Diabetes research excellence in the South West
The CRN SWP recruited 3,192 people on to NIHR portfolio diabetes studies in 2016-17.
The top recruiting site in the SW enrolling 1,181 participants was the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. Twenty nine studies were conducted – 18 of which were commercial.
Dr Browne, Diabetes Clinical Specialty Lead for the Clinical Research Network South West Peninsula, said the hard work and dedication of staff who strive to give as many patients as possible access to diabetes research accounts for why the South West is a leader in this field.
He acknowledges that: “None of our success would be possible without our patients who give up their time to participate in studies we offer. Participants often cite wishing to improve their own health condition but also to help future generations of patients living with diabetes. Whilst the South West may be a relatively rural, the population remains fairly static with high levels of regional pride which helps us in recruiting and retaining patients on long term studies."
Dr Browne, whose first diabetes research activity started as a registrar, said research over the past decade has revolutionised our understanding of aspects of diabetes with a range of studies in different settings. Studies have looked at a diverse spectrum of diabetes related matters from long term cardiovascular outcomes which demonstrated the benefits of new classes of diabetes drugs and innovative techniques to improve the healing of foot ulcers to access to state of the art non-invasive monitoring devices not readily available as part of standard care. Notably there has been the ground-breaking academic research led by Professor Andrew Hattersley in Exeter.
Keeping up to speed with diabetes research opportunities to be able to offer patients has been achieved through the Clinical Research Network South West Peninsula. “The success of many research teams in the region has also resulted in them being approached directly by sponsors who want them to conduct new studies,” he added.
His motivation for offering patients the opportunity to participate in diabetes research is built on the evidence that shows that centres which are active in research provide better care for their patients with better outcomes, whilst individual patients who participate tend to also have improved outcomes and become more knowledgeable and motivated in terms of self-management of their condition.
Dr Browne said: “From a personal perspective being involved in research keeps me motivated and ensures the advice I give my patients is the most up to date possible. Diabetes, more than any other chronic condition is reliant on excellent self-management of the condition by the patients living with it, be that by lifestyle changes or the monitoring of glucose and consequent intervention. Studies are already ongoing in how we best give advice to patients to help them manage their own condition but also how we can embrace new technologies to manage their elevated glucose levels.”
So what is on the horizon? Dr Browne commented: “Diabetes research is a broad church and there are opportunities and unanswered questions in every aspect of the science and treatment of the disease. Unanswered questions include how to prevent Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. These areas are likely to remain a focus of research activity in the coming decade.
“However, with the millions of patients around the world developing diabetes each year the treatment of diabetes complications is likely to remain a focus of research for many years to come with the pharmaceutical industry investing billions in the development of new drugs to treat address unmet needs.”
