Liver cirrhosis network coordinating treatments and patient data
Liver Cirrhosis Network: Scientific and Data Coordination Center
This program brings hospitals together to run and organize tests of treatments and care approaches for people living with liver cirrhosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180469 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, the network would enroll me at a participating clinic and collect standardized health information, lab results, and outcomes related to liver cirrhosis. The coordinating center helps set up clinical trials and observational studies across multiple sites, standardizes case report forms and data collection, and manages the combined dataset. Researchers use these shared data to compare treatments such as medications, beta-blockers, lifestyle changes, and other approaches to reduce complications like bleeding, ascites, and confusion. The center also supports analysis to understand risks like liver cancer and to speed trustworthy results back to doctors and patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, especially those at risk for or experiencing complications such as ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, or early signs of liver cancer, would be the main candidates.
Not a fit: People without liver disease, those already transplanted, or patients seeking immediate curative therapy rather than participation in coordinated studies are unlikely to benefit directly from this center's activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to clearer treatment recommendations and fewer complications or hospitalizations for people with cirrhosis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior meta-analyses and a small number of randomized trials outside the U.S. suggest approaches like statins may help, but large, coordinated U.S.-based randomized evidence remains limited.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Abigail — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Smith, Abigail
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.