Meta-analysis of the Therapeutic Impact of Cannabinoids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: With the increasing legalization of medical and recreational cannabis, patients and providers have growing interest in the role of cannabinoids in treating inflammatory bowel disease. Prior meta-analysis has shown inconclusive evidence for efficacy of cannabinoids. We sought to produce an up-to-date meta-analysis that pools new data to evaluate the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids in both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Adverse Events and Compliance Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Treated With Home- vs Office-Based Biologic Infusions.

Background: Biologic medications are a common therapy for those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are limited data on the outcomes of home-based biologic infusions for patients with IBD. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of biologic infusions for IBD patients who receive either home- or office-based administration.

The Safety of the Re-Opening of an Academic Medical Center Outpatient Endoscopy Unit During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread globally leading to over 3,700,000 deaths. As COVID-19 cases stabilized, the re-opening of endoscopy centers potentially exposed patients and healthcare workers to viral infection. This study aims to determine risk of COVID-19 exposure among patients undergoing outpatient endoscopies in a tertiary care setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pathogenesis and Clinical Management of Stricturing Crohn Disease.

Stricturing of the gastrointestinal tract is a common complication in Crohn disease and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among this population. The inflammatory process initiates fibrosis, leading to aberrant wound healing and excess deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Our understanding of this process has grown and encompasses cellular mechanisms, epigenetic modifications, and inherent genetic predisposition toward fibrosis.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Noninvasive Tests to Detect Advanced Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients With Hepatitis C and End-Stage Renal Disease.

Background & Aims: For patients with liver disease from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection complicated by end-stage renal disease (ESRD), it is important to assess liver fibrosis before kidney transplantation. We evaluated the accuracy of non-invasive tests to identify advanced hepatic fibrosis in patients with HCV and ESRD.

Methods: In a retrospective study, we collected data on ratio of aspartate aminotransferase:alanine aminotransferase (AST:ALT), AST platelet ratio index (APRI), FIB-4 score, fibrosis index score, and King's score from 139 patients with ESRD and HCV infection (mean age, 52.

Contralateral recurrence of aggressive fibromatosis in a young woman: A case report and review of the literature.

Aggressive fibromatosis (AF) is a benign non-encapsulated tumor of mesenchymal origin, with a tendency for local spread along fascial planes. Local invasion can lead to extensive morbidity and even mortality due to destruction of the bones, organs and soft tissues. This rare lesion is observed 1,000 times more frequently in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis or Gardner's syndrome due to the inheritance of the adenomatous polyposis coli () gene.