SPECSIS: Biospectroscopy to predict outcomes in in sepsis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The SPECSIS study: Biospectroscopy of liquid biopsies to predict outcomes in infection and sepsis
IRAS ID
352168
Contact name
Gareth Hardy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Clinical Research Centre, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 11 months, 26 days
Research summary
Infections are extremely common, and most infections are easily treated, or often get better by themselves. If an infection causes someone to become severely unwell, this is usually due to sepsis. Sepsis is one of the most common reasons for people to require hospital care. If not recognised early, sepsis can progress to cause organ failure and even death. Identifying patients who are at risk of becoming very unwell is challenging; lots of patients come to hospital with an infection, and it can be difficult to pick out those who need urgent treatment to prevent them becoming severely ill. There are several tools and tests available to help clinicians with this, but they are often not very effective. Spectroscopy is a technique used to analyse samples in many different scientific areas. The technology is now advanced enough to be used in easily portable, simple to use devices. We aim to investigate whether this technology can be used to help clinicians in hospitals identify which patients with infections are at risk of becoming seriously ill, so they can be treated more quickly and accurately. Spectroscopy may have utility in aiding treatment decisions as well by more precisely categorising a patient's condition.
As part of the proposed research we plan to conduct PPIE (Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement) sessions. Several different cohorts of 5-10 participants will be identified; patients/relatives, front line clinical staff and senior clinical decision makers. The proposed research will be presented and discussed and the information used to inform the project going forwards. It is envisaged that the PPIE group data itself could be used as part of a published work.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0088
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion