Patient Perspectives

Patient's perspective
"I have been trying very hard over the last few weeks to not lose sight of how far I have come in the last three years. It is quite easy to get all consumed by the daily chore of continually coping with the ups and downs. My surgeon Anil Vaidya is very good at keeping me in the moment. Goal setting for today and not worrying about tomorrow. However if I am totally honest in my quiet moments you cannot help but think about tomorrow." -- blog post from Michael on Being a Patient isn't Easy

CDC: Inadequate follow-up screening common among HCV infections
CDC officials reported Tuesday that only half of U.S. patients with hepatitis C antibodies identified receive follow-up testing to determine if they are still infected. "Complete testing is critical to ensure that those who are infected receive the care and treatment for hepatitis C that they need in order to prevent liver cancer and other serious and potentially deadly health consequences," said CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden. Reuters (5/7), HealthDay News (5/7)

Guide to Healthy Living

Fluid intake plays key role in constipation, study finds
Surveys of more than 8,000 men and women found exercise and fiber intake levels were not predictors for constipation, but fluid intake did play a role, according to a study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Researchers from the VA Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala., found higher rates of constipation among people who had the lowest intake of fluids, compared with those who had the highest intake.  Reuters (5/7)

Gluten-free diets can lead to fiber deficiency, RDs say
People who adopt a gluten-free diet often do not get enough fiber and can become constipated, registered dietitians said. Manufacturers of gluten-free foods have been adding fiber to products, but RDs such as Marlisa Brown recommend incorporating natural fiber sources, such as beans or flaxseeds. Today's Dietitian (5/2013)

Calories trump taste in food decisions, study says
Foods with calories trigger more brain responses linked to eating than calorie-free foods do, regardless of whether they taste better, Yale University researchers reported in Current Biology. The study team said two separate brain circuits are activated during eating: one that governs whether people like food and one that responds to changes in blood glucose levels. Popular Science (5/6)

Millions of seniors delay refills, skip doses to manage costs
The cost of prescription drugs is a constant concern for 37% of Medicare Part D beneficiaries, according to survey data. Nearly 20% of seniors said they had managed the cost of medication by making sacrifices like skipping doses or delaying filling a prescription. Drug Store News (5/7)

Other News

Diagnosis & Treatment

Joint replacement patients may need PPIs, study finds
Total hip or knee replacement surgery appears to put patients at higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, researchers reported in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. The study found the use of proton pump inhibitors reduced the six-week risk of bleeding following hip replacement and may be indicated for such patients. Healio/Orthopedics Today (5/7)

Study finds LAP-BAND safe, effective for obese patients
A study showed the LAP-BAND adjustable gastric banding system helped boost excess weight loss and improve commorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes in obese patients with a BMI between 30 and 40. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (5/7)

Policy Watch

Slower rise in cost of care could save U.S. $770B by 2021
Recent slower growth in medical spending may be a long-lasting trend due to structural changes that could save the U.S. hundreds of billions of dollars, two studies in the journal Health Affairs found. Changes such as increased use of generic drugs, more efficient care and patients taking on a greater share of out-of-pocket costs could lead to $770 billion in savings by 2021 if they curb growth for good. Slower growth from 2009 to 2011 appears to be mostly due to factors that go beyond the economy, researchers said. Bloomberg Businessweek (5/7), Reuters (5/6)

Congress' cost-saving ideas for Medicare cut enrollment
A RAND Corp. study found that three ideas being considered by Congress to reduce Medicare spending would each cut enrollment by 2% to 14%. The proposals include raising eligibility to age 67, using vouchers and imposing a premium on hospital coverage. "Each of these policies can save money for the Medicare program," lead researcher Christine Eibner said. "The question is what to do about those people who lose Medicare as the cost rises or they are excluded." The Hill/Healthwatch blog (5/6)

Hospitals charge highly variable prices, CMS data show
Hospitals charge the government vastly different prices for the same procedure performed on Medicare patients, CMS data show, and often people who are uninsured bear the heaviest cost burden under the system. Experts say the data fuel questions about how providers determine prices for care. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (5/8), NBC News/Vitals blog (5/8)

The Last Word

News and information from the American College of Gastroenterology

Obesity: Do you know your GI risks?
Do you weigh more than you should? Losing weight is more than about looking good, it is about being healthy. If your goal is to shed excess pounds, you're not alone. Millions of people suffer from obesity, which, if left untreated, could potentially lead to serious health problems. From ACG, Obesity: Do You Know Your GI Risks? will provide you information about obesity, its dangers, what you can do to improve your health and tools and tips to help you succeed.

SmartQuote

To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them." -- Charles-Louis de Montesquieu, French political thinker Share: