100 Whittington Health Patient Recruited to new Clinical Trial

Whittington Health has recruited its 100 patient to take part in the GenOMICC clinical trial which is studying the DNA of people with severe infections and injuries to help understand why some people are more susceptible to becoming more unwell from infection and injuries than others.

 

Our genes (or DNA) determine how vulnerable we are to critical illness. By comparing DNA between critically-ill patients and members of the general population, researchers are hoping to discover specific genes that might control the processes that lead to life-threatening illness. It is hoped that with this new information that further research can then identify ways to prevent people from becoming very unwell through new treatments, therapies or approaches to caring for patients.

 

If the study can find a gene or genes that change a patient’s chance of dying from critical illness, then they will have found something that has so far eluded medical science: a “lever” that changes the complex cascade of biological events that promote survival in humans.

 

Research and innovation are one of the central parts of Whittington Health NHS Trust's vision to help local people live longer, healthier lives. That is why the trust employs a specialist research team made up of colleagues from a range of clinical backgrounds who work with our staff and patients to promote research and innovation and help to recruit patients to take part in trials in a safe, caring and transparent way.

 

Each of the 100 patients recruited to the GenOMICC trial from Whittington Health so far were admitted to our hospital very unwell with conditions including COVID-19, Cellulitis, Organ failure and Pancreatitis. When they were well enough, or when it was appropriate, our teams talked to the patients or their next of kin about the study, taking time to ensure that they fully understood the reasons the study was taking place, how they or their relative's participation could benefit them and other patients in the future and any risks or potential issues associated with taking part.

 

Blood samples were then taken from the patients to extract and analyse the their DNA to compare to the other 7,400 recruited to the trial from other hospitals and compared to DNA samples from a more than 21,000 people including those who were not unwell to try to identify any genetic differences which lead to some people becoming very unwell whilst others, even those who might be at particular risk from the same illness do not.

 

One patient who agreed to be part of the study was Ingeborg who, aged 94 spent 5 days in Whittington Hospital's ITU suffering from very severe Pneumonia. Happily, now back at home she explained: "I was approached about taking part in the study whilst I was recovering in hospital, I was more than happy to take part as I am always happy to help advance science and help improve things for the future."

 

Speaking about the trial and the work here at Whittington Health, Dr Clare Dollery, Whittington Health’s Medical Director, said: "Advances in medical care and treatment are made possible because of careful research, clinical studies and trials which is why we are so committed to supporting our patients and colleagues here at Whittington Health to participate in studies such as this one. Each of the 100 patients who have taken part in the GenOMICC trial are part of advancing medical knowledge and helping to create a better future for everyone, today and in the future so we would like to thank them for agreeing to be part of something that will hopefully make a real difference to people's lives".

 

You can find out more about the study which is being conducted by the University of Edinburgh and funded by the Wellcome Trust and the charity, Sepsis Research FEAT at: http://www.genomicc.org/.