Featured projects
New technology could spot and treat liver cirrhosis complications sooner
Improving quality of life for people with ascites: REDUCe 2 Study
Help us identify barriers to accessing liver services in Scotland
New Clinical Trial for primary sclerosing cholangitis
New Scottish research partnership aims to improve access to liver services
Pioneering ‘poo transplant’ to begin clinical trial as findings offers hope for liver disease patients
Ongoing research
Alcohol
Integration of Palliative and Supportive Care in the Management of Alcohol Related Liver Disease (ALD)
Dr Ben Hudson – University Hospitals, Bristol
Ongoing project to integrate palliative and supportive care in the management of patients with ALD.
Viral Hepatitis
Creation of Hepatitis B (HBV) Research Network and Biobank
Led by Medical Research Council
Ongoing project to create an equivalent Biobank for Hepatitis B research as currently already exists for Hepatitis C.
Specific Liver conditions
Molecular Action of New Therapies in Obstetric Cholestasis
Professor Catherine Williamson – Imperial College, London
This is an ongoing project. Professor Williamson is researching potential safe treatments in pregnancy to protect the unborn child from bile induced damage as happens in Obstetric Cholestasis. This project has been extended for additional clinical trials on two other potential drug therapies.
Final Report
Development, Validation and Evaluation of a Disease Specific Quality of Life (QoL) Tool for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
Lead consultant Dr Douglas Thorburn – Royal Free Hospital, London
This project is developing a tool to adequately assess Quality of Life in people with PSC. This is important as it is one of the measures used by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) when assessing which drugs and treatments should be made available for patients through the NHS. After a break due to Covid, the PSC Quality of Life Tool research commenced again in June 2022. The research team has now recruited a new researcher to lead on the next steps relating to the project. Once the tool has been tested there is a provisional plan to extend its use to other countries.
This project was kindly funded by a supporter legacy.
European Study on New Treatments for Non Alcohol Related Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Led by Dr Emmanouil Tsochatzis – Royal Free Hospital, London
Ongoing research study aiming to ascertain if the administration of simvastatin or rifaximin, alone or in combination, can reduce the incidence of hepatic decompensation or mortality in patients with compensated cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension.
Other Research
Development of Visual Aids to Assist Discussions with Patients on Treatment Options
Mr Kurinchi Gurusamy – Royal Free Hospital, London
Ongoing study looking at the development of visual aids to improve shared decision making with patients on their condition and treatment options.
People’s Experiences of Liver Transplant Services
Ongoing study led by the Picker Institute
This is an ongoing study with funding and involvement by the British Liver Trust for the British Liver Transplant Group (BLTG) to develop evidence on the views, preferences, and experiences of those involved in liver transplant services, namely; a) Patients (particularly adults) who have received liver transplants; b) NHS staff involved in the provision of transplant services.
Currently, little is known about patients view as strengths and weaknesses of the current service model for liver transplant provision – or about how well this model meets their preferences. The study will collect the views and preferences of patients. Ultimately, this could provide evidence to inform and influence a potential review of how transplant services are organised.