EndoCompass Project: Endocrine Laboratory Medicine

Endocrine science remains underrepresented in European Union research programmes despite the fundamental role of hormone health in human wellbeing. Analysis of the CORDIS database reveals a persistent gap between the societal impact of endocrine disorders and their research prioritization. At national funding level, endocrine societies report limited or little attention of national research funding towards endocrinology. The EndoCompass project - a joint initiative between the European Society of Endocrinology and the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology, aimed to identify and promote strategic research priorities in endocrine science to address critical hormone-related health challenges.

Research priorities were established through comprehensive analysis of the EU CORDIS database covering the Horizon 2020 framework period (2014-2020). Expert analysis examined current challenges and opportunities in hormone measurements, focusing on analytical quality, method validation, and emerging technologies to ensure reliable research and clinical care.

Research priorities encompass optimization of pre-analytical processes, standardization and harmonization of endocrine tests, development of personalized reference intervals and clinical decision limits considering diversity, biological variation and environmental factors, innovation in biomarker discovery and point-of-care testing, and implementation of sustainable laboratory practices. Special emphasis is placed on leveraging artificial intelligence and health economics while maintaining analytical quality.

This component of the EndoCompass project provides an evidence-based roadmap for advancing endocrine laboratory medicine. The findings support strategic investment in quality assurance and innovative technologies to enhance both research reliability and clinical outcomes, ultimately improving patient care in endocrine-related diseases.