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Top stories in gastroenterology: Oral antibiotics linked to colon cancer risk, peppermint oil may manage irritable bowel syndrome symptoms

Recently, a study found that oral antibiotics were associated with a risk for colorectal cancer, and post-marketing data showed that over-the-counter peppermint oil treatment effectively managed symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome without the side effect of heartburn. These were among last week’s top stories.

Other highlights included a study that found older patients with inflammatory bowel disease had a higher risk for thiopurine-related adverse events, a meta-analysis that suggested endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty produced clinically significant weight loss in patients with obesity, and research that indicated esophageal symptoms in individuals with obesity are caused by gastroesophageal reflux and not dysmotility.

Oral antibiotics tied to colorectal cancer risk

Certain oral antibiotics are associated with increased risk for colon cancer, while others are linked with reduced rectal cancer risk, according to study results published in Gut. Read more.

IBgard releases data to show safety, tolerability of peppermint oil for irritable bowel syndrome

In a post-marketing study, the manufacturer of IBgard showed that over-the-counter peppermint oil treatment effectively managed symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome without the side effect of heartburn. Read more.

Older patients with inflammatory bowel disease at higher risk for thiopurine-related adverse events

Among patients with inflammatory bowel disease older than 60 years, thiopurines were associated with an increased risk for noninfectious and non-neoplastic adverse events, according to study results. Read more.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty effective, ‘can be safely introduced’

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty produced clinically significant weight loss in patients with obesity, according to results of a meta-analysis. Read more.

Esophageal symptom burden in obesity tied to reflux

Esophageal symptoms in patients with obesity are caused by gastroesophageal reflux and not dysmotility, according to study results. Read more.