— News and commentary from the world of gastroenterology and hepatology
by Ian Ingram, Managing Editor, MedPage Today
October 15, 2026 • 2 min read
Researchers found that late-night eating -- after dinner or bedtime -- was associated with a 28% increased risk for liver cirrhosisopens in a new tab or window and a 36% higher risk for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). (Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)
Meanwhile, U.K. Biobank data on MASLD patients showed that each 1% reduction in body weight was associated with a 9% increase in MASLD resolutionopens in a new tab or window over 4 years of median follow-up. (Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)
Including abnormal left ventricular mass into end-stage liver disease scoring systems may better predict morbidity and mortalityopens in a new tab or window in kids with cirrhosis. (Journal of Hepatology)
Experts reviewed alcohol-associated liver diseaseopens in a new tab or window, the latest approaches to reflux testingopens in a new tab or window, and strategies to develop therapeutic pancreatic cancer vaccinesopens in a new tab or window. (Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, American Journal of Gastroenterology, Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology)
Timing of a depression diagnosisopens in a new tab or window differed among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. (Journal of Psychosomatic Research)
Prenatal or early-life pet or farm animal exposureopens in a new tab or window did not appear to influence inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) risk, according to a nationwide Danish cohort study. (Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)
Does the efficacy of advanced therapies for Crohn's disease differ by disease location? A meta-analysis weighed inopens in a new tab or window. (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases)
Patients with non-esophageal gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS, functional dyspepsia, or constipation were roughly twice as likely to have symptoms of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorderopens in a new tab or window versus those with esophageal disorders (24% vs 11%). (Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)
In a single-center study, tobacco use was associated with more fecal incontinence severityopens in a new tab or window along with anorectal sensorimotor dysfunction. (American Journal of Gastroenterology)
Diffuse esophageal eosinophilia involvement in eosinophilic esophagitis may signal a more severe disease courseopens in a new tab or window, a cohort study indicated. (Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)
The CDC is allocating new grant fundingopens in a new tab or window to a formerly suspended hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau that experts say is unethical. (Rolling Stone)
Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau officials say they haven't approved the controversial hepatitis B vaccine trialopens in a new tab or window, which aims to track outcomes like mortality and neurodevelopmental outcomes. (The Guardian)
In a phase Ib, placebo-controlled gluten-challenge trial involving patients with celiac disease, treatment with an investigational CD122 antagonist was associated with less gluten-induced intestinal damage and symptoms, maker First Tracks Biotherapeutics announcedopens in a new tab or window.
Looking for more? Check out MedPage Today's coverage of the top research from the 2026 American College of Gastroenterology annual meetingopens in a new tab or window.