Key Conference Highlights and Publications for APPs

With an ongoing proliferation of new knowledge and scientific discovery in gastroenterology and hepatology, 2024 certainly sustained the exciting momentum of recent years, bringing remarkable advances with significant implications for advanced practice providers (APPs). From groundbreaking clinical trials and innovative therapies to comprehensive educational opportunities at major conferences, APPs increasingly are recognized as vital contributors to the future of GI care.

Significant advances—including a wealth of new research, innovative therapies, and clinical strategies—were reported across multiple sub-subspecialty areas and shared in conferences, publications, and podium presentations across the country. These developments underscore the importance of continuous learning, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of APPs into clinical and research settings.

Try as we may, we know how busy our clinical practices are, and this often makes it difficult for us to keep up with all this new information. In this edition of the GI APP Corner, we discuss the most impactful meetings, studies and discussions tailored to APPs, highlighting key topics such as inflammatory bowel disease, liver diseases, endoscopic advancements, and emerging pharmacologic treatments.

By staying at the forefront of emerging science and clinical strategies, APPs are well positioned to expand access to care, enhance patient outcomes, and drive innovation in the field. We hope to not only highlight key conference insights and influential publications but also to serve as a resource for APPs striving to refine their practice and leadership in gastroenterology and hepatology. APPs will continue to play a pivotal role in addressing challenges, fostering collaboration, and advancing the standard of care for patients with GI and liver diseases in 2025 and beyond!

Key Conferences

Crohn’s and Colitis Congress (CCC)

crohnscolitisfoundation.org (in person, virtual)

The CCC, which is held annually in January/February, offers a variety of sessions and activities designed to support APPs involved in the care of patients with IBD. The program emphasizes a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to managing IBD, equipping team members with strategies to enhance patient care throughout the disease journey. The congress also fosters collaboration through networking opportunities, including an APP and nursing reception. This event is a valuable platform for professional growth and peer engagement in the IBD community.

Digestive Disease Week (DDW)

ddw.org (in person, virtual)

DDW, held annually in May, features hundreds of scientific presentations and thousands of abstracts, offering APPs insights into cutting-edge research and clinical practices in digestive diseases. A notable highlight last year was the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy clinical symposia, “How to Succeed (And Thrive!) as a GI APP.” Another highlight was the Nurses and APP Networking Reception, supported by Johnson & Johnson, which created opportunities for connection and collaboration among APPs.

This year, DDW will be held May 3-6 in San Diego. For those unable to attend in person, DDW On Demand provides virtual access to session recordings, offering another avenue for APPs to remain informed about the latest advancements presented at this meeting.

Gastroenterology & Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPP) Annual Meeting

ghapp.org (in person, virtual)

The GHAPP Annual Conference takes place annually in September. This conference, designed by and for APPs, focuses on the educational needs of new and experienced GI providers. Plenary sessions include “Hot Topics in GI,” “Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction” and “Complications of Advanced Staged Liver Disease.” Interactive workshops further enhance clinical skills and foster career development, while networking events and an exhibit hall facilitate collaboration among attendees.

This year, the conference will be held Sept. 4-6 in Las Vegas.

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting

acgmeetings.gi.org (in person, virtual)

Sessions at ACG 2024 highlighted the growing prominence and contributions of APPs in gastroenterology. A standout initiative was the introduction of a new lunch session, “Digesting Success – Crafting Your APP Professional Journey in Gastroenterology,” which offers invaluable insights into career development and professional growth, empowering APPs to better navigate their careers in this specialized field. The APP Lounge, sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, served as a vibrant space for APPs to connect, collaborate and recharge during the conference.

Looking ahead, the ACG 2025 meeting will be held Oct. 24-29 in Phoenix and feature the launch of a new APP Leadership Summit. This initiative will provide APPs with the opportunity to hone leadership skills, explore career advancement strategies, and build mentorships and professional connections.

The Liver Meeting

aasld.org/the-liver-meeting (in person, virtual)

Last year, The Liver Meeting commemorated its 75th anniversary with a robust program tailored for APPs in hepatology. A key session, “Hepatology Associates as Leaders in HCV Elimination Programs,” highlighted the critical role of APPs in hepatitis C elimination initiatives.

