Trending in Gastro News: Marijuana for IBD, Optimal UC Treatments, and More

The editors of Consultant360 have compiled a highlight reel of this month’s top stories and breaking news in the field of gastroenterology. Did you miss any of them?

Could marijuana benefit patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?

A study of more than 2300 participants with IBD aimed to gauge interest in medical and recreational marijuana use as a treatment option for their condition. The effects of marijuana on IBD symptoms were also assessed. Read More

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) therapy alone cannot alleviate the burden of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Although PPIs are typically appropriately prescribed for patients with GERD, many physicians are not discussing another important facet of treatment with their patients. Read More

Ulcerative colitis (UC): Is vedolizumab or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist therapy best?

The rates of clinical remission, steroid-free remission, and endoscopic healing associated with vedolizumab vs TNF antagonist therapy were compared among patients with UC. Read More

SEE ALSO:

Q&A: Proactive Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in IBD: What’s Stopping You?

In this Q&A, Adam Cheifetz, MD, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, gives us an in-depth look at why proactive therapeutic drug monitoring is underused in the treatment of IBD, and how barriers to implementing this approach can be overcome. Read More

Podcast: Has the PPI Ship Sailed?

Dr Jamie Koufman from the Voice Institute of New York discusses proton pump inhibitors—their adverse effects, alternatives, and more.