The development of Liver Research Cymru, a new partnership to increase hepatology research activity in Wales

Yeoman, A.D., Ahmed, H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0634-8548, Akbari, A., Cullen, K., Davies, A., Fitzsimmons, D., Gao, J., Hood, K. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5268-8631, Nollett, C., Vincent, A., Williams, W. and Pembroke, T.P.I. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2600-2034 2024. The development of Liver Research Cymru, a new partnership to increase hepatology research activity in Wales. NIHR Open Research 4 , 57. 10.3310/nihropenres.13663.1

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Abstract

Background The incidence and severity of liver disease in the United Kingdom have increased over the last 20 years. Many patients present with advanced disease with limited treatment options and subsequently high morbidity and mortality. There was also a significant correlation with deprivation. Strategies that support the earlier detection of liver disease are paramount to reverse this trend. Despite significant progress in terms of novel pathways, the optimal strategy for early detection of liver disease remains unknown. Novel ways to tackle the deprivation gradient and reduce health inequalities are urgently required. Methods Clinical research has an enormous role to play both in terms of identifying the true scale of this challenge, where current gaps exist, and to identify the optimal early detection strategies and their implementation. WE therefore established Liver Rsearch Cymru (LRC) a multi-disciplinary collaboration that seeks to maximise the benefits from our existing data sources and clinical networks and increase the output of hepatology research in Wales. Results LRC has developed the first Wales wide research collaborative. We have successfully collaborated with the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) data resource to develop a greater understanding of liver disease burdens through comprehensive analysis of primary and secondary care data. We are now using this information to evaluate the effectiveness of local early detection pathways and to identify the scale of delays in diagnosis with a view to addressing this important care gap. Conclusion LRC has successfully brought together patients. Hepatologists and population/primary care academics to better understand current discrepancies in the early diagnosis of liver disease in Wales. In addition, it has laid a foundation for future research work based both on our preliminary findings and allowed us to collaborate with other more established liver disease research groups.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine Centre for Trials Research (CNTRR)
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis
ISSN:	2633-4402
Funders:	NIHR
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	26 November 2024
Last Modified:	26 Nov 2024 15:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/173501

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