Frailty and Nutrition Study (FANS) in Lincoln - Version 2.4
Research type
Research Study
Full title
'Investigating the relationship between frailty and nutritional status and evaluating the effects of an improved, multidisciplinary assessment and treatment strategy to improve older people's care in care homes in the Lincoln District.'
IRAS ID
153246
Contact name
Helen Ayre
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
ULHT, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Frailty in older people is a complex syndrome associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In addition, malnutrition and comorbidity are common which may further lead to worsening of clinical outcomes. There has been debate over how best to define, screen and assess frailty and malnutrition, and also in determining appropriate treatment interventions. This prospective study leads on from previous research focused on frail older people in Lincoln completed by Dr A. Slee, Dr D. Stokoe and D. Birch. The aim is to implement an improved and enhanced integrated assessment and treatment plan for frail older care home residents in Lincoln based on the nutritional and physiological components of frailty and illness as part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). This will be part of and complement a new funded clinical care service project led by Dr Gill Garden (the Bromhead Phase 2 Care Home Service), which will be undertaken for 2 years across care homes in the Lincoln district. It will evaluate the use of CGA, education and advance care planning aimed at improving healthcare in older residents, utilising a multi-disciplinary team including, nurses and Consultant Community Geriatrician. Specifically, the proposed frailty and nutrition study (‘FANS’) aims to recruit 200-250 residents and research 4 key aspects: 1) to assess the prevalence of frailty and malnutrition. 2) To implement an enhanced assessment strategy using both novel and validated non-invasive tools for nutritional and physiological assessment as part of a CGA, and trial out utilisation of the mini-nutritional assessment (MNA) tool. 3) To utilise education and intervention strategies to link in with CGA and care planning; and 4) to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies using appropriate research methodologies. The complete study length will be 3 years, with 2 years recruitment and assessment and 12 month follow-up for clinical outcome data collection.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/WM/0240
Date of REC Opinion
20 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion