A precision and reproducibilty assessment of liver fat measurement by chemical shift magnetic resonance scanning

ISRCTN ISRCTN74994614
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN74994614
Secondary identifying numbers Study Protocol v2.0
Submission date
28/04/2016
Registration date
01/07/2016
Last edited
16/03/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Digestive System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background & Aims
The gold standard technique for non-invasive measurement of liver fat has previously been Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. This tool is largely confined to the research setting as it requires high energy scanners which are resource intensive. Chemical Shift Magnetic Resonance (CS-MR) poses an alternative which is more applicable in the clinical setting as it can be used on conventional clinical Magnetic Resonance scanners. The accuracy with which CS-MR can repeatedly measure liver fat levels has not previously been assessed. This study aims to assess liver fat levels by using CS-MR in 10 patients on two occasions separated by a minimum of 24 hours. In this time, actual liver fat levels will not have changed. Statistical analysis will then be performed to determine the variation in results CS-MR produces between scans in the same patients. This will provide information on whether CS-MR can be used in studies and clinical practice to accurately detect changes in liver fat levels.

Who can participate?
Anybody over the age of 18 years old with a body mass index greater than 25.

What does the study involve?
Each participant is asked to attend Royal Blackburn Hospital on 2 occasions. During the first visit they are asked to provide a blood sample to assess liver function, circulating blood fat levels and sugar level control. The participants also have a short chemical shift magnetic resonance scan. On the second visit 4 weeks later another chemical shift magnetic resonance scan is performed.

What are the possible benefits?
There are no perceived benefits to participants. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

When is the study starting?
October 2015 to August 2017

Who is funding the study?
Rosemere Cancer Foundation (UK)

Where is the study running?
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Blackburn (UK)

Who is the main contact?
1. Mr Daren Subar (scientific)
daren.subar@elht.nhs.uk
2. Ms Linda Gregson (public)
linda.gregson@elht.nhs.uk

Contact information

Mr Daren Subar
Scientific

Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery
Royal Blackburn Hospital
Haslingden Road
Blackburn
BB2 3HH
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1254 263555
Email daren.subar@elht.nhs.uk
Ms Linda Gregson
Public

Research and Development Department
Royal Blackburn Hospital
Haslingden Road
Blackburn
BB2 3HH
United Kingdom

Phone 01254 263555
Email linda.gregson@elht.nhs.uk

Study information

Study designSingle centre. Observational feasibility study.
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCohort study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet Not available in electronic form. Please study team using public contact details provided.
Scientific titleA precision and reproducibility assessment of intra-hepatic fat quantification by chemical shift magnetic resonance
Study acronymLiverPRIMEi
Study objectivesThe aim of the study is to determine if chemical shift magentic resonance provides a precise and reproducible method of quantifiying intra-hepatic fat fraction using a clinical magentic resonace scanner.

Null Hypothesis:
1. There is no agreement between repeated quantifications of intra-hepatic fat fraction as measured by chemical shift magnetic resonance
Ethics approval(s)Not provided at time of registration
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedHepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Intervention10 participants will undergo 2 chemical shift magnetic resonance scans using the clinical magnetic resonance scanner at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

These scans will be performed at least one day apart.

On visit 1, participants will also be asked to provide a blood sample for assessment of liver function, glycaemic control and lipid profile. Weight, height and hip-to-waist ratio will also be recorded. From this body mass index will be calculated.

No further blood samples will be acquired on the second visit.

Intra-person results will be statistically analysed for agreement using the Bland Altmann method with a priori variance levels of 0.2 deemed acceptable.
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
Phase
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measureIntrahepatic fat fraction as measured by 2 Chemical Shift Magnetic Resonance scans greater than 24 hours apart.
Secondary outcome measures1. Indocyanine Green Plasma Disappearance Rate and Retention at 15 minutes, measured using a PULSiON Indocyanine Green Clearance Testing Device. This will be measured at visit 1 and 4 weeks later
2. BMI, Height, Weight and Hip to Waist ratio, measured at visit 1 and 2
3. Assessment of Liver function, Glycaemic control and Lipid profile, including Bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP GGT, HbA1c, Random Glucose, Triglycerides and Cholesterol at visit 1.
Overall study start date01/10/2015
Completion date08/08/2017

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants10
Key inclusion criteria1. Participants must be able to receive and understand verbal and written information regarding the study and give written, informed consent.
2. Participants should have features associated with intra-hepatic fat such as elevated BMI.
3. >18 years old
4. Male or female
Key exclusion criteria1. Persons under 18 years of age
2. Conditions in which the supine position and breath holds required for MR scanning are not possible
3. Persons who might not adequately understand verbal explanations or written information given in English, or who have special communication needs
4. Persons with contraindications to MR imaging- presence of cardiac pacemaker/artificial heart valve/aneurysm clips/metallic fragments in eyes/cochlear implants
5. Pre-existing chronic liver pathology such as haemachromatosis, viral hepatitis or primary hepatic malignancy
Date of first enrolment01/06/2016
Date of final enrolment01/07/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Royal Blackburn Hospital
Haslingden Road
Blackburn
BB2 3HH
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Hospital/treatment centre

Royal Blackburn Hospital
Haslingden Road
Blackburn
BB2 3HH
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44(0)1254 263555
Email linda.gregson@elht.nhs.uk
Website www.elht.nhs.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/002pa9318

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Rosemere Cancer Foundation

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date08/08/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planWe anticipate the results of this study to be published by peer-reviewed journals and presented at international surgical, anaesthetic and perioperative medicine conferences.

All patient-identifiable data will be anonymised before publication.
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

16/03/2020: Internal review.
18/10/2017: Internal review.