For the first time, confocal endomicroscopy, an endoscope that incorporates a laser microscope in the tip, has identified intestinal mucosa barrier dysfunction and "leaky bowel". Through a generous donation, Concord Hospital is the only Australian hospital with Full Spectrum Endoscopy. Our research identified this system in combination with chromoendoscopy is the gold standard in identifying IBD-associated pre-cancerous lesions. Our interventional endoscopist perform enteroscopies, endoscopic mucosal resections, full-thickness resections, endoscopic submucosal dissection procedures. We are pioneering biodegradable stents for strictures.

We can continued our strengths in metabolomics and proteomic profiling in inflammatory bowel diseases. Additional research strengths include faecal microbiota transplantation and our randomised controlled study is published in the top journal The Lancet. Other recent publications have appeared in the top specialty journal Gastroenterology.

In an Asia-Pacific collaboration, a predictive risk score was validated to be useful in the risk stratification of asymptomatic populations in the identification of polyps.

Research on Helicobacter pylori, a gastric infection responsible for peptic ulcers and stomach cancer, include their local prevalence, antimicrobial resistance rates and providing national leadership in defining optimal treatment.

Fibroscan utilizes ultrasound energy called shear waves that measure the elasticity of the liver and may ultimately replace the need for liver biopsies in diagnosing liver scarring and cirrhosis. As one of the first sites to evaluate this novel technology we concluded that Fibroscan correlates well with liver biopsy results.

Various clinical trials are undertaken to help identify new treatments to patients using scientifically robust methodologies in areas such as viral hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, Helicobacter pylori eradication, recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and iron deficiency anaemia. Concord Hospital was the first NSW site to study mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of severe Crohn's disease.

We continue to lead in the development of published consensus guidelines in Australia and the Asia Pacific region including the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (2008), Helicobacter pylori infection (2009), ulcerative colitis (2010) and Crohn's disease (2014), acute severe ulcerative colitis (2015), therapeutic drug monitoring (2017) and use of immunomodulators and biological agents (2019).

The Infusion Centre delivered a rapid infusion protocol of infliximab, a drug that treats immune mediated diseases, showing safety of infusions over 30 minutes. This helped translate into a change in the product information of this drug. The new infusion regimen has been adopted throughout Australia.