Latest updates from AFiRM study - December 2024
AFiRM is a multicentre cohort study that will use multiparametric MRI to assess different aspects of kidney structure and function in 450 people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
Here are the latest updates about the study:
September Webinar
The study group held a webinar for AFiRM participants on 4 September.
The aim of this webinar was to give participants an idea of how the study has progressed and how their data is currently being processed. This was also an opportunity for participants to ask any questions they might have regarding the study and gave an update on MRI and heard from Ruth, PPI lead about her involvement in the study.
If you weren’t able to attend, the team has created videos for each of the three talks at the webinar.
· You can watch the AFiRM study update webinar here >
· You can watch the AFiRM study update webinar about personal and public involvement (PPI) here >
· You can watch the AFiRM study update webinar about the use of MRI in AFiRM here >
AFiRM study update
Nick Selby, Chief Investigator of the study, spoke about the overall aims of AFiRM, which is to advance kidney MRI scanning closer to use in the NHS. There were also updates on the progress of the study, a description of the population taking part, and results from the questionnaires that you have completed.
Some key points include:
· 420 participants have had their MRI scan and completed their baseline visit.
· The average age of participants taking part is 55.
· Questionnaire results show that pain, weakness and difficulty sleeping were the symptoms that bothered participants the most.
· Final results will be expected beginning of 2025 and final results due 2028.
MRI in AFiRM
Sue Francis covered how AFiRM is aiming to address the limited methods of scanning the kidneys using MRI.
Some key points include:
· Basic ultrasound scans only provide a small amount of information on the kidneys and no information on their function.
· MRI provides high resolution kidney images. Multiparametric MRI goes beyond this to collect information about kidney structure and function and uses this to assess different processes that influence or cause kidney disease.
· The second MRI scans for AFiRM at Year 2 are underway, once this data is collected, we can ask "can baseline MRI measures characterise people who do or do not have worsening of CKD?"
Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)
How is PPI involved in AFiRM?
· The AFiRM study is funded by NIHR (the larger funder of health research in the UK)
· Patient and public involvement and engagement in research is an important part of the NIHR and can happen at all stages of research, from helping to develop the initial idea through to helping to share results of a completed research study
· Ruth, who is part of the renal patient involvement group and the PPI member for the AFiRM study, spoke about her experience and how she's been involved from the beginning of the study. She helped with developing the initial funding application, has helped with writing the information sheets for participants, and attends regular meetings concerning the running of the study.
Update on Biopsy Samples
One part of AFiRM is to compare the different MRI scans with results of kidney biopsies in those people who had a biopsy in the few months before they entered the study as part of their normal care (and who gave permission for this to be done). We are now in the process of organising the special analysis of these biopsies that will take place at the University of Birmingham. We will give you results from this part of the study in a future newsletter!
If you have any questions or queries you can contact: uhdb.afirmstudy@nhs.net or find out more here >