ACG Hosts Annual Meeting with World Gastroenterology Organisation

— Thousands gather in Orlando for latest GI news, trends

MedicalToday

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ORLANDO -- New research on the impact of opioids on C. difficile patients, probiotics for children with chronic constipation, and worldwide inflammatory bowel disease incidence are among the highlights of the , which will be held here October 13-18 at the Orange County Convention Center.

More than 5,000 gastroenterologists and other healthcare professionals from nearly 70 countries are expected to attend the meeting, co-hosted by the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO). They'll discover the latest in gastroenterology and hepatology research and learn how they can use the findings to improve their practices back home.

"This will be the first time in more than 20 years that the World Congress will be held in the U.S.," ACG President Carol A. Burke, MD, of Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and WGO President David J. Bjorkman, MD, of the University of Utah, noted in a . "The meeting will provide state-of-the-art education and science by a global faculty focusing on a world-view of GI and hepatology diseases and treatments and will afford attendees an opportunity to present their research in an international forum."

Another meeting first is that many conference sessions will offer Spanish interpretation.

ACG said 2017 was a record-breaking year for abstract submissions, with more than 2,600 posters and oral presentations.

One highly anticipated event is a presentation on the first-known national survey of burnout in gastroenterologists. "Now is the critical time to address burnout in our specialty in order to preserve the future pipeline of gastroenterologists," said Burke, the lead study author.

Among other expected meeting highlights:

  • Rising colon cancer rates in women younger than 50
  • The best time of day to schedule a colonoscopy
  • Risks of certain GI conditions and diseases among smokers
  • Detecting Barrett's esophagus via a non-invasive "electronic nose" device
  • "Weekend effect" in patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage
  • Safety and efficacy of dupilumab (Dupixent) for adults with active eosinophilic esophagitis