Clinical Research Directory

MASLD in Primary Hypothyroidism and Efficacy of Dapaglifozin

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global epidemic with a prevalence of 25-40%.Primary Hypothyroidism is one of Endocrinopathies who are at risk of developing NAFLD/NASH and estimated prevalence of Primary Hypothyroidism in NAFLD patients is 10-15 %.Though First line Management is Dietary changes and lifestyle modifications(LSM),unfortunately Adherence to Lifestyle has been poor,rise of Lean NAFLD is on rise, faster progression of NAFLD,evolving risk factors for NAFLD like endocrinopathies,these push need for Pharmacotherapy.Currently therapies for NAFLD patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) are limited, and are associated with various adverse side effects. Sodium-glucose cotransporter type-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can reduce hepatic fat content in patients with DM which is independent of glycemic control. However, the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in NAFLD patients without DM has not been investigated.Magnetic resonance imaging-derived proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) is an emerging non-invasive imaging technique, and is more sensitive than liver biopsy/histology in quantifying liver fat change. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by Transient Elastography is a non-invasive method to diagnose fibrosis/cirrhosis with high accuracy.The novelty of utilizing the concept of "drug repositioning" by changing the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in treating DM to treating NAFLD in patients without DM deserves exploration.The investigators propose a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to compare the effects of Dapagliflozin (a type of SLGT2 inhibitors) versus placebo (in a 1:1 ratio) in reducing hepatic fat content as measured by MRI-PDFF in NAFLD patients with Primary Hypothyroidism.The study results will determine whether SGLT2 inhibitors can reduce hepatic steatosis/hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD patients with Primary Hypothyroidism.

Adiposity, Cardiometabolic and Neurocognitive Health Among Ethnic Groups: a Feasibility and Pilot Study

The goal of this pilot and feasibility study is to is to test the feasibility of conducting a cross-sectional study on adiposity and cardiometabolic and neurocognitive risk factors at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KCH). The main aim is to assess and compare anthropometric measurements of adiposity (weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), Waist-to-Hip ratio (WHR), Neck circumference (NC)), liver fat (hepatic steatosis and fibrosis), cardiometabolic risk factors (dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension) and neurocognitive risk factors among participants, according to their ethnic background. Participants will come at KCH for one visit and will have their anthropometric measurements and cardio-metabolic profile assessed. They will also perform questionnaires on lifestyle, socio-economic status and neuro-cognitive health during their visit.