Changes in arteries in children and young people with Anorexia Nervosa during re-feeding

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a severe mental health condition, which can affect children and young people and can lead to extreme levels of underweight. Previous research suggests that risk for cardiovascular risk is greater in underweight people. Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) is a non-invasive and easily measured proxy for arterial stiffening and has been demonstrated to be a good predictor of future cardiovascular risk. A recent study reported that adolescents with AN had greater PWV than healthy controls. PWV has been measured on healthy children and young people so there is a normal range. We are conducting 2 pilot studies, in inpatient and outpatient settings, to see if there are changes in PWV during refeeding. This research is important as little is known about long-term physical risk from AN in children and young people, in particular how degree of underweight, and changes in weight may effect arterial stiffening.

Principal Investigator: Dr Lee Hudson (GOS ICH)

Research Assistant: Daniel Jacobs

Please contact daniel.jacobs.19@ucl.ac.uk for more information.

The inpatient study is a collaboration with Ellern Mede Eating Disorder Services

The outpatient study is a collaboration with the Bloomsbury Centre for Clinical Phenotyping

Collaborators: Dr Hind Al-Khairulla (Ellern Mede Eating Disorder Unit); Dr Dasha Nicholls (Imperial College); Prof. Alan Hughes (UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences); Prof. Andrew Taylor (GOS ICH); Prof. Deborah Christie (UCLH); Prof. Tim Cole (GOS ICH); Prof. Russell Viner (GOS ICH); Ms. Alicja Rapala (UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences).