Research study aims to improve the management of type 1 diabetes

Cambridge University Hospitals is one of five centres involved in a research study for people with type 1 diabetes.

 

The HypoCOMPASS study is a randomised controlled trial in which 50% of participants have an insulin pump and 50% have multiple daily insulin injection treatment. In addition, half of all participants receive real-time continuous glucose monitoring.

 

The aim is to improve the management of type 1 diabetes by preventing severe hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and restoring hypoglycaemia awareness using modern technologies.

 

Dr Mark Evans and Dr Lalantha Leelarathna are leading the study at Addenbrooke’s. Dr Evans said: “Severe hypoglycaemia affects up to 30% of people with established type 1 diabetes. When your glucose level is too low – called a ‘hypo’ – your body does not have enough energy to carry out its activities.

 

“We want to see if modern insulins, insulin pumps and continuous blood glucose meters can help restore falling glucose levels and so prevent future episodes of severe hypoglycaemia, which can be life threatening.”

 

For participant Jill, it was the educational aspect of the study which attracted her when she was invited to join during a routine visit to
the diabetes clinic at Addenbrooke’s: “Although pumps have been around for some time, it was the intensive support and education to help me manage my diabetes which really appealed.”

 

Two months into the trial, Jill is a convert. “I’ve learnt an awful lot from the study, and it’s definitely reduced the number of hypos I have.

 

“I’ve gone from a minimum of five injections a day to simply inserting one ‘set’ [the plastic tube which takes insulin from the pump to the body] every two or three days.

 

“My weight is more stable, because I’m not constantly eating to stave off a hypo. I still carry an insulin pen round with me, in case something goes wrong but I haven’t had to use it.

 

“The pump doesn’t do all the work for you – you’ve got to be prepared to monitor your blood glucose levels at least four times a day, and record the time, signs and symptoms of every hypo. The pay-off is that you no longer have to do injections.

 

“It sounds terribly worthy, but I want to give something back, and taking part in research is my way of helping the medical staff who have helped me.”

 

Clinical director for the Diabetes Research Network Professor Nick Wareham said: “Patients are at the centre of everything we do. This is a central theme of the NHS’ Research strategy and in the Eastern Region Diabetes Network we are committed to enhancing the role of patients with diabetes and those at risk of it in the whole research process”.

 

This study has now closed to new participants. If you'd like to find out more about diabetes studies currently running in the East of England please contact the Eastern Diabetes Research Network email drn@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk or visit www.ukdrn.org/eastern/home.

 

 

 

 

 

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