Introducing CF-CLiC
Background
Recent research (1) has suggested that CF carriers may be predisposed to particular CF-related conditions, such as pancreatitis, moreso than the general population.
Researching CF carriers is a difficult task, as no national screening programme exists to identify them. They are often diagnosed as being carriers through cascade screening; when family members of a CF child receive genetic testing.
All individuals tested for CF in Wales are tested by the All Wales Medical Genomics Service (AWMGS) who retain a list of these individuals and their test result. These records are the surest method of defining a population of CF carriers in Wales for health research.
Study Aims
We aim to validate prior findings about CF carrier health risks in the Welsh population by linking together CF gene test records from NHS Wales and anonymised public datasets such as GP records and hospital records through the SAIL Databank. This is a secure and anonymised process that is routine for data such as GP records, hospital in-patient records, and many other public datasets.
Study Data
If you have been for a CF gene test in Wales then it is likely your data will be used in this research study. The study will proceed in an anonymised fashion, so study participants will not be identified at any point. No new data will be sought from you.
Even if you haven't been for a CF gene test in Wales then your anonymised data in SAIL may still be included in our control population. No new data will be sought from you.
Research Ethics Approvals
We have received permission from an NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC reference: 23/SW/0010) and the Health Research Authority to conduct this study.
It is important to note that the confidential patient information contained in the genetic test records we are using from NHS Wales were not explicitly consented for research use at the time the tests were done. These test records are necessary for our research, so we applied to the Confidentality Advisory Group for section 251 approval to process these data. We received support from the CAG (23/CAG/0012) on the basis that the data would be securely anonymised and researcher access supervised by NHS Wales colleagues and the SAIL Databank. No personal identifiable data has been held outside of NHS systems at any point.
Your Participation
Using public data in research is a privilege, not a right.
If you are happy with your anonymised data being used in this research study then you do not need to do anything.
If you have questions or would like more information, you can find links to our public notification videos and documents, both in English and Welsh, below.
If you decide you would like to opt-out of the study, instructions for how to do this can be found in the Public Notification Documents.
Public Notification Links
Please note that the videos are intended to be suitable for 10-14 year olds in accordance with the ICO guidelines. The documents are intended for an older audience.
If you have feedback regarding the video suitability then please direct your feedback to maddisonr@cardiff.ac.uk
Public Notification Video - English
Public Notification Video - Cymraeg
Public Notification Document - English v3
Public Notification Document - Cymraeg v3
Contact
This blog will be updated quarterly in both English and Welsh with news from the research team, including progress reports, findings, and notification of talks from the research team.
If you have questions about the study, you can get in touch by commenting on this blog or reaching out on Twitter @cfclic_rob
If you have concerns or feedback about the public notification materials provided above, please leave comments on the videos / this blogpost or direct this feedback to maddisonr@cardiff.ac.uk.
You can read more about the study here in this interview: https://healthandcareresearchwales.org/withoutresearch/news/phd-student-investigates-cystic-fibrosis-carriers-health
More Information
References.
1. Miller, A.C. et al. 2020. Cystic fibrosis carriers are at increased risk for a wide range of cystic fibrosis-related conditions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 117(3), pp. 1621–1627. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1914912117.


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