Clinical Registry Investigating Bardet-Biedl Syndrome

The Clinical Registry Investigating Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (CRIBBS) is an international registry for individuals with a rare genetic disorder called Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS). The registry is sustained by private philanthropic funding sources. The primary objective of establishing and sustaining CRIBBS is to enable clinical natural history studies and therapeutic trials in individuals with BBS.

Participation in CRIBBS is open to individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for BBS and/or genetic confirmation of the condition. Identification and recruitment of members will be accomplished in two approaches. First, family support organizations will share information regarding CRIBBS and encourage enrollment in the registry. Second, a website will be developed for participants, families and health care providers. This website provides a portal for registration as well as medical and new information impacting health care for individuals with BBS.

Selection and Enrollment of Participants:

A website portal at www.bbs-registry.org facilitates voluntary registration of interested individuals. A CRIBBS coordinator will contact the individual and/or family to establish that participants meet published diagnostic criteria and/or genetic criteria for BBS. Individuals meeting criteria will be consented and assigned a unique identifier.

Data collection:

Consented participants and/or their parent/guardian will be interviewed by a CRIBBS coordinator to collect demographic information as well as completion of a health questionnaire. Because CRIBBS is an international study and participants are geographically dispersed most individuals will be interviewed using secured telephone or Internet services. Participants will also be asked to complete behavioral health surveys. Health information from providers and treatment facilities will be obtained with appropriate authorization. The CRIBBS coordinator will conduct an annual update of health information and the behavioral health surveys will be repeated.

Data Safety Monitoring:

• Participant confidentiality: Participation in CRIBBS is voluntary and every effort will be made to ensure participant privacy. Interviews with participants will be carried out by a CRIBBS coordinator in closed room. Personal Health Information obtained for health information abstraction will be stored securely in a double locked environment and destroyed following data abstraction. CRIBBS makes use primarily of an electronic database which is password protected and only accessible to CRIBBS staff members.
• Data use: Participant information will be used to inform researchers of the natural history of BBS, refine research initiatives and facilitate new therapies for individuals with BBS. De-identified data will be shared researchers and organizations approved by the CRIBBS board of directors.
• Registry Oversight: The Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation Institutional Review Board provides oversight of the CRIBBS registry while the CRIBBS board of directors determine the direction and focus of the registry.

Inclusion criteria

(1) Genetic confirmation of BBS or (2) manifest four primary features of BBS or (3) manifest three primary features plus two secondary features.

Primary Features: Rod-Cone dystrophy, Polydactyly, Obesity, Learning disabilities, Hypogonadism in males, Renal anomalies

Secondary Features: Speech disorder/delay, Strabismus/cataracts/astigmatism, Brachydactyly/syndactyly, Developmental delay, Polyuria/polydipsia, Ataxia/poor coordination/imbalance, Mild spasticity (especially lower extremities), Left ventricular hypertrophy/congenital heart disease, Hepatic fibrosis

Exclusion criteria

Individuals not meeting established genetic and/or phenotypic criteria