IPOS-Liver Validation Study

What this study involves

The registry does not currently label this study as recruiting. Ask about its status before planning a screening visit.

Study type

Observational

Phase

Not applicable / not listed

Age range

18 years - Not specified

Sex eligible

All sexes

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

Participants

71 Estimated

These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.

About the research

People with advanced liver disease often experience complex physical symptoms, emotional concerns, and practical difficulties, especially as their illness progresses. Currently, there are no questionnaires designed specifically to capture these needs and experiences. A purposely designed questionnaire could help healthcare professionals better understand patients' needs and improve the care they receive. The questionnaire must be tested to make sure that it is reliable, accurate and acceptable to patients. This process is known as validation.

This study is testing a new questionnaire called the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale- Liver (IPOS-Liver). It asks about symptoms and concerns experienced by people living with advanced liver disease.

The study will take place in two NHS hospitals in England. 71 NHS patients with advanced chronic liver disease will take part, together with healthcare professionals involved in their care. Patients and healthcare professionals will be asked to complete the IPOS-Liver questionnaire alongside other established questionnaires. These will be completed at two time points a few days apart. The results will be statistically analysed to see whether the new questionnaire gives consistent and useful results. A small number of patients will additionally be invited to take part in a 30-minute interview about their experience of completing the IPOS-Liver. Adult NHS patients in England will be invited to take part after the clinician caring for them identifies that they are eligible for the study.

Who may be able to participate?

The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Live in England
• Have capacity to give written informed consent to participate in the study, as judged by the clinical team
• The patient is able to communicate and understand English adequately to complete the IPOS-Liver and provide informed consent (NHS translation services and reading of research documents will be used to support participation for those with limited English or literacy when feasible)
• Have a diagnosis of ACLD from any underlying aetiology, with at least one of the following clinical scores:

• Child-Pugh B9
• UKELD 49
• BCLC stage C
• Is expected to be reviewed on two occasions within 5 days as an inpatient, or is being cared for as an outpatient.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients without capacity to consent as judged by the clinical team
• Patients currently too symptomatic or distressed to participate, as judged by the clinical team
• Patients unable to understand written and verbal communication in English

Staff members caring for patients will also become participants in the study.

Staff-participant inclusion criteria are:

• Be a healthcare professional involved with the care of a participant enrolled in the study
• Have authorised access to the participant's medical notes
• Give consent to be involved in the study

Study population

Patients at participating locations.

Treatment, groups and participation

The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.

Assignment

Not reported

Masking

Not reported

What researchers are measuring

Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.

Primary measures

Secondary measures

Research locations (0)

The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.

No locations are listed. Use the official study contact.

Study team and timeline

Lead sponsor

University of Hull

Study start

Nov 5, 2026 Estimated

Primary completion

Apr 1, 2028 Estimated

Study completion

Apr 1, 2028 Estimated

First posted

Nov 10, 2026 Actual

Last updated

Nov 10, 2026 Actual

Official study contacts

No central contact is listed. Check the locations and the official record.