AWE Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Influence of Age, Weight and Ethnic background on blood pressure: AWE Study
IRAS ID
143911
Contact name
Carmel McEniery
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition, in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. This is a common condition, which can lead to severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, stroke and kidney disease, if not detected and treated early.
Accumulating evidence suggests that the incidence of hypertension varies based on age, ethnicity and obesity. In order to obtain an in-depth knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms of this disease, we aim to investigate the haemodynamic and biochemical correlates of elevated blood pressure across the adult age-span, and determine the extent to which body size and ethnicity impact on these associations, and investigate the impact of hypertension on key organ systems (end-organ damage). Improving the understanding of the influences of age, weight and ethnicity in hypertensive patients will have a positive impact for the treatment of this disease. Herein, we provide a combined case-control and cross-sectional study describing the procedures and time commitment required to investigate our scientific aims.
This is a single centre study that will be conducted in a secondary care environment. Both male and females aged 18 and over and that are able provide informed consent will be considered for this study. Potential participants who are pregnant, currently receiving dialysis, illness with a life expectancy <1 year, current active malignancy and cannot provide informed consent are ineligible for this study. The study will be open for five years and each patient will complete a maximum of four visits in a 12 month period. Participants will complete a variety of non-invasive physiological assessments of their cardiovascular system and lung function. There will be some minimally invasive procedures completed, including a blood test and assessment of small artery endothelial function which involves insertion of a small needle under local anaesthetic.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/WM/0485
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion