Eating Disorders Clinical Research Network

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.

Not Yet Recruiting

Trial opening soon.

Get Notified

Key information

Conditions

Eating Disorders Feeding and Eating Disorders Mental Disorders Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Age range

8 year–100 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

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.

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

EDCRN questionnaires

Other

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

Primary outcomes

EDCRN dataset

Time frame: 29th October 2026
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

Secondary outcomes

Data on treatment effects

Time frame: 29th October 2026

Data which provides insights into treatment moderators and mediators for different demographic groups.
Genetic Biomarkers

Time frame: 29th October 2026

Indicators of genetic biomarkers of treatment response.
Socio-economic influences

Time frame: 29th October 2026

Data which indicates socio-economic factors (e.g. the local food environment) influencing ED development, maintenance and outcomes.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Anna Carnegie

CONTACT

[email protected]

020 7836 5454

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

King's College London

Other

Collaborators

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

Registry information

Acronym: EDCRN

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Aug 5, 2024
Registry last updated: Aug 5, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Not Yet Recruiting