Highlights from ACG 2020
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This year, for the first time, the American College of Gastroenterology held its Annual Scientific Meeting on a virtual platform.
Here are some of the top stories on research presented at the conference.
ACG President: ‘Never before have our professional societies been more needed’
In a year of unprecedented health and social challenges, the American College of Gastroenterology president saw the good that will come from professional medical societies leading the change.
“Prior to this year, I gave talks about leadership that stress the important concepts of meaningful engagement, courage, resiliency and embracing change,” Mark B. Pochapin, MD, said during his president’s address at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting. “Never have these components been as important and as tested as this year ... and I believe the ACG came out stronger and as a beacon for all of us.” READ MORE
Cannabis reduces prevalence, progression of steatohepatitis in obese patients
Cannabis use correlated with a decreased prevalence and progression of steatohepatitis among patients who were obese, according to results presented at the American College of Gastroenterology virtual annual meeting.
“These findings could possibly be explained by the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effect of cannabis on hepatocytes through the endocannabinoid system,” Ikechukwu Achebe, MD, from John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, said during his presentation. “Additional studies are needed to further explore this relationship.” READ MORE
Katie Couric, cancer advocate, speaks to ACG: ‘Cancer found me’
In a lecture dedicated to her sister’s memory, Katie Couric engaged in an honest and raw conversation with ACG President Mark Pochapin, MD, about how her grief over her husband’s death and then her sister’s spurred Couric into action and advocacy.
“I had a moral obligation to share what I had learned,” Couric said about her work in the wake of her husband Jay Monahan’s death from colon cancer. READ MORE
Patients with COVID-19, liver injury at higher risk for morbidity, mortality
Researchers observed a significantly increased risk for mortality, mechanical ventilation, ICU admission and 30-day re-admission in patients with COVID-19 with liver disease, according to a presentation at the American College of Gastroenterology virtual annual meeting.
“COVID-19 patients with [liver injury] had increased 30-day readmission rates,” Mohammad Siddiqui, MD, from the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan, said. “Cirrhosis is associated with increased mortality in COVID-19.” READ MORE
VIDEO: 'Building warriors': Resilience training in IBD
In this exclusive video from the American College of Gastroenterology virtual annual meeting, Laurie Keefer, PhD, from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai discusses her presentation on the GRITT method, ah resilience-based care model for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
In the study, researchers compared health care use between groups of patients with IBD who received multidisciplinary care with the GRITT method and a group of control patients. The GRITT method included personalized care comprising nursing care and social work, as well as nutritional and psychological support over more than 6 months. READ MORE
Mean age of patients with CRC getting younger
The mean age of patients with colorectal cancer has dropped in recent years, with a higher proportion of patients aged 40 to 50 years, according to research presented at the American College of Gastroenterology virtual annual meeting. In his presentation, Will Aurand, DO, of Wright State University, said that new evidence has led to different screening guidelines among certain populations. READ MORE
Kiwi fruit effective, well tolerated in treating chronic constipation
Two peeled kiwi fruit per day improved chronic constipation while being better tolerated than other traditional natural remedies, according to a randomized study presented at ACG 2020 Virtual.
“While there are many therapeutic options available for chronic constipation, they only lead to about half of patients feeling better and only offer therapeutic gain of 10% to 15% over placebo showing the need for additional forms of therapy,” Samuel W. Chey, MPH, of University of Michigan, said during his virtual presentation. “Furthermore, consumer shifts in chronic medication, safety and preferences have drawn the public towards more natural solutions for chronic constipation.” READ MORE
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