FRAIL-HFpEF
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characterising Frailty in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
IRAS ID
355362
Contact name
Rebekah Schiff
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot effectively meet the body's energy demands, leading to symptoms such as breathlessness and swelling. It affects almost 1 million people in the UK, with half having a subtype called ‘Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction’ (HFpEF), where heart pumping function appears normal. HFpEF is underdiagnosed, poorly understood, and has few treatment options. Up to 90% of people with HFpEF live with frailty, a state of increased vulnerability to stressors such as infections. The presence of frailty in HFpEF is associated with worse health outcomes, including hospitalisations and higher mortality. However, frailty in HFpEF remains poorly characterised.
The FRAIL-HFpEF study will investigate the physical, cognitive, and biological aspects of frailty and HFpEF, with the aim of improving our understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms. We will recruit adults aged over 65 with HFpEF including those participating in the UK HFpEF Registry (which currently is not evaluating frailty) and those who are only eligible or willing to participate in this study. Recruitment will occur in parallel with the UK HFpEF Registry over 5 years.
Participants will be asked to perform a short series of physical tests, complete a cognitive assessment, and complete validated questionnaires to assess frailty, function and factors influencing the gut microbiome. They will also be asked to have a blood test, and provide a stool sample (which they can do at home). The results will be analysed to gain an in-depth understanding of frailty in people with HFpEF. These results should help to guide future research into potential treatment options for this group of patients.REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
25/WA/0216
Date of REC Opinion
23 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion