Investigating platelet function in MDS & relevance of bleeding scores
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the effect of myelodysplastic syndrome on platelet function and the clinical relevance of bleeding scores.
IRAS ID
154261
Contact name
April Sellors
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 28 days
Research summary
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a condition in which the bone marrow ceases to produce blood cells properly, with many patients experiencing low red cell, white cell and platelet counts. The aim of this study is to determine whether cells produced by the affected bone marrow are able to function correctly or whether a reduced cell count is coupled with a reduced ability of the cells to work as they should. We will only investigate platelets because these cells have many different methods of activation, any of which could be affected by MDS. We will be looking at 5 different pathways of platelet activation per patient in order to determine if a significant number of patients with MDS have a platelet dysfunction and if so, whether one pathway is particularly affected. Platelet function in MDS patients has already been investigated, but this has been done using light transmission aggregometry; a technique which is very time and labor intensive and requires a large blood sample, making it inappropriate for routine testing. Our study will investigate platelet function using multielectrode aggregometry. This is a more sensitive technique which can determine platelet function quickly and accurately from small blood samples. This makes it a more suitable choice for routine platelet function testing.
We will also complete a full clotting screen profile, including RiCof and fibrinogen investigations on each patient and take a bleeding history which together will indicate a patient's likelihood of excessive/inappropriate bleeding. This information will be used in conjunction with the findings from the platelet function samples and if it is found that a significant proportion of MDS patients have platelet dysfunction combined with an increased bleeding score, this could lead to routine testing in patients undergoing surgery, with a view to transfuse platelets if required.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/1196
Date of REC Opinion
30 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion