CIRCULIFE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative exploration and co-creation process to finalise a complex clinical intervention for peripheral arterial diseases.
IRAS ID
349948
Contact name
Athanasios Saratzis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 5 months, 3 days
Research summary
People living with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) or an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) often need lifelong care and support for their heart and blood vessel health. Although there are national guidelines on medicines and lifestyle advice (such as stopping smoking, exercising, and eating well), many people do not receive consistent or joined-up care across the NHS.
The CIRCULIFE study aims to design a new, flexible programme to help improve long-term vascular care for these patients. It builds on previous successful studies (CRISP and CHABLIS) that showed structured support can improve treatment and lifestyle management, but which only involved specific groups of patients. CIRCULIFE will bring these ideas together into one combined approach suitable for use across the NHS.
This stage of the study (Work Packages 3 and 4) will work with patients, carers, and healthcare professionals to explore what information and support people with PAD and AAA need most, and how these should be delivered. Activities will include online surveys, interviews, and workshops to reach agreement on the best content and delivery methods for the new intervention.
All participants will give informed consent and can withdraw at any time. Discussions may be recorded (with permission) and will be anonymised. There are no medical procedures or treatments involved, and risks to participants are minimal.
The findings will be used to finalise the CIRCULIFE intervention, ensuring it is practical, inclusive, and ready to be tested in the NHS in a future feasibility study.
The research is led by Professor Athanasios Saratzis at the University of Leicester, sponsored by the University, and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) (Reference NIHR306191).
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/1690
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion