Forty years of successful national research collaboration in liver disease – the Swedish experience

Abstract

Aim Sweden has historically provided a fruitful arena for research in clinical medicine. We here share 40 years of experience of collaboration in the Swedish hepatology research group (SWEHEP) (https://www.swehep.se). Methods We describe the way the Swedish hepatology pioneers started the group and how the network continuously developed over the years. Successful projects such as thorough studies of natural history and various clinical aspects of autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and steatosis are described. Results Over the years, more than 80 publications have been published by the group. A summary of new and ongoing research programs includes the randomized placebo-controlled trial of simvastatin in PSC (PiSCATIN), the prospective BIGMAP (Biochemical and genetic markers for the assessment and prognostication of liver cirrhosis) initiative in patients with liver cirrhosis, and the DETECT-HCC, a prospective multicenter cohort study comparing abbreviated MRI and ultrasound for surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma every six months over two years. The group philosophy, success factors for the longstanding collaboration as well as experience of failures are shared. Conclusion The success of hepatology research in Sweden is based on longstanding collaboration over generations of hepatologists, where everyone contributes, regular research meetings, mutual trust, and perseverance.