BEAT-DKD Exeter
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Novel imaging biomarkers to beat diabetic kidney disease
IRAS ID
233145
Contact name
Angela Shore
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
20 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
People with diabetes are more likely to have kidney problems, which can ultimately progress to kidney failure. It is believed that this deterioration is related, at least partially, to changes in blood vessels. To enable us to detect, monitor and effectively treat individuals who are prone to diabetic kidney disease it is critical for us to (1) increase our understanding how it develops, particularly in the early stages; (2) identify better approaches of identifying individuals at risk of diabetic kidney disease progression; (3) identify novel therapeutic targets.
This study aims to examine the relationship between blood vessel health and kidney function, using traditional and novel biomarkers, in the earliest stages of diabetic kidney damage and how these factors change over time.
Early signs of diabetes related damage to the kidneys is slightly raised levels of protein in the urine. We plan to recruit individuals without diabetes as well as individuals with type 2 diabetes with either normal or slightly raised levels of protein (albumin) in the urine.
Blood vessel assessments, traditional and novel markers (magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound parameters) of diabetic kidney disease will be assessed at baseline. Participants will be invited to repeat these assessments at ~2 years. At 1 and 3 years after study enrolment participants will be invited to return for the collection of blood and urine samples to enable us to monitor kidney function over the study. Following their last research visit at 3 years we will obtain long term clinical follow-up via medical records and/or questionnaires.This research will lead to new insights into the relationship of blood vessel function and the earliest stages of diabetic kidney disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes, and will inform better strategies to detect, monitor and effectively treat individuals who are prone to diabetic kidney disease.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SW/0061
Date of REC Opinion
9 May 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion