Similar case studies

REF impact found 109 Case Studies

Currently displayed text from case study:

Use of non-invasive ventilation to improve survival and quality of life in patients with motor neuron disease

Summary of the impact

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a devastating and debilitating disease with poor prognosis; most patients die from progressive respiratory failure within three years of onset. A randomised controlled trial conducted in Newcastle provided robust evidence that non-invasive ventilation for patients with MND can significantly improve quality of life and increase survival (216 days with non-invasive ventilation compared to 11 days without). Findings from this trial underpinned recommendations concerning the use of non-invasive ventilation in MND in clinical guidelines internationally, and use in clinical practice has increased in the UK, across Europe, and in the US and Australasia. In the UK, the number of MND patients successfully established on non-invasive ventilation in 2009 had increased 3.4-fold since 2000 and since 2009 has further increased almost two-fold.

Submitting Institution

Newcastle University

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences

How better risk stratification for lung transplant has benefitted cystic fibrosis patients

Summary of the impact

Lung transplants represent the last hope for cystic fibrosis patients with end-stage lung disease. However, since the mid-1990s, other than in large research centres, some cystic fibrosis patients were not offered this treatment because of the variable and often poor outcome of surgery. This patient group carried a difficult to treat bacterial infection caused by the Burkholderia genus. In 2001 researchers in Newcastle published findings that demonstrated that one particular species, Burkholderia cenocepacia, was responsible for the poor outcomes and that other species of Burkholderia were not as dangerous. This finding was incorporated into international guidelines and since 2008 most transplant centres worldwide have adopted a risk stratification approach to listing patients for transplant. Consequently, more than 30 people per year worldwide now get transplants that would otherwise have been denied.

Submitting Institution

Newcastle University

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine

Effective Clinical Management of Highly Comorbid Patients with End Stage Kidney Disease

Summary of the impact

Dialysis has revolutionised the management of End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD), but the benefits of this invasive, demanding treatment may not be clear-cut for elderly, frail patients with other serious comorbidities. University of Hertfordshire and East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust researchers have led the development of Conservative Management, an alternative to dialysis for some patients, providing multidisciplinary support and careful symptomatic management until death. The research shows that quality of life is maintained, survival may not be significantly compromised, and preferred place of death is more often achieved than for counterparts on dialysis. Conservative Management programmes have been adopted across the UK and elsewhere, influencing the care of many patients.

Submitting Institution

University of Hertfordshire

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences, Public Health and Health Services

Uncovering the genetic basis of atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome leads to improved treatment.

Summary of the impact

Research conducted by Professor Tim Goodship and co-workers at Newcastle has had a profound effect on the prognosis for patients with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS). By engaging in research on the genetic factors underlying the disease they developed an understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible. Identifying that the majority of patients with aHUS have either acquired or inherited abnormalities of the regulation of complement (part of the immune system) led to the establishment of a UK national service for genetic screening and treatment with the complement inhibitor eculizumab. As eculizumab is now available to patients in England, the progression to end-stage renal failure can be prevented and patients already on dialysis will soon be successfully transplanted.

Submitting Institution

Newcastle University

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences

The development of psychological treatment pathways and better identification of Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) in primary care

Summary of the impact

Work on better management and identification of Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) has led to the introduction of new treatments in primary care in England through the Improving Access to Psychological Treatment (IAPT) programme as well as having an impact on service planning and commissioning. These approaches have also been implemented into the routine training and practice of General Practitioners (GPs) in parts of Europe. A clinical and economic evaluation of a psychosocial approach to chronic fatigue syndrome using general nurses and development of a cognitive behaviour therapy approach has changed general practice and enhanced the patient experience for those with MUS.

Submitting Institution

University of Nottingham

Unit of Assessment

Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Public Health and Health Services

Improving clinical care for lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Summary of the impact

Research at the University of Nottingham has defined the clinical phenotype and management of lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a rare and often fatal multisystem disease affecting 1 in 200,000 women worldwide. The group has led the development and evaluation of new therapies and diagnostic strategies which are now part of routine clinical care. The research has underpinned the transformation of this previously under recognised and untreatable disease into a condition recognised by respiratory physicians, with international clinical guidelines, patient registries, clinical trials, specific treatments and a UK specialist clinical service.

Submitting Institution

University of Nottingham

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Clinical Sciences, Public Health and Health Services

Clinical development and manufacture of a new drug, Chronocort®, for treatment of the rare orphan disease congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Summary of the impact

Research on Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) at the University of Sheffield has resulted in both health and commercial impacts. The research has led to a new drug treatment, Chronocort®, being developed for CAH. Chronocort® has been tested in CAH patients with the positive outcome of improved disease control.

Commercial impact arose from the creation of a spin-out company, Diurnal Ltd, in 2004 which has raised investment of £3.8M since 2008, including £0.4M from pharmaceutical industry sources, and (as an SME partner) a €5.6M Framework 7 grant to develop a paediatric treatment for CAH. Diurnal has created five new jobs and has contracts with six UK companies worth £2.7M.

Submitting Institution

University of Sheffield

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences, Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine

A new gold standard treatment for the emergency correction of warfarin-induced coagulopathy

Summary of the impact

As a result of University of Sheffield research in 1995-2002, a new gold standard treatment for major bleeding on warfarin has been established, ensuring the more effective treatment of tens of thousands of patients requiring emergency anticoagulation reversal each year in the UK alone. The treatment, using prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) was demonstrated to be superior to fresh frozen plasma (FFP), the standard alternative at the time, and two PCCs have now been licensed for this indication in the UK.

UK and international guidelines now recommend PCC over FFP.

Submitting Institution

University of Sheffield

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Clinical Sciences

Identification of a chromosomal abnormality now used to stratify treatment in children with neuroblastoma.

Summary of the impact

Neuroblastoma is a paediatric cancer that arises from the sympathetic nervous system. The average age at diagnosis is 18 months and the disease accounts for approximately 15% of all childhood cancer-related deaths. Determining optimal treatment for individual patients is crucial for increasing chances of survival and for reducing side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Newcastle-led research identified unbalanced 17q gain as the most common segmental chromosomal abnormality (SCA) in patients with neuroblastoma; this was present in more than 50% of patients. Gain of 17q is now one of the key SCAs used to determine treatment for patients in a European neuroblastoma trial and in UK treatment centres. Newcastle research also led to the development of a simple diagnostic test for the detection of the main SCAs in neuroblastoma.

Submitting Institution

Newcastle University

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Oncology and Carcinogenesis

Curing chronic granulomatous disease in children through early bone marrow transplant

Summary of the impact

Chronic granulomatous disease is a rare but very serious inherited disorder of the immune system that leaves sufferers vulnerable to potentially fatal bacterial and fungal infections. Researchers at Newcastle University demonstrated very high survival and cure rates following bone marrow transplantation for the disease and good quality of life for successfully transplanted patients. This led to a change in national clinical policy, and doctors at both specialist disease centres in the UK now recommend transplantation to families where previously they would not have done so. In the five years prior to 2008 there were only 11 transplants for chronic granulomatous disease in the UK and in the following five years, 36 transplants. 32 children are alive and cured of the disease.

Submitting Institution

Newcastle University

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Clinical Sciences, Immunology

Filter Impact Case Studies

Download Impact Case Studies