Research work

Areas of scientific activity of the Department:

Study of the epidemiology of viral hepatitis in Kazakhstan

Study of factors contributing to the progression of chronic viral hepatitis B, C, and D in the population of Kazakhstan

Studying the effectiveness of therapy for viral hepatitis and IBD in the population of Kazakhstan

Studying the factors of progression and predictors of response to therapy for autoimmune liver diseases in the population of Kazakhstan

Studying the pathogenesis, epidemiology, and clinical and demographic indicators of inflammatory bowel diseases

Development of non-invasive methods for diagnosing liver fibrosis in viral hepatitis and metabolically associated steatohepatitis

Development and implementation of new methods for correcting complications of liver cirrhosis

Implementation of new methods for invasive and non-invasive diagnosis of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver

Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy

The Department of Gastroenterology conducts active research aimed at studying current issues in gastroenterology, hepatology, and related disciplines, as well as introducing modern methods of diagnosis and treatment into clinical practice. Scientific research is carried out by the faculty of the Department with the active participation of students and residents.

International and local studies:

MOSAIC International Multicenter Prospective Observational Study (2014–2015) — a study of the epidemiology, humanistic (quality of life), and economic outcomes of treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV).

REPAIR (CHOLIL06738) (2014–2015) — a study of outpatients with chronic liver diseases (chronic hepatitis, fatty liver disease, liver disease in the context of diabetes mellitus and obesity) receiving essential phospholipids as an adjunct to standard therapy in real-world clinical practice.

EPID8018 (2014–2015) — a multicenter epidemiological study to investigate the prevalence of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as abnormalities in liver enzyme activity among high-risk patients in outpatient practice in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Study of physicians’ awareness of chronic pancreatitis (2015–2017) — analysis of physicians’ knowledge and clinical approaches in real clinical practice.

Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in the Republic of Kazakhstan (2015–2018) — study of the prevalence and clinical features of IBD.

International non-interventional observational study on the experience of using the drug Ursosan® — assessment of the prevention of atherosclerosis and liver fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in routine inpatient and outpatient practice.

Clinical and immunological characteristics of patients with primary biliary cholangitis in the Republic of Kazakhstan — a study of the clinical course and immunological markers of the disease.

Clinical and immunological characteristics and assessment of therapy predictors in patients with autoimmune hepatitis in the Republic of Kazakhstan — a scientific project aimed at optimizing therapeutic approaches.

“Clinical and epidemiological assessment of hepatic encephalopathy and validation of tools for its assessment and self-monitoring in patients with liver cirrhosis in the Republic of Kazakhstan” — a study using modern scales and monitoring tools.

Scientific project ADEM-524-0479 — a study in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology, implemented with the participation of Department staff.

The results of the Department’s research work are incorporated into the educational process, used in clinical practice, and being presented at national and international scientific and practical conferences.

The Department is currently implementing the following research projects:

“The use of bioimpedance analysis in patients with edematous-ascites syndrome in liver cirrhosis” — this study is devoted to assessing the capabilities of bioimpedance analysis of body composition for objectively characterizing water sectors, nutritional status, and the dynamics of edematous-ascites syndrome in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Scientific supervisor: Abdullaeva G.U.

“Clinical and immunological characteristics and assessment of predictors of the effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with autoimmune hepatitis in the Republic of Kazakhstan” — this work is aimed at studying clinical, laboratory, and immunological markers associated with the response to immunosuppressive therapy in order to optimize an individualized approach to patient treatment.

Scientific supervisor: Ashimova N.A.

“A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter Phase III study to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of weekly survodutide injections in adult patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD) / steatohepatitis associated with metabolic dysfunction (SMD) without cirrhosis and with stage F2–F3 fibrosis” — an international clinical study aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of innovative therapy in patients with metabolically associated steatohepatitis.

Scientific supervisor: Nersesov A.V.

“Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of primary biliary cholangitis in the Republic of Kazakhstan” — a study devoted to the analysis of the prevalence, clinical course, diagnostic features, and outcomes of primary biliary cholangitis in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Scientific supervisor: Gainutdin A.E.

The results of the Department’s research work are presented at scientific and practical conferences, published in domestic and foreign scientific journals, and used in the educational process and clinical practice.

Library resources

Interna Clinic has its own specialized library, which includes more than 200 titles of educational, scientific, and clinical literature on gastroenterology, hepatology, and related disciplines. The library collection is available in print and electronic formats. The literature is available in Kazakh, Russian, and English. Every resident and student of the Department has the right to freely use the library resources.

The Department staff has created a guide for practicing physicians entitled “Cirrhosis of the Liver and Its Twenty Clinically Significant Complications.”

Interna Academy is an educational platform created by the staff of the Department of Gastroenterology to improve the qualifications of doctors of various specialties. The platform includes lecture courses, clinical case studies, and training materials focused on modern approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases.

Gastroenterology residents have free access to all educational materials and lectures on the Interna Academy platform, which helps them deepen their professional knowledge, continue their medical education, and integrate theoretical training with clinical practice.