INTRODUCTION Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a promising therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This clinical trial aims to evaluate the influence of taVNS on autonomic functions, rectal sensation, and acetylcholine (Ach) levels and to explore potential mechanisms involving gut microbiota and metabolic profiles. METHODS This study was a single-center, single-blind,

INTRODUCTION Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly through the deployment of Large Language Models (LLMs), have profoundly impacted healthcare. This study assesses five LLMs-ChatGPT 3.5, ChatGPT 4, BARD, CLAUDE, and COPILOT-on their response accuracy, clarity, and relevance to queries concerning acute liver failure (ALF). We subsequently compare these results with Chat GPT4

BACKGROUND Despite reports indicating that polyps proximal to the splenic flexure have higher rates of metachronous colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC), the role of adenoma location on surveillance recommendations remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the association between index polyp location and post-colonoscopy CRC among participants of the Minnesota Colon Cancer Control Study (MCCCS). METHODS

BACKGROUND Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often attribute the onset or worsening of gastrointestinal symptoms to intake of food. Hence, in order to alleviate symptoms, patients with IBS may avoid triggering foods, potentially impacting their dietary intake and diet quality. This study aimed to compare the habitual diet intake and quality of IBS patients with controls, and to explore the

BACKGROUND AIM Perception of the ascites burden and its effects on quality of life may be different between sexes. This study assessed sex differences in perception of ascites burden and its impact on health related QoL (HRQoL) in patients with recurrent or refractory ascites. METHODS The North American Consortium for the Study of End-stage Liver Disease prospectively enrolled outpatients with cirrhosis

INTRODUCTION This study investigates seasonal variations in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)-related emergency department (ED) visits among adults. METHODS We analyzed the National Emergency Department Sample (2016-2021), identifying adult EoE patients using ICD-10 codes. Generalized additive models assessed seasonal patterns. RESULTS Among 18,791 EoE-related ED visits, a significant seasonal variation

BACKGROUND Complete inability to belch due to retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD) may lead to chronic gas-related gastrointestinal complaints. We aimed to validate high-resolution manometric (HRM) diagnostic criteria, and prospectively evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of cricopharyngeal botulinum toxin injection (CBTI) via flexible endoscopy. METHODS Consecutive manometrically diagnosed

INTRODUCTION The COuGH RefluX score has been validated to predict likelihood of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with laryngopharyngeal symptoms (LPS) using parameters of Cough, Overweight, Globus, Hiatal Hernia, Regurgitation, and male seX. This study aimed to assess the real-world value of the COuGH RefluX score in predicting proton pump inhibitor (PPI) response in LPS patients

INTRODUCTION A need for better treatment options for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) persists due to the efficacy and safety limitations of current therapies. Neutrophil epithelial transmigration is associated with the characteristic colonic mucosal inflammation in and very likely involved with the pathogenesis and clinical symptoms of UC. ADS051 is a small-molecule inhibiting neutrophil

Digestive diseases are common in the United States (U.S.) and lead to significant morbidity, mortality, and health care utilization. We used national survey and claims databases to expand on earlier findings and investigate rates and trends in the digestive disease burden in the U.S. The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, National Inpatient Sample, Vital Statistics of the U.S.: Multiple Cause-of-Death

BACKGROUND Real-world data on the effectiveness of upadacitinib for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are limited. AIMS To assess upadacitinib persistence, effectiveness, and safety in a real-world scenario. METHODS Retrospective multicentre study of IBD patients who received upadacitinib before 31st December 2022 and at least 12 weeks before the recruitment date. Clinical effectiveness was assessed

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Barrett's Esophagus (BE) is the precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). We aimed to assess performance, safety, and tolerability of the EsoGuard (EG) assay on samples collected non-endoscopically with the EsoCheck (EC) device (EG/EC) for BE detection in the intended-use population meeting American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guideline criteria (chronic gastroesophageal

BACKGROUD AND STUDY AIMS Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a technically demanding operation with a long learning curve. This study aimed to determine whether orthodontic rubber band (ORB)-assisted colorectal ESD could improve the trainees' learning curve as it was shown to shorten colorectal ESD procedure time in trainees and experts. PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective, randomized

INTRODUCTION Autoimmune metaplastic atrophic gastritis (AMAG) is a precancerous condition that predisposes to gastric neuroendocrine tumors (gNETs). There exist no methods to stratify patients with AMAG for gNET risk. METHODS We identified a cohort of patients with AMAG within a university health system using histopathologic and serologic criteria. We analyzed features predictive of prevalent gNET

BACKGROUND First-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with celiac disease (CeD) are at high risk for developing CeD. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate CeD prevalence and clinical manifestations by analyzing studies that used the anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody test for screening. METHODS In this systematic review with meta-analysis, studies published in PubMed

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Celiac disease (CeD) is increasingly diagnosed in older adults, though few studies have explored complications in this group. As frailty confers increased risk for adverse events, we aimed to explore frailty in older adults with CeD. METHODS In a nationwide Swedish cohort, we identified adults ≥60 years with incident CeD between 2004-2017 which we matched to population-based controls

INTRODUCTION Accurate report of stool form is essential to diagnosis and assessment of treatment response. The modified Bristol Stool Form Scale for Children ( mBSFS-C ) classifies stool form into 5 types and is reliable and valid. However, a direct comparison of provider's and children's ratings using the mBSFS-C vs the traditional Bristol Stool Form Scale ( BSFS ) that uses 7 stool form types has

INTRODUCTION Biopsy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may help with selecting appropriate chemotherapy with inconclusive imaging; concern about potential seeding may limit its use. METHODS A systematic review was conducted to assess the risk of tumor seeding with biopsy of HCC excluding nonliver cancers or seeding after interventions. RESULTS A total of 2,339 unique abstracts were identified; 37 studies

BACKGROUND We aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab for the treatment of both bio-naïve and bio-exposed ulcerative colitis (UC) patients in a real-world setting. METHODS Retrospective, Canadian multicenter cohort study. Primary outcomes were clinical remission and endoscopic remission. Key secondary outcomes included composite clinical and endoscopic response, safety

Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the barrier at the esophagogastric junction is weakened, allowing for transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter or disruption of the esophagogastric junction. This leads to the refluxate traveling up the esophagus, and potentially into the pharynx, where it can be aspirated into the airway. The refluxate can cause a range of symptoms, including

INTRODUCTION The effect of esophageal dilation history on efficacy outcomes in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) receiving swallowed corticosteroids is not well established. METHODS This post hoc analysis assessed data from a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study (NCT02605837) of budesonide oral suspension (BOS) 2.0 mg twice daily in patients aged 11-55 years

INTRODUCTION Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown promise at inducing remission in ulcerative colitis. This study is the first of its kind to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FMT at inducing remission in Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 3 Canadian academic centers; randomized patients with mild-to-moderate CD received FMT or placebo

INTRODUCTION Intravenous albumin reduces mortality in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). We sought to characterize albumin use for SBP over time and investigate patient-level and hospital-level factors associated with use. METHODS A retrospective cohort study in the Veterans Health Administration between 2008 and 2021 evaluated trends and patient-level, practice-level, and facility-level factors

INTRODUCTION Growing gastrointestinal cancers in the United States necessitate further research due to substantial health care and economic impacts. The aim of this study was to analyze trends and future projections for 5 major gastrointestinal cancers (colorectal, pancreatic, liver, stomach, and esophageal). METHODS Data were sourced from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database; National

The development of new image enhancement modalities and improved endoscopic imaging quality has not led to increased adoption of resect-and-discard in routine practice. Studies have shown that endoscopists have the capacity to achieve quality thresholds to perform optical diagnosis; however, this has not led to acceptance of optical diagnosis as a replacement for pathology for diminutive (1-5 mm) polyps

INTRODUCTION Endoscopy, standard-of-care for monitoring eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), assesses mucosal inflammation. The Esophageal String Test (EST), a minimally invasive swallowed capsule and immunoassays, quantifies EoE inflammation. We determined whether the EST/EoEScore can monitor disease in patients undergoing treatment. METHODS Thirty-three samples from 14 patients with EoE (7 children, 7

INTRODUCTION Accurate assessment of alcohol use informs prevention and management of liver disease. We examined whether phosphatidylethanol (PEth, an alcohol metabolite) blood concentrations are associated with liver fibrosis risk independently of self-reported alcohol use, among persons with and without HIV. METHODS We pooled individual-level data from 12 studies from the United States, Russia, Uganda

INTRODUCTION To review stool diagnostic tests in acute and chronic diarrhea. METHODS Narrative review of published literature. RESULTS In acute diarrhea, stool tests are indicated when there is strong pretest probability of infectious etiology or Clostridioides difficile infection suggested by > 3 unformed bowel movements per 24 hours, symptoms lasting >7 days, and circumstances that are suggestive

INTRODUCTION Artificial intelligence-based chatbots offer a potential avenue for delivering personalized counseling to patients with autoimmune hepatitis. We assessed accuracy, completeness, comprehensiveness, and safety of Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer-4 responses to 12 inquiries out of a pool of 40 questions posed by 4 patients with autoimmune hepatitis. METHODS Questions were categorized

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are rare, chronic cholestatic diseases that can progress to liver failure. The goals of treatment are to halt the progression of liver disease to cirrhosis and/or liver failure, and alleviate symptoms associated with these diseases. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has historically been the first-line treatment for PBC, with obeticholic

INTRODUCTION Ulcerative jejunitis (UJ) or ulcerative enteritis (UE) is a rare complication of celiac disease (CeD). Guidelines regarding diagnosis and management are missing and these cases have seldom been reported in the United States. DESIGN Single center case-series of CeD in which UE developed at a large academic center in the USA. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and evolution of

INTRODUCTION Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is caused by pathogenic variants in the APC gene. FAP is usually categorized according to phenotype: classical FAP (CFAP) and attenuated FAP (AFAP); the latter is considered to have a milder disease course. We aimed to assess the risk of overall and specific cancers in patients with CFAP and AFAP compared with matched, nonexposed individuals. METHODS

INTRODUCTION TM6SF2 -rs58542926-T is associated with increased cirrhosis and modestly decreased coronary artery disease prevalence. However, relative effects of TM6SF2 genotype on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) vs liver-related events (LRE) are not known. METHODS We used the UK Biobank, a prospective cohort with genetic and inpatient diagnosis data. The primary predictor was TM6SF2 -rs58542926

INTRODUCTION Postcolonoscopy colorectal cancers primarily occur in the right-sided colon because of missed adenomas and serrated polyps (SPs). Water exchange (WE) improves cleanliness and visibility of the right-sided colon. We hypothesized that WE could reduce the right-sided colon adenoma (rAMR) and SP miss rate (rSPMR) compared with standard colonoscopy. METHODS We randomly assigned 386 colonoscopy

INTRODUCTION Social determinants of health (SDOH) may impact chronic liver disease (CLD) outcomes but are not clearly understood. We conducted a systematic review to describe the associations of SDOH with mortality, hospitalizations, and readmissions among patients with CLD. METHODS This review was registered (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022346654) and identified articles through MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library