DECAN Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Prospective study of type 1 and type 2 Diabetics examining the correlation between dietary antioxidant intake and neuronal layer loss. (DECAN study)
IRAS ID
89426
Contact name
LORRAINE NORTH
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aston University
Research summary
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious microvascular complication of diabetes and a leading cause of visual impairment in persons with diabetes. The World Health Organization estimates that diabetic retinopathy accounts for approximately 5% of the global prevalence of blindness, with estimates of 15% to 17% in developed countries. Long-term glycaemic control and optimal blood pressure levels delay or prevent retinopathy, and treating retinal vascular changes in patients with diabetes prevents visual loss. However, all require significant clinical input or specialist ophthalmologic care. Micronutrients may potentially alter the risk of diabetic retinopathy. In particular, the role of nutritional supplementation is of increasing interest with regard to ocular disease. Randomised controlled trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of supplementation for age related macular degeneration however conclusive clinical trials on diabetes in this area are lacking. Various trials have identified positive effects of some nutrients on outcome measures relating to insulin resistance and cardiovascular factors in diabetics but the evidence on the beneficial effects on the development of retinopathy is limited. Furthermore, there are clinical and laboratory evidences to support neuronal damage in the retina of diabetic patients even before there is any fundal changes clinically.To explore these hypotheses further we plan to examine1028 patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to show that poor intake of antioxidants correlates with neuronal layer loss. Patients will be selected from the diabetic eye clinics at Frimley Park Hospital and from the Surrey Diabetic screening programme and invited to take part in the study. The study assessment will involve consent, questionaires, examination of the eyes, photos ,optical coherence tomography ( OCT) and a blood sample. Patients will attend for 3 visits over 12 months.The outcomes of this research would increase our understanding of the beneficial effects of antioxidants in the development of retinopathy in diabetic patients.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1261
Date of REC Opinion
5 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion