive Disease Week on May 9.

Patient age older than 65 years is not a contraindication to bariatric surgery, said Dr. Robert B. Dorman in a press conference in advance of the meeting. Previous studies of bariatric surgery in older adults have been limited to Medicare patients and have not included laparoscopic procedures, he noted.

In this multihospital study, Dr. Dorman of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and his colleagues analyzed data from 48,378 adults with a body mass index of 35 kg/m² or higher who underwent bariatric surgery between 2005 and 2009. The patients were part of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

The types of surgery included open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, open duodenal switch, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and vertical banded gastroplasty.

The percentage of bariatric surgery patients aged 65 years or older increased from 1.9% in 2005 to 4.8% in 2009, a significant change. Among all patients, a total of 72 deaths occurred during the study period, and 8 of these occurred in patients aged 65 years or older.

The 30-day mortality did not differ significantly by age group and was under 1% for all age ranges. Specifically, for patients aged 35-49 years, 50-64 years, and 65 years and older mortality was 0.12%, 0.21%, and 0.40%, respectively. A multivariate analysis showed a trend for advancing age as a predictor of mortality, but this was not statistically significant, the researchers noted.

However, age of 65 years or older was a significant predictor of prolonged length of stay for both open and laparoscopic procedures. In addition, older age alone was not a significant predictor of major adverse events for either procedure type. The significant predictors of major adverse events included BMI of 55 or higher, cardiac comorbidities, severe ASA [American Society of Anesthesiologists] score, albumin levels less than 3 g/dL, and creatinine levels greater than 1.5 mg/dL.

“Once corroborated, these results [will] provide important information to patients, surgeons, hospitals, and payers prior to performing bariatric surgery in older persons with obesity,” Dr. Dorman said.

However, “we are certainly not giving the green light for bariatric surgeons to operate on these patients without determining their risk on an individual basis,” he added.

Dr. Dorman had no financial conflicts to disclos

CHICAGO - Older patients undergoing bariatric surgery had longer hospital stays, but no increased risk of death or major adverse events at 30 days, according to a study of more than 48,000 adults. The findings were presented at the annual Digestive Disease Week on May 9.

Patient age older than 65 years is not a contraindication to bariatric surgery, said Dr. Robert B. Dorman in a press conference in advance of the meeting. Previous studies of bariatric surgery in older adults have been limited to Medicare patients and have not included laparoscopic procedures, he noted.

In this multihospital study, Dr. Dorman of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and his colleagues analyzed data from 48,378 adults with a body mass index of 35 kg/m² or higher who underwent bariatric surgery between 2005 and 2009. The patients were part of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

The types of surgery included open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, open duodenal switch, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and vertical banded gastroplasty.

The percentage of bariatric surgery patients aged 65 years or older increased from 1.9% in 2005 to 4.8% in 2009, a significant change. Among all patients, a total of 72 deaths occurred during the study period, and 8 of these occurred in patients aged 65 years or older.

The 30-day mortality did not differ significantly by age group and was under 1% for all age ranges. Specifically, for patients aged 35-49 years, 50-64 years, and 65 years and older mortality was 0.12%, 0.21%, and 0.40%, respectively. A multivariate analysis showed a trend for advancing age as a predictor of mortality, but this was not statistically significant, the researchers noted.

However, age of 65 years or older was a significant predictor of prolonged length of stay for both open and laparoscopic procedures. In addition, older age alone was not a significant predictor of major adverse events for either procedure type. The significant predictors of major adverse events included BMI of 55 or higher, cardiac comorbidities, severe ASA [American Society of Anesthesiologists] score, albumin levels less than 3 g/dL, and creatinine levels greater than 1.5 mg/dL.

“Once corroborated, these results [will] provide important information to patients, surgeons, hospitals, and payers prior to performing bariatric surgery in older persons with obesity,” Dr. Dorman said.

However, “we are certainly not giving the green light for bariatric surgeons to operate on these patients without determining their risk on an individual basis,” he added.

Dr. Dorman had no financial conflicts to disclos

CHICAGO - A targeted, age-based screening program would result in 59,000 fewer deaths associated with hepatitis C and advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening program, based on statistical modeling.

Under current U.S. screening practices, “people with no risk factors might not get screened,” Dr. Zobair Younossi of the Inova Health System in Fairfax, Va., said during a press conference in advance of the meetingannual Digestive Disease Week. The results were presented at the annual Digestive Disease Week meeting on May 8.

Individuals with hepatitis C may not show symptoms until decades after they have been infected, he noted. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among the “baby boomer plus” population (people born in 1946-1970) in the United States may be higher than expected. “A screening strategy based on age, rather than risk factors, could have a significant impact” on the disease, he said.

Dr. Younossi and colleagues used a Markov model of the natural history of the infection and its complications. They applied the model to a population of approximately 102 million individuals who were eligible for screening, and found that the birth cohort screening (BCS) strategy would result in 59,000 fewer deaths related to HCV infection and 106,000 fewer cases of advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening (RBS) strategy.

The investigators designed a mathematical model using a birth cohort of individuals who were born in the United States in 1946-1970. They estimated the current hepatitis C status and stage of disease progression using a run-in period from 1964 to 2010, as well as using age- and sex-based rates of infection, progression, and spontaneous clearance. BCS involved the assumption that 100% of the cohort would be screened within the first 5 years, starting in 2010.

The model suggested that BCS would cost approximately $25,000 for each additional quality-adjusted year of life gained. BCS would cost more overall than RBS ($45.1 billion vs. 32.0 billion), but BCS would yield lower costs related to advanced liver disease ($21.7 billion vs. $25.8 billion), Dr. Younossi said. The up-front investment could be worthwhile in terms of reducing long-term medical costs, he said.

“There are better hepatitis C treatments in development that could increase the benefits of screening,” Dr. Younossi said. Effective screening for hepatitis C now may reduce future costs to Medicare, he added.

I have checked the following facts in my story: (Please initial each.)

The study was supported by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review panels for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Salix Pharmaceuticals, and Tibotec. 

*This story has been updated and new information has been added.

CHICAGO - A targeted, age-based screening program would result in 59,000 fewer deaths associated with hepatitis C and advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening program, based on statistical modeling.

Under current U.S. screening practices, “people with no risk factors might not get screened,” Dr. Zobair Younossi of the Inova Health System in Fairfax, Va., said during a press conference in advance of the meetingannual Digestive Disease Week. The results were presented at the annual Digestive Disease Week meeting on May 8.

Individuals with hepatitis C may not show symptoms until decades after they have been infected, he noted. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among the “baby boomer plus” population (people born in 1946-1970) in the United States may be higher than expected. “A screening strategy based on age, rather than risk factors, could have a significant impact” on the disease, he said.

Dr. Younossi and colleagues used a Markov model of the natural history of the infection and its complications. They applied the model to a population of approximately 102 million individuals who were eligible for screening, and found that the birth cohort screening (BCS) strategy would result in 59,000 fewer deaths related to HCV infection and 106,000 fewer cases of advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening (RBS) strategy.

The investigators designed a mathematical model using a birth cohort of individuals who were born in the United States in 1946-1970. They estimated the current hepatitis C status and stage of disease progression using a run-in period from 1964 to 2010, as well as using age- and sex-based rates of infection, progression, and spontaneous clearance. BCS involved the assumption that 100% of the cohort would be screened within the first 5 years, starting in 2010.

The model suggested that BCS would cost approximately $25,000 for each additional quality-adjusted year of life gained. BCS would cost more overall than RBS ($45.1 billion vs. 32.0 billion), but BCS would yield lower costs related to advanced liver disease ($21.7 billion vs. $25.8 billion), Dr. Younossi said. The up-front investment could be worthwhile in terms of reducing long-term medical costs, he said.

“There are better hepatitis C treatments in development that could increase the benefits of screening,” Dr. Younossi said. Effective screening for hepatitis C now may reduce future costs to Medicare, he added.

I have checked the following facts in my story: (Please initial each.)

The study was supported by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review panels for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Salix Pharmaceuticals, and Tibotec. 

*This story has been updated and new information has been added.

CHICAGO - A targeted, age-based screening program would result in 59,000 fewer deaths associated with hepatitis C and advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening program, based on statistical modeling.

Under current U.S. screening practices, “people with no risk factors might not get screened,” Dr. Zobair Younossi of the Inova Health System in Fairfax, Va., said during a press conference in advance of the meetingannual Digestive Disease Week. The results were presented at the annual Digestive Disease Week meeting on May 8.

Individuals with hepatitis C may not show symptoms until decades after they have been infected, he noted. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among the “baby boomer plus” population (people born in 1946-1970) in the United States may be higher than expected. “A screening strategy based on age, rather than risk factors, could have a significant impact” on the disease, he said.

Dr. Younossi and colleagues used a Markov model of the natural history of the infection and its complications. They applied the model to a population of approximately 102 million individuals who were eligible for screening, and found that the birth cohort screening (BCS) strategy would result in 59,000 fewer deaths related to HCV infection and 106,000 fewer cases of advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening (RBS) strategy.

The investigators designed a mathematical model using a birth cohort of individuals who were born in the United States in 1946-1970. They estimated the current hepatitis C status and stage of disease progression using a run-in period from 1964 to 2010, as well as using age- and sex-based rates of infection, progression, and spontaneous clearance. BCS involved the assumption that 100% of the cohort would be screened within the first 5 years, starting in 2010.

The model suggested that BCS would cost approximately $25,000 for each additional quality-adjusted year of life gained. BCS would cost more overall than RBS ($45.1 billion vs. 32.0 billion), but BCS would yield lower costs related to advanced liver disease ($21.7 billion vs. $25.8 billion), Dr. Younossi said. The up-front investment could be worthwhile in terms of reducing long-term medical costs, he said.

“There are better hepatitis C treatments in development that could increase the benefits of screening,” Dr. Younossi said. Effective screening for hepatitis C now may reduce future costs to Medicare, he added.

I have checked the following facts in my story: (Please initial each.)

The study was supported by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review panels for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Salix Pharmaceuticals, and Tibotec. 

*This story has been updated and new information has been added.

CHICAGO - A targeted, age-based screening program would result in 59,000 fewer deaths associated with hepatitis C and advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening program, based on statistical modeling.

Under current U.S. screening practices, “people with no risk factors might not get screened,” Dr. Zobair Younossi of the Inova Health System in Fairfax, Va., said during a press conference in advance of the meetingannual Digestive Disease Week. The results were presented at the annual Digestive Disease Week meeting on May 8.

Individuals with hepatitis C may not show symptoms until decades after they have been infected, he noted. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among the “baby boomer plus” population (people born in 1946-1970) in the United States may be higher than expected. “A screening strategy based on age, rather than risk factors, could have a significant impact” on the disease, he said.

Dr. Younossi and colleagues used a Markov model of the natural history of the infection and its complications. They applied the model to a population of approximately 102 million individuals who were eligible for screening, and found that the birth cohort screening (BCS) strategy would result in 59,000 fewer deaths related to HCV infection and 106,000 fewer cases of advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening (RBS) strategy.

The investigators designed a mathematical model using a birth cohort of individuals who were born in the United States in 1946-1970. They estimated the current hepatitis C status and stage of disease progression using a run-in period from 1964 to 2010, as well as using age- and sex-based rates of infection, progression, and spontaneous clearance. BCS involved the assumption that 100% of the cohort would be screened within the first 5 years, starting in 2010.

The model suggested that BCS would cost approximately $25,000 for each additional quality-adjusted year of life gained. BCS would cost more overall than RBS ($45.1 billion vs. 32.0 billion), but BCS would yield lower costs related to advanced liver disease ($21.7 billion vs. $25.8 billion), Dr. Younossi said. The up-front investment could be worthwhile in terms of reducing long-term medical costs, he said.

