Analysis of Research Activity in Gastroenterology: Pancreatitis Is in Real Danger

Abstract

ObjectiveBiomedical investment trends in 2015 show a huge decrease of investment in gastroenterology. Since academic research usually provides the basis for industrial research and development (R&D), our aim was to understand research trends in the field of gastroenterology over the last 50 years and identify the most endangered areas.MethodsWe searched for PubMed hits for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases for the 1965–2015 period. Overall, 1,554,325 articles were analyzed. Since pancreatology was identified as the most endangered field of research within gastroenterology, we carried out a detailed evaluation of research activity in pancreatology.ResultsIn 1965, among the major benign GI disorders, 51.9% of the research was performed on hepatitis, 25.7% on pancreatitis, 21.7% on upper GI diseases and only 0.7% on the lower GI disorders. Half a century later, in 2015, research on hepatitis and upper GI diseases had not changed significantly; however, studies on pancreatitis had dropped to 10.7%, while work on the lower GI disorders had risen to 23.4%. With regard to the malignant disorders (including liver, gastric, colon, pancreatic and oesophageal cancer), no such large-scale changes were observed in the last 50 years. Detailed analyses revealed that besides the drop in research activity in pancreatitis, there are serious problems with the quality of the studies as well. Only 6.8% of clinical trials on pancreatitis were registered and only 5.5% of these registered trials were multicentre and multinational (more than five centres and nations), i.e., the kind that provides the highest level of impact and evidence level.ConclusionsThere has been a clear drop in research activity in pancreatitis. New international networks and far more academic R&D activities should be established in order to find the first therapy specifically for acute pancreatitis.

Scientific evidence underlying the American College of Gastroenterology’s clinical practice guidelines

“…Since 2003, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget for digestive disease research has plateaued, while corporate funding for gastroenterology research has dropped by more than 60% since 2008. [ 19 , 20 ] This translates into increased competition for grant applications, which are being awarded at the lowest rate in decades. [ 21 ] RCTs are among the most time-consuming and expensive research studies, but they produce the highest level of evidence.…”

Multifactorial Scores and Biomarkers of Prognosis of Acute Pancreatitis: Applications to Research and Practice

“…It is the most common gastrointestinal cause of hospitalization [1], associated with high financial burdens [2]. Several studies have shown that the incidence of AP is increasing [3,4], probably as a result of a combination of risk factors, such as obesity and gallstone disease [5]. The overall mortality rate is 3% to 10%, but patients with the severe form of the disease are at an increased risk of death, with a mortality rate of 36% to 50% [2,6,7].…”

Evidence-based pancreatology 2018 (review of research results on diseases and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency)

“…Szentesi et al провели анализ активности исследовательской работы в области гастроэнтерологии и отметили, что исследования по панкреатитам проводятся все реже (рис. 5) [33] The article presents a detailed review of the research results in the field of pancreatology published in 2018. Certain parts of the review are devoted to the pathogenesis, diagnostics, course of pancreatitis, its treatment, as well as autoimmune, hereditary pancreatitis, pancreatic pathology in children, as well as treatment.…”