Positions

Overview

  • Dr. Sugandha is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology. He completed a Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery at Madras University in India and then a fellowship in Internal Medicine specializing in Gastroenterology at Christian Medical College in Vellore, India. Between 2000 and 2004 he was a Consultant in the Department of Gastroenterology at Christian Medical College. In 2005 he became a Staff Gastroenterologist at the University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland, until he joined the UAB in 2008.

    He is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. He directs the UAB complicated Barrett’s esophagus and early esophageal cancer program. His clinical interests include esophageal and small bowel disorders. He performs radiofrequency ablation, deep enteroscopy, advanced endoscopic imaging, screening for colorectal cancer, endoscopic mucosal resection and therapies for GI bleeding. His research focuses on endoscopic treatment outcomes of Barrett’s esophagus and obscure GI bleeding and he collaborates with scientists and physicians in cell biology and mucosal immunology to better understand esophageal pathobiology. In addition, he oversees research projects with residents and fellows within the GI division

    • Selected Publications

    Academic Article

    Year Title Altmetric
    2019 Outcomes of use of electromagnetic guidance with responsive insertion technology (RIT) during colonoscopy: a prospective randomized controlled trial..  Endoscopy International Open.  7:E225-E231. 2019
    2019 Evolving screening and surveillance techniques for Barrett's esophagus.  World Journal of Gastroenterology.  25:2045-2057. 2019
    2018 Electronic clinical decision tools for improving adherence to colon cancer surveillance guidelines: Can the chips finally fall into place?.  Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.  16:1406-1408. 2018
    2018 Bleeding at Roux-en-Y jejunojejunal anastomosis after orthotopic liver transplantation.  Videogie.  3:179-180. 2018
    2018 Length of Barrett's segment predicts failure of eradication in radiofrequency ablation for Barrett's esophagus: A retrospective cohort study.  BMC Gastroenterology.  18. 2018
    2018 Direct Percutaneous Endoscopic Jejunostomy for the Management of Gastroparesis in Pregnancy..  Obstetrics and Gynecology.  131:871-874. 2018
    2018 Clinical Predictors for Repeat Hospitalizations in Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Patients With Gastrointestinal Bleeding..  Gastroenterology Research.  11:100-105. 2018
    2018 Impact of Disconnected Pancreatic Duct Syndrome on the Endoscopic Management of Pancreatic Fluid Collections.  Annals of Surgery.  267:561-568. 2018
    2018 Case series on multimodal endoscopic therapy for gastric antral vascular ectasia, a tertiary center experience..  World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  10:30-36. 2018
    2018 Association of pulsatility with gastrointestinal bleeding in a cohort of HeartMate II recipients.  ASAIO Journal.  64:472-479. 2018
    2017 NCCN Guidelines Insights: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal, Version 3.2017..  Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.  15:1465-1475. 2017
    2017 Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia and Metabolic Syndrome: Is There a Case for an Association?.  American Journal of Medicine.  130:e511. 2017
    2017 Shining a White Light on Barrett’s Esophagus: What Does the BING Classification Bring?.  Digestive Diseases and Sciences.  62:2612-2614. 2017
    2017 Orthotopic liver transplantation changes the course of gastric antral vascular ectasia: A case series from a transplant center.  European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.  29:973-976. 2017
    2017 Prognostic value of loss of heterozygosity and sub-cellular localization of SMAD4 varies with tumor stage in colorectal cancer.  Oncotarget.  8:20198-20212. 2017
    2016 An Uncommon and Challenging Case of Duodenal Variceal Bleeding..  ACG Case Reports Journal.  3:e138. 2016
    2016 Position Change in Colonoscopy - A Turn for the Better?.  American Journal of Gastroenterology.  111:1034-1035. 2016
    2016 Dual-modal ablation treatment for refractory radiation proctitis.  International Journal of Colorectal Disease.  31:931. 2016
    2016 Monitoring colonoscopy withdrawal time significantly improves the adenoma detection rate and the performance of endoscopists.  Endoscopy.  48:256-262. 2016
    2016 Early implementation of video capsule enteroscopy in patients with left ventricular assist devices and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.  ASAIO Journal.  62:40-45. 2016
    2015 Radiofrequency ablation therapy - the grave for GAVE (gastric antral vascular ectasia)?.  Endoscopy International Open.  3:E128-E129. 2015
    2015 New method of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube placement using balloon-assisted enteroscopy with fluoroscopy.  Digestive Endoscopy.  27:317-322. 2015
    2015 A single-center randomized controlled trial evaluating timing of preparation for capsule enteroscopy.  Clinical Endoscopy.  48:234-238. 2015
    2015 Ablative Endoscopic Therapies for Barrett's-Esophagus-Related Neoplasia.  Gastroenterology Clinics of North America.  44:337-353. 2015
    2015 An unusual pancreatic lesion causing biliary obstruction and duodenal invasion.  Endoscopy.  47:E55-E56. 2015