“There are better hepatitis C treatments in development that could increase the benefits of screening,” Dr. Younossi said. Effective screening for hepatitis C now may reduce future costs to Medicare, he added.

I have checked the following facts in my story: (Please initial each.)

The study was supported by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review panels for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Salix Pharmaceuticals, and Tibotec. 

*This story has been updated and new information has been added.

CHICAGO - A targeted, age-based screening program would result in 59,000 fewer deaths associated with hepatitis C and advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening program, based on statistical modeling.

Under current U.S. screening practices, “people with no risk factors might not get screened,” Dr. Zobair Younossi of the Inova Health System in Fairfax, Va., said during a press conference in advance of the meetingannual Digestive Disease Week. The results were presented at the annual Digestive Disease Week meeting on May 8.

Individuals with hepatitis C may not show symptoms until decades after they have been infected, he noted. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among the “baby boomer plus” population (people born in 1946-1970) in the United States may be higher than expected. “A screening strategy based on age, rather than risk factors, could have a significant impact” on the disease, he said.

Dr. Younossi and colleagues used a Markov model of the natural history of the infection and its complications. They applied the model to a population of approximately 102 million individuals who were eligible for screening, and found that the birth cohort screening (BCS) strategy would result in 59,000 fewer deaths related to HCV infection and 106,000 fewer cases of advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening (RBS) strategy.

The investigators designed a mathematical model using a birth cohort of individuals who were born in the United States in 1946-1970. They estimated the current hepatitis C status and stage of disease progression using a run-in period from 1964 to 2010, as well as using age- and sex-based rates of infection, progression, and spontaneous clearance. BCS involved the assumption that 100% of the cohort would be screened within the first 5 years, starting in 2010.

The model suggested that BCS would cost approximately $25,000 for each additional quality-adjusted year of life gained. BCS would cost more overall than RBS ($45.1 billion vs. 32.0 billion), but BCS would yield lower costs related to advanced liver disease ($21.7 billion vs. $25.8 billion), Dr. Younossi said. The up-front investment could be worthwhile in terms of reducing long-term medical costs, he said.

“There are better hepatitis C treatments in development that could increase the benefits of screening,” Dr. Younossi said. Effective screening for hepatitis C now may reduce future costs to Medicare, he added.

I have checked the following facts in my story: (Please initial each.)

The study was supported by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review panels for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Salix Pharmaceuticals, and Tibotec. 

*This story has been updated and new information has been added.

CHICAGO - A targeted, age-based screening program would result in 59,000 fewer deaths associated with hepatitis C and advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening program, based on statistical modeling.

Under current U.S. screening practices, “people with no risk factors might not get screened,” Dr. Zobair Younossi of the Inova Health System in Fairfax, Va., said during a press conference in advance of the meetingannual Digestive Disease Week. The results were presented at the annual Digestive Disease Week meeting on May 8.

Individuals with hepatitis C may not show symptoms until decades after they have been infected, he noted. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among the “baby boomer plus” population (people born in 1946-1970) in the United States may be higher than expected. “A screening strategy based on age, rather than risk factors, could have a significant impact” on the disease, he said.

Dr. Younossi and colleagues used a Markov model of the natural history of the infection and its complications. They applied the model to a population of approximately 102 million individuals who were eligible for screening, and found that the birth cohort screening (BCS) strategy would result in 59,000 fewer deaths related to HCV infection and 106,000 fewer cases of advanced liver disease, compared with the current risk-based screening (RBS) strategy.

The investigators designed a mathematical model using a birth cohort of individuals who were born in the United States in 1946-1970. They estimated the current hepatitis C status and stage of disease progression using a run-in period from 1964 to 2010, as well as using age- and sex-based rates of infection, progression, and spontaneous clearance. BCS involved the assumption that 100% of the cohort would be screened within the first 5 years, starting in 2010.

The model suggested that BCS would cost approximately $25,000 for each additional quality-adjusted year of life gained. BCS would cost more overall than RBS ($45.1 billion vs. 32.0 billion), but BCS would yield lower costs related to advanced liver disease ($21.7 billion vs. $25.8 billion), Dr. Younossi said. The up-front investment could be worthwhile in terms of reducing long-term medical costs, he said.

“There are better hepatitis C treatments in development that could increase the benefits of screening,” Dr. Younossi said. Effective screening for hepatitis C now may reduce future costs to Medicare, he added.

I have checked the following facts in my story: (Please initial each.)

The study was supported by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Younossi has served on advisory committees or review panels for multiple pharmaceutical companies, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Salix Pharmaceuticals, and Tibotec. 

*This story has been updated and new information has been added.

In a prospective study of multiple ethnic groups, people with at least 1 hour of moderate physical activity per week had a one-third lower risk of colon polyps.

"One thing that was new and exciting about our research was that the ethnic diversity in our population was different" from that of other studies, Dr. Nelson Sanchez of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, said during a press conference in advance of the annual Digestive Disease Week. The findings were presented at the meeting on May 8.

(c)Monkey Business/Fotolia.com

Of the 982 middle-aged adults who enrolled in the study, 558 (57%) were Hispanic, 202 (21%) were Asian, 149 (15%) were black, and 69 (7%) were white. A total of 603 participants (61%) had a body mass index that was categorized as overweight or obese (25 kg/m² or greater).

The participants all had average risk for colorectal cancer, and the polyps were identified during screening colonoscopy. The overall prevalence of colon polyps was 29.5%, but the prevalence was significantly higher among patients who reported less than 1 hour per week of exercise, compared with those who reported exercising for 1 hour or more (33.2% vs. 25.3%, respectively); this difference was statistically significant (P = .008).

About half of the participants (513 individuals, or 52%) reported that they exercise for at least 1 hour per week, and the median duration of this activity level was 5 years (range, 1.5-10 years).

In addition, the researchers looked at risk for adenomas, which can be precursors of colorectal cancer, particularly if they are advanced adenomas. Those participants who exercised for 1 or more hours weekly had an adenoma prevalence of 14%, compared with 19% in those who exercised less than 1 hour a week, said Dr. Sanchez.

Also, overweight and obese patients who exercised at least 1 hour per week were 40% less likely to have any adenomas, and 63% less likely to have advanced adenomas than were overweight or obese individuals who exercised less, the researchers noted.

When the data were analyzed by race/ethnicity, the odds of having advanced adenomas greater than 1 cm in size or having colorectal cancers were lowest for blacks who exercised for at least 1 hour each week (odds ratio, 0.16). In addition, the odds ratio for adenomas was cut in half (0.47) for Hispanics who exercised for at least 1 hour each week, compared with Hispanics who exercised less.

These results could have a substantial public health impact, as they suggest that even a moderate level of exercise may reduce polyp risk in a diverse population, said Dr. Sanchez. "Even low levels of physical activity have been shown to confer protective benefits," he noted.

The next steps for researchers include identifying which specific physical activities and what level of intensity convey the most protection from colon polyps, Dr. Sanchez added.

Dr. Sanchez said he had no financial conflicts to disclose.

In a prospective study of multiple ethnic groups, people with at least 1 hour of moderate physical activity per week had a one-third lower risk of colon polyps.

"One thing that was new and exciting about our research was that the ethnic diversity in our population was different" from that of other studies, Dr. Nelson Sanchez of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, said during a press conference in advance of the annual Digestive Disease Week. The findings were presented at the meeting on May 8.

(c)Monkey Business/Fotolia.com

Of the 982 middle-aged adults who enrolled in the study, 558 (57%) were Hispanic, 202 (21%) were Asian, 149 (15%) were black, and 69 (7%) were white. A total of 603 participants (61%) had a body mass index that was categorized as overweight or obese (25 kg/m² or greater).

The participants all had average risk for colorectal cancer, and the polyps were identified during screening colonoscopy. The overall prevalence of colon polyps was 29.5%, but the prevalence was significantly higher among patients who reported less than 1 hour per week of exercise, compared with those who reported exercising for 1 hour or more (33.2% vs. 25.3%, respectively); this difference was statistically significant (P = .008).

