How rapidly gastroenterology has evolved over time: a review of four decades of published research

Medicine evolves with time. What was once accepted dogma often becomes supplanted by newer concepts. Our aim was to quantitatively assess the evolution of practices in gastroenterology. Research published in the journal Gastroenterology between 1971-2010 were reviewed by two independent assessors (GCH, DC). Data was analysed in 5-year time periods. Studies were deemed to be either valid or outdated based on present-day practice. A total of 245 studies were analysed; 94 were diagnostic and 151 were therapeutic. A steady increase in relevance of published studies over time is observed. Fewer than 50% of research studies in diagnostics published prior to 2000 are still relevant, and fewer than 30% of studies in therapeutics published prior to 1995 are still relevant. A nadir in the relevance of research in therapeutics in 2001-2010 could be accounted for by the discovery of novel Hepatitis C antiviral treatment, which rendered prior trials obsolete.