PAINSTORM Dundee Epidemiology
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Partnership for Assessment and Investigation of Neuropathic Pain: Studies Tracking Outcomes, Risks and Mechanisms (PAINSTORM): Dundee Epidemiology Study - investigating risk factors and possible causes of neuropathic pain
IRAS ID
304842
Contact name
Blair H Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Dundee
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
Neuropathic pain (NeuP) is caused by direct damage to the nerves. Not everyone with a disease or trauma which can cause NeuP goes on to develop NeuP. People who do develop NeuP have a wide range of severities and outcomes. This difference in onset, severity and outcome is due to a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The exact contribution and interaction of these factors is currently unknown but is vital to understand to inform treatment and prevention.
PAINSTORM is a group of research centres from the UK and Belgium. Our aim is to understand the disease processes of NeuP. We also want to use this knowledge to improve the outcome for people with NeuP. Our research follows on from the successful DOLORisk study, which identified factors linked with the presence, onset and outcome of NeuP in the general population. We need to confirm these findings in specific populations and we will follow these people up for longer.
Dundee will lead a part of PAINSTORM (PAINSTORM Dundee Epidemiology) that aims to test the findings from DOLORisk and seek other previously unidentified associations with NeuP.
We will focus on two conditions that have a high risk of developing NeuP – diabetes and chemotherapy treatment. We will obtain existing and new data on NeuP and related characteristics (genetic and non-genetic) in three groups. (1) UK Biobank, which has recently been surveyed for NeuP. (2) SHARE: Scottish Health Research Register. Participants with diabetes and/or chemotherapy will be surveyed at the beginning and after 18 months. (3) The Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research in Tayside Study (GoDARTS). Existing DOLORisk data will be combined with new data collected by our survey at 72 months follow-up.
Through statistical analysis we will validate existing and identify novel risk factors for NeuP in diabetes and chemotherapy treatment.REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0803
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jul 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion