The contribution of Greek gastroenterologists in the international clinical and basic research of inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Aim: To assess the contribution of Greek gastroenterologists
in the international literature as far as the epidemiology,
diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
(ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) are concerned. Materials-
Methods: Scientific articles published by Greek gastroenterologists
were identified in the international scientific
data base PubMed using the key-words: Greece, gastroenterology,
inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's
disease. The studies were divided according to their subject
of interest in epidemiological, clinical, case reports, therapy,
and studies of basic research. The journal and year of publication,
the impact factor of the journal and the origin of the
study were recorded. Reviews concerning IBD were not taken
into account. Results: During a period of 20 years (1986-
2006) 91 research papers were identified. The geographic
area in which the study was performed, the type and the
number of studies as well as the total number of studies in
each geographic area, are shown in the table.
Studies originated mainly from 4 geographic departments of
the country with almost equal contribution concerning the
number of papers but with quite different kind of research.
All studies were published in 30 different medical journals
with impact factor ranging from 1 to 12. The gastroenterology
department of University of Crete contributed with basic
research and epidemiological studies, the gastroenterology
department of the general hospital of Nicea (Piraeus) with
clinical studies and studies concerning treatment and case report
studies, the department of gastroenterology of "Evangelismos"
hospital with studies concerning treatment and the
gastroenterology department of the University of Ioannina
with studies of basic research and epidemiology. During the
5-year period of 1986-1990, ten studies were published, during
1991-1995 eight studies, during1996-2000 twenty-two
studies and during 2001-2005 fifty-one studies. Conclusion:
The contribution of Greek gastroenterologists in the research
of IBD in Greece is quite satisfactory mainly during the last
decade. Most of the studies were performed in four centers
of the country having special interest in IBD research.
Key Words: Inflammatory bowel disease, Ulcerative colitis,
Crohn's disease, Clinical research, Basic research