Reference range study for FGF-21 and hepcidin
Research type
Research Study
Full title
To establish reference ranges for fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) and hepcidin in the paediatric population
IRAS ID
187046
Contact name
GAYANI WEERASINGHE
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Mitochondrial diseases constitute a group of metabolic diseases that affect people at all ages. Childhood mitochondrial disease is typically more severe than adult onset disease. The diagnosis is often challenging and it
requires amalgamation of clinical, biochemical, enzymatic, histopathological and molecular data. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21)is tested in blood as a useful, sensitive marker of mitochondrial disorders involving muscles. Therefore, researchers have proved that FGF21 is a sensitive tool for screening patients suspected of having a mitochondrial disease and later to investigate further with more sophisticated tests according to the FGF21 result. This invariably leads to early diagnosis and ultimate reduction of cost for health care services. However,
a normal range (reference interval) for this test has not been established to report patients' results. Our aim of this study is to establish a normal range for FGF21 for the paediatric population, and to include this test in the biochemistry test repertoire to help the clinicians in diagnosing patients with mitochondrial disorders. To establish a normal range in a healthy population at least 40 samples are adequate. However, with the feasibility and availability in finding participants we decided to recruit patients attending the paediatric endocrine clinic at the John Radcliffe Hospital. The participants with normal thyroid function tests at the time of blood collection will be recruited in the study. An extra blood sample (0.5ml) will be collected from the participants for FGF21 test who are already waiting for testing of their thyroid functions.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0519
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion