BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Many of the world’s preeminent gastroenterologists will gather for the American College of Gastroenterology’s (ACG) 74th Annual Scientific Meeting at the San Diego Convention Center starting Monday, October 26, 2009, to review the latest scientific advances in gastrointestinal research, treatment of digestive diseases and clinical practice management.
Presentations at the meeting will focus on new technologies being developed to diagnose and treat digestive diseases, new insights into digestive diseases, their causes and how they impact various sectors of the population. A press kit with highlights of important new science to be presented at the meeting will be available online at the ACG Web site www.acg.gi.org.
NOTE: News from the meeting is embargoed until Monday, October 26, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. EDT/8:00 a.m. PDT.
Highlights from this year’s ACG Scientific Meeting include:
Effects of World Trade Center Cleanup Still Being Felt
In a six year study of World Trade Center workers, researchers probed the connection between the high frequencies of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and mental health disorders (MHD) reported among exposed workers during the post 9/11 cleanup. Their findings suggest that mental health disorders play an important role in the genesis and persistence of GERD among these workers and therefore treatment of the underlying mental health disorder may be necessary to resolve the physical manifestation of GERD.
For Bigger Athletes: Potential Future Health Risks
New primary research comparing the signs of metabolic syndrome in professional baseball and football players reveals that the larger professional athletes - football linemen - may encounter future health problems despite their rigorous exercise routines. These findings may have implications for younger athletes, and the general public facing rising obesity rates, as well.
Chronic GI Problems after Infectious Gastroenteritis for Military Personnel
Researchers from the United States Navy examining functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGD) within the active military population and their connection to of infectious gastroenteritis (IGE) found not only a significant association between IGE and FGD, but also that almost 3 out of 10 military personnel studied still received FGD related-care two years after their initial diagnosis.
In Combat Zone, Gastroenterologists’ Skills Put to Test
Gastroenterologists working in Joint Base Balad, Iraq, present special cases that put their endoscopic skills to test while on deployment to diagnose and treat military dogs that provide vital protective roles in security and munitions detection.
Possible Link Between Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Findings from a new retrospective cohort study indicate that patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), especially those receiving the thiopurine class of medications to treat IBD, may be at risk for developing non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). In light of these findings, the American College of Gastroenterology is encouraging physicians treating patients with IBD to provide appropriate counseling and monitoring for NMSC.
Technologies to Advance Diagnosis by Colonoscopy
Several studies on new colonoscopic technologies reveal some imaging modalities fare better than others at improving detection of potentially pre-cancerous growths in the colon known as adenomas.
New Combination Therapy Looks Promising Against Ulcer Bacteria
Results of a new study reveal that LOAD therapy is superior to LAC at eliminating the bacterium in patients with gastritis and peptic ulcers. Helicobater pylori, a bacteria implicated in peptic ulcers and gastritis, was eradicated in 95 percent patients who took a 7-day course of combination therapy with levofloxacin, omeprazole, nitazoxanide (Alinia(R)) and doxycycline (LOAD) compared to eradication in only 80.9 percent of patients on lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin (LAC) for seven days.
Capsule Endoscopy Safe for Patients with Implantable Cardiac Devices
A study of 91 patients with implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers, implantable defibrillators or left ventricular assist devices found that performing capsule endoscopy in these patients is safe and that the devices in general do not interfere with images captured by the capsule. Capsule endoscopy is most often performed for occult GI bleeding, a condition not uncommon among elderly patients, who also have the highest number of implantable cardiac devices.
Bowel Preparation Impacts Follow-up Timetable for Colonoscopy
After studying records on some 788 patients, researchers concluded that inadequate bowel preparation by the patient before colonoscopy resulted in a recommended follow-up colonoscopy 17.1 months earlier than average. By comparison, finding an adenoma during the procedure resulted in a recommended follow-up examination 17.2 months earlier than average.
Researchers Evaluate New Bowel Prep Approaches
In December 2008, a popular OTC bowel preparation for colonoscopy, which contained phosphosoda, was recalled from the market. ACG researchers presented papers evaluating new bowel preparation formulations and approaches.
In a pilot study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Polyethelne Glycol (PEG) plus ascorbic acid (Moviprep) compared to magnesium citrate for bowel preparation before colonoscopy, researchers found that overall colon preparation was excellent or good for the vast majority of those receiving either solution. The study also showed a significant improvement in the quality of bowel preparation when using split dosing with either preparation.
Researchers also evaluated a new oral sulfate solution (SUPREP(R)) compared to a large volume polyethylene glycol (PEG) and electrolytes solution (NuLYTELY(R)) in the ability to cleanse the proximal, or right colon, which has received increased attention as an important site of missed adenomas. In each case, the oral sulfate solution outperformed the PEG and electrolytes solution.
Largest Cohort Study to-Date Examines Barrett’s Esophagus Prevalence Among Latinos
In the largest cohort study to-date, researchers studying the prevalence of Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) in the Latino population found that the prevalence of BE among Latino males was on par with non-Latino White males, the segment of the population in which BE has historically been most prevalent.
Racial and Gender Disparities in Colon Cancer
Two new retrospective and cohort studies explore disparities in race and gender in the incidence and epidemiology of colorectal cancer. Female patients, in particular female Hispanic patients, are being diagnosed with more right-side, or proximal, colon cancers compared to the population in general. In addition, African-American patients, in particular African-American males, are reported to have the greatest proportion of advanced colon cancers compared to all groups. A related study shows that African-American patients are more likely than other ethnic groups to have multiple polyps, as well as polyps located on the proximal side of the colon.
Lunchtime media briefings are being planned on the following topics:
Monday, October 26, 2009, 12:30 p.m. PDT
New Technologies Advance GI Practice: From Diagnosis to Online Collaboration
Co-Moderators:
Walter J. Coyle, M.D., FACG, Scripps Clinic
Samuel A. Giday, M.D., FACG, Johns Hopkins University
Invited Technology Panelists:
Charles J. Kahi, M.D., Indiana University
Daniel C. DeMarco, M.D., FACG, Baylor College of Medicine
Kenneth R. DeVault, M.D., FACG, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
David A. Greenwald, M.D., FACG, Montefiore Medical Center
Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 12:30 p.m. PDT
Impact of Workplace Stress and Exposure on GI Disorders: Occupations that Take Guts
Co-Moderators:
Cmdr. Brooks D. Cash, M.D., FACG, National Naval Medical Center
Col. Roy K.H. Wong, M.D., FACG, Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Invited Panelists:
Mark Riddle, M.D., United States Navy
Cmdr. Leon Kundrotas, M.D., FACG, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base
Douglas L. Brand, M.D., FACG, SUNY Stonybrook
Yvette Lam, M.D., SUNY Stonybrook
About the American College of Gastroenterology
Founded in 1932, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) is an organization with an international membership of more than 11,000 individuals from 80 countries. The College is committed to serving the clinically oriented digestive disease specialist through its emphasis on scholarly practice, teaching and research. The mission of the College is to serve the evolving needs of physicians in the delivery of high quality, scientifically sound, humanistic, ethical, and cost-effective health care to gastroenterology patients. www.acg.gi.org
View releases on this and other research set to break at the ACG meeting at www.acg.gi.org/media/press.asp
SOURCE American College of Gastroenterology
CONTACT: Jennifer Burke Labriola, Burke PR, +1-203-405-1479,
burkepr@gmail.com, for American College of Gastroenterology; or Anne-Louise
Oliphant of American College of Gastroenterology, +1-301-263-9000,
mediaonly@acg.gi.org; As of Sunday October 25, 2009 at ACG Press Room, San
Diego Convention Center , +1-619-525-6418
Web site: http://www.acg.gi.org/
