Case Finding for CD using a POCT in a Pharmacy setting
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Case Finding for Coeliac Disease using a Point of Care Test in a Pharmacy Setting: A Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
195299
Contact name
David S Sanders
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 30 days
Research summary
Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition characterised by mucosal damage of the small intestine by dietary gluten. CD affects 1 in 100 people. However, patients do not always have symptoms, resulting in 5 undiagnosed patients to every known case of CD. Undiagnosed CD can lead to complications such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, osteoporosis and small bowel lymphoma, as well as impairing quality of life. \n\nCurrently, patients are diagnosed with a conventional blood test for coeliac antibodies (anti-TTG) as a first line test. Simtomax®, a new coeliac point of care test (POCT), has become available. It is a finger prick test that provides results of a coeliac antibody, deaminated gliadin peptide, within 10 minutes. Studies showed that Simtomax is as accurate as anti-TTG, with a 92.7% chance of detecting CD and 98.7% chance of ruling out CD.\n\nThis study aims to assess whether the POCT can increase the detection of adult coeliac disease when used in a pharmacy setting. A feasibility study using a case-finding approach will be conducted at 5 pharmacies in Sheffield over 18 months. It will be funded by Professor Sanders’ research funds.\n\nCustomers who enter the pharmacies will be approached by the principal investigator (PI). Eligible participants (those with symptoms suggestive of or risk factors for CD) will be consented for the POCT by the PI. The POCT will be carried out at the pharmacies. Any participant with a positive test will be advised to see his GP to be referred for a gastroscopy at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to confirm the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, the participant will follow the standard management pathway for any patients with CD.\n\nResults of the study will be compared to the established prevalence of CD of 1%, to assess whether using POCT in a pharmacy setting can increase the detection of adult CD.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0018
Date of REC Opinion
27 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion