Falk Gastro Info 11/2023

Daily consumption of green kiwifruits improves constipation and abdominal comfort: This multicenter trial provides evidence that daily consumption of 2 green kiwifruits results in improved bowel movements and improved measures of gastrointestinal comfort.

Frequency of use and outcomes of screening colonoscopy in individuals older than 75 years: In this cross-sectional study with a nested cohort, most screening colonoscopies performed in patients older than 75 years were in patients with limited life expectancy and associated with increased risk of complications.

Pegozafermin for treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): A current phase 2b trial demonstrates that pegozafermin, an analogue of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), leads to a reduction of fibrosis and a resolution of NASH in approximately one quarter of patients.

Novel score to predict liver-related events in the general population: The LiverRisk score, based on age, gender and 6 standard laboratory variables, enables very accurate prediction of future liver-related events. It is superior to the Fibrosis-4 index and could therefore be used for stratification in preventive care.

Novel immunotherapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): A current phase 3 trial demonstrates the superiority of the anti-PD-1 antibody camrelizumab plus the VEGFR2-targeting tyrosine-kinase inhibitor rivoceranib over sorafenib. This combination could therefore be a new effective first-line option in unresectable HCC.

Molecular versus culture-based susceptibility testing for Helicobacter pylori infection: PCR-based molecular testing-guided therapy was similar to susceptibility testing-guided therapy in first-line and non-inferior to susceptibility testing-guided therapy in third-line treatment of H. pylori infection in 2 trials.

Triple-hormone-receptor agonist retatrutide for the treatment of obesity: In adults with obesity, retatrutide treatment for 48 weeks resulted in substantial reductions in body weight in a phase 2 trial.

Oral semaglutide therapy in adults with obesity: In a phase 3 trial (OASIS1), oral semaglutide 50 mg once per day led to a superior and clinically meaningful decrease in body weight compared with placebo in adults with overweight or obesity without type 2 diabetes.

Gut microbiome composition in healthy first-degree relatives and later onset of Crohn’s disease: This prospective cohort study of healthy first-degree relatives of patients with Crohn’s disease demonstrates that gut microbiome composition is associated with future onset of Crohn’s disease and suggests that gut microbiome is a contributor in its pathogenesis.