Prof Nicholas Harvey has won a prestigious science award for osteoporosis research. He has been honoured with the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Olof Johnell Science Award. Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It affects over three million people in the UK. Prof Harvey received the prize at the 2023 IOF-ESCEO World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases in Barcelona, Spain. Recognising excellence Prof Harvey is Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology, and Director of the University of Southampton’s MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre (MRC LEC). He is part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre’s Nutrition, Lifestyle and Metabolism theme. The award recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to osteoporosis science or policy worldwide. It is named after the renowned investigator Professor Olof Johnell. His legacy includes major contributions to osteoporosis research, guideline development and healthcare policy. The award is presented at the annual WCO-IOF-ESCEO. This year's event was opened by Professor Cyrus Cooper, previous MRC LEC Director and current IOF President. Professor Harvey commented: “It is an enormous honour to receive this prestigious international award. It is accepted very much on behalf of my friends and colleagues at the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre. "It was particularly pleasing that the award was presented by Professor Cyrus Cooper, forerunning MRC LEC Director, my long-standing mentor and friend. He is someone who had known and worked closely with Olof Johnell in the genesis of the modern era of osteoporosis fracture risk assessment.” Team effort The WCO-IOF-ESCEO is the world’s largest forum for the presentation of clinical research and new advances in the field. This year’s event was the first face-to-face WCO meeting since 2019. It attracted over 3,000 delegates, with a similar number joining online. The work of Southampton early career researchers was also recognised at the event. Stefania D’Angelo, Dr Lucy Gates and Dr Leo Westbury received IOF-ESCEO Young Investigator awards. Dr Faidra Laskou received an IOF Early Career Nutrition Research Award.

Professor Philip Calder has been honoured with the Stephen S. Chang Award. The international prize recognises his outstanding contribution to Omega-3 research. Omega-3 fatty acids are sometimes known as ‘healthy fats’. They cannot be made by the body and must be introduced as food. Prof Calder is driving new research as Head of the School of Human Development and Health at the University of Southampton. He is also part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre’s Nutrition, Lifestyle and Metabolism theme. Award-winning work The prestigious award is bestowed by the American Oil Chemists’ Society. It is awarded to a person internationally recognised for their contributions in the field of lipid research. Prof Calder’s work focuses on the metabolism and functionality of fatty acids. This includes omega-3 and the influence of diet and nutrients on immune and inflammatory responses. Showcasing findings Recipients have the opportunity to deliver lectures at the prize ceremony. Prof Calder’s lecture was entitled ‘Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation – relevance to public health and patient outcomes’. It showcased findings from clinical trials and considered the development of pharmaceutical grade omega-3 products. Prof Calder said: “It is a great honour to receive one of the Society’s most prestigious awards. It recognises the excellent work done by people in my group over an extended period and the relevance of this work to public health and patient benefit.”

Southampton teenagers have created a digital guide to support students during the exam period. The guide was co-created by a youth panel from the LifeLab programme. It will help teenagers look after their mental and physical health as they navigate exams. The free and interactive guide is available here. LifeLab is run in partnership between the University of Southampton, the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and University Hospital Southampton. “By young people, for young people” Six pupils from local schools and colleges met over the course of a school term to create the digital guide. The panellists pooled their own experiences of exam stress and management with those of their peers. They also received expert advice from LifeLab and the University. The resource covers topics such as healthy eating, sleeping and time management to help students cope with exam pressure and anxiety. Youth Panel member Emily took part to ensure young people feel heard. She explained: "I wanted to make sure that our resource was created by young people, for young people. I'm so pleased that I got to share the voice and opinions of other young people and have the privilege of working with such amazing team members.” Working with schools and colleges LifeLab Youth Panels actively involve young people in creating and delivering solutions that could improve their own health and that of their peers. They are employed by the University and paid for their time. A previous panel co-created a Clinical Research magazine promoting pioneering trials in the city. Esther was proud to be part of the Youth Panel. She said: “I understand how big and scary exams feel and I can't do anything to change that. But it is important that students look after their mind and body to make sure they feel their best when going into them. This resource will guide them in the right direction to do just that.” Dr Clare Merivale, Widening Participation Coordinator at the University, worked with LifeLab and the Youth Panel on the exam resource. She said: “What this Youth Panel has produced is brilliant and such an important tool for their fellow students. Working with young people means the outputs stay true to the vision and words of the young people themselves. They should be very proud.” She continued: “The LifeLab Youth Panel is an asset to our work with local schools and colleges and gives students a real insight into work at the University and University Hospital Southampton.”

Southampton researchers have urged the government to consider how to better support people in preparing for pregnancy and parenthood across the UK. Speaking at a government taskforce, Prof Keith Godfrey pressed the need for more support before pregnancy for women from ethnic minority groups and those living in deprived areas. The time before pegnancy is known as 'preconception'. He has said that providing better support during this time could improve pregnancy outcomes for these mothers and their babies, alongside making an important contribution to reducing inequalities in health. Offering a solution Women in the UK from ethnic minority groups and women living in deprived areas tend to have worse pregnancy outcomes. Black women are 40% more likely to experience a miscarriage than white women, and there are higher rates of still births in many deprived areas. The government's Department for Health and Social Care runs the Maternity Disparities Taskforce. This aims to find out how the government can tackle these differences. Prof Godfrey leads the Nutrition, Lifestyle and Metabolism theme at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. He also co-chairs the UK Preconception Partnership, which aims to improve preconception care in England. He spoke at a recent Maternity Disparities Taskforce meeting. After presenting relevant research, he shared the vision of the UK Preconception Partnership. He urged the taskforce to consider preconception care as a solution. Prof Godfrey said: “The time before pregnancy represents a special opportunity to break the transgenerational transmission of behavioural and physiological risks that underlie ill-health, such as poor-quality diets, lack of physical inactivity, obesity and smoking. “Supporting and enabling all potential parents to optimise their preconception health will improve outcomes for the mother, for her pregnancy and for her children. "The Maternity Disparities Taskforce is playing a critical role in ensuring that real change can be made. The UK Preconception Partnership is committed to supporting this mission.” Listening to women The Preconception Partnership was established in 2018. It aims to translate evidence in a Lancet Series into clinical practice. It also intends to normalise the idea of preparing for a healthy pregnancy. The Maternity Disparities Taskforce was set up to tackle disparities for mothers and babies. It also aims to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths. It intends to do this by improving access to care around pregnancy for women from ethnic minorities and those living in the most deprived areas. The meeting considered pre-pregnancy care and guidance for Black women and women in deprived areas. Maria Caulfield, Minister for Women’s Health Strategy, said: “Regardless of race or background, everyone should receive the highest quality maternity care. “All stages of a woman’s life, from before she is pregnant to after delivery, are crucial to the health and wellbeing of both mother and baby. “Today we met with mothers and healthcare experts to ensure women from ethnic minorities and those from deprived areas have access the right care and support for their journey into parenthood – and are listened to throughout this experience. “We are considering the outcomes of the taskforce, and I will be monitoring progress closely to ensure real change can be made.”

University Hospital Southampton is using online questionnaires to help patients prepare for surgery. The new approach is based on years of research that shows that preparing well can improve wellbeing, reduce problems after surgery and speed up recovery. The perioperative team have started to use an online personal health record known as My Medical Record to learn more about surgery patients. They use this to help patients improve their health before an operation. The method has been developed and tested by researchers from the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The project was led by Prof Denny Levett and funded by NHS England. What is perioperative care? Perioperative care supports patients before, during and immediately after major surgery. It aims to help patients prepare for an operation by taking steps to improve their physical and mental health. This may involve quitting smoking, cutting down on alcohol, improving diet and doing more exercise. Health screening questionnaire Patients answer a series of questions about their medical conditions, diet and lifestyle. The perioperative team can then provide advice on the areas they need to work on, such as reducing alcohol or increasing exercise. They can refer patients to supervised exercise programmes in the community, dieticians, specialist medical teams or for psychological support as needed. Over 800 patients have completed the questionnaire so far. Those at most risk have been identified earlier, allowing better preparation for surgery. Read the full case study on the UHS Digital website. Learn more about the questionnaire in the video below.

A study led by Southampton researchers has developed a set of outcome measures for severe asthma. Severe asthma affects around 5-10% of patients with asthma. It can have a significant impact on quality of life, with many patients missing school or work due to the condition. The new measures will help researchers identify the most effective treatments for severe asthma and improve patient outcomes. The international team published their findings in the European Respiratory Journal. What are core outcome measures? Core outcome measures are a set of tools that should be used in all studies about a specific topic. Biological therapies can treat some types of severe asthma. However, researchers currently use different outcomes to assess their effectiveness. This makes it difficult for researchers and clinicians to work out which treatments are best. The new COMSA (Core Outcome Measure sets for Severe Asthma) will be used in future clinical trials. They will allow researchers to compare results between studies more easily. The COMSA include quality of life, asthma control, clinical outcome measures and healthcare resource use. Patient-centred research People living with severe asthma were at the centre of this research. One participant said: “There is nothing more demoralising than feeling you are ignored as the patient. Contributing to this process was rewarding, enjoyable and made me feel I could help other patients with severe asthma have a better experience than I have had as a patient.’’ Dr Ekaterina Khaleva, Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, led the research with Graham Roberts, Ratko Djukanovic and Anna Rattu. She said: “We wanted to ensure that our COMSA include outcomes that are important to each stakeholder group. “COMSA will harmonise the way outcome measures are reported in clinical studies. This will enable comparisons of data to produce meaningful results. “Working together with other stakeholder representatives is essential to succeed in the development of novel approaches to patient-centred management. We hope to help improve long-term outcomes of patients with severe asthma.’’ The study was funded by the European Commission’s Innovative Medicines Initiative 2. It was a collaboration between the University of Southampton and partners from across Europe and North America. Representatives included people living with severe asthma, health professionals, healthcare regulators, researchers and pharmaceutical companies.

Southampton researchers are launching the first trial of a pioneering weight-loss treatment. Healthy volunteers will test a self-expanding capsule designed to aid weight loss by reducing hunger. The hydrogel works like a gastric balloon but is designed to be safe, affordable and taken at home. Oxford Medical Products (OMP) has partnered with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHSFT) for the first-in-human trial, led by Chief Investigator James Byrne. OMP has today announced £1.25m from Innovate UK for the clinical trial. It is taking place at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Clinical Research Facility (CRF). A growing problem Around one in four adults in the UK now have obesity, which means having a BMI of 30 or above. Obesity can increase the risk of many other health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. It costs the NHS billions of pounds each year. However, current treatments are too expensive and resource-intensive to tackle the scale of the problem. OMP aims to provide an affordable and effective treatment that could help people lose weight. Dr Camilla Easter, Chief Executive Officer of OMP, explained: “Our aim is to develop a weight-loss solution that empowers people to successfully lose weight and maintain a healthy weight long term. “We have developed a scalable solution that can be taken at home. It could ultimately be made available to hundreds of millions of people living with excessive weight. “This Innovate UK grant helps to support the later phase of our pilot clinical trial. It will ensure the right data is generated to allow OMP to accelerate towards pivotal trials and regulatory approval.” Pioneering new treatment The trial is funded by Innovate UK’s Biomedical Catalyst competition. It follows successful pre-clinical development of the hydrogel-based weight-loss treatment. Mr James Byrne (MD, FRCS), a consultant surgeon at UHS and Chief Investigator for the first-in-human clinical trial said: “I am excited to be working with Oxford Medical Products who, through Sirona, have developed a completely original approach to the serious problem of obesity. “Our research team at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Southampton BRC are working with research leaders at the University of Oxford to evaluate this intervention with cutting edge technology and digitally driven data capture. “I am very proud to be in the team performing this critically important research.” Taking part The trial is being delivered locally by the NIHR Southampton CRF based at UHSFT. To join this clinical trial, you must be: Aged between 18 and 65 Have a BMI of 30-40 Willing to travel to Oxford for MRI visits You must not be on any long-term treatments or have had weight loss surgery. For more information, please contact SIRONASTUDY@uhs.nhs.uk or call 023 8120 5961/023 8120 4911.

The risk of respiratory problems after COVID-19 increases with age and longer hospital stays, according to new research. An understanding from this research could help doctors to identify which patients most need a follow-up appointment. The study was driven by experts from the University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton (UHS) and the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Their findings are published in Respiratory Research. Five-point ‘risk score’ UK patients are advised to have a follow-up appointment and chest X-ray 12 weeks after being hospitalised with COVID-19. In a previous study, Southampton researchers found persistent chest problems are common at this stage. They devised a five-point ‘risk score’ that strongly predicted who was most likely to be affected. Risk factors included length of hospital stay, obesity and smoking status. This latest study aimed to confirm their findings in a new cohort. COVID-19 data Researchers analysed information from 182 patients’ follow-up appointments at UHS. Around one third (31%) had ongoing chest problems, such as scarring of the lung. The data is from the Research Evaluation Alongside Clinical Treatment in COVID-19 study (REACT COVID). REACT COVID was supported by the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and BRC. Dr Anna Freeman, REACT COVID co-lead, is also involved in the new research. She explained: “We collected routine clinical data for patients admitted to UHS with COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic in March 2020, with additional sampling for research if patients were happy to consent. “It has enabled important research to help identify patients at risk of severe disease. Understanding risk factors for severe disease early in the pandemic was key to improving treatments and reducing critical care demand. "It could also be helpful in risk stratification for potential future pandemics.” Increased risk factors The analysis found that risk of long-term chest problems after COVID-19 increased with age and longer hospital stays. Those affected were significantly older (64 years vs 55 years) and had stayed in hospital for longer (10.5 days vs 7 days). People with a history of smoking were also at higher risk. However, there was no association between obesity and likelihood to experience ongoing problems. Dr Ben Marshall, senior author of the paper, said: “This study provides clear evidence in support of the ‘risk score’ we have developed. “It can predict which COVID-19 patients will experience long-term chest problems, saving clinical time. It could potentially be a useful adjunct for future respiratory virus pandemics.” He added: “The results are a testament to our fantastic respiratory team in Southampton. Their extraordinary efforts throughout the pandemic enabled this research.” Dr Tim Wallis, first author of the paper, said: “We were delighted to receive funding from the UHS R&D small grants scheme for this project. “Further research will aim to understand patients’ experience and expectations of their COVID follow-up clinic journey. This could help inform future pandemic follow-up service design.”

Visitors of all ages learned how research is life-changing at Southampton Science and Engineering Day. Thousands of people joined the celebration at the University of Southampton on Saturday. They entered hands-on activities, workshops, live shows, talks and tours. Health researchers, staff and volunteers exhibited from the Southampton Centre for Research Engagement and Impact. They were based in the Centenary Building on Highfield Campus. Families were invited to ‘be part of something life-changing… research’. They learned how research is improving current medicines, treatments and care. Heather Parsons, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Lead, said: “We have fantastic researchers, scientists and academics who all have excellent ideas for creating research programmes. But if they don’t hear the lived experiences of the public they can never be completely sure that they’re delivering research that helps everybody.” Hear from voices across the day in our audio clip, below.

Shoppers and retailers support a ban on junk foods at store entrances, aisle ends and checkouts in a new Southampton study. In the UK, 26% of adults in England are obese and a further 38% are overweight. To tackle this, the UK government introduced legislation in October last year. This restricted the placement of products high in fat, salt and sugar. New results from Southampton-led research suggest there is widespread support for this. Interviewing over 100 people Researchers at the University of Southampton's MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre and the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre led the study. They interviewed more than 100 people across the UK’s food supply chain. This included retailers, manufacturers, consumers, enforcement officers and health representatives. These people felt the legislation is a good first step towards tackling obesity. The results are published in the journal BMC Medicine. Dr Sarah Muir said: “The support from people across our food system demonstrates this government legislation is important and should be continued. “To ensure businesses across the country can adhere to the new rules, all retailers and manufacturers need easy access to a tool that accurately measures the fat, salt and sugar content and other nutrients in products.” Supporting businesses and closing loopholes The study found smaller businesses would need extra support to offer healthier foods. Local authorities would also need ring-fenced resources to support compliance. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded the study. It also involved researchers from City, University of London. Some people interviewed raised concerns. These included the high cost of healthy products and the exemption of certain foods and businesses. People also worried some businesses may exploit loopholes to continue marketing unhealthy products. Preeti Dhuria added: “To achieve meaningful dietary change, the people we spoke to noted that this legislation will need to be refined over time to close loopholes. They also said a long-term strategy targeting the pricing, marketing, advertising, and reformulation of foods will be needed.” Creating a healthier shopping environment Professor Christina Vogel, from City, University of London, labelled the plans a “world leading” move. She said they could shift the UK away from unhealthy and unsustainable diets. This was as long as they are adopted alongside other anti-obesity legislations. Prof Vogel, Deputy Director of the Centre for Food Policy, said: “This novel food policy marks important changes that can help create healthier shopping environments for customers. But it is essential to monitor how well it is being implemented across all store types. It is also essential to identify what more is needed for it to have maximum benefit for everyone.” UK Government Health Minister Neil O’Brien said the research shows consumers, retailers, and manufacturers back what the government is doing to tackle obesity. He said: “Restrictions on the placement of unhealthy foods stop shops from using children and ‘pester power’ to hassle adults into buying things. But they also reduce children’s calorie consumption, driving down obesity, and could save the NHS over £4 billion. “These reforms are ensuring healthier food is more widely available, easily accessible, and more visible in our shops – helping everyone to live healthier lives.”

New research shows women with obesity may share the risk of the disease with their daughters, but not their sons. Southampton researchers say that families need more support before and during pregnancy to adopt healthier habits. This could reduce the risk of their children becoming overweight or obese in later life. The analysis has been published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Family research The researchers analysed data from 240 children and their parents. They were all part of the Southampton Women's Survey - a long-running study that tracks the health of mothers and their children. They measured the children's body fat and muscle at ages four, six to seven and eight to nine. The parents had the same measurements taken at the third visit. The researchers used this data to compare the children’s body mass index (BMI) and body fat level to their parents’. Girls had similar BMI and fat mass to their mothers at six to seven and eight to nine years old. The researchers did not find the same association between boys and their mothers. Genetics, diet and activity levels may impact these correlations. However, fathers’ weight and body fat level were also not linked to those of their children. This suggests that the environment during pregnancy could play a role in risk of obesity in later life. Long-term effects Latest figures estimate that more than one in four adults in England are obese and a further third are overweight. The National Child Measurement Programme measures the height and weight of children in reception (aged four to five years) and year six (aged ten to eleven years). 10% of reception age children were obese in 2021/22, with a further 12% overweight. By year six, 23% were obese and 14% overweight. Children who are overweight or obese are likely to remain this way as adults. This puts them at higher risk of health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart issues. Informing public health measures The Southampton research team are based in the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre and the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The NIHR Southampton BRC is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research and hosted by University Hospital Southampton in partnership with the University of Southampton. Dr Rebecca Moon, a paediatrician and Clinical Lecturer at the University of Southampton, led the analysis. She said: "These findings highlight that girls born to overweight mothers are at higher risk of gaining excess body fat. “Further studies are needed to understand why. Our findings suggest that approaches to addressing body weight and composition should start very early in life. This is particularly important in girls whose mothers are obese or overweight. "We need to help families lead healthier lifestyles before they become pregnant. This would reduce the risk of their children developing obesity.” The study was funded by the Medical Research Council, the British Heart Foundation, the NIHR Southampton BRC, the NIHR Oxford BRC, the Seventh Framework Program, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Horizon 2020 Framework Program, and the National Institute on Aging. Image credit: World Obesity Federation

