CARE Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Yorkshire & Humber Community Ageing Research (CARE) Study
IRAS ID
157090
Contact name
Andrew Clegg
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
ReDA record, ReDA 1735
Research summary
The most problematic expression of population ageing is the clinical condition of frailty. Frailty develops from an age-related decline in body systems (brain, endocrine, immune system, skeletal muscle), which collectively results in vulnerability to sudden and often disproportionate changes in health which may be triggered by minor events such as a new medication, a minor infection or minor surgery. Frail older people characteristically tend to get worse rather than better, often resulting in a change from independence to dependence. Reductions in the prevalence or the severity of frailty could benefit individuals, their families and society.\n\nThe reasons why frail people usually get worse rather than better is poorly understood. Furthermore, there is limited evidence of what could be effective, partly due to the challenges of recruiting older people into clinical trials. For this study we will use a new trial design called the “cohort multiple randomised controlled trial” (cmRCT). This could enhance participation of frail older people into research. We will establish a cohort (group) of around 1000 frail older people recruited from GP practices in the Yorkshire and Humber region. We will follow these people for up to four years and assess various health and social outcomes. These will include how well they can perform daily activities, and assessments of mobility, depression and loneliness. Assessments will be carried out in the person’s home. Some participants will have an opportunity to participate in future planned studies to see what might be effective for frail people to prevent further decline, for example an exercise programme, and what might contribute to the resilience and resourcefulness of frail older people and their carers. We will undertake blood tests and establish a frailty and ageing research biobank (storage of biological samples) for future investigations to understand the relationship between physiological change and frailty. [COVID-19 amendment 04/05/2020] Undertake a short, rapid ‘over the phone’ survey for participants in the CARE75+ study in Bradford to capture data relevant to the current COVID-19 Coronavirus situation.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/1120
Date of REC Opinion
10 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion