The opinion magazine of the American Gastroenterological Association
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) testing has evolved ever since the initial introduction of the catheter-based pH test more than half a century ago. More accurate pH measurements and improved patient tolerability were achieved by reducing the catheter’s diameter and stiffness, and the catheter-based pH test has continued to improve over the years.1 Introduction of the […]
Prolonged pH or reflux monitoring is neither essential to the primary evaluation or treatment of patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who respond to therapy nor needed for patients who have endoscopydocumented erosive esophagitis that responds to antisecretory therapy. The history, endoscopic findings and clinical response to therapy provide adequate support for the diagnosis of GERD in […]
The mission of the AGA Institute Research Policy Committee (RPC) is to promote basic and clinical research in gastroenterology and hepatology. Over the last year, the RPC has engaged in several activities to further this mission. First, the RPC offered the AGA Institute Governing Board formal recommendations regarding prioritization and allocation of AGA’s endowment for […]
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common causes of hospitalization for a gastrointestinal condition, and its incidence continues to increase in the U.S. and across the world.1 With improvements in general clinical care, the overall mortality of AP in the U.S. is now less than 2 percent. Despite this seemingly low mortality, all clinicians […]
1. Why do I need to know about defecatory disorders? Defecation requires increased rectal pressure coordinated with relaxation of the anal sphincter and pelvic floor. Some patients with chronic constipation have defecatory disorders (DDs). In contrast to normal or isolated slow transit constipation, these should be treated with pelvic floor biofeedback therapy rather than laxatives.1,2 […]
The link between chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colon cancer is well established. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is increased in patients with IBD involving at least one-third of the colon, and it is important to remember that it is the same for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Classically, the risk of CRC was estimated to […]
Evidence from a few randomized trials and multiple observational studies supports performing a liver ultrasound every six months as part of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance in patients with hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis (HCVc). Although the possibility of using other technical modalities is tempting, there are concerns regarding radiation exposure and cost. Use of multiphase computed […]
Sheila E. Crowe, MD, FRCPC, FACP, FACG, AGAF, of University of California, San Diego (UCSD), began her term as 112th president of the AGA Institute immediately following Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2017. A former AGA Governing Board member and chair of the AGA Council, which plans DDW, Dr. Crowe has had a successful career in […]
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) testing has evolved ever since the initial introduction of the catheter-based pH test more than half a century ago. More accurate pH measurements and improved patient tolerability were achieved by reducing the catheter’s diameter and stiffness, and the catheter-based pH test has continued to improve over the years.1 Introduction of the […]
Prolonged pH or reflux monitoring is neither essential to the primary evaluation or treatment of patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who respond to therapy nor needed for patients who have endoscopydocumented erosive esophagitis that responds to antisecretory therapy. The history, endoscopic findings and clinical response to therapy provide adequate support for the diagnosis of GERD in […]
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