Eating Habits of Adult Sickle Cell Patients in Crisis in the UK
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Exploration of the Eating Habits of Adult Sickle Patients When in Crisis in the United Kingdom
IRAS ID
202634
Contact name
Jane M Farmer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 17 days
Research summary
What are the Eating Habits of Adult Sickle Patients When in Crisis in the United Kingdom?\n\nThe prevalence of sickle cell disease is increasing and presenting in acute crisis is the most common reason for hospital admission of patients with sickle cell disease.\n\nThis population group can be deficient in minerals such as iron, zinc, copper, folic acid, pyridoxine and vitamin E. Despite the indications of the importance of nutrition, the management and treatment of sickle cell disease is presently achieved through pain relief (opioids), blood transfusions, hydroxyurea, oxygen therapy and antibiotics.\n\nNutrition is believed to influence the duration of crisis and level of pain experienced. Lack of understanding of the diet of sickle cell patients during crisis and the potential for them to make positive changes limits the ability of health care professionals to deliver appropriate dietetic advice and treatment.\n\nThe study aims to explore the eating habits of adult sickle cell patients when in crisis in the United Kingdom by establishing normal eating patterns, hydration habits and usage of dietary supplements, identifying the changes that occur during crisis and the underlying reasons.\n\nResearch will be conducted within the Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust using participants that attend The Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Centre’s outpatient clinics. They will be identified by the consultant during clinic according to a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria. Participants will fill out a single questionnaire before leaving clinic that should not take more than about ten minutes to complete.\n\nThis research should help to guide future research and may lead to improved dietetic advice.\n\nBetter advice for patients might improve engagement with medical services and lead to improved quality of life and life expectancy thus reducing economic and social burden and delivering outcomes in line with the public health agenda.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0307
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion