A&E BBV Screening Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating the cost effectiveness of untargetted HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C screening in adults presenting for care in the Accident and Emergency department at St Mary's Hospital, London.
IRAS ID
197142
Contact name
Ruth Nicholson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Blood borne viruses (BBV) such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are predominantly asymptomatic viruses that are pre-cancerous, can cause significant health complications and reduce life expectancy if not treated at an early stage. The purpose of this study is to improve case identification of BBVs with the aim of increasing access to care at an earlier stage of disease. All 3 viruses have readily available and effective therapies which if instituted early can remove the threats posed by these viruses. Increasingly with better education it is now understood that these BBVs should be treated as any other chronic disease such as diabetes or asthma. They affect persons from all demographics of the UK and it is estimated that up to 60% remain undiagnosed. Persons attending A&E have already been targeted for HIV screening as per national policy, we question the merit of adding hepatitis B and C to this policy.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the cost effectiveness of BBV screening in A&E. We have experience in BBV screening and cost effective analysis. As a strategy for increasing case finding of undiagnosed patients with BBV we propose to offer screening to adult patients attending the Accident and Emergency department at St Mary's Hospital in London as a proof of concept. We aim to demonstrate local prevalence rates of these three viruses within this population but more importantly demonstrate ability to directly link these patients into the appropriate care pathways at an earlier stage of disease. For patients diagnosed with a BBV we will monitor response to any treatment provided to evaluate outcomes in order to provide cost effectiveness evaluations of the screening programme. No investigational products, tests or devices will be used.REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0095
Date of REC Opinion
18 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion