Gold-standard research shapes the NHS’ digestive disorder guidelines

Disorders related to the upper digestive system cost the NHS in England £1.3 billion each year. Clinicians treating these disorders need a quick, authoritative resource on which to base important decisions. Such a resource needs to be up-to-date, easy to access, and with information delivered in an easy to understand format. Cochrane reviews satisfy most of these criteria and are considered the best available evidence on a given medical topic.

In 2014, Professor Kurinchi Gurusamy from UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science was awarded £300,000 from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to deliver 30 Cochrane systematic reviews to address the diagnosis and treatment of upper digestive disorders.

At least 40 of Kurinchi and his colleague’s research publications have influenced national policies and international guidelines in the management of liver, gallbladder and pancreatic disorders. This research has also resulted in significant cost savings for the NHS.