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In
order to improve our
understanding of the
epidemiology and impact of liver
disease, and to enhance our
ability to institute effective
means of diagnosis, therapy, and
prevention of liver disease at
the population level, the
establishment of a well-designed
research database with adequate
funding is crucial.
Additionally, an appropriate
organizational structure,
staffed with qualified
personnel, is a key ingredient
to accomplish such objectives.
Although some of these
requirements are already in
place, a continued commitment
and support from all parties
involved is necessary to derive
the maximum benefit from this
landmark project.
Results of this project will
help realise policy-making
decisions for formulating
guidelines for the diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention of
liver disease, as well as
resource allocation on a
national level.
The SOLID project network will
bring together different medical
centers with expertise in caring
for patients with hepatitis B,
hepatitis C, hepatocellular
carcinoma, and non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis.
This envisages establishing a
database of clinical information
from a significant proportion of
chronic liver disease patients
across the country, so as to
facilitate research by
extracting clinical,
epidemiological, and therapeutic
data for these important liver
diseases.
The integrity of involved
parties will, of course, yield a
sizeable pool of clinical data,
allowing a better understanding
of the particular disease. We
believe this will eventually
help us to arrive at informed
decisions about the appropriate
care and develop effective
strategies to reduce
disease-related morbidity and
mortality. |
