University given £1.3m for diabetes care trial
Northumbria UniversityA university has been awarded £1.3m to try and improve diabetes care for young adults.
Researchers at Northumbria University will lead a study aimed at helping GP practices across England provide care for young adults living with type 2 diabetes.
The study will work all over the country and provide practices with different forms of support, which will then be compared to see if they improve patients' blood sugar levels.
Dr Michael Sykes, from Northumbria's School of Healthcare and Nursing Sciences, said the funding would allow it to "turn data into real improvements in patient care".
"Young adults with type 2 diabetes can achieve better outcomes than they are at present, and we know that improving things like staff knowledge and how services are organised can make a real difference," he said.
"This trial will provide crucial evidence about what works at scale."
During the trial, GP practices will receive help through webinars or guidance via email and online resources.
It will also examine how cost effective the different approaches are and whether they help reduce health inequalities.
Diabetes on the rise
The study will focus on patients aged between 18 and 39 whose blood sugar levels are too high, putting them at increased risk of health problems such as heart disease, difficulties with conception and premature death.
Cases of type 2 diabetes are on the rise in young adults.
About 65,000 people in the age range suffer from the condition and they often develop a more aggressive form of the disease.
Samantha Dottin, who was diagnosed in her 30s, welcomed the news GPs would be given guidance on treating younger patients.
"We have to balance work, family and stigma, so it's reassuring to know that your GP understands the bigger picture," she said.
The project is being funded by the National Institute for Health Research.
The institute's programme director, Prof Kathy Rowan, said: "Rapidly increasing numbers of younger adults are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, putting them at risk of chronic, and potentially fatal, conditions, such as heart disease.
"This important research aims to help GPs improve patient care by evaluating current working practices."
