The number of people that have diabetes is estimated to be over 180 million worldwide. Patients with diabetes are likely to develop serious complications such as blindness, kidney failure and limb amputations if the disease is not controlled. There are some factors, such as diet and exercise, which can play a role in avoiding diabetes, in particular type 2. However many of the population are already pre-disposed to developing the disease.
This study wants to understand the role that our genes, and other biological markers, play in developing and managing diabetes. This research will hopefully provide some answers to some of the questions surrounding the disease; why do some people develop the disease and others don't; why does medication work for some groups of patients and not for others and why do some people develop the complications associated with diabetes and others don't.
The other aim of this study is to look at Metformin, which is one of the most commonly used drugs to treat type 2 diabetes, and can also be used in the treatment of type 1 diabetes in conjunction with insulin therapy. Metformin has been on the market for over 60 years yet how it works is not fully understood. Some patients respond well to treatment and encounter very little problems, whilst others find it does not work for them and causes many side-effects.
Over 6000 people will be included in this project so that researchers can study the characteristics of patients that develop diabetes and how they respond to treatment. Metformin will be discussed as a treatment option for those that are eligible and their response to the medication will be monitored through blood and urine samples. This is a multi-centre study and will be recruiting for eligible participants from Glasgow, Lothian and Aberdeen.
If you are interested in participating in this study then please answer the questions below to see if you are suitable. If you are then please make sure you register your details otherwise we will not be able to contact you. You can also email us at [email protected] to log your interest.
