May 7, 2024

NHMRC funds research to combat frailty in cardiovascular patients

Study to target interventions for frailty reduction

University of Wollongong (UOW) and Western Sydney Local Health District academic Dr Julee McDonagh has been awarded more than $650,000 by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for work to improve frailty and quality of life in cardiovascular patients.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which encompasses heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease and heart valve disease, is a prominent global health issue which impacts approximately 17 percent of the Australian population, costing the economy $5 billion each year, more than any other disease.

Alarmingly, nearly half of those affected by CVD are prone to developing frailty—a devastating geriatric syndrome of ‘accelerated aging’ characterised by a decline in physical and cognitive abilities. This phenomenon heightens a patient’s vulnerability to accidents and falls, leading to longer stays in hospital, health system strain and poorer quality-of-life.

Dr McDonagh’s program will explore multiple interventions, such as physical activity, nutritional supplementation and psychosocial support, that may improve frailty in adults with CVD.

This program will work with CVD patients and clinicians using co-design to develop, test, and evaluate a new intervention program to reduce hospital visits and improve frailty and quality-of life in adults with CVD.

Dr McDonagh will lead a project based at Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals through the Western Sydney Clinical Frailty Registry and will follow patients' progress over six months of interventions. Group interviews will also be held with patients and clinicians after the intervention to explore feasibility, acceptability, usability, barriers, and enablers of the co-designed frailty intervention.

This information will examine potential challenges for scale-up, knowledge translation and implementation into clinical practice.

Dr McDonagh said she has witnessed the effects frailty can have on people.

"Working as a nurse for many years and caring for people with heart disease, I witnessed firsthand the devastating effects frailty can have on people,” Dr McDonagh said.

“I am so happy to receive this NHMRC Investigator grant. This five-year fellowship will allow me to continue my program of research focused on improving health outcomes for people with cardiovascular disease.”

UOW is committed to addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which provide a shared blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for everyone. This project addresses Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, which aims to ensure healthy lives and well-being at all ages.