Details of HTA project in progress
Last updated: 9 May 2012 - Next update due: 16 May 2012
Research type: |
NICE Diagnostic Assessment |
Project title: |
SeHCAT (Tauroselcholic [75 selenium] acid) for the investigation of bile acid malabsorption (BAM) and measurement of bile acid pool loss |
Project ref: |
11/75/01 |
Cost: |
|
Chief Investigator : |
Kleijnen Systematic Reviews Ltd (KSR), Kleijnen Systematic Reviews Ltd |
Start Date: |
December 2011 |
Estimated date of publication in HTA journal series: |
Early 2013. This date takes account of time for report preparation and printing based on current average times for these activities. |
Plain English Summary |
Bile acids are produced in the liver, secreted into the biliary system, stored in the gall-bladder and are released after meals. They are important for the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. Usually over 95% of the bile acids are absorbed in the terminal ileum and are taken up by the liver and resecreted. When larger amounts of bile acids enter the large intestine, they stimulate water secretion and intestinal motility in the colon, which causes symptoms of chronic diarrhoea. This is called bile acid malabsorption (BAM). A SeHCAT scan is a diagnostic procedure, which looks at the function of the bowel. It involves swallowing a capsule containing a very slightly radioactive tracer and imaging with a special camera shortly after swallowing the capsule and after a week. This then shows which percentage of bile acid was absorbed, and thus whether the patient has BAM. The purpose of this project is to assess the benefits, risks and cost-effectiveness of [75Se] tauroselcholic acid (SeHCAT), a bile acid analogue which is used as a test for investigating bile acid malabsorption (BAM) and the measurement of bile acid pool loss in patients with chronic diarrhoea referred to a GI clinic for investigation and diagnosis of BAM. Patients with Crohn’s disease with chronic diarrhoea will be assessed separately. |
Project Abstract: |
The objective of this project is to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of [75Se] tauroselcholic acid (SeHCAT), a bile acid analogue which is used as a test for investigating bile acid malabsorption (BAM) and the measurement of bile acid pool loss in patients referred to a GI clinic for investigation and diagnosis of BAM. This can be translated in the following research questions. For people with chronic diarrhoea with unknown cause and in people with Crohn’s disease and chronic diarrhoea with unknown cause (i.e. before resection): 1. What are the effects of SeHCAT compared to no SeHCAT in terms of chronic diarrhoea, other health outcomes and costs? 2. What are the effects of bile acid sequestrants (BAS) compared to no BAS in people with a positive or negative SeHCAT test? 3. Does a positive or negative SeHCAT test predict improvement in terms of chronic diarrhoea, other health outcomes and costs? The HTA Programme commissioned this diagnostic assessment report on behalf of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. |
Project Protocol: |
Project protocol not available |
URL of this page: |
http://www.hta.ac.uk/2820 |
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