Clinical trials and cohort studies

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Snapshot: Supporting the largest UK cohort of COVID-19 patients

ISARIC4C is an open, inclusive UK-wide collaboration of doctors and scientists committed to answering urgent questions about emerging infections and public health threats quickly, openly, and for the benefit of all. Since 2012 they have been preparing for outbreaks worldwide. Since the start of the outbreak of COVID-19, ISARIC4C has coordinated a number of medical and genomic studies across the UK to help guide pandemic response and discover new treatments. The study rapidly became the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. During its first 3 months, the ISARIC4C consortium expanded from the initial 34 co-investigators to more than 150 active contributors. Professor Ewen Harrison and Dr Annemarie Docherty are among the co-investigators on this influential and forward-thinking cohort study.

ISARIC4C website

Snapshot: Generation Scotland

Generation Scotland is a large study reflecting the lives of people in Scotland, following volunteer individuals and their families from childhood to old age. The team support partnerships between volunteers and researchers on pressing issues of health and well-being. They combine responses to questionnaires and detailed historic NHS records with innovative laboratory science and data analytics. They do this in the safest and most secure way possible. They support open science combined with public engagement and consultation, sharing findings to influence health policy and improve lives.

Generation Scotland website

Snapshot: Viking Genes

Viking Genes is a study looking at the genetics and health of volunteers with at least 2 grandparents from the Hebrides, Orkney or Shetland. Researchers aim to better understand what might cause health conditions such as heart disease, eye disease, stroke, diabetes and others.

Researchers from the Viking Genes research project identified 108 genetic variants – differences in a person’s DNA – in 23 genes, which can be linked to conditions like cancer and heart disease. These results were then communicated to participants, giving them the opportunity to undertake personalised treatment for their condition. Experts say it is one of the UK's first extensive efforts in returning clinically actionable genetic results to people involved in the study.

Viking Genes website

Snapshot: Salt water nasal drops can shorten cold symptoms in children

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ELVIS Kids (Edinburgh and Lothian Virus Intervention Study in Kids), found that using salt water nasal drops can shorten cold symptoms in children by two days, reducing illness duration and helping prevent transmission within families. The study, supported by the Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, involved 407 children up to six years old.

Children treated with saline solution experienced cold symptoms for an average of six days, compared to eight days in children who received standard care. This reduction in symptom duration also correlated with a decreased likelihood of other family members catching the cold.

ELVIS Kids study news