hepatoSIGHT anonymised database research
Research type
Research Database
IRAS ID
369949
Contact name
Timothy Jobson
Contact email
Research summary
hepatoSIGHT: Chronic liver and metabolic disease research database for case-finding
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/YH/0121
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion
Data collection arrangements
The hepatoSIGHT research database holds approximately 120 biomarker fields derived entirely from routinely collected NHS laboratory data, together with limited demographic variables. No new data collection, additional clinical procedures or direct patient contact are required.
Data categories held include: liver function tests; haematology, coagulation and iron studies; metabolic and renal markers; tumour markers; immunological and autoimmune markers; viral hepatitis serology and PCR results; fibrosis markers; transient elastography results; and derived scoring metrics including FIB-4 score, Cumulative Liver Damage Index and Index of Multiple Deprivation. Demographic variables are limited to year of birth, sex, ethnicity and deprivation index. Each data item is governed by a 13-field specification.
Data are extracted from participating Trust LIMS archives by a nominated local data analyst, uploaded to an HSCN-secure staging server, curated and anonymised by Stalis Limited, and stored in the hepatoSIGHT Common Data Model hosted on HSCN-compliant secure cloud servers operated by ARO Limited. All data remain within the HSCN-secure environment at all times. The database currently covers approximately 2.5 million individuals, with planned expansion to approximately 6 million across the NHS England South West footprint.Research programme
The hepatoSIGHT database supports observational and health services research into chronic liver disease, metabolic syndrome and associated malignancies, using routinely collected NHS laboratory data. It is designed to serve clinical researchers across NHS organisations, academic institutions and other approved bodies, with current commercial coverage extending across the NHS England South West footprint. The database supports four principal research activities: observational and health services research into chronic liver and metabolic disease; validation and refinement of risk prediction tools, including the FIB-4 score and the novel Cumulative Liver Damage Index (CLDI); recruitment feasibility assessment for future clinical trial development, enabling researchers to define patient cohorts meeting predefined eligibility criteria; and health economic evaluation of targeted interventions in liver and metabolic disease. The population scale of the database, currently approximately 2.5 million individuals with planned expansion to approximately 6 million, provides statistical power for subgroup analyses and rare disease research not feasible with smaller cohorts. Longer-term collaborative opportunities include potential Innovate UK partnerships on genetic profiling and imaging. All research must fall within the defined scope and receive Database Steering Committee approval before access is granted.
Research database title
hepatoSIGHT: Chronic liver and metabolic disease research database for case-finding
Establishment organisation
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Establishment organisation address
Musgrove Park Hospital
Parkfield Drive
Taunton
TA1 5DA