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Big data in gastroenterology research

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 11, pages 386–390 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

In epidemiological research, large datasets are essential to reliably capture small variations among comparative groups or detect new unsuspected associations. Although large databases of web-search information, social media, airline traffic and telephone records are already widely used to capture social trends, large databases in medical research are just emerging. With the universal use of electronic medical records underway, vast amounts of health-related information will become available for biomedical research. Accepting such new research tools—based on the analysis of large pre-existing datasets rather than hypothesis-driven, in-depth prospective study—will require a new mindset in clinical research, as data might be 'messy' and only associations, but not causality, can be detected. In spite of such limitations, the utilization of these new resources for medical research harbours great potential for advancing knowledge about digestive diseases.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, 75390, TX, USA

    Robert M. Genta

  2. Miraca Life Sciences Research Institute, Mirace Life Sciences, 6655 North MacArthur Boulevard, Irving, 75039, TX, USA

    Robert M. Genta

  3. Portland VA Medical Centre, Oregon Health & Science University, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, 97239, OR, USA

    Amnon Sonnenberg

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  1. Robert M. Genta
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Both authors contributed equally to all aspects of this manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert M. Genta.

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Competing interests

In addition to his academic post, R.M.G. is an employee of Miraca Life Sciences, serving as Chief of Academic Affairs. Miraca Life Sciences possess a private database of pathology records, which R.M.G. manages. A.S. declares no competing interests.

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Genta, R., Sonnenberg, A. Big data in gastroenterology research. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 11, 386–390 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2014.18

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