Assessing cardiovascular frailty (c-FRAIL study)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing cardiovascular frailty: exploring the interactions between vascular ageing, oxidative stress, inflammation and postural hypotension.
IRAS ID
342978
Contact name
Chakravarthi Rajkumar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sussex
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
As the world’s population gets older, there are more people living with frailty. Frailty is a state in which there is significant reduction in the body’s reserves and normal physiological function. This means that frail older adults are at increased risk of diseases.
In a previous study I conducted with 50 older adults of different frailty levels, we found that the more frail people get, the stiffer their arteries become and it is possible to measure stress using blood tests.
In this current study, we aim to recruit 100 older adults from in-patients and out-patients at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (Royal Sussex County Hospital- Brighton). We aim to find out how stiffer arteries, blood pressure changes and the products of cellular stress can be used to assess frailty and the cardiovascular system of older adults.
Study participants will be followed up for 12 months, during which time study measurements will be taken at recruitment, at 6 months and at 12months. Other measurements that will be taken include the timed up to go test and measurements of the muscle bulk of participants.
With inputs from participants from the previous study, and having taken on board suggestions from study participants, this has informed the study documents. We aim to further collaborate with older adults’ groups. This will help to further disseminate our findings so as many people will have access.REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
24/WA/0240
Date of REC Opinion
2 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion