Eating Disorders Clinical Research Network

NCT06537895 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 3 other identifiers: RE22072MR/X030539/1341570
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 12,000
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

UK Eating Disorder services are facing unprecedented demand, with effective service delivery hampered by inadequate resources, fragmented services and variable care pathways. Individuals with eating disorders, families and clinicians all agree on the critical need to improve care pathways and treatment, leading to better outcomes. Eating disorders are serious, complex conditions influenced by a blend of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. The approach of this project is grounded in the "biopsychosocial" model. Recently, anorexia research confirms a genetic component, with biological, metabolic, and psychological mechanisms at play. Further biological research across eating disorders could allow a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying eating disorder development and better, more personalised treatments. This project will test the feasibility of establishing a UK-wide NHS research network spanning child and adult eating disorder services to enable a step change in the ability to conduct eating disorder research. It will help address fragmentation and facilitate novel biological, psychological, and social research collaborations. The data the investigators gather will be open to all researchers for data analyses, and the collaborations established will form a collaborative network to enable future clinical trials, experimental medicine and psychology. The study will be conducted at child and adult eating disorder services who opt to join the Network. Participants will be patients receiving treatment for an eating disorder at one of the participating services, and their parents/guardians if applicable. Participants will complete questionnaires and have blood and other physical tests as specified in the EDCRN dataset. The study will last until 29th October 2026 (the end of the current funding period) and/or when a participant is discharged from treatment, whichever is sooner. For participants discharged before the study ends, there will be an opportunity for patients to complete optional follow-up questionnaires on a periodic basis.

Conditions

Eating Disorders

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• EDCRN dataset

  The existence of a well-described dataset (maintained by at \>50% eating disorder services across the UK) of eating disorder presentation, treatment, outcomes, demographics, social risk factors, and blood test results which can be accessed (with appropriate permissions) by researchers and others for the purposes of addressing novel research questions and facilitating service improvement efforts. The EDCRN dataset comprises the following parameters: * ED Behaviours/cognitions * Depression * Anxiety * Autism * OCD * Perfectionism * Emotional regulation * Psychosocial impairment * Adverse experiences * Self-injurious behaviour * Food insecurity * Physical/somatic symptoms * ADHD * Alcohol use * PTSD symptoms * Self-administered comorbidity * Weight stigma * Treatment experience * Comorbidities * Caregiver impact * Weight history * Muscle power * Endocrine function * Liver function * Cardiac function * Electrolytes * Bone health * Demographics

  29th October 2026

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Data on treatment effects

  29th October 2026

• Genetic Biomarkers

  29th October 2026

• Socio-economic influences

  29th October 2026

Interventions

EDCRN questionnaires OTHER

Participants will complete questionnaires and have blood and other physical tests as specified in the EDCRN dataset.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 8 Years - 100 Years
• Sex: all
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population are individuals who are receiving treatment for an eating disorder(s) at a UK-based eating disorder service which is part of the EDCRN and (if desired by the patient and caregiver) their parents/guardians.

You may qualify if:

• Patients who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder under at least 1 of the criteria specified in the DSM-5 and/or ICD-9, 10 or 11.
• Patients who are receiving treatment as inpatients, day-patients or outpatients at a CAMHS or Adult service who is participating in the EDCRN.
• Patients who are receiving treatment in the UK.
• OR:
• Parents/guardians of patients who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder under at least 1 of the criteria specified in the DSM-5 and/or ICD-9, 10 or 11.
• Parents/guardians of patients who are receiving treatment as inpatients, day-patients or outpatients at a CAMHS or Adult service who is participating in the EDCRN.
• Parents/guardians of patients who are receiving treatment in the UK.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals who do not meet the criteria specified above will be considered ineligible to participate in the EDCRN.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• King's College London: lead
• South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust: collaborator
• Imperial College London: collaborator
• University College, London: collaborator
• Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust: collaborator
• NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde: collaborator
• Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust: collaborator

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Feeding and Eating Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Gerome Breen, PhD

  King's College London (KCL)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Karina Allen, PhD

  South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Anna Carnegie

CONTACT

020 7836 5454; anna.carnegie@kcl.ac.uk

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 23, 2024
• First Posted: August 5, 2024
• Study Start: October 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 29, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 29, 2026
• Last Updated: August 5, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-07