Bradford patients are taking part in the world's largest study to help find the best way of treating a killer liver disease brought on by excessive drinking.
There are 15 alcoholic hepatitis patients at Bradford Royal Infirmary involved in the landmark research trial which has recruited 1,000 patients nationally.
The three-year study is looking for a single unified treatment.
The trial is being led by Professor Mark Thursz, of Imperial College London and the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, with Bradford-based consultant hepatologists, Dr Sulleman Moreea and Dr Paul Southern, carrying out the research at BRI.
They are testing to see if 28-days of treatment with either steroids or pentoxyfylline, a drug which suppresses inflammation of the liver, can help
In the trial, known as STOPAH, patients with severe inflammation in the liver, caused by drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, randomly receive either a placebo or a dose of steroids/pentoxyfiline alone or combined, so researchers can determine which works the best.
Dr Moreea said: “We are delighted to be contributing to this study but it would not have been possible without our patients being receptive to research, so I would like to thank them and their relatives.”
The liver research team consists of two full-time clinical research nurses, Karl Ward and Rhian Simpson, and clinical research fellow, Dr Victoria Appleby.
The team is working on eight research projects related to a range of liver diseases and has already had studies presented in international meetings in Boston and Amsterdam.
Today marks the start of Alcohol Awareness Week and the BRI-based Alcohol Care Team will be at the main entrance of the BRI until Friday offering advice and information.