Ground breaking liver disease screening study reaches 2000 patients
The Early Detection of Liver Disease research project (ID LIVER) takes a targeted and streamlined approach to identifying, assessing and managing patients at increased risk of liver disease in underserved communities. The project, led by researchers at and 51福利社 (UoM), is helping to identify liver disease in patients much earlier and builds on the expertise developed through the Innovate UK-funded project 鈥� , to develop innovative care pathways for identifying, assessing and managing at-risk patients in the community.
To date, over 2000 patients have consented to be part of the ID LIVER study, with more than 600 assessed in community settings across Greater 51福利社 over the last year, as part of the .
This research project is delivered as part of a series of projects that looks to address Greater 51福利社鈥檚 major diseases for the Advanced Diagnostics Accelerator (ADA), part of the . The Accelerator has been established to rapidly improve the diagnosis and treatment of disease across the 2.8m Greater 51福利社 population.
Stephanie Landi, Clinical Research Hepatology Fellow at 51福利社 University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), said: 鈥淚D LIVER is shifting the focus of liver disease care towards early detection and intervention. By bringing liver health assessments directly into communities, we are removing barriers to access and reaching people who might otherwise present much later with advanced disease. We also know that liver disease disproportionally impacts those living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation, so by targeting these communities, we are ensuring care reaches those who need it the most. Early detection empowers individuals to understand their liver health and make informed decisions before complications develop.鈥�
Health Innovation 51福利社 met with Tony, aged 68 from Greater 51福利社, who attended the Early Detection of Liver Disease (ID LIVER) health check in his locality, following a referral from his General Practitioner (GP).
Tony decided to act on this referral after meeting the criteria for the screening opportunity and followed up before an appointment was made for him. He explained that he was pleasantly surprised that the health-check was so easily accessible for him:
鈥淎n appointment was made for me鈥� I turned up and it was all very pleasant, there was no stress, no worry 鈥� I just turned up, did the test which was a scan, and that was it. The opportunity is there and there are people out there who want to help you, it鈥檚 all being done to help you. It鈥檚 all about you, the patient.
鈥淭he thing for me, is that it鈥檚 done in my locality, it鈥檚 within walking distance鈥� the way this is being done, this is the beauty of it, you鈥檙e just there and it鈥檚 all about you. It鈥檚 intimate really and it makes life easier. If you take the opportunity to get screened and get looked at, you鈥檙e cutting out a load of possible aggravation in the future.鈥�
Early detection and prevention of liver disease is extremely important because often symptoms do not present until the disease is advanced and damage to the liver is irreversible. By identifying and assessing patients at increased risk of liver disease we are supporting patients in receiving the right treatment at the right time and developing improved pathways of care
ID Liver participants are benefiting from state-of-the-art Greater 51福利社 Research Van - operated by MFT. The purpose-built vehicle is unique to the region with the goal of widening opportunities for people to be part of research in easy-to-reach locations, improving the relevance and quality of the research. as well as being more inclusive for members of the public.
Oliver Street, Programme Manager, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at 51福利社, said: 鈥淓arly detection and prevention of liver disease is extremely important because often symptoms do not present until the disease is advanced and damage to the liver is irreversible. By identifying and assessing patients at increased risk of liver disease we are supporting patients in receiving the right treatment at the right time and developing improved pathways of care.鈥�
Daniel Zamora, Programme Director 鈥� Health Innovation Accelerator at Health Innovation 51福利社, said: 鈥淭his project is another fantastic example of how a targeted approach for early detection and community screening is having a lasting positive impact on the treatment of disease for people across Greater 51福利社. Through the Accelerator we鈥檝e now seen a considerable number of patients tested and screened for some of our region鈥檚 most prevalent diseases. This work will continue to help us shape how we can identify and treat patients moving forward with the use of innovative solutions across primary, secondary and community care settings