Characterising the burden of pruritus in PSC and CLD (V1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characterising the burden and clinical trajectory of pruritus in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and chronic liver disease
IRAS ID
305983
Contact name
Palak Trivedi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Background: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a disease that causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts. There are no medicines that have been shown to slow down the rate of liver damage, and liver transplantation is the only lifesaving treatment for people liver with the disease. \n\nWhilst many clinical trials are underway, few address the symptoms of the disease. In a survey led by the international charity PSC Support, itching (pruritus) was named as one of the symptoms that impacted quality of life the most. However, there is no published study so far which indicates how this symptom varies according to the natural history of the disease, or according to currently available anti-itch medicines.\n\nProposal: We will use validated health-related quality of life questionnaires to assess the (a) presence, (b) severity, and (c) variability of pruritus in people with PSC over a 12-month observation period, alongside (d) the impact of pruritus on global quality of life measures. In parallel, we will compare these findings to liver diseases due to other causes, using the same assessment tools.\n\nThe study will be conducted through the University Hospitals Birmingham Liver Department and University of Birmingham Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
21/NS/0139
Date of REC Opinion
28 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion