Tuesday, 27 January 2026
The largest liver study in the history of the NHS is due for roll out next year, with the aim of preventing thousands of people at risk of liver disease from needing hospital care.
The DIAgnosis of Liver diseaSe in primary care (DIALS) trial, has been awarded £3.4million by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
It will involve over 40,000 people across the UK, half of whom will be invited for screening, via their GPs, for early signs of liver disease.
Co-led by hepatologists from University College London and the University of Leeds, researchers from the University of Nottingham’s School of Medicine have played a major role in designing the study and being awarded funding from NIHR to conduct the research. The collaboration also involves the Universities of Bristol, Dundee, Exeter, and Newcastle, NICE, and the British Liver Trust charity.
Professor Neil Guha from the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham said: “A key area of NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre’s GI/Liver theme is the development and validation of novel diagnostic tests for liver disease. We are delighted to be involved in this national study which will robustly test the most effective approach for detecting liver disease in the community.”
This is one of the largest studies we have ever undertaken, and underlines Nottingham’s expertise in designing and conducting clinical trials in UK general practices using data available in patients’ NHS medical records.”
Preventable liver disease costs the NHS an estimated £4.9 billion annually. Nottingham has one of the five highest rates of harmful alcohol consumption in the UK, and is in the highest quartile for premature deaths from chronic liver disease.
Those at higher risk of liver disease due to excessive alcohol intake, Type 2 diabetes or obesity, will be invited for testing by participating GPs and a combination of three non-invasive liver tests will be used to determine the most efficient way to diagnose the condition early.
If these tests show someone might have cirrhosis, they will be referred to a specialist in hospital for further tests and treatment.
Professor Anthony Gordon, Programme Director for the NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme, which funded the trial, said: “Liver disease claims the lives of thousands of people each year. But evaluating screening interventions through high-quality research studies can hopefully lead to diagnosing this serious condition much earlier and prevent further deterioration.
“Studies like this have the potential to help save lives, improve patient outcomes, and enable people to live healthy, productive lives for longer.”
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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