Digestive system cancers (esophageal, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic) are among the most lethal worldwide. Precancerous conditions (intestinal polyps, chronic atrophic gastritis, Barrett’s esophagus, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, hepatitis) are critical steps in the carcinogenic cascade, and early detection/interruption is vital for prevention. In addition, functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs, e.g., IBS, FD) and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding are increasingly common, often accompanied by systemic comorbidities, impairing quality of life and increasing healthcare burden.
This study aims to:
1. Identify sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychological risk factors for digestive cancers, precancerous conditions, and FGIDs.
2. Characterize comorbidity patterns with anxiety/depression, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, and socioeconomic adversity.
3. Integrate metabolomics, proteomics, and gut microbiome data to uncover biological pathways in disease onset and progression.
4. Assess medication-related risks (NSAIDs, anticoagulants, corticosteroids).
5. Build models of early gastrointestinal carcinogenesis to discover biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Using UK Biobank’s large, deeply phenotyped cohort with genomic data, we will generate risk profiles and predictive models for digestive system diseases. This work will support early detection, stratified prevention, and personalized intervention.
