GHAPPcast

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Navigating pregnancy with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can bring unique questions, concerns, and misconceptions—especially for women of childbearing age. In this expert-led episode, Janette Villalon, PA and Angelina Collins, MSN, ANP-BC, two dedicated IBD specialists break down the latest evidence and global consensus recommendations on pregnancy and IBD. Together, they explore fertility considerations, preconception counseling, voluntary childlessness, medication safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the impact of disease activity on maternal and fetal outcomes, and how to debunk persistent myths around IBD and pregnancy. Learn why remission at conception is critical, how to approach family planning conversations in the clinic, which therapies—including biologics and biosimilars—can be safely continued, and when to involve maternal–fetal medicine or colorectal surgery. The hosts also discuss managing flares during pregnancy, monitoring strategies such as fecal calprotectin each trimester, and when C-section may be recommended. This conversation provides timely, practical guidance to help clinicians counsel women with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis with confidence, reduce fears, and support healthy pregnancies and postpartum outcomes for IBD patients.

In this episode of our crosscast series shared across RhAPPcast, GHAPPcast, and Dermcast, we explore the hidden costs of obesity in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and how excess adiposity drives poorer outcomes, reduced treatment response, and increased healthcare burden. Hosted by Amanda Mixon, PA-C, president of RhAPP, this discussion brings together expert APPs from rheumatology, dermatology, gastroenterology, and metabolic health to unpack the pathophysiologic link between obesity and IMID progression. Our panel breaks down how adipose tissue fuels systemic inflammation, why cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6 worsen disease activity in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and IBD, and how obesity accelerates drug clearance and impacts biologic efficacy. We also examine clinical misconceptions, challenges with pharmacokinetics, and the real-world cycle of flares, surgeries, and increased healthcare utilization seen in this high-risk population. APPs will gain practical insight into addressing weight as part of comprehensive IMID care, improving patient conversations, and leveraging collaborative, cross-specialty management strategies. Stream this episode and the full series on RhAPPcast, GHAPPcast, and Dermcast, or access every installment through the RhAPP ACE 2.0 and GHAPP ACE 2.0 mobile apps for on-the-go learning. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we shift from mechanisms to action and discuss practical strategies APPs can use to improve outcomes for patients living with both obesity and IMIDs.

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In this GHAPP FAQ Video Module, Christie Morrison, from Oshi Health and Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, explains how to discuss clinical remission with patients living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. She breaks down the different types of remission—clinical, biochemical, endoscopic, and steroid-free—and offers clear, practical ways for APPs and healthcare providers to communicate these concepts during patient visits. Christie discusses how to use objective markers such as CRP, ESR, fecal calprotectin, and lactoferrin, and how endoscopic scoring tools like the SES-CD and Mayo score can help track improvement and long-term disease control. She also emphasizes setting realistic expectations, the importance of treat-to-target goals, and the ultimate aim of achieving deep remission while minimizing steroid use. Watch to gain actionable strategies to educate your IBD patients about their treatment journey and the steps toward sustained remission.

#IBD #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #ClinicalRemission #GHAPP #IBDTreatment #APPeducation #TreatToTarget #IBDManagement

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In this episode of the GHAPP Podcast, Alison Krustapentus, NP-C and Christie Morrison, NP, join for an open discussion on mental and sexual health in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Together they explore the often-overlooked psychological and relational challenges that accompany chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—covering strategies to normalize sensitive conversations, screen for anxiety and depression using PHQ-2, PHQ-9, and GAD tools, and incorporate behavioral-health collaboration into routine care. The conversation also highlights practical ways to integrate IBD mental-health screening, sexual-wellness counseling, vaccine and health-maintenance checklists, and patient-partner communication into everyday gastroenterology practice. This episode underscores the importance of whole-person care in IBD management and offers real-world insights for APPs and healthcare professionals supporting patients living with chronic inflammatory disease.

#IBD #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #MentalHealth #SexualHealth #Gastroenterology #InflammatoryBowelDisease #AdvancedPracticeProviders #GHAPPodcast #IBDCare

Welcome to the first episode in our special cross-platform podcast collaboration on IMIDs and Obesity, shared across RhAPPcast, GHAPPcast, and Dermcast—the official podcasts of RhAPP, GHAPP, and SDPA. Hosted by Amanda Mixon, PA-C, President of RhAPP, this conversation titled “Obesity and IMIDs: Unpacking the Epidemic and Its Far-Reaching Impacts” explores one of the most under recognized yet clinically significant intersections in modern medicine—the link between obesity and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Joined by Laura Bush, PA-C, Erin Darguzas, NP, and Jennifer Hernandez Parra, APRN, the episode delves into the evidence behind obesity’s role in disease onset and progression across rheumatology, gastroenterology, dermatology, and metabolic health. Together, these experts examine how obesity influences inflammation, treatment response, and patient quality of life while highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary care and open communication between providers and patients. Tune in to gain practical insights on how advanced practice providers can better address obesity as a key driver of IMID burden, and stay tuned for upcoming episodes exploring pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical management strategies.

