Monday 19 November 2007
Gastroenterology Conference Spotlights Obesity Epidemic, Liver Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
This week (21-23 November) the New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology will hold its Annual Scientific Meeting at the
Christchurch Convention Centre. Over 400 delegates including Gastroenterologists, Surgeons and Nurses from New Zealand,
Australia and further afield will learn about recent advances in patient care and research concerning digestive health.
Major topics for this year’s meeting include the surgical treatment of obesity, an epidemic sweeping the western world
that is associated with diabetes, heart disease, cancer and premature death. Professor Paul O’Brien, Director, Centre of
Obesity Research and Education, Monash University, Melbourne, will present his findings of the beneficial effects of
keyhole stomach surgery on over 1000 obese patients.
Professor Geoff Farrell from Canberra, Australia will speak on the toxic effects on the liver of medications, such as
antibiotics. Dr Simon Travis from Oxford, UK will discuss the management of inflammatory bowel disease, including
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Keyhole surgery leads to sustained weight loss
Professor Paul O’Brien, Director, Centre of Obesity Research and Education, Monash University, Melbourne, is one of the
most experienced surgeons worldwide who performs keyhole surgery as a treatment for obesity. By using a laparoscopic
technique, Professor O’Brien places an inflatable band around the stomach, leading to a reduction in the stomach’s
capacity and reducing appetite.
Obesity is one of the biggest health concerns facing the western world. In NZ, almost half of the adult population is
obese or overweight. Obesity is also an emerging problem for children and leads to increased rates of diabetes, heart
disease, stroke and cancer, leading to reduced life expectancy. Drug and diet treatments for obesity can be effective in
the short term, but weight often returns in the long term. Professor O’Brien is not only one of the most experienced
Bariatric Surgeons in the world but he and his research group have performed ground-breaking research into the benefits
and safety of this approach.
While it is widely recognised that surgery is an effective means of controlling weight and the associated medical
complications, access to such surgery in New Zealand is limited with only a handful of these procedures being offered in
the public sector each year. This has led to obese patients being forced to wait long periods while their health
deteriorates or having to sell their house, in some cases, to finance surgery in the private sector.
Dr Robyn Toomath, Wellington Endocrinologist and Fight the Obesity Epidemic spokesperson will also be speaking at the
conference.
To find out more about Obesity and the New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting, or to arrange
an interview with Professor O’Brien or Dr Toomath, visit the website www.gastro2007.co.nz or contact Dr Richard Gearry
0272127485 on Friday 23 November.
Think twice before asking your doctor for antibiotics
Professor Geoff Farrell, Director Gastroenterology & Hepatology Unit, The Canberra Hospital and Professor of Hepatic Medicine Australian National University, Canberra,
Australia will speak on the toxic effects of drugs on the liver on Thursday 22 November. Professor Farrell, who wrote
the textbook on the toxic effects of drugs on the liver, is an international expert on liver disease and will also be
addressing the conference on the treatment of Hepatitis B virus.
Drugs are a common cause of short term liver problems and antibiotics are amongst the more common drugs that may lead to
jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes). General Practitioners are aware of this and other side effects
from antibiotics and, therefore, think carefully about potential side effects of these and other drugs before
prescribing them. This is despite many patients insisting on antibiotics when they are not indicated.
To find out more about Drugs and the Liver and the New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting, or
to arrange an interview with Professor Farrell, visit the website www.gastro2007.co.nz
Biological drugs for inflammatory bowel disease – are New Zealand patients getting a fair go?
Dr Simon Travis, Director of Gastroenterology from The John Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, UK will be addressing the
conference on aspects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment. IBD comprises Crohn’s disease and ulcerative
colitis and local research has shown that almost 2000 Cantabrians are affected leading to episodes of diarrhoea, rectal
bleeding and abdominal pain. Most patients are diagnosed between 15 and 35 years of age and often require major surgery,
face time away from work and endure reduced quality of life.
New drugs have been developed that improve quality of life, reducing the need for surgery and other drugs but access to
these drugs is limited in New Zealand due to their cost. Subsequently, patients in New Zealand may receive inferior
treatment for this condition compared to most western countries. Furthermore, the use of these drugs differs around the
country suggesting inequalities of access.
To find out more about IBD and access to biological drugs and the New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology Annual
Scientific Meeting, or to arrange an interview with Dr Simon Travis or Dr Richard Gearry, visit the website
www.gastro2007.co.nz or contact Dr Richard Gearry 0272127485 on Wednesday 23 November.
ENDS