A multi-centre research group led from the University of Newcastle by Professors Chris Day and Ann Daly and funded by the Department of Health is studying the genetics of drug-induced liver injury
The study, involves collecting DNA from cases and suitable controls for a candidate gene study with the aim of identifying polymorphisms predictive of the development of drug-related liver injury and hence allowing the possibility of prevention. We are depending on physicians treating drug-induced liver injury cases, particularly BSG members, to put us in contact with suitable patients.
Our inclusion criteria are either: Clinically apparent jaundice or bilirubin > 40 µmol/l (after exclusion of cases due to haemolysis)ALT >5x ULNALP >2x ULN plus any raised bilirubin above ULN.
If any patients under your care either in the past or currently have suffered drug-induced liver injury relating to any prescribed drug, please contact our Research Nurse, Jill Henderson, on the following telephone number: 0191 222 3868 or email: Jill.Henderson@newcastle.ac.uk
We will send you a letter to send to the potential case together with a patient information sheet which includes a form to indicate interest in the study. If the patient then returns the form to us, one of our 4 country-wide study nurses will visit him/her to collect a blood sample for DNA preparation.
