Hunter Diabetes Newsletter

Hunter Diabetes Newsletter - October 2018

Published: Wed, 10/31/18

NEWS UPDATE
OCTOBER 2018

+ Obesity & Cardiovascular Events | Clinical Trial

Have you ever had a heart attack or stroke? Do you have poor circulation? Research has shown that treatment with Semaglutide may reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack in people with Type 2 diabetes. In our newest study called SELECT, we will check to see if Semaglutide reduces the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in people who have obesity or are overweight.

In order to conduct this study, we need volunteers who meet the following criteria:

have had a stroke or heart attack, or have poor circulation
are aged 45 or older
are living with obesity or are overweight
do NOT have diabetes
are able to attend regular clinic visits and receive phone calls over a period of 3-5 years

If you or someone you know meets the above criteria and are interested in participating in a clinical trial, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact our clinical trial coordinator Kate on (02) 4963 2323 (take option 1) or send an email by clicking the button below.

Get more info about this study

+ GP Meet the Team Night | Event

The Hunter region has one of the highest incidence of Type 1 Diabetes, and 60% of Type 2 cases could be avoided. As a healthcare professional, it is imperative we do all that we can to reduce these figures and its associated complications.

This is where Hunter Diabetes Centre can help. Based in Merewether, we are your local diabetes management team, which includes endocrinologists, dietitians, diabetes educators, and clinical researchers. We are all focused on working alongside local GPs to improve the lives of patients with diabetes, as well as implementing prevention for pre-diabetics. We want to help you give your patient the best possible care and the chance at a healthier future.

To find out how we can help you and improve diabetic outcomes, come along and meet our team at Hunter Diabetes Centre on November 14th at 6.30pm. This casual evening will include free canapes and champagne and give you the chance to chat with our team of specialists re: the latest in diabetes technology, best evidence-based practices, and our multi-disciplinary approach to diabetes management. Learn how we can work as one and help reduce the impact diabetes is having on the Hunter region.

This event is open to all GPs and practice nurses. To secure your spot, please send us an email by clicking the button below or give us a call on (02) 4963 2323 – we’ll see you there!

RSVP to Meet the Team night

+ EASE Trial Results | Clinical Trial

We are pleased to share the results of our recently concluded 'EASE' clinical trial. This trial was testing the use of empagliflozin alongside insulin as a treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. Empagliflozin was already approved for use in patients with Type 2 Diabetes, so this study was testing it's effectiveness in Type 1 patients. It was therefore a requirement of the study that participants needed to have Type 1 Diabetes and taking regular daily doses of insulin, either through multiple daily injections (MDI) or via an insulin pump.

The EASE study was conducted worldwide, with 12 volunteers recruited at Hunter Diabetes Centre. Participants received treatment over a 1 year period, randomly assigned to one of three treatment arms - 10mg empagliflozin, 25mg empagliflozin, and a placebo. The placebo arm of a study acts as a 'control', and is necessary for non-bias results. The study was also double-blinded, meaning neither the patient nor our staff knew which arm of the study a patient had been allocated to.

Patients attended our centre regularly throughout this period for assessment, which included checking of vital signs and measurements, any new illnesses or lifestyle changes, any changes in medication, and adherence to taking regular doses of the study medication. All this data was collected, and together with the other sites participating worldwide, contributed to the findings presented by study sponsor, Boehringer Ingelheim.

The main conclusion drawn from the EASE study was that empagliflozin improved glycemic control and weight in Type 1 Diabetes without increasing hypoglycemia. It was also noted that Ketoacidosis (DKA) rate was comparable between empagliflozin 2.5 mg and placebo but increased with 10 mg and 25 mg (ketone monitoring for early ketoacidosis detection and intervention and lower empagliflozin doses may help to reduce this risk). There was a plethora of other findings through the EASE study; to read the full study paper, click the link below. We'd like to thank all those participants who volunteered their time and energy to help us conduct this study. Your involvement helps us improve medical therapies and treatment for Diabetes.

Results paper for EASE trial

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