Do potassium-competitive acid blockers have a role to play in the management of patients with acid peptic disorders? This question is explored in a review article in this month’s issue of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. As Dr Natalie Wong, Dr Alexander Reddy, and Dr Amit Patel note, potassium-competitive acid blockers are a new and promising class of acid suppressants. The authors examine the mechanism of action and safety of these novel drugs. In addition, the authors compare potassium-competitive acid blockers with proton pump inhibitors, which have shown favorable efficacy and safety in acid peptic disorders and are widely available and used in clinical practice. The authors also review recent research on the use of potassium-competitive acid blockers in different settings, including nonerosive reflux disease, erosive esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and peptic ulcer disease, as well as in first- and second-line Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy.
As part of our Case Study Series in IBD section, Mr Timothy McAuliffe, Dr Corey A. Siegel, and Dr Jessica K. Salwen-Deremer present a patient with inflammatory bowel disease and a history of anorexia nervosa who suffers from medication nonadherence. This case demonstrates the benefits of integrating multidisciplinary health care providers for managing patients with inflammatory bowel disease, identifying psychosocial risk factors in behaviors that interfere with disease, and using psychology-driven strategies as part of disease management.
Our HCC in Focus column explores the use of abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging to detect early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Dr Neehar Parikh’s discussion includes the sensitivity and specificity of this modality, which patients benefit most, issues involving cost, different abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging protocols, and whether there is an optimal protocol and interval. He also provides several accompanying images of hepatocellular carcinoma seen on abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging protocols.
Our Advances in Hepatology column focuses on the utility of assessing gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in patients who have primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Dr Alessio Gerussi discusses different causes of GGT elevations, typical GGT increases in patients with PBC, and the correlation between GGT and alkaline phosphatase. He also discusses a recent study that he and his colleagues conducted that showed the prognostic value of GGT in patients who have PBC.
Finally, this issue also features our Best of 2022 article, which was originally published in our August 2022 issue. Dr Priscila Santiago, Dr Manuel B. Braga-Neto, and Dr Edward V. Loftus Jr presented a comprehensive overview of emerging therapies for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in a number of different drug classes. This review article was selected and is being presented again by the staff of Gastroenterology & Hepatology because of the great feedback that it received.
As this year comes to an end, I hope that you enjoy all of these articles and find them interesting and useful in your clinical practice.
Sincerely,
Gary R. Lichtenstein, MD, AGAF, FACP, FACG