Diabetes Research News
Professor Simon Heller is one of the Vice Presidents of Diabetes UK Sheffield Group. He is Professor of Clinical Diabetes at the University of Sheffield and a Consultant Physician at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. We were delighted to welcome him to speak to the Group about the latest developments in diabetes research.
He gave us updates on recent, ongoing and future research:
Driving study:
The Department of Transport gave £1 million for a large trial to determine the risks associated with hypoglycaemia in drivers with Type 2 diabetes. Those who have moved onto insulin treatment instead of tablets are not currently permitted to drive Group 2 vehicles e.g. large trucks, buses. However there was little evidence to suggest such people are at higher risk of experiencing hypos. A team of experts was assembled to measure "hypoglycaemic experience" in various groups and it was shown that there was not much difference between the Type 2's treated with tablets and those on insulin, although there is an increased risk after 5 years on insulin. This suggests the current law could be changed.
Blood glucose monitoring:
Diabetes UK have given £350 k for research into how worthwhile it is for people with Type 2 diabetes to carry out regular blood testing. Providing test facilities is expensive, but it appears that those who do self monitor have better control and live longer. Researchers are currently using the DESMOND course to assess the advantages of either blood or urine testing. This will involve 12 PCT's over 2 to 3 years.
DAFNE:
The DAFNE programme (Dose adjustment for normal eating) has proved very successful for some people with Type 1 diabetes, but not for everyone. £1.8 million has been allocated to carry out a 5 year study on which factors can predict success.
Insulin pumps:
£1.9 million has been allocated to try the use of insulin pumps in conjunction with the DAFNE course.
Improvements in Diabetes Services:
Project 1 : This is to promote self management in a GP setting. Different practices are being compared: those providing standard care and those using the DESMOND course which involves ongoing group education. Primary health care professionals (GP's and Practice Nurses) are being trained to deliver the new type of service including annual care planning sessions and joint decision making between patient and health care provider.
Project 2: This is helping young people with Type 1, many of whom can't or won't manage their own diabetes. More flexible support is needed rather than conventional clinics. Researchers are working with psychologists to assess the needs of young people and to find what are the barriers to success.
Prospect of a cure for Diabetes
Prof. Heller went on to discuss the Prospect of a cure for diabetes. This is very unlikely for Type 2 in the near future, but there are possibilities for Type 1.
One solution is Islet cell transplantation. Currently 5 people per year are paid for to have this procedure, which is not a cure as such but enables better control.
Stem cell research holds promises for the future. There are technical difficulties, but there could be a breakthrough in about 20 years time.
Research has begun in Cambridge and will soon include work in Sheffield on a project entitled ANGELA (Achieving Normal GlucosE with closed Loop in Adults). This involves continuous glucose monitoring in conjunction with an insulin pump and an external device (which could later be implanted).
For further details about Prof. Simon Heller please visit his webpage by clicking here