Daily marijuana smoking is associated with increased severity of steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C, according to a report in the February issue of Gastroenterology. Reuters Health Information
Three types of esophageal stents provide palliation of dysphagia in patients with esophageal or gastric cardia cancer, according to a report in the February American Journal of Gastroenterology. Reuters Health Information
In many patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) provides long-term improvement and resolution of symptoms, US researchers report. The study findings also indicate that it may be possible to identify surgical candidates who are likely to experience long-term benefits. Reuters Health Information
Treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2b (PEG-IFN-alpha-2b) plus ribavirin results in virologic control in children with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and is "reasonably well-tolerated," a Spanish team reports in the February issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. Reuters Health Information
Intestinal colonization with Oxalobacter formigenes, a Gram-negative, anaerobic microbe common in normal adults, appears to reduce the risk of recurrent calcium oxalate stones by 70%, US investigators report. With further research, they suggest, this bacterium might one day be used as a probiotic to prevent stone formation. Reuters Health Information
A preoperative requirement for vasopressors and mental status changes are among the risk factors for death in patients who have undergone colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis, the results of a study at a teaching hospital suggest. Reuters Health Information
Use of recreational drugs during early pregnancy is a significant risk factor for gastroschisis, according to results of a study published in the February 15th issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. Reuters Health Information
Clostridium difficile infection in hospitalized patients is associated with greater morbidity and mortality in those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than in patients without IBD, according to a report in the February issue of Gut. Reuters Health Information
This review focuses primarily on medical approaches that have been studied for the treatment of PSC as well as on the management of symptoms commonly associated with the disease. The Medscape Journal of Medicine
Eosinophilic esophagitis in pediatric patients responds well to either oral prednisone or swallowed fluticasone, although fluticasone is better tolerated, according to investigators at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. However, symptoms return within weeks of stopping treatment in about half of patients. Reuters Health Information
