EASE-CF: Weight loss in people with cystic fibrosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Weight loss intervention with specialist dietitian behavioural support for people with cystic fibrosis who have excess weight: the EASE-CF randomised controlled feasibility trial.
IRAS ID
334334
Contact name
Dimtrios Koutoukidis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
In the UK, 11,000 people are living with cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic condition that damages their lungs and digestive system. New medications help them improve their health and quality of life and will likely help them live longer. Before these new medications, people with CF often had low body weight. Since taking these new medications, 4 in 10 people with CF have now significantly exceeded their target weight, which could harm their future health.
As this is a new issue for people with CF, there has been no research on adapted programmes that could help them lose weight. There are concerns about whether weight loss (a) is safe for people with CF, (b) can fit within their complicated treatment plan and, (c) is possible as it is different to the long-held advice for a high-calorie diet.
We plan to test whether it is practical for people with CF to follow a weight loss programme.
They will receive one-to-one remote support from a specialist dietitian and portion-controlled meals to help them lose weight over 12 weeks and then maintain this weight loss over the next 12 weeks. Individuals will be placed at random in 2 groups: the weight loss programme (20 patients) or routine dietitian care (10 patients). We will monitor participants’ lung and overall health to ensure their safety. We will find out whether there are enough people who are willing to take part, lose weight and complete their follow up visits.
We will speak to participants to understand their experiences of the programme. We will discuss how they felt about the study and gather feedback on anything they found easy or difficult to help us make changes to the programme. We will also speak to clinicians to find out if they would use the programme in day-to-day practice.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0323
Date of REC Opinion
5 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion