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Discussion
detection programmes, develop non-invasive markers of severity, define targets for therapy
and increase awareness of the burden associated with the disease.26
Additionally, research investigating irritable bowel syndrome, one of the most common
digestive diseases with limited available treatment options, was granted €1.7 million in
Horizon 2020 funding - equivalent to just over 1% of the amount awarded for inflammatory
bowel disease research. Research activity in terms of publication output was also relatively
low for irritable bowel syndrome compared to other digestive diseases. Törnblom et al. also
found a lack of investment in research investigating irritable bowel syndrome and other
functional gastrointestinal disorders such as dyspepsia, within the EU research programme
FP7 which preceded Horizon 2020.5 These findings indicate long-term trends in underinvestment
for these diseases within EU funding programmes.
Importantly, some of the digestive diseases which received little in the way of Horizon 2020
research funding in absolute terms and in relation to burden, were highlighted as areas for
prioritisation by the national societies. For example, research to investigate irritable bowel
syndrome and pancreatitis each accounted for 8% of the priorities identified by the societies,
respectively. Other examples include alcohol-related liver disease, diseases of the stomach
and duodenum, and oesophageal diseases, which were highlighted as priorities but received
a paucity of research funding. Prioritised disease areas that appear under-funded or underresearched
may represent unmet needs that warrant greater consideration.
Potential research gaps in relation to digestive disorder related research topics were also
evident when comparing the research priorities of the national societies with publication
output by research topic. For example, the top three research topics identified for
prioritisation by the societies were drug therapy, diagnosis, and prevention research. Whilst a
relatively large number of digestive disorder related publications were classified as drug
therapy and diagnosis research, there were far fewer publications classified as prevention
research. The national societies also ranked primary prevention research highly compared to
other research areas, in terms of feasibility to conduct and relevancy to national health policy
or goals. Therefore, in the field of digestive health, prevention research appears to be underresearched
yet regarded as an important area for prioritisation and may represent a
promising avenue for development.
Limitations and further research
The main limitations to keep in mind when considering the results of this report relate to the
broad scope of the analysis. Bibliometric methods were used to summarise large quantities
of data, and it was not possible to manually check each publication or non-digestive disease
White Book 2: Part 2
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WhiteBook2_Part2

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