Prions – studies of TSEs, BSE, CJD and prion protein
Advice on health categories
Studies of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) – including Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) – and prion proteins should always be coded as Neurological. Even when such a study is investigating transmission or mechanism of disease, it should not be coded as Infection.
Main inclusion criteria
Dementias, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, Parkinson’s disease, neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and studies of the normal brain and nervous system.
Advice on health categories
This category is suitable for studies of the ‘wiring’ of the brain.
Includes studies of TSEs, CJD and prion protein.
Studies on circadian rhythm are often but not always Neurological.
Other conditions where disruption to circadian rhythm is linked to disease should be coded to the appropriate health category. For example, circadian influence on immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis would be coded as Inflammatory and Immune System.
Studies on headaches and migraine are often but not always Neurological.
Headaches resulting from other conditions may require alternative or additional health categories, following the rules for sequelae. For example, headaches resulting from visual impairments can be coded 50% Eye, 50% Neurological.
Studies of the Blood-Brain Barrier, vascular cognitive impairments and vascular dementia should be coded as Neurological unless there is significant additional emphasis on either circulation (50% Cardiovascular, 50% Neurological) or the blood flow to the brain (50% Neurological, 50% Stroke).
Excludes studies dealing with the brain of individuals with a psychological condition listed in the Mental Health category which should be coded as 100% Mental Health.
Official terminology
|
Full name of category |
Short name | Unique ID |
| Neurological | Neuro |
HRCS_HC_13NEU |
Related external links
Main inclusion criteria
Diseases caused by pathogens, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, sexually transmitted infections and studies of infection and infectious agents.
Advice on health categories
Infection should be used for all research on pathogens and diseases caused by infection. These studies should be coded as 100% Infection and should not also be coded to the target disease site.
e.g. infection by malaria parasite should be coded as 100% Infection and not Blood.
e.g. respiratory infections should be coded as 100% Infection and not Respiratory.
Studies involving acute immune response to infection should be coded as Infection. However studies of natural tolerance and immunity to infections should be coded as 100% Inflammatory and Immune System.
Excludes TSEs, CJD and prion studies which should be coded as 100% Neurological regardless of whether the study is investigating transmission or mechanism of disease.
Infections can often follow or precede other diseases or conditions. There is general guidance on sequelae and side effects of disease, but there are also several examples across the existing HRCS guidance where addition of further health categories would be recommended:
- Studies of the downstream consequences of infection may also be coded to the disease or condition under investigation.
- e.g. surgery on diseased liver from Hepatitis C infection should be coded as 50% Infection and 50% Oral and Gastrointestinal.
- Studies that involve infection of a specific target patient group should be coded as 50% Infection and 50% to the appropriate health category.
- e.g. respiratory infection in people with cystic fibrosis should be coded as 50% Infection and 50% Congenital Disorders.
- General studies on sexual health, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), should be coded as 50% Infection and 50% Reproductive Health and Childbirth, but only if there is no named pathogen. If a pathogen is specified, use 100% Infection.
- e.g. Studies of total STI rate in teenagers should be coded as 50% Infection, 50% Reproduction.
- e.g. Studies of gonorrhea in teenagers should be coded as 100% Infection.
- Studies of cancer causing pathogens should be coded as 50% Cancer and 50% Infection.
- Sepsis should be coded as 50% Infection and 50% Inflammatory and Immune System.
Official terminology
|
Full name of category |
Short name | Unique ID |
| Infection | Infection |
HRCS_HC_07INF |