This article highlights selected major advances in gastroenterology and hepatology from 2024 that are relevant for internal medicine specialists. In colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, new developments include a head-to-head comparison of different fecal immunochemical tests and a new blood-based DNA screening test, benefits and harms of artificial intelligence-assisted colonoscopy, and adenoma detection rate improvement and risk for cancer. Treatment options for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease now include resmetirom, a recently approved drug for treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe fibrosis, and liver transplantation may now be an option in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases. Also featured are new data on the efficacy of indomethacin and pancreatic stent placement for prevention of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and news on the efficacy and safety of zastaprazan, a new potassium-competitive acid blocker for reflux esophagitis. Finally, a recent randomized trial is highlighted that has dispelled concerns about potential harms of proton-pump inhibitors for stress ulcer prophylaxis in patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation.

GIM/FP/GP: [Formula: see text] Cardiology: [Formula: see text].

Emergency Med: [Formula: see text] GIM/FP/GP: [Formula: see text] Cardiology: [Formula: see text] Critical Care: [Formula: see text] Pulmonology: [Formula: see text].

Obesity is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality with health consequences that crosscut most medical specialties. Despite the emergence of effective and promising new therapies, many impediments to comprehensive obesity care remain. As part of their commitment to improving obesity care, the American College of Physicians (ACP) and its Council of Subspecialty Societies (CSS) held a summit on 24 October 2023 to identify barriers to and opportunities for collaborative action in the domains of physician education, health care policy and care delivery, and addressing weight bias. This report summarizes the summit proceedings and provides a postsummit synthesis from ACP and CSS. Key themes were centered on knowledge, advocacy, action, and compassion, including the need for culture change, paradigm shifts, and stakeholder engagement and collaboration; a focus on empowerment of both clinicians and patients; the importance of knowing patients as people to help address social determinants of health; the need to address learned helplessness; and the importance of embracing artificial intelligence and technology as disruptive innovations. Recommendations for next steps for collaborative action include leveraging and improving already available educational and clinical resources, developing obesity education and care standards that incorporate patients' perspectives and address social determinants of health, developing community and public-private partnerships to improve access and public awareness, and coordinating messaging and policy advocacy efforts that align with mitigating the longstanding obesity epidemic.

This article highlights some important nephrology studies published in 2024 that may be relevant for nonnephrologist physicians. Four studies examined progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular events, and nephrolithiasis with respect to use of semaglutide or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. Three studies examined treatments to improve specific aspects of CKD management, including mineralocorticoid receptor agonists to address heart failure, avenciguat to address albuminuria, and oral phosphate binders to address fracture risk. One study demonstrated that inorganic nitrate reduced the risk for contrast-induced nephropathy. Finally, a trial of cefepime-taniborbactam showed benefit for treating complicated urinary tract infection.

The past year saw many important publications in the specialty of pulmonology. We screened more than 750 articles published in 2024 and carefully selected 10 that feature important advancements in the management of several respiratory conditions. We highlight 4 articles that describe management options for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) beyond pharmacotherapy, including breathing techniques, duration of long-term oxygen therapy, high-intensity compared with low-intensity noninvasive ventilation for exacerbations, and the potential harmful effect of gabapentinoids. Two articles delved into the evidence for various biologic therapies and inhaled relievers used in asthma. We include a randomized trial examining treatment of acute eosinophilic COPD and asthma exacerbations with benralizumab. One article explores dual glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonists as a novel treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea. Another discusses the efficacy of inhaled antibiotics in bronchiectasis. Finally, a meta-analysis examines the evidence for postexposure prophylaxis antiviral agents to reduce transmission and severity of influenza infections.

Long-term (≥12 months) randomized trials evaluating the efficacy of intermittent fasting (IMF) as a dietary weight loss strategy are limited. Furthermore, no studies have compared IMF versus daily caloric restriction (DCR) when both interventions are provided in the context of a guidelines-based behavioral weight loss program.

GIM/FP/GP: [Formula: see text] Hematology: [Formula: see text].

GIM/FP/GP: [Formula: see text] Cardiology: [Formula: see text].

GIM/FP/GP: [Formula: see text].

Internal medicine physicians are frequently responsible for caring for patients with rheumatologic diseases, whether as a primary provider or in collaboration with subspecialists. This article calls attention to 8 studies published in 2024 that shed new light on the management of common rheumatologic conditions that internal medicine physicians are likely to encounter. The first study suggests that the weight loss medication semaglutide can improve pain and function in patients with painful knee osteoarthritis (OA), potentially providing a novel approach to management of this condition. The results of the second study show that methotrexate, a proven therapy for inflammatory arthritis, has promise for improving pain in patients with knee OA. The third study establishes that a trial of resistance training does not provide similar benefits as total joint replacement for patients with hip OA. The fourth study finds that platelet-rich plasma injections are no more effective than exercise in reducing pain for patients with knee OA. The fifth study underscores the importance of screening for lung cancer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly in those known to have interstitial lung disease. The results of the sixth study emphasize that exercise therapy is safe and effective at improving function in patients with RA and severe activity limitations. The seventh study highlights the increased short-term risk for acute cardiovascular events in patients experiencing a new gout diagnosis. The final study suggests that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may provide sustained protection against developing new autoimmune diseases. Familiarity with these new studies will provide internal medicine physicians with valuable insights to enhance their care of patients with rheumatic diseases.

In 2024, infectious disease literature focused on advancements in the treatment of severe infections and prevention of high-burden diseases. Building on prior data, further evidence supports both the use of shorter courses of antibiotics and the earlier transition to oral antibiotics, including for severe infections, such as bacteremia. A new medication has demonstrated significant, high-impact findings in the long-acting category of drugs for the prevention of HIV infection. Antibiotic resistance continues to be a growing threat, and research this year has demonstrated significant advances for new agents helping to combat resistant gram-negative organisms. Research on the long-term sequelae of COVID-19 continues to expand, with a living systematic review providing us a better understanding of symptom management. Novel treatment regimens for Helicobacter pylori infection are being studied, and the evidence is reviewed for these new regimens. Finally, several emerging infections are highlighted to raise awareness of new or concerning outbreaks that may cause significant effects in the coming year.

Over the past 5 decades, substantial advances in oncology have reshaped cancer care, reflecting the dynamic role of internal medicine physicians in patients' journey from screening to diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance. This review highlights 10 landmark studies from 2024 that address emerging therapies and evolving clinical standards. Immunotherapy remains a central focus, with checkpoint inhibitors redefining the management of solid tumors and showing expanded applications across disease sites and earlier stages of disease. Targeted therapies and antibody-drug conjugates, including trastuzumab deruxtecan and enfortumab vedotin, are enhancing precision treatment options in metastatic cancer. Meanwhile, advances in supportive care, such as magnetic resonance imaging-guided prostate cancer screening, ponsegromab for cachexia, and celiac plexus radiosurgery for pain, show enhanced symptom management and quality of life for patients. These innovations highlight the critical role of multidisciplinary approaches, where internal medicine physicians contribute to co-management and toxicity monitoring, ultimately optimizing patient care. By staying current with these developments, internal medicine physicians are positioned to navigate complex oncologic care, ensuring that the benefits of novel therapies are maximized while mitigating their challenges.

Patient navigation is a recommended practice of the Guide to Community Preventive Services; little is known about whether it improves colonoscopy completion for adults who have received an abnormal stool test result.