Chronic diarrhoea, lasting more than 3 or 4 weeks, is a common condition with a wide variety of different possible causes. Estimates suggest 5% of the population have experienced chronic diarrhoea and sought medical advice about it. All gastroenterologists see many patients whose principal complaint is frequent, loose stools, and will be aware of investigations that are needed to diagnose serious conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or colorectal cancer (CRC). Most people who present with chronic diarrhoea will not have these conditions and, if less common disorders are not considered, may be given a diagnosis of diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) or perhaps functional diarrhoea. Many different treatments are used for IBS-D and often benefit only a small proportion of patients, leaving many with unmet needs, seeking further investigation, advice and treatment.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is a subclassification of steatotic liver disease (SLD), defined as the presence of excess triglyceride storage in the liver in conjunction with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor and no other discernible cause.1 Cirrhosis secondary to MASH is the most common cause of liver disease in the world and is the fastest-growing indication for liver transplantation, but it also has a >50% recurrence rate post-transplantation.

Children and adolescents with chronic diseases requiring lifelong care face unique challenges that affect their daily lives and those of their families. Initially, these patients receive specialized care in pediatric facilities, where parents play a key role in treatment decisions. However, transitioning to adult healthcare facilities is inevitable, and this process, recognized as crucial years ago, involves moving adolescents with chronic conditions from child-centered to adult-oriented care. This transition can be complicated by varying age limits for pediatric care and the scarcity of adult care centers with specific expertise. The transition often requires cooperation between different centers or even countries due to patient mobility. The transition phase is critical, as it can lead to loss of follow-up, treatment suspension, and increased risks of complications or disease relapse. Beyond medical management, various factors influence the long-term prognosis of chronic conditions, making a well-organized transition program essential. While many hospitals have implemented transition models with mixed results in satisfaction, disease control, and follow-up adherence, there are frequent shortcomings in the process. This Mistakes In article will outline eight common mistakes made during the transition from pediatric to adult care, supported by literature and professional experience.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains an important global health concern. It is estimated that there are approximately 50 million people infected with HCV globally, with around 1 million new infections each year and about 242,000 deaths annually attributed to HCV-related complications. Most acute HCV infections (55–85%) become chronic due to the virus’s effective evasion strategies, with spontaneous clearance being rare once chronicity is established. This condition often progresses silently, with many individuals unaware of their infection until advanced liver damage has occurred. If left untreated, HCV can lead to severe complications, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCV transmission occurs mainly through percutaneous exposure to infected blood. HCV can also spread from mother to infant (vertical transmission) and, less frequently, via sexual contact.1,2 In recent years, the introduction of oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), with remarkable safety and effectiveness profiles, has led to a sustained virological response (SVR) in virtually all (>97%) HCV-infected patients, regardless of HCV genotype or disease stage. However, significant barriers remain, such as issues with diagnosis, access to treatment and awareness of the disease.

Here, we discuss some of the misconceptions in HCV management and provide a practical management approach grounded in evidence and clinical experience.