Salivary heart failure biomarkers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comparison of salivary and serum NT-proBNP and BNP in patients with and without heart failure
IRAS ID
280044
Contact name
Michael Fisher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool University Foundation Trust R+D
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
Heart failure is a common, life-threatening disease which affects 1-2% of the UK population. In its early stages symptoms are non-specific, and late diagnosis can lead to worse outcomes and higher health service expenditure. The biomarkers BNP and NT-proBNP when measured in serum are recommended as an initial investigations for heart failure rule-out, but the tests under used and add unnecessary delays in investigation. Point of care tests using bodily fluids other than blood can provide an accurate, rapid and cost-effective solution with a non-invasive approach to early diagnosis of heart failure. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between NT-proBNP levels in saliva compared with serum in patients with and without heart failure.\nIn this observational study, healthy volunteers and patients with heart failure will be recruited from the Liverpool University Foundation Trust. Participants will be asked to provide blood and saliva samples only, there are no treatments or interventions being tested. The provided samples will then be tested for levels of the BNP and NT-proBNP biomarkers and the concentration in saliva correlated with blood, to understand if saliva levels could feasibly be used in a point of care heart failure rule out test. Participants need only be involved at the time of sample acquisition, and the planned duration of study is less than 1 year. The study is funded by Biohabit Ltd, a biotechnology company based in Alderley Edge, Manchester.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
20/NS/0112
Date of REC Opinion
30 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion