Diabetes, Hypertension, and COVID Screening(DIHSCO)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Diabetes, Hypertension and COVID Exposure Screening in Tertiary Care Dental Setting (DIHSCO)
IRAS ID
286856
Contact name
Francesco D'Aiuto
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN14624773
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
UCL Data Protection Registration, Z6364106/2020/09/38
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
There is an astonishingly rapid increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) worldwide, particularly diabetes and hypertension and a significant proportion of these cases are undiagnosed. Both of these conditions are major risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and a majority of global COVID-19 deaths were related to these two NCD players, therefore prevention and early detection of these conditions is key. Furthermore, emerging evidence has shown that exposure to COVID-19 may increase the risk of future developments of co-morbidities and adverse health outcomes. To facilitate the COVID-19 response and aid the overwhelmed healthcare system, dental professionals can be used to screen for NCDs and aid early diagnosis and management. Oral health professionals have access to a unique cohort of high-risk individuals due to the relationship between NCDs and oral conditions such as gum diseases (periodontitis). Identification and early diagnosis of NCDs is extremely important to optimise public health outcomes and reduce the impact of this pandemic on vulnerable groups, key workers and society.
Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the prevalence of elevated HbA1c (indicative of (pre-)diabetes) and/or systolic/diastolic blood pressure levels (indicative of (pre-) high blood pressure and/or positive COVID-19 antibodies in patients in a tertiary dental clinic. It is a single centre, observational study of three years duration with a total sample size of 1056 participants. Individuals identified as having elevated HbA1c levels and/or blood pressure levels and/or positive COVID-19 antibodies will be given a letter to give to their general medical practitioner (GP) for definitive diagnosis and management.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/YH/0015
Date of REC Opinion
2 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion