Cirrhosis screening in an alcohol support service in NE Edinburgh
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cirrhosis screening in an alcohol support service in NE Edinburgh
IRAS ID
140799
Contact name
Karen Matthews
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Lothian
Research summary
Cirrhosis of the liver is a silent disease as,in most cases, there are no symptoms. Excessive alcohol intake increases the risk of cirrhosis and, in Scotland, death from liver disease is on the increase. Individuals with cirrhosis from a lower socio economic group are much more likely to die than their more affluent counterparts and this health inequality gap is increasing. The aim of this pilot project is to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed cirrhosis in the population of service users accessing one community-based alcohol support service which serves an area of high deprivation. Potential participants will be invited to attend cirrhosis screening with the chief investigator, a Liver nurse specialist. Once consent is obtained a medical and lifestyle assessment of risk will be taken. Participants will then be offered a Fibroscan. This is a quick, painless, non-invasive measurement of liver stiffness which gives an instant result. Fibroscan results will be discussed with participants at the time of screening and for those with a result suggestive of fibrosis or cirrhosis an appointment will be made for them to see the nurse specialist at a designated liver clinic within the alcohol service. Prevalence of cirrhosis in this group will be monitored as will uptake of this service and engagement with specialist liver services for those who require follow up. Through early intervention it is hoped that those identified with cirrhosis will be enabled to halt progression of the disease through lifestyle changes and early curative options; those who are not identified as having cirrhosis will be given health promotion advice in the hope that this will enable them to embark on lifestyle choices which will aid the health of their liver. It is hoped the results of this pilot study will influence service development in this area.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
14/SS/1021
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion