Intersecting inequalities: Obesity, deprivation, and cardiovascular risk in paediatric rheumatic diseases
Supervisors:
Dr Eve Smith, School of Infection and Immunity
Prof Stefan Siebert, School of Infection and Immunity
Dr Angela Lucas-Herald, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Summary:
Glasgow unites paediatric/adult rheumatology, cardiovascular science, obesity and data expertise to deliver patient-centred research on obesity in paediatric rheumatic diseases (PRDs) with significant life-course impact. Obesity is common and harmful; in PRDs it likely worsens disease control and cardiovascular risk; already high in affected patients and in Glasgow. We will establish how common obesity is in PRDs, how it varies by deprivation, and how it compares across different UK PRD cohorts. We will understand how obesity relates to treatment response, disease activity, flares, steroid exposure, quality of life, and early cardiovascular risk. We will influence clinical reasoning by assessing experience of obesity and the acceptability of treatment options, including novel obesity drugs (GLP-1 receptor agonists). Distinctively, we will work across PRD conditions and the life-course, integrating local and national data to identify who is most affected and why. Methods include systematic literature review; prevalence estimation from national UK PRD cohorts; a prospective clinic study measuring anthropometrics, body composition, early cardiovascular risk; surveys of families and clinicians; and patient involvement/engagement. Anticipated outputs include high impact papers/presentations on prevalence and inequalities; a granular dataset linking cardiovascular risk to PRD activity; and a co-produced patient/clinician position statement, to inform development an interventional weight-management trial.