Gastroenterology Month in Review: May 2024

May was both a busy and important month in gastroenterology, starting off strong with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a new colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test followed by a plethora of new GI research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024. The editorial team of HCPLive Gastroenterology was on-site in Washington, DC for coverage of the meeting and conducted more than 15 interviews with experts across a variety of topics, ranging from the gastroenterological impacts of GLP-1RA use to diet’s role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

However, one topic shone bright at DDW this year, featured across multiple abstracts, posters, and sessions: intestinal ultrasound. Given its overwhelming presence at the conference, HCPLive took a closer look at the recent growth of intestinal ultrasound in the US and its subsequent impact on IBD care in a feature article spotlighting perspectives from multiple experts regarding their experience with the transformative imaging tool.

The HCPLive May 2024 gastroenterology month in review features some of the most popular content from DDW, a feature article for World Digestive Health Day based on intestinal ultrasound research presented at the conference, and the FDA’s approval of ColoSense.

HCPLive at DDW

Female Gastroenterologists Linked to Lower Healthcare Use Post-Consultation

Among the most popular stories from HCPLive’s coverage of DDW was an article about new research connecting initial consultations with a female gastroenterologist to significant reductions in subsequent health care utilization. Compared to those seen by a male gastroenterologist, patients seen by a female gastroenterologist were less likely to use medical care in the emergency department (Odds ratio [OR], 0.88; 95% CI, 0.88 - 0.89), primary care visits (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.93 - 0.93), and inpatient hospitalizations (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.80 - 0.81). Of note, this effect was more pronounced among female patients than male patients.

Blood-Based Test Offers Effective Screening Option for Colorectal Cancer

Late-breaking data presented at DDW showed PREEMPT CRC, the largest prospective study of a blood-based CRC screening test, successfully achieved all primary endpoints for early detection of CRC, including sensitivity for CRC, the specificity for the absence of advanced colorectal neoplasia, and the positive predictive value for advanced colorectal neoplasia.

In a clinical validation cohort of more than 30,000 patients 45 to 85 years of age considered average risk for CRC, the test had a sensitivity for CRC detection of 79.2% (n = 57 of 92; 95% CI, 68.4 - 86.9). Meanwhile, the specificity for non-advanced colorectal neoplasia was 91.5% (n = 22,306 of 24,371; 95% CI, 91.2 - 91.9) and the negative predictive value for non-advanced colorectal neoplasia was 90.8% (n = 22,306 of 24,567; 95% CI, 90.7 - 90.9) with a positive predictive value for advanced colorectal neoplasia was 15.5% (n = 378 of 2443; 95% CI, 14.2 - 16.8).

“We’re at a Complete Disconnect”: Marla Dubinsky, MD, on Bowel Urgency in IBD

Among HCPLive’s top interview content from DDW was a discussion with Marla Dubinsky, MD, chief of the division of pediatric gastroenterology at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, regarding data from the Communicating Needs and Features of IBD Experiences (CONFIDE) study. Results highlighted major communication gaps between patients with Crohn’s disease and health care providers, especially regarding bowel urgency and addressing this symptom during treatment.

“We're at a complete disconnect between what patients want to talk about and what they're suffering from day to day that's actually keeping them isolated," Dubinsky explained to HCPLive.

Spotlighting Intestinal Ultrasound on World Digestive Health Day

Redefining IBD Care: Intestinal Ultrasound’s Emerging Role in Treat-to-Target Strategies

Coming on the heels of DDW, HCPLive celebrated World Digestive Health Day on May 29 with a feature spotlighting the growth of intestinal ultrasound in the GI space and how it could aid adherence to Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (STRIDE) guidance, particularly enhancing recommended treat-to-target strategies in IBD.

Related: Michael Dolinger, MD: Recognizing Intestinal Ultrasound’s Potential in Ulcerative Colitis and Intestinal Ultrasound’s Value for Assessing Disease Activity in IBD, with Noa Krugliak Cleveland, MD

FDA News in Gastroenterology

FDA Approves ColoSense, a Noninvasive mt-sRNA Test, for Adults 45 or Older

Not to be lost amid the plethora of news to come out of DDW was the FDA approval of ColoSense, a noninvasive multi-target stool RNA (mt-sRNA) CRC screening test, for adult patients aged 45 years or older considered to be at average risk for developing CRC. Announced on May 6, the decision was based on data from the pivotal phase 3, blinded, prospective, cross-sectional CRC-PREVENT trial.

Results showed the mt-sRNA test sensitivity for detecting CRC was 94%, sensitivity for detecting advanced adenomas was 46%, and specificity for no lesions on colonoscopy was 88%. Further analysis revealed the mt-sRNA test showed significant improvement in sensitivity for CRC (94% vs 78%; McNemar P = .01) and advanced adenomas (46% vs 29%; McNemar P <.001) compared with results of the FIT.