Obesity Research Database and Biobank Syndicate (ORBiS) - Version 2

• Research type

  Research Tissue Bank

• IRAS ID

  318077

• Research summary

  Obesity Research Database and Biobank Syndicate (ORBiS)

• REC name

  East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  22/EE/0237

• Date of REC Opinion

  6 Dec 2022

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion

• Data collection arrangements

  Obesity is a chronic progressive medical condition that is associated with multiple life-limiting diseases, (e.g. type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease), premature death and represents a major global healthcare challenge. Weight loss improves or leads to remission of obesity associated conditions (e.g. T2D), improved physical functioning and quality of life. Despite this, there is a lack of effective therapeutic strategies for adolescents/adults with obesity that lead to long-term weight loss, health improvement and reduced mortality.

  The aim of this study, ORBiS, is to collect a broad range of data (information) and biological samples (e.g. blood/saliva, tissue from fat, muscles and stomach) from people living with obesity, who are having treatment for weight management. By doing this we are aiming to increase our understanding of body weight regulation, the reasons why some treatments work better for some people than others and improve the treatments we offer to people with obesity.

• Research programme

  Participants attending a clinic to help manage weight and health, if eligible, will be invited to take part and will be provided with an information sheet and consent form they will sign if they agree to participate. Participants can decide which parts of the study they wish to take part in. Data collection such as height, weight, blood pressure, waist and hip size will occur at the same time as normal visits for clinic appointments. Participants will also be invited to provide biological samples (blood / saliva, urine and stool samples), take part in meal tests and a Dual Emission or Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan. Some of these optional tests may require extra visits to hospital, but they will be arranged at a convenient time to the participant to minimise any disruption. Those participants that are due to have an endoscopic procedure (this involves putting a tube with a small camera into your gut via your mouth), bariatric surgery or an operation on your abdomen will be asked on the day if they are happy to provide tissue samples at the same time (e.g. from fat, gut, liver). Participants can withdraw from any or all parts of the study at any time and their medical care will not be affected. Information collected from medical notes, test results and questionnaires will all be kept in a highly secure, encrypted database with access only permitted to selected researchers who have undergone strict security checks and data training. Biological samples will be stored within a secure licensed tissue storage facility until analyses. The information gained from this study is unlikely to help individuals personally, but the information we gain from this study will help improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of obesity and its associated medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and so on. A summary of results will be available to those that wish to have it.

• Storage license

  11016

• RTBTitle

  Obesity Research Database and Biobank Syndicate (ORBiS)

• Establishment organisation

  University College London

• Establishment organisation address

  Centre for Obesity Research, Division of Medicine

  Rayne Building, 5 University Street

  London

  WC1E 6JF