Integrated approach to cardiovascular disease in homeless individuals
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An integrated approach to cardiovascular disease in homeless individuals:unmet needs in epidemiology, risk prediction and management
IRAS ID
243392
Contact name
Amitava Banerjee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2018/11/15 , UCL Data Protection Registration number
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
We will characterise burden of cardiovascular disease(CVD), including heart disease and strokes, in homeless individuals in the UK. We will also develop new tools and pathways to integrate CVD care for homeless populations. CVD is the largest burden of disease in the NHS with great advances in its treatment and prevention in the last forty years. However, CVD is neglected in homeless populations, despite being the commonest cause of death in homeless individuals. Moreover, recent policies to tackle CVD ignore homeless populations, despite a five-fold increased risk of CVD compared with housed people living in the most socially deprived areas. Research is needed to improve healthcare for a needy disease in a needy population.
This 6-month study relates to a 12-month programme development project preliminary work in three areas to inform a more extensive research study: (i) pathways; (ii) electronic health records; and (iii) CVD screening in an existing care pathway for homeless populations in London. Outside of this current study, the programme development project also consists of the following ongoing work which we does not require IRAS approval: (i) a literature review; (ii)audit of healthcare use by homeless patients at UCLH and Barts Health for coronary disease and heart failure; (iii) audit to estimate burden of coronary disease and heart failure in homeless individuals in East London primary care and from the Find&Treat service, an existing pathway at UCLH for homeless patients.
In this 6-month study, we have two work packages. First, focus groups involving homeless populations, public and care providers will consider CVD care for homeless people.
Second, we will introduce screening for CVD in the Find&Treat service, focusing on atrial fibrillation (the commonest heart rhythm disorder, which increases risk of stroke), peripheral arterial disease and hypertension, and measure use of health services to treat these conditions.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/2153
Date of REC Opinion
24 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion