Our Team's Current Studies and Projects
Technology Enabled Strategies to Promote Treatment Adherence in Liver Transplant: The TEST Trial
PI: Marina Serper, MD, MS
Funder: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
NIH Grant Number: 5R01DK131547-02
NCT ID#: NCT05260268
Protocol Paper: Click Here
Liver transplants are increasingly performed for older adults with multiple comorbidities. Medication adherence is key to maintaining proper function of the transplanted liver and optimize health. However, complying with post-transplant treatment can be complex and difficult for patients to do. The TEST trial studies how available technology combined with transplant center resources and caregiver support can optimize medication adherence, quality of life, and health outcomes among new liver transplant recipients at the University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and University of Miami.
Cognitive Function, Self-Management and Health Outcomes Among Liver Transplant Recipients: The LivCog Cohort
PI: Marina Serper, MD, MS
Funder: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
NIH Grant Number: 5R01DK132138-02
Protocol Paper: Click Here
Liver transplant is a lifesaving (and costly) resource that is increasing being performed on older adults with comorbidities. These individuals and other liver transplant recipients are at risk of poorer function due to medical, psychosocial, and other factors that may impact self-management and health outcomes. The LivCog study is investigating cognitive changes, health outcomes, and behaviors in patients and caregivers from pre-transplant to 2 years post-transplant. Our study aims to better characterize recipients at risk of cognitive impairment and who may have compromised self-management after transplant. Sites in this study include University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Baylor, Scott & White Health.
American Consortium of Early Liver Transplantation-Prospective Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease Cohort (ACCELERATE-PACE)
PIs: Marina Serper, MD, MS; Therese Bitterman MD, MSCE
Funder: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
NIH Grant Number: 5R01DK132138-02
Rates of alcohol-associated liver disease have risen world-wide and account for 50% of liver-related mortality. It is currently the leading cause for liver transplantation. Early liver transplantation for those with less than six months of sobriety prior to transplant have rapidly gained acceptance as a solution. The ACCELERATE-PACE study aims to help refine selection for those with alcohol-associated liver disease and discover methods of stratifying risk of relapse in those transplanted. Sites in this study include the University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin, and Houston-Methodist Hospital.
Testing LiverWatch, a Home-Based Remote-Monitoring Intervention for Advanced Liver Disease
PI: Marina Serper, MD, MS
Funder: PA Department of Health
Remote healthcare monitoring for cirrhosis has shown promise in overcoming barriers to accessing specialty care, improving healthcare quality, and reducing mortality. The LiverWatch study is investigating whether a remote nutrition, physical activity, and education intervention can improve health outcomes in those with cirrhosis. In this clinical trial, individuals will be randomized to either enhanced usual care or the LiverWatch intervention. Both groups are given fitbits and asked to increase their step counts. Those in the LiverWatch group will be incentivized for increase their physical activity while also undergoing a personalized nutrition intervention and weekly symptom monitoring and cirrhosis education.
LIVE-SMART: Liver Cirrhosis Interventions for Fall Prevention- A Sequential, Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial
PIs: Elliot Tapper, MD; Marina Serper, MD, MS;
Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
Website: LIVE-SMART: Liver Cirrhosis Interventions for Fall prevention - A Sequential, Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial | PCORI
Individuals with cirrhosis are at higher risk of falls due to frailty and hepatic encephalopathy. This PCORI-funded clinical trial is exploring how Tai-Chi and lactulose can reduce falls in patients with falls. Participants either received enhanced usual care or lactulose for 12 weeks followed by enhanced usual care or tele Tai-Chi. This study is also examining financial burden on both cirrhosis patients and their caregivers. The University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, and Baylor Scott & White Health serve as LIVE-SMART sites.
The VOCAL-Penn Liver Outcomes Research Group
The VOCAL-Penn Liver Outcomes Research Group represents a collaborative clinical research partnership among academic-affiliated Veterans Affairs investigators in the Veterans Outcomes and Costs Associated with Liver Disease (VOCAL) consortium, with key faculty leadership from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania. VOCAL investigators have broad clinical expertise that spans the breadth of clinical liver disease and liver transplantation, with methodological expertise in large database analysis, pharmacoepidemiology, prediction modeling, and causal inference. Our multidisciplinary team of clinician-scientists and informaticists promotes high-quality research and develops clinical tools to support evidence-based advancements in the care of patients with liver disease. You can learn more about VOCAL by visiting their website.