In 2025, The Liver Meeting will be held Nov. 7-11 in Washington, D.C. Networking events, including the Hepatology Associates Reception, will facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (AIBD)

hmpglobalevents.com/aibd/about (in person)

The AIBD 2024 Conference, held each year in December in Orlando, Fla., provides APPs with a dynamic forum in which to expand their expertise through multidisciplinary education and collaboration Educational sessions include a preconference workshop specifically for APPs with interactive discussions on mentorship, emerging therapies and scholarly contributions to IBD management. The conference also introduced a pharmacy track, emphasizing dual therapy strategies and medication resources, alongside specialized learning tracks in surgery, pediatrics and nursing.

Pivotal Papers in 2024

Resmetirom in MASH With Liver Fibrosis

N Engl J Med 2024;390(6):497-509

A phase 3 clinical trial evaluating resmetirom (Rezdiffra, Madrigal), a thyroid hormone receptor beta-selective agonist, demonstrated promising results for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis with liver fibrosis. Resmetirom significantly outperformed placebo in achieving MASH resolution and fibrosis improvement, offering a novel therapeutic option for this condition.

PROFILE: Top-Down Versus Accelerated Step-Up Strategies for Newly Diagnosed Crohn’s Disease

Lancet Gastroenterol Hep 2024;9(5):415-427

The multicenter, open-label randomized controlled PROFILE trial demonstrated top-down therapy with infliximab and an immunomodulator was significantly more effective than the step-up approach, with 79% of patients achieving remission—versus 15% in the step-up group—with fewer complications. These findings add further evidence underscoring the importance of early and aggressive treatment in improving long-term outcomes for patients with IBD.

Brain–Gut Behavioral Treatments and Abdominal Pain in IBS

Gastroenterology 2024;167(5):934-943

A systematic review of 42 randomized controlled trials, encompassing more than 5,200 participants, highlighted the efficacy of brain–gut behavioral treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and gut-directed hypnotherapy in managing abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. These findings emphasize the value of integrating brain–gut behavioral therapies into IBS care, which increasingly we will need to consider for this patient population.

Guidance on Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists In the Perioperative Period

Surg Obes Relat Dis 2024;20(12):1183-1186

This clinical practice document provides unified guidance for safely managing patients on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) during the periprocedural period. Key recommendations include shared decision-making among patients, procedural teams, anesthesia providers, and prescribers to balance the metabolic benefits of GLP-1s with individualized risks for delayed gastric emptying and aspiration during sedation/endoscopy.

Patients at higher risk include those in the dose-escalation phase on higher or weekly doses with gastrointestinal symptoms (eg, nausea or constipation), or those with coexisting conditions that impair gastric motility, such as gastroparesis or Parkinson’s disease. For these patients, GLP-1 therapy may need to be held perioperatively, guided by the severity of risks versus the potential impact on metabolic disease control.

Dietary and procedural modifications such as preoperative liquid diets for 24 hours are suggested to mitigate aspiration risk. Although these recommendations offer a practical framework, they remain provisional due to limited evidence and evolving pharmacologic therapies.

The Role of APPs In Gastroenterology Practice

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024;22(7):1349-1352

This article explores the diverse potential roles and responsibilities of APPs in progressive GI practices, highlighting their value in expanding access to patient care, enhancing practice efficiency, and shaping the future of gastroenterology. The authors underscore the importance of proper training, mentorship, institutional support, and multidisciplinary collaboration to fully leverage the powerful positive impact APPs can have on a GI practice. By offering practical strategies for APP integration, the article provides actionable insights applicable to GI practices of all sizes and settings.

Creating a Mentorship Model for APPs

J Nurs Admin 2024;54(11):E33-E39

APPs, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists, are a rapidly growing healthcare workforce, yet mentorship opportunities tailored to their needs remain underdeveloped. Recognizing this gap, a mentorship program designed for APPs addressed the need for structured career development, enhancing satisfaction, retention, and professional advancement. This innovative model provides a blueprint for fostering APP growth and optimizing healthcare delivery. We believe this is a great guide, especially for new and early-career APPs.

This article is from the February 2025 print issue.