Added On : 13th September 2011Thalidomide Effective for Refractory Bleeding from Gastrointestinal Vascular Malformations
In a small, randomized, controlled trial, thalidomide significantly reduced bleeding episodes, blood transfusions, and hospitalizations.
Every experienced gastroenterologist has encountered patients who have refractory bleeding from gastrointestinal vascular malformations and are dependent on iron replacement or blood transfusion. Now, in an open-label, randomized trial, researchers in China investigated the efficacy and safety of administering thalidomide in 55 patients with bleeding that was unresponsive or unsuited to treatment by means such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, and double-balloon enteroscopy. Twenty-eight of the participants were transfusion dependent before randomization; 3 with gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) had failed to respond to argon plasma coagulation treatment. Exclusion criteria included portal hypertension, severe comorbidities, peripheral neuropathy, or a history of thromboembolic disease; treatment with steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, or antiplatelet drugs; or current cancer chemotherapy.
Added On : 28th September 2011Telaprevir Therapy for 24 Weeks Appropriate for Many with HCV Infection
Response-guided treatment with telaprevir, peginterferon alfa-2a, and ribavirin for 24 weeks was noninferior to the standard 48-week course in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.
Added On : 11th October 2011Ferric Carboxymaltose Better for Intravenous Iron Replacement in IBD
A novel regimen was superior to standard iron sucrose at increasing hemoglobin levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and iron deficiency — at less overall cost.
Intravenous iron is commonly used to correct iron deficiency anemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Prior studies have demonstrated its greater efficacy, tolerability, and quality-of-life improvement compared with oral iron therapy. Now, investigators have tested the efficacy and safety of an alternative intravenous regimen — ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) — against standard intravenous iron sucrose (IS) therapy.
Added On : 26th October 2011Results of a large population-based study support the hypothesis that estrogen promotes duodenal bicarbonate secretion, which lowers the risk for ulcers.
Studies have shown that women are less likely than men to develop duodenal ulcers (DUs). Other studies have suggested that estrogen stimulates duodenal bicarbonate secretion, which could be a biological mechanism for the lower incidence of DUs among women. To investigate this possible link, researchers in China conducted an epidemiologic study involving 64,385 patients who underwent endoscopy for dyspepsia.
Added On : 21st November 2011A meta-analysis supports evidence of increased risk for GI bleeding from low-dose aspirin alone and in combination with clopidogrel or anticoagulants.
Aspirin in low doses (75–325 mg/day) is commonly used as secondary prophylaxis after cardiovascular thrombotic events. However, its value for primary prophylaxis is unclear because of evidence that it increases the risk for gastrointestinal bleeding.
Added On : 21st November 2011A meta-analysis supports evidence of increased risk for GI bleeding from low-dose aspirin alone and in combination with clopidogrel or anticoagulants.
Aspirin in low doses (75–325 mg/day) is commonly used as secondary prophylaxis after cardiovascular thrombotic events. However, its value for primary prophylaxis is unclear because of evidence that it increases the risk for gastrointestinal bleeding.
Added On : 4th December 2011Aspirin 600 mg Daily Reduced Cancers in Lynch Syndrome
Patients randomized to aspirin for 2 years had about half the risk for colorectal cancer as a placebo group.
New findings on the chemopreventive effects of aspirin are now available from a randomized, controlled study — the first to use cancer as the study endpoint.
