Glucose Response, Excursions and Treatment (GREAT)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Predicting treatment response, glucose variability and hypoglycaemia by residual beta cell function in insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes
IRAS ID
154177
Contact name
Angus Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Trust
Research summary
Insulin secretion is very variable in patients with type 2 diabetes. While many patients continue to make lots of their own insulin but become resistant to its effects, some lose nearly all of their own insulin secreting ability, and have levels that are similar to that seen in type 1 diabetes, where insulin deficiency is very severe. It is unclear if these patients have the very high risk of hypoglycaemia (glucose going too low), and loss of response to tablet glucose-lowering treatments we commonly see in those with type 1 diabetes.
Recent advances in measurement techniques means we are now able to easily measure the amount of insulin a person makes by testing a blood or urine sample. We want to recruit people who have type 2 diabetes who are treated with insulin and who are known to have very low insulin secretion. We will then recruit others who also have insulin-treated type 2 diabetes but have retained their own insulin secretion. We will look to see whether the risk of hypoglycaemia (as measured using a continuous glucose monitor) and the response to a single dose of a blood glucose-lowering tablet are different between these two groups. This could help us decide if simple measures of whether a person makes their own insulin might be useful to help guide monitoring and treatment in those with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in the future.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SW/1049
Date of REC Opinion
20 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion