HCV Hub

Although highly effective oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) provide clinicians with the opportunity to reduce the substantial disease burden associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States, the promise of these agents cannot be realized without the expansion of HCV screening and treatment capacity, according to a report published online in Hepatology.

Working with his colleagues, Dr. Jagpreet Chhatwal of the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Technology Assessment and of the department of radiology at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, utilized a validated projection model previously developed by this research team to estimate the numbers of people in the United States who will die, develop hepatocellular carcinoma, and develop decompensated cirrhosis over the next 35 years (Hepatology. 2016 Mar 25. doi: 10.1002/hep.28571).

The results of the model provided an estimate of 320,000 for the cumulative number of HCV-associated deaths in individuals treated with oral DAAs from 2015 to 2050. In addition, the projected cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was 157,000, and the projected cumulative incidence of decompensated cirrhosis was 203,000 in individuals treated with oral DAAs from 2015 to 2050. Furthermore, the projected number of liver transplants for those on DAAs between 2015 and 2050 was 32,000.

When assessing the variables that most heavily influenced the projections, the authors said that most of the ongoing burden of HCV is related to the proportion of infected individuals who remain unaware of their infection status.

Despite such grim predictions, the research suggests hope remains, the authors said. With the same model, changing the rate of treatment from 150,000 patients per year in 2014 to 280,000 patients per year from 2015 onward would result in large reductions in the projected disease burden. For example, 8,600 cases of decompensated cirrhosis, 5,400 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 9,700 liver-related deaths, and 900 liver transplants would be prevented. These numbers would increase further if the annual treatment rate was increased to 500,000 patients per year from 2015 onward, preventing 12,000 cases of decompensated cirrhosis, 7,400 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 13,500 liver-related deaths, and 1,400 liver transplants. These model-based results emphasize the importance of expanding treatment capacity, as well as HCV screening efforts, the investigators said.

The results are important for the planning and distribution of health care resources and personnel in order to ensure that they match both current and future treatment demands, the investigators added. As an example, they highlighted their projection indicating that the number of clinicians and facilities offering HCV treatment would need to increase substantially over the next 3-4 years. Toward this end, they suggested that primary care physicians or infectious disease specialists be incorporated into HCV treatment capacity expansion.

This project was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and Gilead Sciences. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Although highly effective oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) provide clinicians with the opportunity to reduce the substantial disease burden associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States, the promise of these agents cannot be realized without the expansion of HCV screening and treatment capacity, according to a report published online in Hepatology.

Working with his colleagues, Dr. Jagpreet Chhatwal of the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Technology Assessment and of the department of radiology at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, utilized a validated projection model previously developed by this research team to estimate the numbers of people in the United States who will die, develop hepatocellular carcinoma, and develop decompensated cirrhosis over the next 35 years (Hepatology. 2016 Mar 25. doi: 10.1002/hep.28571).

The results of the model provided an estimate of 320,000 for the cumulative number of HCV-associated deaths in individuals treated with oral DAAs from 2015 to 2050. In addition, the projected cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was 157,000, and the projected cumulative incidence of decompensated cirrhosis was 203,000 in individuals treated with oral DAAs from 2015 to 2050. Furthermore, the projected number of liver transplants for those on DAAs between 2015 and 2050 was 32,000.

When assessing the variables that most heavily influenced the projections, the authors said that most of the ongoing burden of HCV is related to the proportion of infected individuals who remain unaware of their infection status.

Despite such grim predictions, the research suggests hope remains, the authors said. With the same model, changing the rate of treatment from 150,000 patients per year in 2014 to 280,000 patients per year from 2015 onward would result in large reductions in the projected disease burden. For example, 8,600 cases of decompensated cirrhosis, 5,400 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 9,700 liver-related deaths, and 900 liver transplants would be prevented. These numbers would increase further if the annual treatment rate was increased to 500,000 patients per year from 2015 onward, preventing 12,000 cases of decompensated cirrhosis, 7,400 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 13,500 liver-related deaths, and 1,400 liver transplants. These model-based results emphasize the importance of expanding treatment capacity, as well as HCV screening efforts, the investigators said.

The results are important for the planning and distribution of health care resources and personnel in order to ensure that they match both current and future treatment demands, the investigators added. As an example, they highlighted their projection indicating that the number of clinicians and facilities offering HCV treatment would need to increase substantially over the next 3-4 years. Toward this end, they suggested that primary care physicians or infectious disease specialists be incorporated into HCV treatment capacity expansion.

This project was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and Gilead Sciences. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Although highly effective oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) provide clinicians with the opportunity to reduce the substantial disease burden associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States, the promise of these agents cannot be realized without the expansion of HCV screening and treatment capacity, according to a report published online in Hepatology.

Working with his colleagues, Dr. Jagpreet Chhatwal of the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Technology Assessment and of the department of radiology at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, utilized a validated projection model previously developed by this research team to estimate the numbers of people in the United States who will die, develop hepatocellular carcinoma, and develop decompensated cirrhosis over the next 35 years (Hepatology. 2016 Mar 25. doi: 10.1002/hep.28571).

The results of the model provided an estimate of 320,000 for the cumulative number of HCV-associated deaths in individuals treated with oral DAAs from 2015 to 2050. In addition, the projected cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was 157,000, and the projected cumulative incidence of decompensated cirrhosis was 203,000 in individuals treated with oral DAAs from 2015 to 2050. Furthermore, the projected number of liver transplants for those on DAAs between 2015 and 2050 was 32,000.

When assessing the variables that most heavily influenced the projections, the authors said that most of the ongoing burden of HCV is related to the proportion of infected individuals who remain unaware of their infection status.

Despite such grim predictions, the research suggests hope remains, the authors said. With the same model, changing the rate of treatment from 150,000 patients per year in 2014 to 280,000 patients per year from 2015 onward would result in large reductions in the projected disease burden. For example, 8,600 cases of decompensated cirrhosis, 5,400 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 9,700 liver-related deaths, and 900 liver transplants would be prevented. These numbers would increase further if the annual treatment rate was increased to 500,000 patients per year from 2015 onward, preventing 12,000 cases of decompensated cirrhosis, 7,400 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 13,500 liver-related deaths, and 1,400 liver transplants. These model-based results emphasize the importance of expanding treatment capacity, as well as HCV screening efforts, the investigators said.

The results are important for the planning and distribution of health care resources and personnel in order to ensure that they match both current and future treatment demands, the investigators added. As an example, they highlighted their projection indicating that the number of clinicians and facilities offering HCV treatment would need to increase substantially over the next 3-4 years. Toward this end, they suggested that primary care physicians or infectious disease specialists be incorporated into HCV treatment capacity expansion.

This project was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and Gilead Sciences. No conflicts of interest were declared.

PHILADELPHIA – Do you have patients with undiagnosed celiac disease or legitimate gluten sensitivity, or are they self-diagnosing with the need to steer clear of gluten, only to find themselves in danger of nutritional deficiencies and other health concerns?

Of the roughly 1% of Americans who have celiac disease, only about 17% ever receive a diagnosis, leaving the remainder at risk for serious health complications, according to Dr. Peter H.R. Green, director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, New York.

Meanwhile, many people choose to go gluten free, which Dr. Green calls the most popular “fad” diet in the country. Aside from this trend being more expensive, and often inconvenient, it’s also a health risk. “It’s ironic that so many people who should be on a gluten-free diet aren’t, and those who are don’t need to be, and might even be harming their health,” he said in an interview.

In this video, Dr. Green discusses how to determine whether patients have celiac disease or another diagnosis, and how to counsel those who do have the disease and those who don’t.

The video was recorded at this year’s Digestive Diseases: New Advances, held by Global Academy for Medical Education and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Global Academy and this news organization are owned by the same company.

[email protected]

On Twitter @whitneymcknight

PHILADELPHIA – Do you have patients with undiagnosed celiac disease or legitimate gluten sensitivity, or are they self-diagnosing with the need to steer clear of gluten, only to find themselves in danger of nutritional deficiencies and other health concerns?

Of the roughly 1% of Americans who have celiac disease, only about 17% ever receive a diagnosis, leaving the remainder at risk for serious health complications, according to Dr. Peter H.R. Green, director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, New York.

Meanwhile, many people choose to go gluten free, which Dr. Green calls the most popular “fad” diet in the country. Aside from this trend being more expensive, and often inconvenient, it’s also a health risk. “It’s ironic that so many people who should be on a gluten-free diet aren’t, and those who are don’t need to be, and might even be harming their health,” he said in an interview.

In this video, Dr. Green discusses how to determine whether patients have celiac disease or another diagnosis, and how to counsel those who do have the disease and those who don’t.

The video was recorded at this year’s Digestive Diseases: New Advances, held by Global Academy for Medical Education and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Global Academy and this news organization are owned by the same company.

[email protected]

On Twitter @whitneymcknight

PHILADELPHIA – Do you have patients with undiagnosed celiac disease or legitimate gluten sensitivity, or are they self-diagnosing with the need to steer clear of gluten, only to find themselves in danger of nutritional deficiencies and other health concerns?

Of the roughly 1% of Americans who have celiac disease, only about 17% ever receive a diagnosis, leaving the remainder at risk for serious health complications, according to Dr. Peter H.R. Green, director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, New York.

Meanwhile, many people choose to go gluten free, which Dr. Green calls the most popular “fad” diet in the country. Aside from this trend being more expensive, and often inconvenient, it’s also a health risk. “It’s ironic that so many people who should be on a gluten-free diet aren’t, and those who are don’t need to be, and might even be harming their health,” he said in an interview.

In this video, Dr. Green discusses how to determine whether patients have celiac disease or another diagnosis, and how to counsel those who do have the disease and those who don’t.

The video was recorded at this year’s Digestive Diseases: New Advances, held by Global Academy for Medical Education and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Global Academy and this news organization are owned by the same company.

[email protected]

On Twitter @whitneymcknight

If you work on the front lines of medical care treating patients with hepatitis, you may not have time to review all the hepatitis research that enters the medical literature every month. Here’s a quick look at some notable news items and journal articles published over the past month, covering a variety of the major hepatitis viruses.

In the United States, hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated mortality is increasing. From 2003-2013, the number of deaths associated with HCV has now surpassed 60 other nationally notifiable infectious conditions combined.

Courtesy NIH

Chronic hepatitis B infection increased mortality and complexity among a cohort of HIV-coinfected patients in South Africa, according to a study in HIV Medicine. Researchers found that mortality was increased for chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatitis B virus DNA levels greater than 10,000 copies/mL, compared with non-coinfected patients.

A study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that Interferon Lambda (IFNL) genotypes were individually linked to higher rates of fibrosis in HIV–hepatitis C co-infection. Investigators said IFNL genotypes may be useful to target hepatitis C virus treatments to those who are at higher risk of liver disease.

A phase I study of a new NS3/4A protease inhibitor for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1-4 infection yielded positive tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic results, indicating further evaluation is warranted. The drug, GS-9857, produced by Gilead Sciences, achieved mean and median maximum reductions in HCV RNA of greater than or equal to 3 log10 IU/mL following administration of a 100-mg dose in patients with HCV genotype 1a, 1b, 2, 3, or 4 infection.

High baseline bilirubin and low albumin predict liver decompensation and serious adverse events in hepatitis C-infected patients treated with sofosbuvir-containing regimens, according to a study in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis. Among 499 previously stable patients in the cohort, the incidence of decompensation/events was 4.5%, and the mortality rate was 0.6%.

A meta-analysis of national-level hepatitis C virus prevalence in the Arabian Gulf region found that it is comparable to global levels, although higher HCV prevalence is found in specific expatriate populations reflecting the prevalence in their countries of origin.

A resistance analysis of the drug GS-9190, a NS5B non-nucleoside analogue for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection, found that the Y448H mutation was rapidly selected in the majority of patients receiving multiple doses of GS-9190 as monotherapy, despite undetectable levels in pretreatment samples. Researchers concluded that Y448H confers reduced susceptibility to GS-9190 and other non-nucleoside inhibitors and persisted in most patients for months post-treatment.

A study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases found that hepatitis delta virus (HDV) patients in the Amazon region can be treated with a combination of Pegylated Interferon Alpha and Entecavir for 48 weeks, with good chances of negative HDV RNA at week 24. The results suggest that HDV-3 in the native population may be an “easy to treat” variant compared to HDV-1.

Development of acute hepatitis B virus disease in successfully vaccinated individuals is a rare event, affirmed a study of the Italian Surveillance System for Acute Viral Hepatitis (SEIEVA) from 1993 to 2014. Only 3.2% of acute hepatitis B cases had been vaccinated. Investigators said further efforts are needed to enhance the vaccine coverage rate in people at increased risk of infection, as hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease.

Lab-made hepatocyte transplantation has therapeutic potential as a bridge or even alternative to whole organ liver transplantation, but researchers say deficiencies and uncertainties must be addressed in future studies aimed at developing liver cell therapies with such hepatocytes.

A major concern in potential liver transplant candidates is of unintended harm by achieving sustained viral response rates to direct-acting antiviral treatment, but without improvement in hepatic function to an extent where the patients might function well. A review essay in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis says there is a growing sentiment in some transplant quarters that those with decompensated liver disease awaiting liver transplant be treated for HCV after liver transplant instead of pre-transplant. The authors say it is essential that to develop robust predictors of improvement in liver function so patients can be carefully selected for therapy in the context of liver transplantation.

Treating mild-stage hepatitis C infection in people who inject drugs had virtually no impact on HCV-related end-stage liver disease/hepatocellular carcinoma (ESLD/HCC) within 15 years, a recent study found, but the long timescale of liver disease means relatively few people who inject drugs reach cirrhosis before cessation of injecting. Investigators said strategies focusing on treating advanced disease have the potential for dramatic reductions in severe morbidity, but virtually no preventative impact.

[email protected]

On Twitter @richpizzi

If you work on the front lines of medical care treating patients with hepatitis, you may not have time to review all the hepatitis research that enters the medical literature every month. Here’s a quick look at some notable news items and journal articles published over the past month, covering a variety of the major hepatitis viruses.

In the United States, hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated mortality is increasing. From 2003-2013, the number of deaths associated with HCV has now surpassed 60 other nationally notifiable infectious conditions combined.

Courtesy NIH

Chronic hepatitis B infection increased mortality and complexity among a cohort of HIV-coinfected patients in South Africa, according to a study in HIV Medicine. Researchers found that mortality was increased for chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatitis B virus DNA levels greater than 10,000 copies/mL, compared with non-coinfected patients.

A study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that Interferon Lambda (IFNL) genotypes were individually linked to higher rates of fibrosis in HIV–hepatitis C co-infection. Investigators said IFNL genotypes may be useful to target hepatitis C virus treatments to those who are at higher risk of liver disease.

A phase I study of a new NS3/4A protease inhibitor for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1-4 infection yielded positive tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic results, indicating further evaluation is warranted. The drug, GS-9857, produced by Gilead Sciences, achieved mean and median maximum reductions in HCV RNA of greater than or equal to 3 log10 IU/mL following administration of a 100-mg dose in patients with HCV genotype 1a, 1b, 2, 3, or 4 infection.

High baseline bilirubin and low albumin predict liver decompensation and serious adverse events in hepatitis C-infected patients treated with sofosbuvir-containing regimens, according to a study in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis. Among 499 previously stable patients in the cohort, the incidence of decompensation/events was 4.5%, and the mortality rate was 0.6%.

A meta-analysis of national-level hepatitis C virus prevalence in the Arabian Gulf region found that it is comparable to global levels, although higher HCV prevalence is found in specific expatriate populations reflecting the prevalence in their countries of origin.

A resistance analysis of the drug GS-9190, a NS5B non-nucleoside analogue for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection, found that the Y448H mutation was rapidly selected in the majority of patients receiving multiple doses of GS-9190 as monotherapy, despite undetectable levels in pretreatment samples. Researchers concluded that Y448H confers reduced susceptibility to GS-9190 and other non-nucleoside inhibitors and persisted in most patients for months post-treatment.

A study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases found that hepatitis delta virus (HDV) patients in the Amazon region can be treated with a combination of Pegylated Interferon Alpha and Entecavir for 48 weeks, with good chances of negative HDV RNA at week 24. The results suggest that HDV-3 in the native population may be an “easy to treat” variant compared to HDV-1.

Development of acute hepatitis B virus disease in successfully vaccinated individuals is a rare event, affirmed a study of the Italian Surveillance System for Acute Viral Hepatitis (SEIEVA) from 1993 to 2014. Only 3.2% of acute hepatitis B cases had been vaccinated. Investigators said further efforts are needed to enhance the vaccine coverage rate in people at increased risk of infection, as hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease.

Lab-made hepatocyte transplantation has therapeutic potential as a bridge or even alternative to whole organ liver transplantation, but researchers say deficiencies and uncertainties must be addressed in future studies aimed at developing liver cell therapies with such hepatocytes.

A major concern in potential liver transplant candidates is of unintended harm by achieving sustained viral response rates to direct-acting antiviral treatment, but without improvement in hepatic function to an extent where the patients might function well. A review essay in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis says there is a growing sentiment in some transplant quarters that those with decompensated liver disease awaiting liver transplant be treated for HCV after liver transplant instead of pre-transplant. The authors say it is essential that to develop robust predictors of improvement in liver function so patients can be carefully selected for therapy in the context of liver transplantation.

Treating mild-stage hepatitis C infection in people who inject drugs had virtually no impact on HCV-related end-stage liver disease/hepatocellular carcinoma (ESLD/HCC) within 15 years, a recent study found, but the long timescale of liver disease means relatively few people who inject drugs reach cirrhosis before cessation of injecting. Investigators said strategies focusing on treating advanced disease have the potential for dramatic reductions in severe morbidity, but virtually no preventative impact.

[email protected]

On Twitter @richpizzi

If you work on the front lines of medical care treating patients with hepatitis, you may not have time to review all the hepatitis research that enters the medical literature every month. Here’s a quick look at some notable news items and journal articles published over the past month, covering a variety of the major hepatitis viruses.

In the United States, hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated mortality is increasing. From 2003-2013, the number of deaths associated with HCV has now surpassed 60 other nationally notifiable infectious conditions combined.

Courtesy NIH

Chronic hepatitis B infection increased mortality and complexity among a cohort of HIV-coinfected patients in South Africa, according to a study in HIV Medicine. Researchers found that mortality was increased for chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatitis B virus DNA levels greater than 10,000 copies/mL, compared with non-coinfected patients.

A study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that Interferon Lambda (IFNL) genotypes were individually linked to higher rates of fibrosis in HIV–hepatitis C co-infection. Investigators said IFNL genotypes may be useful to target hepatitis C virus treatments to those who are at higher risk of liver disease.

A phase I study of a new NS3/4A protease inhibitor for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1-4 infection yielded positive tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic results, indicating further evaluation is warranted. The drug, GS-9857, produced by Gilead Sciences, achieved mean and median maximum reductions in HCV RNA of greater than or equal to 3 log10 IU/mL following administration of a 100-mg dose in patients with HCV genotype 1a, 1b, 2, 3, or 4 infection.

High baseline bilirubin and low albumin predict liver decompensation and serious adverse events in hepatitis C-infected patients treated with sofosbuvir-containing regimens, according to a study in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis. Among 499 previously stable patients in the cohort, the incidence of decompensation/events was 4.5%, and the mortality rate was 0.6%.

A meta-analysis of national-level hepatitis C virus prevalence in the Arabian Gulf region found that it is comparable to global levels, although higher HCV prevalence is found in specific expatriate populations reflecting the prevalence in their countries of origin.

A resistance analysis of the drug GS-9190, a NS5B non-nucleoside analogue for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection, found that the Y448H mutation was rapidly selected in the majority of patients receiving multiple doses of GS-9190 as monotherapy, despite undetectable levels in pretreatment samples. Researchers concluded that Y448H confers reduced susceptibility to GS-9190 and other non-nucleoside inhibitors and persisted in most patients for months post-treatment.

A study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases found that hepatitis delta virus (HDV) patients in the Amazon region can be treated with a combination of Pegylated Interferon Alpha and Entecavir for 48 weeks, with good chances of negative HDV RNA at week 24. The results suggest that HDV-3 in the native population may be an “easy to treat” variant compared to HDV-1.

Development of acute hepatitis B virus disease in successfully vaccinated individuals is a rare event, affirmed a study of the Italian Surveillance System for Acute Viral Hepatitis (SEIEVA) from 1993 to 2014. Only 3.2% of acute hepatitis B cases had been vaccinated. Investigators said further efforts are needed to enhance the vaccine coverage rate in people at increased risk of infection, as hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease.

Lab-made hepatocyte transplantation has therapeutic potential as a bridge or even alternative to whole organ liver transplantation, but researchers say deficiencies and uncertainties must be addressed in future studies aimed at developing liver cell therapies with such hepatocytes.

A major concern in potential liver transplant candidates is of unintended harm by achieving sustained viral response rates to direct-acting antiviral treatment, but without improvement in hepatic function to an extent where the patients might function well. A review essay in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis says there is a growing sentiment in some transplant quarters that those with decompensated liver disease awaiting liver transplant be treated for HCV after liver transplant instead of pre-transplant. The authors say it is essential that to develop robust predictors of improvement in liver function so patients can be carefully selected for therapy in the context of liver transplantation.

Treating mild-stage hepatitis C infection in people who inject drugs had virtually no impact on HCV-related end-stage liver disease/hepatocellular carcinoma (ESLD/HCC) within 15 years, a recent study found, but the long timescale of liver disease means relatively few people who inject drugs reach cirrhosis before cessation of injecting. Investigators said strategies focusing on treating advanced disease have the potential for dramatic reductions in severe morbidity, but virtually no preventative impact.

[email protected]

On Twitter @richpizzi

PHILADELPHIA – The lack of evidence-based management strategies for the treatment of difficult inflammatory bowel disease cases, such as with Crohn’s disease, can lead to confusion for some clinicians.

Dr. Mark T. Osterman, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, discusses when to use antibiotics in Crohn’s disease and when to consider antibiotics in combination with draining fistulae. He also discusses available pharmacotherapies, and the value of bowel rest.

“The best treatment of all for difficult inflammatory bowel disease is aggressive and early, so that the condition doesn’t go from bad to worse,” Dr. Osterman said.

The video was recorded at this year’s meeting of Digestive Diseases: New Advances, a meeting held by Global Academy for Medical Education and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Global Academy and this news organization are owned by the same company.

[email protected]

On Twitter @whitneymcknight

PHILADELPHIA – The lack of evidence-based management strategies for the treatment of difficult inflammatory bowel disease cases, such as with Crohn’s disease, can lead to confusion for some clinicians.

Dr. Mark T. Osterman, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, discusses when to use antibiotics in Crohn’s disease and when to consider antibiotics in combination with draining fistulae. He also discusses available pharmacotherapies, and the value of bowel rest.

“The best treatment of all for difficult inflammatory bowel disease is aggressive and early, so that the condition doesn’t go from bad to worse,” Dr. Osterman said.

The video was recorded at this year’s meeting of Digestive Diseases: New Advances, a meeting held by Global Academy for Medical Education and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Global Academy and this news organization are owned by the same company.

[email protected]

On Twitter @whitneymcknight

PHILADELPHIA – The lack of evidence-based management strategies for the treatment of difficult inflammatory bowel disease cases, such as with Crohn’s disease, can lead to confusion for some clinicians.

Dr. Mark T. Osterman, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, discusses when to use antibiotics in Crohn’s disease and when to consider antibiotics in combination with draining fistulae. He also discusses available pharmacotherapies, and the value of bowel rest.

“The best treatment of all for difficult inflammatory bowel disease is aggressive and early, so that the condition doesn’t go from bad to worse,” Dr. Osterman said.

The video was recorded at this year’s meeting of Digestive Diseases: New Advances, a meeting held by Global Academy for Medical Education and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Global Academy and this news organization are owned by the same company.

[email protected]

On Twitter @whitneymcknight

Patients who receive rectal indomethacin after undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are not any less likely to develop pancreatitis than individuals who don’t, according to the findings of a recent study published in Gastroenterology (2016 Jan 9. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2015.12.018).

“These results are in contrast to recent studies highlighting the benefit of rectal NSAIDS to prevent PEP [post-ECRP pancreatitis] in high-risk patients [and] counter the guidelines espoused by the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, which recently recommended giving rectal indomethacin to prevent PEP in all patients undergoing ERCP,” said the study authors, led by Dr. John M. Levenick of Penn State University in Hershey, Pa.

SOURCE: AMERICAN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Dr. Levenick and his coinvestigators screened 604 consecutive patients undergoing ERCP, with and without endoscopic ultrasound, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center between March 2013 and December 2014, eventually enrolling and randomizing 449 subjects into two cohorts: one in which subjects were given indomethacin after undergoing ERCP (n = 223), and one in which subjects were simply given a placebo (n = 226). Randomization happened after subjects’ major papilla had been reached, and cannulation attempts were started.

Individuals were excluded if they had active acute pancreatitis or had undergone ERCP to treat or diagnose acute pancreatitis, if they had any contraindications or allergies to NSAIDs, or were younger than 18 years of age, among other factors. The mean age of the indomethacin cohort was 64.9 years, with 118 (52.9%) females; in the placebo cohort, mean age was 64.3 years and 118 (52.2%) were female.

Pancreatitis occurred in 27 subjects overall, 16 (7.2%) of whom were in the indomethacin cohort and the other 11 (4.9%) were on placebo followed ERCP (P = .33). No subjects receiving indomethacin had severe or moderately severe PEP, but one subject had severe PEP and one had moderately severe PEP in the placebo cohort (P = 1.0). There was no necrotizing pancreatitis in either cohort, nor were there any significant differences in gastrointestinal bleeding (P = .75), death (P = .25), or 30-day hospital readmission (P = .1) between the two cohorts.

“Prophylactic rectal indomethacin did not reduce the incidence or severity of PEP in consecutive patients undergoing ERCP,” Dr. Levenick and his coauthors concluded, adding that “guidelines that recommend the administration of rectal indomethacin in all patients undergoing ERCP should be reconsidered.”

This study was funded by the National Pancreas Foundation and a grant from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Levenick and his coauthors did not report any financial disclosures.

[email protected]

Patients who receive rectal indomethacin after undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are not any less likely to develop pancreatitis than individuals who don’t, according to the findings of a recent study published in Gastroenterology (2016 Jan 9. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2015.12.018).

“These results are in contrast to recent studies highlighting the benefit of rectal NSAIDS to prevent PEP [post-ECRP pancreatitis] in high-risk patients [and] counter the guidelines espoused by the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, which recently recommended giving rectal indomethacin to prevent PEP in all patients undergoing ERCP,” said the study authors, led by Dr. John M. Levenick of Penn State University in Hershey, Pa.

SOURCE: AMERICAN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Dr. Levenick and his coinvestigators screened 604 consecutive patients undergoing ERCP, with and without endoscopic ultrasound, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center between March 2013 and December 2014, eventually enrolling and randomizing 449 subjects into two cohorts: one in which subjects were given indomethacin after undergoing ERCP (n = 223), and one in which subjects were simply given a placebo (n = 226). Randomization happened after subjects’ major papilla had been reached, and cannulation attempts were started.

Individuals were excluded if they had active acute pancreatitis or had undergone ERCP to treat or diagnose acute pancreatitis, if they had any contraindications or allergies to NSAIDs, or were younger than 18 years of age, among other factors. The mean age of the indomethacin cohort was 64.9 years, with 118 (52.9%) females; in the placebo cohort, mean age was 64.3 years and 118 (52.2%) were female.

Pancreatitis occurred in 27 subjects overall, 16 (7.2%) of whom were in the indomethacin cohort and the other 11 (4.9%) were on placebo followed ERCP (P = .33). No subjects receiving indomethacin had severe or moderately severe PEP, but one subject had severe PEP and one had moderately severe PEP in the placebo cohort (P = 1.0). There was no necrotizing pancreatitis in either cohort, nor were there any significant differences in gastrointestinal bleeding (P = .75), death (P = .25), or 30-day hospital readmission (P = .1) between the two cohorts.

“Prophylactic rectal indomethacin did not reduce the incidence or severity of PEP in consecutive patients undergoing ERCP,” Dr. Levenick and his coauthors concluded, adding that “guidelines that recommend the administration of rectal indomethacin in all patients undergoing ERCP should be reconsidered.”

This study was funded by the National Pancreas Foundation and a grant from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Levenick and his coauthors did not report any financial disclosures.

[email protected]

Patients who receive rectal indomethacin after undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are not any less likely to develop pancreatitis than individuals who don’t, according to the findings of a recent study published in Gastroenterology (2016 Jan 9. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2015.12.018).

“These results are in contrast to recent studies highlighting the benefit of rectal NSAIDS to prevent PEP [post-ECRP pancreatitis] in high-risk patients [and] counter the guidelines espoused by the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, which recently recommended giving rectal indomethacin to prevent PEP in all patients undergoing ERCP,” said the study authors, led by Dr. John M. Levenick of Penn State University in Hershey, Pa.

SOURCE: AMERICAN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Dr. Levenick and his coinvestigators screened 604 consecutive patients undergoing ERCP, with and without endoscopic ultrasound, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center between March 2013 and December 2014, eventually enrolling and randomizing 449 subjects into two cohorts: one in which subjects were given indomethacin after undergoing ERCP (n = 223), and one in which subjects were simply given a placebo (n = 226). Randomization happened after subjects’ major papilla had been reached, and cannulation attempts were started.

Individuals were excluded if they had active acute pancreatitis or had undergone ERCP to treat or diagnose acute pancreatitis, if they had any contraindications or allergies to NSAIDs, or were younger than 18 years of age, among other factors. The mean age of the indomethacin cohort was 64.9 years, with 118 (52.9%) females; in the placebo cohort, mean age was 64.3 years and 118 (52.2%) were female.

Pancreatitis occurred in 27 subjects overall, 16 (7.2%) of whom were in the indomethacin cohort and the other 11 (4.9%) were on placebo followed ERCP (P = .33). No subjects receiving indomethacin had severe or moderately severe PEP, but one subject had severe PEP and one had moderately severe PEP in the placebo cohort (P = 1.0). There was no necrotizing pancreatitis in either cohort, nor were there any significant differences in gastrointestinal bleeding (P = .75), death (P = .25), or 30-day hospital readmission (P = .1) between the two cohorts.

“Prophylactic rectal indomethacin did not reduce the incidence or severity of PEP in consecutive patients undergoing ERCP,” Dr. Levenick and his coauthors concluded, adding that “guidelines that recommend the administration of rectal indomethacin in all patients undergoing ERCP should be reconsidered.”

This study was funded by the National Pancreas Foundation and a grant from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Levenick and his coauthors did not report any financial disclosures.

[email protected]

As magnetic resonance imaging technology continues to advance year after year, so does MRI’s ability to accurately detect pancreatic cysts, according to a new study published in the April issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2015.08.038).

“To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the relationship between the technical improvements in imaging techniques (specifically, MRI) and the presence of incidentally found PCLs [pancreatic cystic lesions],” said the study authors, led by Dr. Michael B. Wallace of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

Dr. Wallace and his coinvestigators launched this retrospective descriptive study selecting the first 50 consecutive abdominal MRI patients at the Jacksonville Mayo Clinic during January and February of each year from 2005 through 2014, for a total of 500 cases who met inclusion criteria included in the study. Patients were excluded if they had preexisting symptomatic or asymptomatic pancreatitis, either acute or chronic, pancreatic masses, pancreatic cysts, pancreatic surgery, pancreatic symptoms, or any pancreas-related indications found by MRI.

The clinic underwent periodic MRI updates over the course of the 10-year study, along with requisite software updates to “take advantage of the new hardware technology,” the study explains. Major hardware improvements, provided by Siemens Medical Solutions USA, were Symphony/Sonata, Espree/Avanto, and Aera/Skyra, while software updates corresponding to each hardware update were VA, VB, and VD, respectively.

SOURCE: AMERICAN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Furthermore, each software update had other, smaller upgrades, leading to a total of 20 combinations of MRI hardware and software on which MRIs were performed over the 10 years. Every MRI taken included “an axial and a coronal T2-weighted single-shot (HASTE) pulse sequence [with] TR 1400-1500 ms, TE 82-99 ms, and slice thickness 5-7 mm (gap, 0.5-0.7 mm).” Each MRI was analyzed by a pancreatic MRI specialist to find incidental cysts.

The number of patients found with pancreatic cysts increased incrementally from 2005 to 2014, with 2010 being the year with the highest number. A total of 208 subjects (41.6%) were found to have incidental cysts, but only 44 of these cases were discovered in the original MRI. The presence of cysts was associated with older age in patients who had them; only 20% of all subjects under 50 years of age had cysts, compared to 32.4% of those between 50 and 60 years, 54.9% of those between 60 and 70 years, and 61.5% of those over the age of 70 years (P less than .01).

Additionally, 56.4% of all subjects with diabetes (P less than .01), 59.0% of subjects with nonmelanoma skin cancer (P less than .03), and 58.1% of those with hepatocarcinoma (P less than .02) were also found to have cysts. Most striking, however, is that newer hardware and software permutations were able to detect cysts in 56.3% (Skyra) of patients who had them, compared with only 30.3% (Symphony) of patients who underwent MRI on older technology.

“The variable field strength” (1.5 T vs. 3 T) was not significantly related to the presence of PCLs,” Dr. Wallace and his coauthors concluded. “We believe this may be secondary to the lack of power of the analysis, because only 6% of the examinations were 3-T studies. Therefore, we speculate that this relationship may be confirmed if the number of 3-T studies increased.”

Males and females each made up roughly 50% of the study population, with a median age of 60 years and 85% being white. Additionally, 4% of subjects had a family history of pancreatic cancer, 12% had a personal history of solid organ transplant, and 53% had a personal history of smoking.

This study was funded by the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Wallace disclosed that he has received grant funding from Olympus, Boston Scientific, and Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, and travel support from Olympus. No other authors reported any financial disclosures.

[email protected]

As magnetic resonance imaging technology continues to advance year after year, so does MRI’s ability to accurately detect pancreatic cysts, according to a new study published in the April issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2015.08.038).

“To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the relationship between the technical improvements in imaging techniques (specifically, MRI) and the presence of incidentally found PCLs [pancreatic cystic lesions],” said the study authors, led by Dr. Michael B. Wallace of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

Dr. Wallace and his coinvestigators launched this retrospective descriptive study selecting the first 50 consecutive abdominal MRI patients at the Jacksonville Mayo Clinic during January and February of each year from 2005 through 2014, for a total of 500 cases who met inclusion criteria included in the study. Patients were excluded if they had preexisting symptomatic or asymptomatic pancreatitis, either acute or chronic, pancreatic masses, pancreatic cysts, pancreatic surgery, pancreatic symptoms, or any pancreas-related indications found by MRI.

The clinic underwent periodic MRI updates over the course of the 10-year study, along with requisite software updates to “take advantage of the new hardware technology,” the study explains. Major hardware improvements, provided by Siemens Medical Solutions USA, were Symphony/Sonata, Espree/Avanto, and Aera/Skyra, while software updates corresponding to each hardware update were VA, VB, and VD, respectively.

SOURCE: AMERICAN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Furthermore, each software update had other, smaller upgrades, leading to a total of 20 combinations of MRI hardware and software on which MRIs were performed over the 10 years. Every MRI taken included “an axial and a coronal T2-weighted single-shot (HASTE) pulse sequence [with] TR 1400-1500 ms, TE 82-99 ms, and slice thickness 5-7 mm (gap, 0.5-0.7 mm).” Each MRI was analyzed by a pancreatic MRI specialist to find incidental cysts.

The number of patients found with pancreatic cysts increased incrementally from 2005 to 2014, with 2010 being the year with the highest number. A total of 208 subjects (41.6%) were found to have incidental cysts, but only 44 of these cases were discovered in the original MRI. The presence of cysts was associated with older age in patients who had them; only 20% of all subjects under 50 years of age had cysts, compared to 32.4% of those between 50 and 60 years, 54.9% of those between 60 and 70 years, and 61.5% of those over the age of 70 years (P less than .01).

Additionally, 56.4% of all subjects with diabetes (P less than .01), 59.0% of subjects with nonmelanoma skin cancer (P less than .03), and 58.1% of those with hepatocarcinoma (P less than .02) were also found to have cysts. Most striking, however, is that newer hardware and software permutations were able to detect cysts in 56.3% (Skyra) of patients who had them, compared with only 30.3% (Symphony) of patients who underwent MRI on older technology.

“The variable field strength” (1.5 T vs. 3 T) was not significantly related to the presence of PCLs,” Dr. Wallace and his coauthors concluded. “We believe this may be secondary to the lack of power of the analysis, because only 6% of the examinations were 3-T studies. Therefore, we speculate that this relationship may be confirmed if the number of 3-T studies increased.”

Males and females each made up roughly 50% of the study population, with a median age of 60 years and 85% being white. Additionally, 4% of subjects had a family history of pancreatic cancer, 12% had a personal history of solid organ transplant, and 53% had a personal history of smoking.

This study was funded by the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Wallace disclosed that he has received grant funding from Olympus, Boston Scientific, and Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, and travel support from Olympus. No other authors reported any financial disclosures.

[email protected]

As magnetic resonance imaging technology continues to advance year after year, so does MRI’s ability to accurately detect pancreatic cysts, according to a new study published in the April issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2015.08.038).

“To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the relationship between the technical improvements in imaging techniques (specifically, MRI) and the presence of incidentally found PCLs [pancreatic cystic lesions],” said the study authors, led by Dr. Michael B. Wallace of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

Dr. Wallace and his coinvestigators launched this retrospective descriptive study selecting the first 50 consecutive abdominal MRI patients at the Jacksonville Mayo Clinic during January and February of each year from 2005 through 2014, for a total of 500 cases who met inclusion criteria included in the study. Patients were excluded if they had preexisting symptomatic or asymptomatic pancreatitis, either acute or chronic, pancreatic masses, pancreatic cysts, pancreatic surgery, pancreatic symptoms, or any pancreas-related indications found by MRI.

The clinic underwent periodic MRI updates over the course of the 10-year study, along with requisite software updates to “take advantage of the new hardware technology,” the study explains. Major hardware improvements, provided by Siemens Medical Solutions USA, were Symphony/Sonata, Espree/Avanto, and Aera/Skyra, while software updates corresponding to each hardware update were VA, VB, and VD, respectively.

SOURCE: AMERICAN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Furthermore, each software update had other, smaller upgrades, leading to a total of 20 combinations of MRI hardware and software on which MRIs were performed over the 10 years. Every MRI taken included “an axial and a coronal T2-weighted single-shot (HASTE) pulse sequence [with] TR 1400-1500 ms, TE 82-99 ms, and slice thickness 5-7 mm (gap, 0.5-0.7 mm).” Each MRI was analyzed by a pancreatic MRI specialist to find incidental cysts.

The number of patients found with pancreatic cysts increased incrementally from 2005 to 2014, with 2010 being the year with the highest number. A total of 208 subjects (41.6%) were found to have incidental cysts, but only 44 of these cases were discovered in the original MRI. The presence of cysts was associated with older age in patients who had them; only 20% of all subjects under 50 years of age had cysts, compared to 32.4% of those between 50 and 60 years, 54.9% of those between 60 and 70 years, and 61.5% of those over the age of 70 years (P less than .01).

Additionally, 56.4% of all subjects with diabetes (P less than .01), 59.0% of subjects with nonmelanoma skin cancer (P less than .03), and 58.1% of those with hepatocarcinoma (P less than .02) were also found to have cysts. Most striking, however, is that newer hardware and software permutations were able to detect cysts in 56.3% (Skyra) of patients who had them, compared with only 30.3% (Symphony) of patients who underwent MRI on older technology.

“The variable field strength” (1.5 T vs. 3 T) was not significantly related to the presence of PCLs,” Dr. Wallace and his coauthors concluded. “We believe this may be secondary to the lack of power of the analysis, because only 6% of the examinations were 3-T studies. Therefore, we speculate that this relationship may be confirmed if the number of 3-T studies increased.”

Males and females each made up roughly 50% of the study population, with a median age of 60 years and 85% being white. Additionally, 4% of subjects had a family history of pancreatic cancer, 12% had a personal history of solid organ transplant, and 53% had a personal history of smoking.

This study was funded by the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Wallace disclosed that he has received grant funding from Olympus, Boston Scientific, and Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, and travel support from Olympus. No other authors reported any financial disclosures.

[email protected]