The relationship between mercury and systemic lupus erythematosus

ISRCTN ISRCTN91649606
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN91649606
Secondary identifying numbers 1
Submission date
08/08/2014
Registration date
22/09/2014
Last edited
13/05/2016
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory condition where the immune system targets the body's own tissues. SLE is thought to arise from interplay between genetic and environmental factors. One such environmental factor that has been proposed is exposure to mercury. This study aims to find the relationship between exposure to mercury and disease activity in people with SLE.

Who can participate?
SLE patients between the age of 18-65 can participate in this study.

What does the study involve?
The patients are required to provide a blood, urine and hair sample as well as being assessed for disease activity and damage. Patients will also complete questionnaires detailing dental history, lifestyle choices and eating habits. This will be for a duration of one year. Each patient will only be assessed on one occasion.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Information obtained from this study will contribute to the understanding of SLE. There are no foreseen risks to the patient.

Where is the study run from?
The University of Ulster in collaboration with the rheumatology clinics of the National Health Service (NHS) will conduct this research.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2014 to November 2016

Who is funding the study?
Northern Ireland Department of Employment and Learning (DEL)

Who is the main contact?
Mr William Crowe
Crowe-w@email.ulster.ac.uk

Contact information

Dr Emeir McSorley
Scientific

Room W2046
School of Biomedical Sciences
University of Ulster
Coleraine campus
Cromore Road
Co. Londonderry
Coleraine
BT52 1SA
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designCross-sectional study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCross sectional study
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeScreening
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleAn investigation of the exposure to inorganic and organic mercury (HG) and its relationship with disease activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Study acronymHGSLE
Study objectivesIt is postulated that there is an association between inorganic and organic mercury exposure and the development and progression of systemic autoimmunity.
Ethics approval(s)Office of Research Ethic committee Northern Ireland (ORECNI), 09/01/2015. REC Ref: 14/NI/1139
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedSystemic lupus erythematosus
InterventionPatients will be assessed for disease activity and damage, and exposure to inorganic and methyl mercury. Fatty acids will be measured in the blood of the patients. They will have their dental amalgams quantified and will complete a dental history questionnaire as well as a lifestyle and food consumption questionnaires. Recruitment and sampling will be for a duration of one year. Each patient will only be assessed on one occasion.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureThe primary aim is to investigate the relationship between concentrations of mercury in hair (reflecting organic mercury exposure) and urine (reflecting inorganic mercury exposure) and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. These will be assessed at one timepoint for each patient. Hair mercury will be measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. Urinary mercury will be analysed using cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Disease activity will be measured using the revised systemic lupus activity measure (SLAM-R), the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG), and the Safety of Estrogen in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment –Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI).
Disease-associated damage will be measured using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborative Clinics (SLICC) American College of Rheumatology (ACR) index.
Secondary outcome measuresThe secondary aims are to investigate if genes related to how an individual absorbs or excretes mercury will have an impact on hair and urinary mercury concentrations and disease activity. Furthermore, this study will investigate if exposure to mercury impacts on markers of inflammation. These will be assessed at one timepoint for each patient. Genotyping will be completed using PCR. Markers of inflammation will be measured using ELISA.
Overall study start date01/11/2014
Completion date01/11/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit65 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants172
Key inclusion criteria1. A positive diagnosis of SLE using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnosis criteria
2. Patients must be aged between 18-65
Key exclusion criteria1. Currently pregnant
2. Have ever undergone chelation therapy
Date of first enrolment10/04/2015
Date of final enrolment01/09/2016

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Northern Ireland
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centres

Belfast City Hospital
Lisburn Road
BT9 7AB
United Kingdom
Altnagelvin Area Hospital
Glenshane Road
Londonderry
BT47 6SB
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

The Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) (UK)
Government

Adelaide House
39 - 49 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT13 3NG
United Kingdom

Website http://www.delni.gov.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/05w9mt194

Funders

Funder type

Government

The Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planTo be confirmed at a later date
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

13/05/2016: Ethics approval information added.