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In this video, Amy Ladewski, PA-C, a physician assistant at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, shares expert insights on how to develop a personalized treatment plan for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Amy explains why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work, emphasizing the importance of reviewing each patient’s medical and psychosocial history, prior therapies, and most bothersome symptoms—whether constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, or distension. She highlights the role of FDA-approved therapies, gut-directed behavioral interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy, as well as dietary strategies like the low FODMAP diet in optimizing care. Amy also stresses the importance of health literacy, insurance access, and collaboration with GI dietitians to ensure patients understand and can apply their treatment plan. For those with overlapping functional defecatory disorders, she underscores the value of diagnostic testing and pelvic floor physical therapy to achieve better outcomes. This holistic, individualized approach empowers patients with IBS-C to improve both bowel function and overall quality of life. For additional educational resources, visit GHAPP.org and the GHAPP ACE App.

#IBSC #IrritableBowelSyndrome #Gastroenterology #DigestiveHealth #GutHealth #GIHealth #IBSConstipation #IBSManagement #PatientEducation

Thank you to Ardelyx for your support on this podcast episode.

In this podcast, Gabriella McCarty, NP, and Kimberly Orleck, PA-C, dive into the complexities of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and the wide range of therapies available to help patients. They discuss the importance of taking a thorough patient history to understand whether the primary symptom is constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, or overflow diarrhea—emphasizing that IBS-C treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Gabriella and Kim break down the differences between over-the-counter therapies like fiber and osmotic laxatives, which often help with bowel movements but do little for abdominal pain, and FDA-approved prescription options that also address visceral hypersensitivity, bloating, and global IBS symptoms. They explain how secretagogues and retenagogues work, set realistic expectations around therapy timelines, and highlight the importance of preparing patients for possible side effects such as diarrhea or nausea. By focusing on patient education, shared decision-making, and scheduled follow-up visits, they empower patients to better understand their condition and stay engaged in their care. This conversation provides practical guidance for both GI providers and patients navigating IBS-C management. For more educational resources, visit GHAPP.org and download the GHAPP ACE App.

#IBSC #IrritableBowelSyndrome #Gastroenterology #DigestiveHealth #GutHealth #GIHealth #IBSManagement #IBSConstipation #PatientEducation #GHAPPcast

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In this episode of GHAPPcast, the official podcast of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers, host Samantha Ramirez, NP-C is joined by Tracy Licari, PA-C to explore the rise of biomarker-based algorithms like GALAD in the surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). With more than 25 years of hepatology experience, Tracy shares insights on how combining biomarkers such as AFP, AFP-L3, and DCP with demographic factors like age and gender can improve diagnostic accuracy, risk stratification, and early detection compared to AFP alone. The discussion highlights how GALAD has consistently demonstrated higher accuracy in retrospective studies, the importance of ongoing prospective validation, and the potential for these algorithms to reshape surveillance, treatment response monitoring, and post-transplant risk assessment. Samantha and Tracy also provide practical ways for clinicians to explain complex biomarker concepts to patients without overwhelming them, reinforcing the importance of education and shared decision-making in liver cancer care. This episode delivers actionable insights for APPs, hepatologists, and GI clinicians seeking to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of biomarker-driven surveillance.

Thank you to AbbVie for your support of this FAQ Video Module.

In this educational discussion, Mikhail Alper, PA-C, from Fresno, California, highlights the critical role of biomarkers like fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. He explains how these biomarkers provide objective measures of inflammation and treatment response—often revealing more than patient-reported symptoms alone. Michael outlines a practical monitoring timeline, recommending assessment at six weeks to gauge early symptom improvement, followed by biomarker testing at 12 weeks, and endoscopic evaluation at six months to confirm mucosal healing. He also notes the growing value of intestinal ultrasound, though access remains limited in some regions. This video underscores why integrating biomarker monitoring into IBD management is essential for optimizing therapy and improving patient outcomes.

Thank you to AbbVie for your support of this FAQ Video Module.

In this educational video, Alison Krustapentus, NP-C from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston discusses how to approach persistent inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). She outlines a step-by-step process for confirming true disease activity using objective measures such as C-reactive protein (CRP), fecal calprotectin, cross-sectional imaging, and endoscopy.

Alison also explains the role of therapeutic drug monitoring in optimizing anti-TNF therapy, including how to interpret trough levels and antibody testing to guide dose escalation or frequency adjustments. When drug levels are adequate but inflammation persists, she discusses switching mechanisms of action—from anti-TNF agents to IL-23 inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, or vedolizumab—to regain control of disease activity.

This video helps clinicians distinguish between primary non-response and secondary loss of response, emphasizing the importance of tracking biomarkers and imaging over time to make informed treatment decisions.