    2015 Human gastric epithelial cells contribute to gastric immune regulation by providing retinoic acid to dendritic cells.  Mucosal Immunology.  8:533-544. 2015
    2015 Predictability of capsule endoscopy referred to a tertiary care center for double-balloon enteroscopy.  European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.  27:1052-1056. 2015
    2014 Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: A Rare Manifestation for Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients—An Initial Report.  Digestive Diseases and Sciences.  59:2826-2830. 2014
    2014 Utility of double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with left ventricular assist devices and obscure overt gastrointestinal bleeding.  Endoscopy.  46:986-988. 2014
    2014 Effects of breaks in colonoscopy training.  Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  79:542. 2014
    2014 Small bowel stent-in-stent placement for malignant small bowel obstruction using a balloon-assisted overtube technique.  Clinical Endoscopy.  47:108-111. 2014
    2014 Diagnostic and therapeutic utility of double-balloon enteroscopy for obscure GI bleeding in patients with surgically altered upper GI anatomy.  Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  80:181-186. 2014
    2014 Dual treatment for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding from hepaticojejunostomy using double balloon enteroscopy technique.  Digestive Endoscopy.  26:118-119. 2014
    2014 Multipurpose use of the 'bear claw' (over-the-scope-clip system) to treat endoluminal gastrointestinal disorders.  Digestive Endoscopy.  26:350-357. 2014
    2014 Olmesartan-induced enteropathy resembling celiac disease.  Endoscopy.  46. 2014
    2014 Poor agreement between endoscopists and gastrointestinal pathologists for the interpretation of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy findings.  World Journal of Gastroenterology.  20:17993-18000. 2014
    2014 Radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's esophagus with the channel RFA endoscopic catheter.  Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  79:1034-1035. 2014
    2013 Endoscopic "crossroads" in the management of malignant hilar strictures.  Indian Journal of Gastroenterology.  32:363-365. 2013
    2013 Radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's esophagus using an overtube.  Endoscopy.  45. 2013
    2013 Capsule endoscopy for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Is the cherry ripe yet?.  Endoscopy.  45:777. 2013
    2013 Gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with ventricular assist devices is highest immediately after implantation.  ASAIO Journal.  59:480-485. 2013
    2013 Multicenter Intestinal Current Measurements in Rectal Biopsies from CF and Non-CF Subjects to Monitor CFTR Function.  PLoS ONE.  8. 2013
    2013 Endoscopic closure of a gastrocolic fistula using the over-the-scope-clip-system..  World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  5:402-406. 2013
    2013 Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and Turner syndrome.  Digestive Endoscopy.  25:462-464. 2013
    2013 Helicobacter pylori infection inhibits phagocyte clearance of apoptotic gastric epithelial cells.  Journal of Immunology.  190:6626-6634. 2013
    2013 Endomicroscopy of the pancreaticobiliary system.  Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopy.  2013. 2013
    2013 Factors impacting treatment outcomes in the endoscopic management of walled-off pancreatic necrosis.  Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.  28:1725-1732. 2013
    2013 The challenge of setting appropriate intake recommendations for vitamin E: considerations on status and functionality to define nutrient requirements..  International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research.  83:129-136. 2013
    2012 Carbon dioxide accumulation during analgosedated colonoscopy: Comparison of propofol and midazolam.  World Journal of Gastroenterology.  18:5389-5396. 2012
    2012 Unfolding the Plot of Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Excellent or Elementary?.  Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.  10:1386-1388. 2012
    2012 Nitrate removal in a restored riparian groundwater system: Functioning and importance of individual riparian zones.  Biogeosciences.  9:4295-4307. 2012
    2011 Caught on camera: An unusual type of bug in the gut.  Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  73:363-364. 2011
    2010 Combined airway and oesophageal stenting in malignant airway-oesophageal fistulas: A prospective study.  European Respiratory Journal.  36:1370-1374. 2010
    2010 Somatostatin analogues in the treatment of recurrent bleeding from gastrointestinal vascular malformations: An overview and systematic review of prospective observational studies.  Digestive Diseases and Sciences.  55:2129-2134. 2010
    2010 Colon Capsule Endoscopy compared to Conventional Colonoscopy under routine screening conditions.  BMC Gastroenterology.  10. 2010
    2010 Crohn's colitis with perianal disease complicated by collagenous colitis: Discourse on management options.  Digestion.  81:142-144. 2010
    2009 EUS-guided FNA of peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with unknown primary malignancy.  Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  70:1266-1270. 2009
    2009 Feasibility of combined EUS-FNA and ERCP for obstructive jaundice from presumed pancreatic malignancy.  Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology and Hepatology.  6:132-133. 2009
    2009 Modern endoscopic therapy of peptic ulcer bleeding.  Digestive Diseases.  26:291-299. 2009
    2009 Endoscopist-Directed Administration of Propofol: A Worldwide Safety Experience.  Gastroenterology.  137:1229-1237. 2009
    2009 Gastrointestinal: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in intestinal tuberculosis: Masquerading Hot Spots.  Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.  24:1798-1799. 2009
    2008 Two-marker protein profile predicts poor prognosis in patients with early rectal cancer.  British Journal of Cancer.  99:1712-1717. 2008
    2008 Nurse-administered propofol sedation in nonagerians: Extending the panacea.  Digestion.  78:18-19. 2008
    2008 Propofol Use by Gastroenterologists-the European Experience.  Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America.  18:727-738. 2008
    2008 A spur sign in the EUS evaluation of dysphagia.  Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  68:147-148. 2008
    2008 In situ PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in endoscopic mucosal biopsy specimens of intestinal tuberculosis and Crohn disease.  American Journal of Clinical Pathology.  129:846-851. 2008
    2008 An Atypical Approach to Appendicitis.  Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.  6. 2008
    2008 Is Combination-Regimen Better Than Single-Regimen Nurse/Nonanesthetist-Administered Propofol Sedation?.  Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.  6:120. 2008
    2008 Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of an oral ghrelin agonist in healthy subjects (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 92, (1814-1820)).  Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.  93:1082. 2008
    2008 What defines tropical pancreatitis?.  Indian Journal of Gastroenterology.  27:40. 2008
    2007 Therapy-resistant diarrhea due to Giardia lamblia in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency disease [5].  Digestion.  75:101-102. 2007
    2007 Salmonella enterocolitis and hemorrhagic shock.  Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  65:1077-1078. 2007
    2007 Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer: The causal relationship.  Digestion.  75:25-35. 2007
    2007 Application of bleeding prophylactic criteria (NICE) in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding.  Swiss Medical Weekly.  137:146-150. 2007
    2007 Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of an oral ghrelin agonist in healthy subjects.  Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.  92:1814-1820. 2007
    2006 Serum immunoglobin G4 (IgG4): An important marker in autoimmune pancreatitis?.  Swiss Medical Weekly.  136:544-547. 2006
    2006 CCK1 antagonists: Are they ready for clinical use?.  Digestive Diseases.  24:70-82. 2006
    2006 Persistent gastrocutaneous fistula after percutaneous gastrostomy tube removal [2].  Endoscopy.  38:539-540. 2006
    2005 Capsule endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract - The need for a second endoscopy.  Digestion.  72:242-247. 2005
    2005 A prospective evaluation of leflunomide therapy for cytomegalovirus disease in renal transplant recipients.  Transplantation Proceedings.  37:4303-4305. 2005
    2005 Risk of colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis in India.  Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.  20:705-709. 2005
    2005 Segmental colonoscopic biopsies in the differentiation of ileocolic tuberculosis from Crohn's disease.  Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.  20:688-696. 2005
    2004 Autoimmune pancreatitis - An uncommon type of chronic pancreatitis.  Indian Journal of Gastroenterology.  23:181-183. 2004
    2004 Colonic malignant melanoma mimicking colon carcinoma.  Digestive Endoscopy.  16:266-268. 2004
    2004 Colonic malignancy with recurrent bacteraemia presenting as pyrexia of unknown origin [4].  Journal of Internal Medicine.  255:692-693. 2004
    2004 Leflunomide therapy for cytomegalovirus disease in renal allograft recepients.  Transplantation.  77:1460-1461. 2004
    2002 Gastrointestinal: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.  Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.  17:1117. 2002
    1999 Endoscopic mucosal biopsies are useful in distinguishing granulomatous colitis due to Crohn's disease from tuberculosis.  Gut.  45:537-541. 1999
    1997 Effectiveness of P2AM (PAM - Pralidoxime) in the treatment of organophosphorus poisoning (OPP) a randomized, double blind placebo controlled clinical trial.  Journal of the Association of Physicians of India.  45:22-24. 1997

    Chapter

    Year Title Altmetric
    2016 Hemostasis of acute small intestinal bleeding.  195-205. 2016
    2011 EUS in the Evaluation of Gastric Tumors.  97-114. 2011
    2010 Endoscopic therapy for peptic ulcer bleeding.  37-54. 2010

    Research Overview

  • Barrett's esophagus and early esophageal cancer
    GI bleeding
    Advanced imaging
    Colon cancer
    Small bowel and foregut disorders

    • Principal Investigator On

    Investigator On

    Education And Training

  • Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery (MBBS), 1997
  • Christian Medical College Hospital, Internship 1992
  • Christian Medical College Hospital, Postdoctoral Fellowship 2000
  • Christian Medical College Hospital, Postdoctoral Fellowship 1997

    • Full Name

  • Shajan Peter