Digestive Disease Week 2021 (DDW 2021)

Prednisone, but not biologic use, tied to increased COVID-19 severity

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210728180001

Use of prednisone prior to SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis may be linked to a higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes such as hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death, according to a retrospective community-based study.

Extension studies highlight ozanimod safety in moderate-to-severe UC

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210629180001

An analysis of patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) highlighted the general safety of the oral sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor 1 and 5 modulator ozanimod, according to a presentation at Digestive Disease Week 2021.

‘Sporebiotics’ reduce FD symptoms

Elvira Manzano, 20210623163000

Spore-forming probiotics, otherwise termed “sporebiotics”, may help reduce post-prandial gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as bloating and epigastric pain in individuals with functional dyspepsia (FD), says an expert at DDW 2021.

Semaglutide on top of ESG boosts weight loss in diabetes

Elvira Manzano, 20210623120000

Once-weekly injection of the GLP-1* agonist semaglutide, on top of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), led to a greater weight loss and better glucose control vs ESG alone in patients with diabetes and excess weight but are not candidates for bariatric surgery, a new study has shown.

Could UDCA after bariatric surgery reduce gallstones?

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210611180001

In obese patients without gallstones, a 6-month treatment course of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) following bariatric surgery may reduce their likelihood of developing symptomatic gallstones, according to findings of the UPGRADE trial from The Netherlands presented at DDW 2021.