Opportunities to participate in clinical trials: awareness among liver patients

Introduction: The rising burden of liver disease requires new treatment approaches. Clinical trials are one way forward. However, many patients are unaware that they may be eligible to enter a clinical trial. Methods: A survey was designed to determine if patients with liver disease were aware of opportunities to partake in trials. It was distributed to patients attending the University Hospitals Birmingham liver outpatient department over a 2-week period and to patients who had viral hepatitis. The data were collected and analysed. Results: The majority of respondents were White, male, and aged 45–64 years. A number of demographic trends in the frequency of invitations to, requests for and awareness of clinical trials were reported. Patients reported that health professionals were their predominant source of information about clinical trials. Discussion: While some patients expressed an interest in trials, a significant proportion had not been asked to take part, and a more detailed project is needed to ...