The independent platform for news, articles and advice for professionals in laboratory medicine

Gastroenterology pressures and progress: a brief diagnostic update

Graham Johnson discusses how gastroenterology has changed over the past 20 years. He looks at how non-invasive diagnostic testing, prior to endoscopy, could provide a solution to earlier detection and better outcomes for upper gastrointestinal disorders.

The field of gastroenterology has developed immensely over the past few decades, with advances in both diagnostics and therapeutics. Modifications to the endoscope have made imaging and treatment safer than ever, and nationwide campaigns focusing on upper gastrointestinal diseases have increased public awareness. However, the demand for endoscopy has skyrocketed to far beyond the levels the current structure of these services was intended to provide, leaving patients waiting for weeks or even months before receiving a diagnosis. This article discusses how advances in gastroenterology have placed this burden on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy services, and the potential of non-invasive diagnostic testing prior to endoscopy as a solution to earlier detection and better outcomes for upper gastrointestinal disorders. 

Gastroenterology, defined as the study of diseases of the digestive system, has gained significant traction over the last few decades, expanding at a greater rate than almost any other major acute medical specialty.1 In part, this is due to substantial progress in our understanding of the fundamental biology surrounding gastrointestinal disease. In the area of upper gastrointestinal medicine, there have been notable advances in, and increased awareness of, a variety
of chronic conditions. This ranges
from functional disorders of the stomach and oesophagus, including conditions where no obvious organic disease
exists, to dyspepsia and reflux diseases – such as Barrett’s oesophagus (BE), atrophic gastritis (AG) and gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) – which are significant risk factors for oesophageal and gastric cancer. 

In addition, the link between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastritis and peptic ulcer disease was also recognised as a significant achievement, when researchers Robin Warren and Barry Marshall were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005.2 There has also been a significant increase in public awareness of gastrointestinal complaints – which now account for one in 10 GP appointments1 – leading to a heightened demand for diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. Unfortunately, this ever-increasing rate of referrals for endoscopy is growing to unmanageable levels, and there is a general consensus in the field that more needs to be done to lessen the unsustainable burden on specialist services.

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register

Upcoming Events

USCAP 113th Annual Meeting

Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
23-28 March, 2024

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference

UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London
2 May 2024

EQA Reports: Interpreting Key Information & Troubleshooting Tips

ONLINE - Zoom
Thursday 16th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

USCAP 113th Annual Meeting

Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
23-28 March, 2024

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference

UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London
2 May 2024

EQA Reports: Interpreting Key Information & Troubleshooting Tips

ONLINE - Zoom
Thursday 16th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025