3-D facial image analysis of patients with Haemoglobinopathies
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A descriptive and longitudinal clinic observational study of facial features using 3D image analysis in patients with sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia managed in the haematology department of Barts Health NHS Trust.
IRAS ID
125323
Contact name
Lifong Zou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Barts Health NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Sickle Cell disease and Thalassaemia are inherited conditions. A common feature of both diseases is a reduced level of normal haemoglobin in the blood steam. This leads to chronic anaemia. To compensate this the bone marrow becomes over active and hyperplastic as a consequence prominent facial bones are evident presenting as mild changes in facial bone structure on X-ray image (Frederico Sampaio Neves et al. 2012), sometimes this is referred to as “Thalassaemic faces“. Due to the limitations of radiation, it is a challenge assessing the progression of facial bone changes. Currently recognition of these facial differences are often subjective and the extent and nature of these changes have not yet been quantified, particularly in relation to the progression of the disease. This research project will be looking at Barts Health NHS Trust patients with these two conditions attending haematology outpatient clinics. It will use a new and non-invasive 3-D facial scanning technique to accurately record and describe facial profiles in these patients. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of using this non-invasive and quantifiable technique to obtain information of facial changes in relation to the disease progression which may help to identify when an intervention treatment is required.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0301
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion