Immune Cell Dysfunction in Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis

Launched by MID AND SOUTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST · Oct 23, 2014

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking into how the immune system works in people with severe alcoholic hepatitis, a serious liver condition caused by heavy drinking. The researchers want to understand how certain immune cells change in these patients and how these changes might affect their recovery. They will also examine how different treatments influence these immune cells during the treatment process.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be between 18 and 65 years old and have severe alcoholic hepatitis, indicated by a specific score that measures the severity of their condition. They should also have a history of drinking more than 28 units of alcohol per week. However, people with certain other health issues, such as co-infections, autoimmune diseases, or significant psychiatric conditions, will not be able to participate. If enrolled in the study, participants can expect to provide blood samples for analysis, helping researchers learn more about the relationship between immune function and the outcomes of this condition.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age 18-65 years
• • 2. Patients presented with severe alcoholic hepatitis with a Maddrey score (discriminant function) of \>32 (The Maddrey score uses various blood results on a patient to define the severity of alcoholic hepatitis e.g.bilirubin etc).
• • 3. Ongoing abuse of alcohol (drinking in excess of 28 units/wk)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Co-infection with HIV/Hepatitis B / Hepatitis C virus infection.
• • 2. Patients with autoimmune liver disease.
• • 3. Patients with metabolic liver disease.
• • 4. Patients with significant psychiatric and/or neurological co-morbidity.
• • 5. Hepatocellular carcinoma or other neoplastic disease
• • 6. Pregnancy or breast feeding of infants.