Nine in ten women in England enter pregnancy with at least one indicator that may increase health risks to them and their baby, according to new research. Common indicators were women not quitting smoking, failing to take folic acid before pregnancy or having a previous pregnancy loss. Researchers from the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre analysed data from over 650,000 mothers. They created a first national picture of women’s health before pregnancy. The team say the findings show an urgent need for nationwide policies to help women improve health before pregnancy. The NIHR Southampton BRC is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It is hosted by University Hospital Southampton in partnership with the University of Southampton. Large-scale analysis Women who are healthy and well when they enter pregnancy are less likely to develop complications. Their children also tend to have better long-term developmental and health outcomes. This study used data on 652,880 pregnant women in England. It was routinely collected by midwives at appointments between April 2018 and March 2019. Information ranged from women’s employment status and social support to pregnancy complication history, health behaviours and medical conditions. The researchers considered a range of behaviours and conditions that put mother and baby at risk. These include smoking, not taking recommended folic acid supplements, obesity and previous pregnancy loss. The results, published in BJOG, an international journal of obstetrics & gynaecology, found some common behaviours and conditions. Among the 23% of women that smoked, 85% did not quit smoking before pregnancy. Almost three quarters did not take a recommended folic acid supplement. Dr Danielle Schoenaker, lead author and Research Fellow at University of Southampton, said: “Our analysis shows that there is an urgent need for the government, NHS and public health agencies to develop and put in place population-level policies and programmes that support all women to be as healthy as possible before and between pregnancies. “Such policies may start from educating children about the importance of being healthy before starting a family, to improving food environment and affordability and implementing effective mandatory flour fortification with folic acid. “Routine conversations and support for pregnancy preparation could also be offered by primary healthcare services.” Health inequalities How common indicators were varied widely based on women’s age, ethnicity and the level of deprivation in the area where they lived. For example, younger women were less likely to have a physical health condition when entering pregnancy, but more likely to have a mental health condition compared with older women. Women from a black ethnic background were more likely to be living with obesity, but less likely to smoke around the time of getting pregnant compared with white women. Generally, more health risk indicators were observed in women living in the most deprived areas. Prof Nisreen Alwan, Professor of Public Health at University of Southampton, said: “Health inequalities before pregnancy must be narrowed with population-level policies across multiple sectors to address the wider determinants of health. This is to benefit all parents-to-be in society and allow them to prioritise their health and wellbeing, particularly those affected by social and economic hardship.” National picture of women’s health The study was advanced in collaboration with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) in England. Southampton researchers will continue their work with OHID to publish a yearly picture of women’s health before pregnancy. This will help evaluate if current policies are effective, and advocate for new policies, to optimise health before pregnancy and reducing inequalities. Minister for Women’s Health, Maria Caulfield said: “All babies deserve the best start in life, which is why we’re working to improve preconception care and information for women. “The NHS website is an excellent place to access up-to-date free help and advice, including support to stop smoking. “We’re consulting on the amount of folic acid added to white flour – a step that could help women carry healthy foetuses and avoid neural tube defects. “And we’ll also be reconvening the Maternal Disparities Taskforce in April to continue to drive progress in improving access to preconception and maternity care for all mothers and babies.”