MCdiff Database Version 1
Research type
Research Database
IRAS ID
169895
Contact name
Charis Marwick
Contact email
Research summary
Scottish molecular Clostridium difficile infection (MCdiff) Database
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
15/WS/0241
Date of REC Opinion
16 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion
Data collection arrangements
The database mainly includes data that have been created as part of patients' healthcare. The purpose is to understand more about Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), a bowel infection which has been linked to hospital outbreaks and infections outside the healthcare setting. Additional patient data (that is not already collected by the NHS) will only be added to the database if individuals have given informed consent for this.
The data include the date of diagnosis of CDI, age, gender, hospital admissions and discharges within the study period, prescribed medications, area of residence (first part of postcode), date of any deaths, and details about the specific strain of Clostridium difficile causing the infection.
The data are anonymised before researchers can access the dataset, which means they have no way of being able to tell who the patients are (even when the patient has given consent for data to be added). The data can only be accessed and analysed within in a secure data Safe Haven and the data cannot be copied outside of this secure environment.
Research programme
Epidemiology: The epidemiology of CDI which has been poorly understood because most tests do not include the specific information on the strain of bacteria. This is important in understanding how the bacteria evolve and spread to cause human disease. NHS: The database will enable research to identify bacterial markers which will improve patient diagnosis and care, by identifying patients who will benefit from specific treatments, and help prevent outbreaks by guiding infection control practices. Patients: Potential benefits include reducing the risk of getting CDI (through improved infection control and reduction in use of medications which increase the risk) and helping healthcare providers choose the best treatments for individual patients based on their specific strain of infection.
Research database title
Scottish molecular Clostridium difficile infection (MCdiff) Database
Establishment organisation
University of Dundee
Establishment organisation address
R&D Office, Residency Block Level 3
George Pirie Way
DD1 9SY