Top stories in gastroenterology: The American Gastroenterological Association issues updated guidance on pregnant women with IBD, patients with ulcerative colitis

Among the top gastroenterology stories last week were the American Gastroenterological Association’s publication of a new standardized clinical care pathway for health care providers who treat pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease and its release of new clinical guidelines for the management of patients with ulcerative colitis.

Other highlights included findings that suggested fecal microbiota transplantation donors who can successfully transfer important bacteria to recipients could be pivotal to the future of fecal transplants, a study that found pregabalin was effective for treating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and a Q&A on the viability of fecal microbiota transplantation as a treatment option for immunotherapy-induced colitis.

American Gastroenterological Association working group releases guide for pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease

The American Gastroenterological Association has published a new clinical care pathway to develop a standardized plan among health care providers who treat pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease throughout all stages of family planning. Read more.

American Gastroenterological Association releases new ulcerative colitis management guidelines

The American Gastroenterological Association has released new clinical guidelines on the management of patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, focusing on the use of both oral and topical 5-aminosalicylates, rectal corticosteroids and oral budesonide. Read more.

‘Super donors’ may be pivotal to the future of fecal transplants

Fecal microbiota transplantation donors who can successfully transfer important bacteria to recipients could be the future of treating diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, according to research published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. Read more.

Pregabalin effective for treating pain, bloating, diarrhea in irritable bowel syndrome

Pregabalin — a calcium channel alpha 2 delta ligand — helped treat visceral hypersensitivity in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and reduced symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea, according to research published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Read more.

Q&A: Fecal transplant appears effective for immunotherapy-induced colitis

Fecal microbiota transplantation may be a viable treatment option for patients with cancer who have developed immunotherapy-induced colitis, according to results of a case series published in Nature Medicine. Read more.