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Fixing the leaky pipeline: gender imbalance in gastroenterology in Asia-Pacific region

Devi J, Chan TT, Lui R, Ali RAR, Women in GI Focus Group, Emerging Leaders Committee, Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology

J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2023 Dec;38(12):2047-2049.
PMID: 37743674 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16353
Trend of Representation of Women in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endoscopy Conferences in Asia

Devi J, Chantarojanasiri T, Hang DV, Lui R, Ali RAR, Butt AS, et al.

JGH Open, 2025 Jan;9(1):e70080.
PMID: 39791011 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.70080

OBJECTIVES: Despite progress in promoting gender equality, gender bias remains a significant obstacle for women and hinders their academic advancement. We aim to survey and critically analyze women's representation in conferences and changes over time in various regions of Asian countries.
METHODS: An international survey was conducted with representatives from East Asia (Hong Kong, China, and Japan), South Asia (India and Pakistan), and Southeast Asia (Vietnam and Thailand). The survey collected data on faculty members serving as chairpersons, moderators, speakers, and organizing committee members of annual scientific meetings held between 2018 and 2022.
RESULTS: A total of 33 conferences were held between 2018 and 2022: 24 in gastroenterology, 5 in hepatology, and 4 in endoscopy across East, South, and Southeast Asia, respectively. The total number of invited faculty members was 4106. Out of 4106, the number of women involved as chairperson, moderator, speakers, and organizing committee was 105, 78, 290, and 146, respectively. The representation of women faculty ranged from 3.8% to 25% in East Asia, 9.2% to 13.5% in South Asia, and 11.8% to 34.3% in Southeast Asia. Overall, the increase in women's participation was minor and statistically non-significant. However, there was an increase of women's participation as chairpersons, moderators, speakers, and organizing committee members from 14.1% in 2018 to 15.2% in 2022.
CONCLUSION: Participation of women in Asian annual conferences in the capacity of chairperson, moderator, speaker, and/or organizing committee member was significantly under-represented. This under-representation necessitates targeted measures to enhance women's roles in these meetings, thereby supporting their career advancement.
Liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma in the Asia-Pacific region: burden, trends, challenges and future directions

Mak LY, Liu K, Chirapongsathorn S, Yew KC, Tamaki N, Rajaram RB, et al.

Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2024 Dec;21(12):834-851.
PMID: 39147893 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-024-00967-4

Globally, nearly half of deaths from cirrhosis and chronic liver diseases (CLD) and three-quarters of deaths from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occur in the Asia-Pacific region. Chronic hepatitis B is responsible for the vast majority of liver-related deaths in the region. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common form of CLD, affecting an estimated 30% of the adult population. Compared with people of European descent, people from the Asia-Pacific region carry more genetic variants associated with MASLD and its progression. Alcohol is a fast-growing cause of CLD and HCC in Asia as a result of the rising per-capita consumption of alcohol. Drug-induced liver injury is under-recognized and probably has a high prevalence in this region. The epidemiological and outcome data of acute-on-chronic liver failure are heterogeneous, and non-unified definitions across regions contribute to this heterogeneity. CLDs are severely underdiagnosed, and effective treatments and vaccinations are underutilized. In this Review, we highlight trends in the burden of CLD and HCC in the Asia-Pacific region and discuss the rapidly changing aetiologies of liver disease. We examine the multiple gaps in the care cascade and propose mitigating strategies and future directions.
Rising global burden of cancer attributable to high BMI from 2010 to 2019

Tan DJH, Ng CH, Muthiah M, Yong JN, Chee D, Teng M, et al.

Metabolism, 2024 Mar;152:155744.
PMID: 38029839 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155744

BACKGROUND: High body mass index (BMI) is a major risk factor for cancer development, but its impact on the global burden of cancer remains unclear.
METHODS: We estimated global and regional temporal trends in the burden of cancer attributable to high BMI, and the contributions of various cancer types using the framework of the Global Burden of Disease Study.
RESULTS: From 2010 to 2019, there was a 35 % increase in deaths and a 34 % increase in disability-adjusted life-years from cancers attributable to high BMI. The age-standardized death rates for cancer attributable to high BMI increased over the study period (annual percentage change [APC] +0.48 %, 95 % CI 0.22 to 0.74 %). The greatest number of deaths from cancer attributable to high BMI occurred in Europe, but the fastest-growing age-standardized death rates and disability-adjusted life-years occurred in Southeast Asia. Liver cancer was the fastest-growing cause of cancer mortality (APC: 1.37 %, 95 % CI 1.25 to 1.49 %) attributable to high BMI.
CONCLUSION: The global burden of cancer-related deaths attributable to high BMI has increased substantially from 2010 to 2019. The greatest increase in age-standardized death rates occurred in Southeast Asia, and liver cancer is the fastest-growing cause of cancer mortality attributable to high BMI. Urgent and sustained measures are required at a global and regional level to reverse these trends and slow the growing burden of cancer attributed to high BMI.