Destiny: D-dimer study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility study evaluating the prognostic and logistic value of measuring D-dimer levels in Primary Care using POC tests.
IRAS ID
285916
Contact name
Mark Williams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of South Wales
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
The diagnosis of conditions that cause hypercoagulability result in economic burden for healthcare. The non-specific symptoms incur clinical problems for diagnosing conditions such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a common condition in the UK, with more than 140,000 patients presented to primary care with suggestive symptoms each year. The reduction of blood flow caused by a blood clot in a deep set vein can lead to a pulmonary embolism and infarcts throughout the circulation, which is potentially fatal if not treated quickly.
The purpose of this study would therefore be to safely exclude DVT in a primary care setting using Point of Care (POC) testing as a means of reducing the number of referrals to secondary and tertiary care. The use of D-dimer as a biomarker utilising POC testing will be investigated to determine the clinical effectiveness and accuracy of ruling out DVT in primary care. The current practice however relies on referral from a primary care setting of all patients with symptoms of hyper coagulation, for diagnostic testing with ultrasonography and laboratory generated D-Dimer analysis at secondary care. Although ultrasonography is safe and easily available, it requires an additional patient visit and increases the need for clinical and diagnostic resources. The use of a D-dimer POC test could therefore be used to exclude a DVT at the initial presentation in the primary setting and reduce the economic burden on the NHS and be more convenient for the patient.REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/PR/0911
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion