Evaluation of the Junior MARSIPAN risk assessment framework

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    An evaluation of the Junior MARSIPAN risk assessment framework in adolescent anorexia nervosa treatment in the UK

  • IRAS ID

    298190

  • Contact name

    Dee Bhakta

  • Contact email

    d.bhakta@londonmet.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    London Metropolitan University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    3 years, 5 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    The Junior MARSIPAN is a consensus guideline, based on limited evidence available at the time of its creation. It provides a framework for managing physical risk in young people with anorexia nervosa (AN). The guidance report is recognised nationally in the UK as the gold standard for the management of young people with AN and has been incorporated into the NICE quality standards. Despite this, the risk assessment tool has not yet been evaluated in this patient group.

    The aim of this project is to evaluate the Junior MARSIPAN risk assessment tool in young people with anorexia nervosa. The project will evaluate the tools ability to predict physical risk and need for paediatric admission, and, investigate if medical and nutritional risks that are identified are managed appropriately.

    Evaluation of the tool will indicate if it accurately predicts physical risk in young people with AN. Issues identified will allow the tool to be refined to increase the effectivity of the tool. Exploring the predictive validity of the tool will ensure that patients at high risk of medical instability are identified early and managed appropriately, to avoid poor outcomes.

    Outcomes from this study will enable the development of a revised risk assessment system to target any shortcomings of the current Junior MARSIPAN tool. This will likely include percentage median BMI cut offs whereby physical risk and medical admission is more likely, identification of key parameters that indicate the need for medical admission and early risk factors associated to the development of refeeding hypophosphatemia.

  • REC name

    West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    21/WM/0273

  • Date of REC Opinion

    5 Jan 2022

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion