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2024 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit Explores the Clinical Impacts of the Microbiome
Join global experts in-person or online as they gather for the 2024 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit (GMFH) on March 23-24, 2024, in Washington, DC.
This meeting brings together an international and multidisciplinary community of GI clinicians, dietitians, and researchers to discuss personalized approaches to modifying the gut microbiome to improve health and treat disease.
This year’s program will explore:
- Better health through the gut microbiome.
- Big data and the gut microbiome.
- Human-derived to synthetic communities.
- Bringing new microbiome-based products to market.
Early-career faculty and trainees are encouraged to submit abstracts for presentation during the reception. Five $1,000 abstract prizes are available for top-scoring submissions.
Register here.
Join global experts in-person or online as they gather for the 2024 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit (GMFH) on March 23-24, 2024, in Washington, DC.
This meeting brings together an international and multidisciplinary community of GI clinicians, dietitians, and researchers to discuss personalized approaches to modifying the gut microbiome to improve health and treat disease.
This year’s program will explore:
- Better health through the gut microbiome.
- Big data and the gut microbiome.
- Human-derived to synthetic communities.
- Bringing new microbiome-based products to market.
Early-career faculty and trainees are encouraged to submit abstracts for presentation during the reception. Five $1,000 abstract prizes are available for top-scoring submissions.
Register here.
Join global experts in-person or online as they gather for the 2024 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit (GMFH) on March 23-24, 2024, in Washington, DC.
This meeting brings together an international and multidisciplinary community of GI clinicians, dietitians, and researchers to discuss personalized approaches to modifying the gut microbiome to improve health and treat disease.
This year’s program will explore:
- Better health through the gut microbiome.
- Big data and the gut microbiome.
- Human-derived to synthetic communities.
- Bringing new microbiome-based products to market.
Early-career faculty and trainees are encouraged to submit abstracts for presentation during the reception. Five $1,000 abstract prizes are available for top-scoring submissions.
Register here.
Announcing AGA Journal Social Media Editors
AGA journals have welcomed new social media editors for Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH), Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH), Techniques and Innovations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (TIGE) and Gastro Hep Advances (GHA).
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH)
Joseph Sleiman, MD
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Dr. Sleiman’s research interests include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), immunotherapy-induced colitis, Lynch Syndrome surveillance strategies and machine learning for GI research purposes.
Follow Dr. Sleiman
Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH)
Lindsey Kennedy, PhD
Indiana University School of Medicine
Dr. Kennedy’s research interests include the cellular crosstalk and pathological mechanisms regulating biliary and liver damage in cholestatic disorders, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
Follow Dr. Kennedy
Techniques and Innovations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (TIGE)
Judy Trieu, MD, MPH
Washington University Physicians
Dr. Trieu specializes in interventional endoscopy and general gastroenterology.
Follow Dr. Trieu
Gastro Hep Advances (GHA)
Shida Haghighat, MD, MPH
University of Miami
Dr. Haghighat’s research interests center around the prevention and screening of gastrointestinal cancers.
Follow Dr. Haghihat
AGA journals have welcomed new social media editors for Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH), Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH), Techniques and Innovations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (TIGE) and Gastro Hep Advances (GHA).
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH)
Joseph Sleiman, MD
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Dr. Sleiman’s research interests include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), immunotherapy-induced colitis, Lynch Syndrome surveillance strategies and machine learning for GI research purposes.
Follow Dr. Sleiman
Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH)
Lindsey Kennedy, PhD
Indiana University School of Medicine
Dr. Kennedy’s research interests include the cellular crosstalk and pathological mechanisms regulating biliary and liver damage in cholestatic disorders, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
Follow Dr. Kennedy
Techniques and Innovations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (TIGE)
Judy Trieu, MD, MPH
Washington University Physicians
Dr. Trieu specializes in interventional endoscopy and general gastroenterology.
Follow Dr. Trieu
Gastro Hep Advances (GHA)
Shida Haghighat, MD, MPH
University of Miami
Dr. Haghighat’s research interests center around the prevention and screening of gastrointestinal cancers.
Follow Dr. Haghihat
AGA journals have welcomed new social media editors for Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH), Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH), Techniques and Innovations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (TIGE) and Gastro Hep Advances (GHA).
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH)
Joseph Sleiman, MD
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Dr. Sleiman’s research interests include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), immunotherapy-induced colitis, Lynch Syndrome surveillance strategies and machine learning for GI research purposes.
Follow Dr. Sleiman
Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH)
Lindsey Kennedy, PhD
Indiana University School of Medicine
Dr. Kennedy’s research interests include the cellular crosstalk and pathological mechanisms regulating biliary and liver damage in cholestatic disorders, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
Follow Dr. Kennedy
Techniques and Innovations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (TIGE)
Judy Trieu, MD, MPH
Washington University Physicians
Dr. Trieu specializes in interventional endoscopy and general gastroenterology.
Follow Dr. Trieu
Gastro Hep Advances (GHA)
Shida Haghighat, MD, MPH
University of Miami
Dr. Haghighat’s research interests center around the prevention and screening of gastrointestinal cancers.
Follow Dr. Haghihat
2023 AGA Innovation Conference on the Advances in Endosurgery
WASHINGTON, DC — (formerly Consensus Conference) on the Advances in Endosurgery, November 10 – 11. It was organized and chaired by Amrita Sethi, MD, Columbia University Irving Medical Center—NYP and Sri Komanduri, MD, MS, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago.
The conference brought together gastroenterologists (GIs), surgeons, and industry partners to explore what further collaboration and clinical adoption is needed to advance endosurgical applications. Both GIs and surgeons welcomed potential collaboration especially in developing strategies to promote education and training initiatives, including defining what procedures and techniques are to be included in the endosurgery arena. Jeffrey Potkul, Medtronic Endoscopy, noted that this was a “great forum, format, and discussions — it will take novel approaches such as this conference and new collaboration models to ensure technology innovation in the endoluminal space can reach patients and empower improved outcomes in Gastroenterology.”
Topics discussed included third space endoscopy, endobariatric and metabolic endoscopy, and endoscopy related to transluminal access. Exciting new developments in robotic endoscopy were also highlighted with an attempt to understand the value proposition of this innovation in the endoscopy space, as well as successes and failures of past efforts to help guide success going forward. Other issues raised were methods for device development including initiating research studies, how to navigate regulatory processes for Food and Drug Administration approval of new devices, and ongoing issues related to billing and reimbursement. There was consensus around the need for collaboration between all stakeholders to drive innovation and its adoption in the field of endosurgery. This meeting is one of the first of its kind to bring innovators across multiple disciplines together with the intention of moving the entire field of endosurgery forward and encouraging creative solutions.
We would like to thank the members of the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology Committee and attendees who made this year’s conference a success. The conference was supported by independent grants from Boston Scientific Corporation, Cook Medical Inc., Endo Tools Therapeutics, Fujifilm Healthcare Americas Corporation, Intuitive Surgical, Olympus Corporation, and Medtronic.
WASHINGTON, DC — (formerly Consensus Conference) on the Advances in Endosurgery, November 10 – 11. It was organized and chaired by Amrita Sethi, MD, Columbia University Irving Medical Center—NYP and Sri Komanduri, MD, MS, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago.
The conference brought together gastroenterologists (GIs), surgeons, and industry partners to explore what further collaboration and clinical adoption is needed to advance endosurgical applications. Both GIs and surgeons welcomed potential collaboration especially in developing strategies to promote education and training initiatives, including defining what procedures and techniques are to be included in the endosurgery arena. Jeffrey Potkul, Medtronic Endoscopy, noted that this was a “great forum, format, and discussions — it will take novel approaches such as this conference and new collaboration models to ensure technology innovation in the endoluminal space can reach patients and empower improved outcomes in Gastroenterology.”
Topics discussed included third space endoscopy, endobariatric and metabolic endoscopy, and endoscopy related to transluminal access. Exciting new developments in robotic endoscopy were also highlighted with an attempt to understand the value proposition of this innovation in the endoscopy space, as well as successes and failures of past efforts to help guide success going forward. Other issues raised were methods for device development including initiating research studies, how to navigate regulatory processes for Food and Drug Administration approval of new devices, and ongoing issues related to billing and reimbursement. There was consensus around the need for collaboration between all stakeholders to drive innovation and its adoption in the field of endosurgery. This meeting is one of the first of its kind to bring innovators across multiple disciplines together with the intention of moving the entire field of endosurgery forward and encouraging creative solutions.
We would like to thank the members of the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology Committee and attendees who made this year’s conference a success. The conference was supported by independent grants from Boston Scientific Corporation, Cook Medical Inc., Endo Tools Therapeutics, Fujifilm Healthcare Americas Corporation, Intuitive Surgical, Olympus Corporation, and Medtronic.
WASHINGTON, DC — (formerly Consensus Conference) on the Advances in Endosurgery, November 10 – 11. It was organized and chaired by Amrita Sethi, MD, Columbia University Irving Medical Center—NYP and Sri Komanduri, MD, MS, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago.
The conference brought together gastroenterologists (GIs), surgeons, and industry partners to explore what further collaboration and clinical adoption is needed to advance endosurgical applications. Both GIs and surgeons welcomed potential collaboration especially in developing strategies to promote education and training initiatives, including defining what procedures and techniques are to be included in the endosurgery arena. Jeffrey Potkul, Medtronic Endoscopy, noted that this was a “great forum, format, and discussions — it will take novel approaches such as this conference and new collaboration models to ensure technology innovation in the endoluminal space can reach patients and empower improved outcomes in Gastroenterology.”
Topics discussed included third space endoscopy, endobariatric and metabolic endoscopy, and endoscopy related to transluminal access. Exciting new developments in robotic endoscopy were also highlighted with an attempt to understand the value proposition of this innovation in the endoscopy space, as well as successes and failures of past efforts to help guide success going forward. Other issues raised were methods for device development including initiating research studies, how to navigate regulatory processes for Food and Drug Administration approval of new devices, and ongoing issues related to billing and reimbursement. There was consensus around the need for collaboration between all stakeholders to drive innovation and its adoption in the field of endosurgery. This meeting is one of the first of its kind to bring innovators across multiple disciplines together with the intention of moving the entire field of endosurgery forward and encouraging creative solutions.
We would like to thank the members of the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology Committee and attendees who made this year’s conference a success. The conference was supported by independent grants from Boston Scientific Corporation, Cook Medical Inc., Endo Tools Therapeutics, Fujifilm Healthcare Americas Corporation, Intuitive Surgical, Olympus Corporation, and Medtronic.
Memorial and Honorary Gifts: A Special Tribute
Any charitable gift can be made in honor or memory of someone.
- A gift today. An outright gift will help fund the AGA Research Awards Program. Your gift will assist in furthering basic digestive disease research which can ultimately advance research into all digestive diseases. The financial benefits include an income tax deduction and possible elimination of capital gains tax.
- A gift through your will or living trust. You can include a bequest in your will or living trust stating that a specific asset, certain dollar amount, or more commonly a percentage of your estate will pass to the AGA Research Foundation in honor of your loved one.
- AGA Institute program naming opportunities. Individuals interested in receiving name recognition for selected AGA Institute program can do so by contributing a new, unrestricted gift totaling a designated amount to the AGA Research Foundation.
Your next step
An honorary gift is a wonderful way to acknowledge someone’s vision for the future. To learn more about ways to recognize your honoree, visit our website at www.foundation.gastro.org.
Any charitable gift can be made in honor or memory of someone.
- A gift today. An outright gift will help fund the AGA Research Awards Program. Your gift will assist in furthering basic digestive disease research which can ultimately advance research into all digestive diseases. The financial benefits include an income tax deduction and possible elimination of capital gains tax.
- A gift through your will or living trust. You can include a bequest in your will or living trust stating that a specific asset, certain dollar amount, or more commonly a percentage of your estate will pass to the AGA Research Foundation in honor of your loved one.
- AGA Institute program naming opportunities. Individuals interested in receiving name recognition for selected AGA Institute program can do so by contributing a new, unrestricted gift totaling a designated amount to the AGA Research Foundation.
Your next step
An honorary gift is a wonderful way to acknowledge someone’s vision for the future. To learn more about ways to recognize your honoree, visit our website at www.foundation.gastro.org.
Any charitable gift can be made in honor or memory of someone.
- A gift today. An outright gift will help fund the AGA Research Awards Program. Your gift will assist in furthering basic digestive disease research which can ultimately advance research into all digestive diseases. The financial benefits include an income tax deduction and possible elimination of capital gains tax.
- A gift through your will or living trust. You can include a bequest in your will or living trust stating that a specific asset, certain dollar amount, or more commonly a percentage of your estate will pass to the AGA Research Foundation in honor of your loved one.
- AGA Institute program naming opportunities. Individuals interested in receiving name recognition for selected AGA Institute program can do so by contributing a new, unrestricted gift totaling a designated amount to the AGA Research Foundation.
Your next step
An honorary gift is a wonderful way to acknowledge someone’s vision for the future. To learn more about ways to recognize your honoree, visit our website at www.foundation.gastro.org.
AGA provides leadership development for women in GI
As a part of AGA’s ongoing goal to support women in GI and advance gender equity in gastroenterology, we hosted nearly 60 women executives in GI for the inaugural Women’s Executive Leadership Conference held recently in Denver.
– academia, hospital systems, and private practice – for seminars on strengthening leadership skills and career progression, along with opportunities for networking and socializing with other women in the AGA Gastro Squad.
Women on the AGA governing board, including Kim E. Barrett, PhD, AGAF and Sheryl Pfeil, MD, AGAF, led sessions on how to best communicate as a leader and pathways to society leadership. In addition, other leaders such as Aja McCutchen, MD and Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD, shared their best practices for leadership and managing others.
Thank you to Fasiha Kanwal, MD, MSHS, and Aimee Lucas, MD, MS, cochairs of the AGA Women’s Executive Leadership Conference, for leading the weekend, and to everyone who contributed to a productive weekend. Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage with the AGA Gastro Squad.
As a part of AGA’s ongoing goal to support women in GI and advance gender equity in gastroenterology, we hosted nearly 60 women executives in GI for the inaugural Women’s Executive Leadership Conference held recently in Denver.
– academia, hospital systems, and private practice – for seminars on strengthening leadership skills and career progression, along with opportunities for networking and socializing with other women in the AGA Gastro Squad.
Women on the AGA governing board, including Kim E. Barrett, PhD, AGAF and Sheryl Pfeil, MD, AGAF, led sessions on how to best communicate as a leader and pathways to society leadership. In addition, other leaders such as Aja McCutchen, MD and Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD, shared their best practices for leadership and managing others.
Thank you to Fasiha Kanwal, MD, MSHS, and Aimee Lucas, MD, MS, cochairs of the AGA Women’s Executive Leadership Conference, for leading the weekend, and to everyone who contributed to a productive weekend. Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage with the AGA Gastro Squad.
As a part of AGA’s ongoing goal to support women in GI and advance gender equity in gastroenterology, we hosted nearly 60 women executives in GI for the inaugural Women’s Executive Leadership Conference held recently in Denver.
– academia, hospital systems, and private practice – for seminars on strengthening leadership skills and career progression, along with opportunities for networking and socializing with other women in the AGA Gastro Squad.
Women on the AGA governing board, including Kim E. Barrett, PhD, AGAF and Sheryl Pfeil, MD, AGAF, led sessions on how to best communicate as a leader and pathways to society leadership. In addition, other leaders such as Aja McCutchen, MD and Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD, shared their best practices for leadership and managing others.
Thank you to Fasiha Kanwal, MD, MSHS, and Aimee Lucas, MD, MS, cochairs of the AGA Women’s Executive Leadership Conference, for leading the weekend, and to everyone who contributed to a productive weekend. Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage with the AGA Gastro Squad.
A letter from Michael Camilleri, MD, DSc, AGAF, AGA Research Foundation chair and past AGA Institute president
And you understand the tremendous value of research to advance patient care.
We are in a time of major scientific breakthroughs; however, there is a growing gap in federal funding for research. Without gastroenterology and hepatology research, there would be no discoveries to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of digestive diseases.
The AGA Research Foundation funds promising GI investigators who don’t receive funding at crucial times in their early careers. The research of these talented individuals, while important to the field, could end prematurely if they are left unfunded. That’s something the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology can’t afford, and that’s why, as an AGA member, I’m making a year-end donation to the AGA Research Foundation. You can help fill the funding gap and protect the next generation of investigators by joining me in supporting the AGA Research Foundation through a personal year-end gift.
Gifts to the AGA Research Foundation this past year directly supported 71 investigators. Despite this success, close to 245 other promising research proposals were not funded.
We must continue to foster the careers of talented scientists and clinicians, and protect the GI research pipeline. A financial contribution to the AGA Research Foundation is the opportunity for you to help foster the careers of talented scientists and protect the GI research pipeline.
Help make a difference. You can make your tax-deductible donation online at www.gastro.org/donateonline; by phone at 301-222-4002; or, by mail:
AGA Research Foundation
4930 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of U.S. law.
Thank you for your support and best wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season and prosperous New Year.
And you understand the tremendous value of research to advance patient care.
We are in a time of major scientific breakthroughs; however, there is a growing gap in federal funding for research. Without gastroenterology and hepatology research, there would be no discoveries to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of digestive diseases.
The AGA Research Foundation funds promising GI investigators who don’t receive funding at crucial times in their early careers. The research of these talented individuals, while important to the field, could end prematurely if they are left unfunded. That’s something the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology can’t afford, and that’s why, as an AGA member, I’m making a year-end donation to the AGA Research Foundation. You can help fill the funding gap and protect the next generation of investigators by joining me in supporting the AGA Research Foundation through a personal year-end gift.
Gifts to the AGA Research Foundation this past year directly supported 71 investigators. Despite this success, close to 245 other promising research proposals were not funded.
We must continue to foster the careers of talented scientists and clinicians, and protect the GI research pipeline. A financial contribution to the AGA Research Foundation is the opportunity for you to help foster the careers of talented scientists and protect the GI research pipeline.
Help make a difference. You can make your tax-deductible donation online at www.gastro.org/donateonline; by phone at 301-222-4002; or, by mail:
AGA Research Foundation
4930 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of U.S. law.
Thank you for your support and best wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season and prosperous New Year.
And you understand the tremendous value of research to advance patient care.
We are in a time of major scientific breakthroughs; however, there is a growing gap in federal funding for research. Without gastroenterology and hepatology research, there would be no discoveries to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of digestive diseases.
The AGA Research Foundation funds promising GI investigators who don’t receive funding at crucial times in their early careers. The research of these talented individuals, while important to the field, could end prematurely if they are left unfunded. That’s something the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology can’t afford, and that’s why, as an AGA member, I’m making a year-end donation to the AGA Research Foundation. You can help fill the funding gap and protect the next generation of investigators by joining me in supporting the AGA Research Foundation through a personal year-end gift.
Gifts to the AGA Research Foundation this past year directly supported 71 investigators. Despite this success, close to 245 other promising research proposals were not funded.
We must continue to foster the careers of talented scientists and clinicians, and protect the GI research pipeline. A financial contribution to the AGA Research Foundation is the opportunity for you to help foster the careers of talented scientists and protect the GI research pipeline.
Help make a difference. You can make your tax-deductible donation online at www.gastro.org/donateonline; by phone at 301-222-4002; or, by mail:
AGA Research Foundation
4930 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of U.S. law.
Thank you for your support and best wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season and prosperous New Year.
New AGA podcast series explores the latest in C. difficile
AGA’s new on-demand program, “C. difficile: Preparing the Field for Change,” is a six-part podcast series that outlines effective approaches to patient-centered care that will transform your practice.
Each 30-minute episode delves into a different topic – from microbiome therapy and FMT to documenting patient history – that will help you improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.
Tune in and subscribe to our channel Inside Scope wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple or Google). To claim CME credit for listening, visit AGA University (agau.gastro.org).
Episode breakdown
Risk factors
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna cover risk factors for initial and recurrent C. difficile infection.
Microbiota changes
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna describe the shifts in the microbiota with C. difficile infection.
Reconciling guideline differences for testing and treatment
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guest Dr. Colleen Kelly to discuss how to reconcile guideline differences for testing and treatment of C. difficile.
Case management and transitions of care
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guests Rebecca Perez and Cheri Lattimer to discuss case management and transitions of care in C. difficile infection.
Impact of rCDI on patients and their lives
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guests Dr. Kevin Garey and a patient to discuss the impact of recurrent CDI on patients and their lives.
FMT and new microbiome therapies
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guest Dr. Jessica Allegretti to discuss FMT and new microbiome therapies.
This series is supported by educational grants from Aimmune Therapeutics, Seres Therapeutics, and Ferring Pharmaceuticals.
AGA’s new on-demand program, “C. difficile: Preparing the Field for Change,” is a six-part podcast series that outlines effective approaches to patient-centered care that will transform your practice.
Each 30-minute episode delves into a different topic – from microbiome therapy and FMT to documenting patient history – that will help you improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.
Tune in and subscribe to our channel Inside Scope wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple or Google). To claim CME credit for listening, visit AGA University (agau.gastro.org).
Episode breakdown
Risk factors
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna cover risk factors for initial and recurrent C. difficile infection.
Microbiota changes
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna describe the shifts in the microbiota with C. difficile infection.
Reconciling guideline differences for testing and treatment
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guest Dr. Colleen Kelly to discuss how to reconcile guideline differences for testing and treatment of C. difficile.
Case management and transitions of care
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guests Rebecca Perez and Cheri Lattimer to discuss case management and transitions of care in C. difficile infection.
Impact of rCDI on patients and their lives
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guests Dr. Kevin Garey and a patient to discuss the impact of recurrent CDI on patients and their lives.
FMT and new microbiome therapies
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guest Dr. Jessica Allegretti to discuss FMT and new microbiome therapies.
This series is supported by educational grants from Aimmune Therapeutics, Seres Therapeutics, and Ferring Pharmaceuticals.
AGA’s new on-demand program, “C. difficile: Preparing the Field for Change,” is a six-part podcast series that outlines effective approaches to patient-centered care that will transform your practice.
Each 30-minute episode delves into a different topic – from microbiome therapy and FMT to documenting patient history – that will help you improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.
Tune in and subscribe to our channel Inside Scope wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple or Google). To claim CME credit for listening, visit AGA University (agau.gastro.org).
Episode breakdown
Risk factors
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna cover risk factors for initial and recurrent C. difficile infection.
Microbiota changes
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna describe the shifts in the microbiota with C. difficile infection.
Reconciling guideline differences for testing and treatment
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guest Dr. Colleen Kelly to discuss how to reconcile guideline differences for testing and treatment of C. difficile.
Case management and transitions of care
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guests Rebecca Perez and Cheri Lattimer to discuss case management and transitions of care in C. difficile infection.
Impact of rCDI on patients and their lives
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guests Dr. Kevin Garey and a patient to discuss the impact of recurrent CDI on patients and their lives.
FMT and new microbiome therapies
Dr. Paul Feuerstadt and Dr. Sahil Khanna are joined by guest Dr. Jessica Allegretti to discuss FMT and new microbiome therapies.
This series is supported by educational grants from Aimmune Therapeutics, Seres Therapeutics, and Ferring Pharmaceuticals.
Talking to your patients: Colorectal cancer screening starts at age 45
Your patients may be confused by conflicting guidance about when to start getting screened for colorectal cancer (CRC). AGA stands firmly behind our Multi-Society Task Force on CRC recommendations, and those of the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce, the American Cancer Society, and other national medical societies and advocacy organizations, that colorectal cancer screening for average risk individuals should start at age 45.
But
View the talking points below to help your patients understand screening guidelines and why they need to get screened for colorectal cancer.
One outlier medical group says colorectal cancer screening can wait until age 50, but the consensus of the government and multiple expert groups, including the American Gastroenterological Association, is that getting screened starting at age 45 could save your life.
Colorectal cancer will be the leading cause of cancer-related death among 20- to 49-year-olds by 2030. Putting off screening until age 50 is a grave mistake.
Screening for colorectal cancer can help find polyps in your colon and rectum early, sometimes even before they become cancer. A polyp is a mushroom-like or flat growth on the inside wall of your colon or rectum. Polyps grow slowly over many years and not all turn into cancer. I can remove these growths, which might mean that I can help stop the cancer before it starts, remove tissue that shows cancer, or let us start treatment early if cancer has already started.
There are several tests for colorectal cancer screening, including colonoscopy, but there are also tests that are noninvasive, meaning they don’t need tools that enter your body. Let’s talk about each test and which one you feel most comfortable using.
For more resources to share with your patients, visit the AGA GI Patient Center.
Your patients may be confused by conflicting guidance about when to start getting screened for colorectal cancer (CRC). AGA stands firmly behind our Multi-Society Task Force on CRC recommendations, and those of the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce, the American Cancer Society, and other national medical societies and advocacy organizations, that colorectal cancer screening for average risk individuals should start at age 45.
But
View the talking points below to help your patients understand screening guidelines and why they need to get screened for colorectal cancer.
One outlier medical group says colorectal cancer screening can wait until age 50, but the consensus of the government and multiple expert groups, including the American Gastroenterological Association, is that getting screened starting at age 45 could save your life.
Colorectal cancer will be the leading cause of cancer-related death among 20- to 49-year-olds by 2030. Putting off screening until age 50 is a grave mistake.
Screening for colorectal cancer can help find polyps in your colon and rectum early, sometimes even before they become cancer. A polyp is a mushroom-like or flat growth on the inside wall of your colon or rectum. Polyps grow slowly over many years and not all turn into cancer. I can remove these growths, which might mean that I can help stop the cancer before it starts, remove tissue that shows cancer, or let us start treatment early if cancer has already started.
There are several tests for colorectal cancer screening, including colonoscopy, but there are also tests that are noninvasive, meaning they don’t need tools that enter your body. Let’s talk about each test and which one you feel most comfortable using.
For more resources to share with your patients, visit the AGA GI Patient Center.
Your patients may be confused by conflicting guidance about when to start getting screened for colorectal cancer (CRC). AGA stands firmly behind our Multi-Society Task Force on CRC recommendations, and those of the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce, the American Cancer Society, and other national medical societies and advocacy organizations, that colorectal cancer screening for average risk individuals should start at age 45.
But
View the talking points below to help your patients understand screening guidelines and why they need to get screened for colorectal cancer.
One outlier medical group says colorectal cancer screening can wait until age 50, but the consensus of the government and multiple expert groups, including the American Gastroenterological Association, is that getting screened starting at age 45 could save your life.
Colorectal cancer will be the leading cause of cancer-related death among 20- to 49-year-olds by 2030. Putting off screening until age 50 is a grave mistake.
Screening for colorectal cancer can help find polyps in your colon and rectum early, sometimes even before they become cancer. A polyp is a mushroom-like or flat growth on the inside wall of your colon or rectum. Polyps grow slowly over many years and not all turn into cancer. I can remove these growths, which might mean that I can help stop the cancer before it starts, remove tissue that shows cancer, or let us start treatment early if cancer has already started.
There are several tests for colorectal cancer screening, including colonoscopy, but there are also tests that are noninvasive, meaning they don’t need tools that enter your body. Let’s talk about each test and which one you feel most comfortable using.
For more resources to share with your patients, visit the AGA GI Patient Center.
AGA patient and physician advocates visit Capitol Hill to push for prior authorization reform
In our first in-person Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill since 2019, AGA leaders and patient advocates from 22 total states met with House and Senate offices to educate members of Congress and their staff about policies affecting GI patient care such as prior authorization and step therapy. Federal research funding and Medicare reimbursement were also on the agenda.
In the meetings, the patient shared their stories of living with various gastrointestinal diseases, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and the struggles they’ve gone through to get treatments approved by their insurers. AGA physicians shared the provider perspective of how policies like prior authorization negatively impact practices. According to a 2023 AGA member survey, 95% of respondents say that prior authorization restrictions have impacted patient access to clinically appropriate treatments and patient clinical outcomes and 84% described that the burden associated with prior authorization policies have increased “significantly” or “somewhat” over the last 5 years. AGA’s advocacy day came not long after UnitedHealthcare’s announcement of a new “Gold Card” prior authorization policy to be implemented in 2024, which will impact most colonoscopies and endoscopies for its 27 million commercial beneficiaries. The group expressed serious concerns about the proposed policy to lawmakers. 
“It was a wonderful and empowering experience to share my personal story with my Representative/Senator and know that they were really listening to my concerns about insurer overreach,” said Aaron Blocker, a Crohn’s disease patient and advocate. “I hope Congress acts swiftly on passing prior authorization reform, so no more patients are forced to live in pain while they wait for treatments to be approved.” As gastroenterologists, too much administrative time is spent submitting onerous prior authorization requests on a near daily basis. We hope Congress takes our concerns seriously and comes together to rein in prior authorization.
AGA thanks the patient and physician advocates who participated in this year’s Advocacy Day and looks forward to continuing our work to ensure timely access to care.
In our first in-person Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill since 2019, AGA leaders and patient advocates from 22 total states met with House and Senate offices to educate members of Congress and their staff about policies affecting GI patient care such as prior authorization and step therapy. Federal research funding and Medicare reimbursement were also on the agenda.
In the meetings, the patient shared their stories of living with various gastrointestinal diseases, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and the struggles they’ve gone through to get treatments approved by their insurers. AGA physicians shared the provider perspective of how policies like prior authorization negatively impact practices. According to a 2023 AGA member survey, 95% of respondents say that prior authorization restrictions have impacted patient access to clinically appropriate treatments and patient clinical outcomes and 84% described that the burden associated with prior authorization policies have increased “significantly” or “somewhat” over the last 5 years. AGA’s advocacy day came not long after UnitedHealthcare’s announcement of a new “Gold Card” prior authorization policy to be implemented in 2024, which will impact most colonoscopies and endoscopies for its 27 million commercial beneficiaries. The group expressed serious concerns about the proposed policy to lawmakers.
“It was a wonderful and empowering experience to share my personal story with my Representative/Senator and know that they were really listening to my concerns about insurer overreach,” said Aaron Blocker, a Crohn’s disease patient and advocate. “I hope Congress acts swiftly on passing prior authorization reform, so no more patients are forced to live in pain while they wait for treatments to be approved.” As gastroenterologists, too much administrative time is spent submitting onerous prior authorization requests on a near daily basis. We hope Congress takes our concerns seriously and comes together to rein in prior authorization.
AGA thanks the patient and physician advocates who participated in this year’s Advocacy Day and looks forward to continuing our work to ensure timely access to care.
In our first in-person Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill since 2019, AGA leaders and patient advocates from 22 total states met with House and Senate offices to educate members of Congress and their staff about policies affecting GI patient care such as prior authorization and step therapy. Federal research funding and Medicare reimbursement were also on the agenda.
In the meetings, the patient shared their stories of living with various gastrointestinal diseases, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and the struggles they’ve gone through to get treatments approved by their insurers. AGA physicians shared the provider perspective of how policies like prior authorization negatively impact practices. According to a 2023 AGA member survey, 95% of respondents say that prior authorization restrictions have impacted patient access to clinically appropriate treatments and patient clinical outcomes and 84% described that the burden associated with prior authorization policies have increased “significantly” or “somewhat” over the last 5 years. AGA’s advocacy day came not long after UnitedHealthcare’s announcement of a new “Gold Card” prior authorization policy to be implemented in 2024, which will impact most colonoscopies and endoscopies for its 27 million commercial beneficiaries. The group expressed serious concerns about the proposed policy to lawmakers.
“It was a wonderful and empowering experience to share my personal story with my Representative/Senator and know that they were really listening to my concerns about insurer overreach,” said Aaron Blocker, a Crohn’s disease patient and advocate. “I hope Congress acts swiftly on passing prior authorization reform, so no more patients are forced to live in pain while they wait for treatments to be approved.” As gastroenterologists, too much administrative time is spent submitting onerous prior authorization requests on a near daily basis. We hope Congress takes our concerns seriously and comes together to rein in prior authorization.
AGA thanks the patient and physician advocates who participated in this year’s Advocacy Day and looks forward to continuing our work to ensure timely access to care.
Rethinking how we promote cancer screening?
Except possibly for colorectal cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy, common cancer screening tests do not extend life, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
The study, which was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 long-term randomized clinical trials involving 2.1 million individuals, found that colorectal cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy prolonged lifetime by 110 days, while fecal testing and mammography screening did not prolong life. An extension of 37 days was noted for prostate cancer screening with prostate-specific antigen testing and 107 days with lung cancer screening using CT. The study involved more than 1 decade of follow-up reporting all-cause mortality of people who had undergone mammography screening for breast cancer; colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or fecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer; CT screening for lung cancer in smokers and former smokers; or prostate-specific antigen testing for prostate cancer.
The study received a fair amount of attention in the press, but
“Cancer prevention and earlier stage diagnoses through colorectal cancer screening provides significant morbidity and cost benefits, even if all-cause mortality is not reduced,” said Lawrence Kim, MD, AGAF, AGA vice president.
The authors of the study, who were led by Michael Bretthauer, MD, PhD, of the Clinical Effectiveness Research Group, University of Oslo, are not suggesting that cancer screenings be abandoned. However, they do suggest that “organizations, institutions, and policy makers who promote cancer screening tests by their effect to save lives may find other ways of encouraging screening. It might be wise to reconsider priorities and dispassionately inform interested people about the absolute benefits, harms, and burden of screening tests that they consider undertaking.”
Except possibly for colorectal cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy, common cancer screening tests do not extend life, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
The study, which was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 long-term randomized clinical trials involving 2.1 million individuals, found that colorectal cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy prolonged lifetime by 110 days, while fecal testing and mammography screening did not prolong life. An extension of 37 days was noted for prostate cancer screening with prostate-specific antigen testing and 107 days with lung cancer screening using CT. The study involved more than 1 decade of follow-up reporting all-cause mortality of people who had undergone mammography screening for breast cancer; colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or fecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer; CT screening for lung cancer in smokers and former smokers; or prostate-specific antigen testing for prostate cancer.
The study received a fair amount of attention in the press, but
“Cancer prevention and earlier stage diagnoses through colorectal cancer screening provides significant morbidity and cost benefits, even if all-cause mortality is not reduced,” said Lawrence Kim, MD, AGAF, AGA vice president.
The authors of the study, who were led by Michael Bretthauer, MD, PhD, of the Clinical Effectiveness Research Group, University of Oslo, are not suggesting that cancer screenings be abandoned. However, they do suggest that “organizations, institutions, and policy makers who promote cancer screening tests by their effect to save lives may find other ways of encouraging screening. It might be wise to reconsider priorities and dispassionately inform interested people about the absolute benefits, harms, and burden of screening tests that they consider undertaking.”
Except possibly for colorectal cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy, common cancer screening tests do not extend life, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
The study, which was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 long-term randomized clinical trials involving 2.1 million individuals, found that colorectal cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy prolonged lifetime by 110 days, while fecal testing and mammography screening did not prolong life. An extension of 37 days was noted for prostate cancer screening with prostate-specific antigen testing and 107 days with lung cancer screening using CT. The study involved more than 1 decade of follow-up reporting all-cause mortality of people who had undergone mammography screening for breast cancer; colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or fecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer; CT screening for lung cancer in smokers and former smokers; or prostate-specific antigen testing for prostate cancer.
The study received a fair amount of attention in the press, but
“Cancer prevention and earlier stage diagnoses through colorectal cancer screening provides significant morbidity and cost benefits, even if all-cause mortality is not reduced,” said Lawrence Kim, MD, AGAF, AGA vice president.
The authors of the study, who were led by Michael Bretthauer, MD, PhD, of the Clinical Effectiveness Research Group, University of Oslo, are not suggesting that cancer screenings be abandoned. However, they do suggest that “organizations, institutions, and policy makers who promote cancer screening tests by their effect to save lives may find other ways of encouraging screening. It might be wise to reconsider priorities and dispassionately inform interested people about the absolute benefits, harms, and burden of screening tests that they consider undertaking.”