5 Gastroenterology Headlines You Missed in March 2026

March brought a steady stream of clinically significant updates in gastroenterology, spanning advances in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer screening, hepatic encephalopathy guidance, and persistent diagnostic challenges in everyday practice. From new clinical trial data to updated guideline recommendations, the month reflected both meaningful progress and ongoing gaps across the GI landscape.

New data from the AFFIRM trial highlighted the potential of subcutaneous risankizumab induction in Crohn’s disease, signaling a possible shift toward more flexible treatment approaches. At the same time, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month placed renewed focus on screening, where, despite clear benefits and multiple available modalities, uptake continues to fall short of national goals.

The month also underscored the importance of clinical nuance, with expert insights into often-overlooked conditions like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and evolving strategies to reduce Clostridioides difficile recurrence. In parallel, updated guidance on hepatic encephalopathy offered clinicians a comprehensive framework for diagnosis and management.

Here’s a look at 5 key gastroenterology headlines from March 2026 you may have missed:

AFFIRM: Risankizumab (Skyrizi) Subcutaneous Induction Achieves Primary Endpoints in Crohn’s Disease

On March 2, 2026, AbbVie announced positive topline results from the phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind AFFIRM study evaluating the efficacy and safety of risankizumab (Skyrizi) subcutaneous (SC) induction treatment versus placebo in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD). Study findings showed significantly greater proportions of patients treated with risankizumab SC induction achieved the co-primary endpoints of Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) clinical remission and endoscopic response at week 12 compared to placebo. Of note, among patients with clinical response after 12 weeks of risankizumab SC induction treatment followed by 12 weeks of maintenance, 67% achieved CDAI clinical remission at week 24 and 57% achieved endoscopic response at week 24.

Related: Risankizumab Subcutaneous Induction for Crohn’s Disease: Insights From the AFFIRM Trial, With Millie Long, MD, MPH

Colorectal Cancer Screening in 2026: Progress, Gaps, and What Comes Next, With Renee Williams, MD

Despite decades of public health messaging and clear evidence supporting the benefits of screening, colorectal cancer screening rates in the United States remain below national targets. During the month of March, recognized as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, gastroenterologists emphasize both the progress made and the work that still lies ahead to improve early detection of colorectal cancer. Renee Williams, MD, explains the different colorectal cancer screening options available to patients, persistent barriers to uptake, and strategies to improve screening rates.

Diagnostic Challenges and Clinical Nuance of EPI, With Adam Kichler, DO

Greasy, foul-smelling stools and persistent bloating are often dismissed as routine gastrointestinal complaints, but they can signal a more overlooked issue. EPI remains a frequently missed contributor to gastrointestinal symptom burden, in part because its clinical presentation so often overlaps with more commonly diagnosed conditions. Adam Kichler, DO, a gastroenterologist and advanced endoscopist at Allegheny Health Network, explained why EPI is frequently overlooked in patients with symptoms resembling IBD or celiac disease and offered key insights on diagnosis and management.

ACG Issues New Hepatic Encephalopathy Guidelines For Diagnosis, Treatment, Nutrition, and Transplant, With Jasmohan Bajaj, MD, MS

A new American College of Gastroenterology guideline outlines 24 recommendations for the diagnosis, management, and prevention strategies for hepatic encephalopathy. Jasmohan Bajaj, MD, breaks down the key points from the document and what they mean for practice.

Vancomycin Taper Strategies to Prevent C Difficile Recurrence, With Emily McDonald, MD, MSc

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) affects an estimated 450,000 patients annually in the United States and carries substantial morbidity and healthcare costs. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 9 people who get CDI will get it again in the subsequent 2-8 weeks. Emily McDonald, MD, MSc, explains the potential of an initial vancomycin taper regimen after standard therapy for reducing these recurrences.