About half of the participants (513 individuals, or 52%) reported that they exercise for at least 1 hour per week, and the median duration of this activity level was 5 years (range, 1.5-10 years).

In addition, the researchers looked at risk for adenomas, which can be precursors of colorectal cancer, particularly if they are advanced adenomas. Those participants who exercised for 1 or more hours weekly had an adenoma prevalence of 14%, compared with 19% in those who exercised less than 1 hour a week, said Dr. Sanchez.

Also, overweight and obese patients who exercised at least 1 hour per week were 40% less likely to have any adenomas, and 63% less likely to have advanced adenomas than were overweight or obese individuals who exercised less, the researchers noted.

When the data were analyzed by race/ethnicity, the odds of having advanced adenomas greater than 1 cm in size or having colorectal cancers were lowest for blacks who exercised for at least 1 hour each week (odds ratio, 0.16). In addition, the odds ratio for adenomas was cut in half (0.47) for Hispanics who exercised for at least 1 hour each week, compared with Hispanics who exercised less.

These results could have a substantial public health impact, as they suggest that even a moderate level of exercise may reduce polyp risk in a diverse population, said Dr. Sanchez. "Even low levels of physical activity have been shown to confer protective benefits," he noted.

The next steps for researchers include identifying which specific physical activities and what level of intensity convey the most protection from colon polyps, Dr. Sanchez added.

Dr. Sanchez said he had no financial conflicts to disclose.

In a prospective study of multiple ethnic groups, people with at least 1 hour of moderate physical activity per week had a one-third lower risk of colon polyps.

"One thing that was new and exciting about our research was that the ethnic diversity in our population was different" from that of other studies, Dr. Nelson Sanchez of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, said during a press conference in advance of the annual Digestive Disease Week. The findings were presented at the meeting on May 8.

(c)Monkey Business/Fotolia.com

Of the 982 middle-aged adults who enrolled in the study, 558 (57%) were Hispanic, 202 (21%) were Asian, 149 (15%) were black, and 69 (7%) were white. A total of 603 participants (61%) had a body mass index that was categorized as overweight or obese (25 kg/m² or greater).

The participants all had average risk for colorectal cancer, and the polyps were identified during screening colonoscopy. The overall prevalence of colon polyps was 29.5%, but the prevalence was significantly higher among patients who reported less than 1 hour per week of exercise, compared with those who reported exercising for 1 hour or more (33.2% vs. 25.3%, respectively); this difference was statistically significant (P = .008).

About half of the participants (513 individuals, or 52%) reported that they exercise for at least 1 hour per week, and the median duration of this activity level was 5 years (range, 1.5-10 years).

In addition, the researchers looked at risk for adenomas, which can be precursors of colorectal cancer, particularly if they are advanced adenomas. Those participants who exercised for 1 or more hours weekly had an adenoma prevalence of 14%, compared with 19% in those who exercised less than 1 hour a week, said Dr. Sanchez.

Also, overweight and obese patients who exercised at least 1 hour per week were 40% less likely to have any adenomas, and 63% less likely to have advanced adenomas than were overweight or obese individuals who exercised less, the researchers noted.

When the data were analyzed by race/ethnicity, the odds of having advanced adenomas greater than 1 cm in size or having colorectal cancers were lowest for blacks who exercised for at least 1 hour each week (odds ratio, 0.16). In addition, the odds ratio for adenomas was cut in half (0.47) for Hispanics who exercised for at least 1 hour each week, compared with Hispanics who exercised less.

These results could have a substantial public health impact, as they suggest that even a moderate level of exercise may reduce polyp risk in a diverse population, said Dr. Sanchez. "Even low levels of physical activity have been shown to confer protective benefits," he noted.

The next steps for researchers include identifying which specific physical activities and what level of intensity convey the most protection from colon polyps, Dr. Sanchez added.

Dr. Sanchez said he had no financial conflicts to disclose.