7 more reports on COVID-19 related to gastroenterology
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Researchers have been hard at work exploring the rapidly changing field of COVID-19 and how it relates to gastroenterology.
Here we present some of our most recent reports on their work, as well as some insight from practicing GIs on how the pandemic has impacted daily life and practice.
Q&A: COVID-19 pandemic linked to drop in colorectal cancer screenings
Colorectal cancer screening rates in recent years have significantly decreased in at-risk groups such as patients aged 50 to 52 years and patients under 50 years with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, according to data collected by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and reported in The Health of America report, Rise in Chronic Conditions is Putting More Americans at risk for Colorectal Cancer.
COVID-19 has further caused the colorectal cancer screenings to decline. READ MORE
Patients with acute pancreatitis, COVID-19 at high risk for multiorgan failure
There may be a relationship between acute pancreatitis and COVID-19 that may lead to patients having a higher risk for multiorgan failure, morbidity and mortality, according to a study in Gastroenterology.
“A better understanding of this relationship will better guide clinicians on early management strategies and focus medical resources toward those patients at risk for worse outcomes,” Ahmed Dirweesh, MD, from the division of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and colleagues wrote. READ MORE
VIDEO: Reopening endoscopy during COVID-19
In this exclusive video, Nadeem Baig, MD, from Allied Digestive Health in New Jersey, talks about adapting an endoscopy practice to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE
Low incidence of SARS-CoV-2 among IBD patients on biologic therapy
Investigators found a low incidence of SARS-CoV-2 among patients with inflammatory bowel disease who were taking biologic therapy, according to recently published data in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
“Ultimately, the relatively low incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in IBD patients having biologic therapy may provide some reassurance to patients and clinicians for the continuation of these treatment methods,” Ming Hui Lee, MD, from the department of biological sciences, faculty of science at the National University of Singapore, and colleagues wrote. “Regardless, further studies on larger populations of IBD patients are needed to clarify the risks of biologics on SARS-CoV-2 incidence in IBD patients as well as in other medical conditions treated with biologics.” READ MORE
GIs, patients highly satisfied with telehealth during COVID-19
Both patients and gastroenterologists have been highly satisfied with telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic, according results from a survey published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Naresh T. Gunaratnam, MD, of Huron Gastroenterology Associates in Michigan, and colleagues wrote that policy changes that made telehealth more accessible have helped fulfill two critical aims of health care improvement. READ MORE
Patients with cirrhosis plus COVID-19 have higher mortality rates
Patients with cirrhosis and COVID-19 had higher mortality rates than patients with COVID-19 alone, but similar rates as patients with just cirrhosis, according to research published in Gut.
Jasmohan Bajaj, MD, from Virginia Commonwealth University, and colleagues wrote that patients with cirrhosis are assumed to be high-risk in the setting of COVID-19 due to immune dysfunction and altered gut-liver axis, but data are currently lacking. READ MORE
COVID-19 increased anxiety, burnout among endoscopy trainees
Two studies focused on the impact of COVID-19 on endoscopy trainees, showing increased anxiety and burnout, and offered ways for trainees to continue their education until training is resumed.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound adverse effect on endoscopy volumes and drastically changed endoscopic training processes worldwide,” Katarzyna M. Pawlak, MD, PhD, from the Hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Szczecin in Poland told Healio Gastroenterology. “The main concerns raised by trainees were in regard to competency development and the need to potentially prolong training to achieve endoscopic competence. Trainees expressed symptoms of anxiety and burnout and cited [personal protective equipment (PPE)] shortages and a lack of mental and emotional support as key issues impacting training.” READ MORE
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