Research in the Department
We are about to participate in two important studies:
The Hvidøre Study Group, is an international study group based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr Robertson has been a participant since the earliest studies in 1994. These have concentrated upon trying to understand the reasons for variation in blood glucose control between centres and between countries. The latest study will target the under-11yr group and will involve questionnaires and a capillary (finger-prick) blood sample. If your child is eligible you will hear from us shortly.
The DIAMYD study is another multi-national project intended to investigate whether it is possible to prolong the honeymoon period of children who have been diagnosed in the previous three months. This is a double-blind, randomised control trial which means that neither the patients nor the doctors will know whether the patient has been given a placebo (dummy) medicine or the active ingredient - a substance (GAD) which is associated with the antibodies usually found in the blood at the onset of the disease. This will be a three year study so it will be 2012-2013 before the results are known. However, if successful, this opens the possibility of 'vaccinating' high risk people and perhaps preventing the onset of type 1 diabetes.
Yorkhill was the principal investigating centre in a multi-centre study of insulin detemir in children and adolescents.
We have participated in other insulin studies including that of NovoMix30, and Yorkhill has also been involved in all of the Scottish Study Group for the Care of Diabetes in the Young studies which have shown that more resources are required in Scotland if the outcomes for patients are to improve.
We were also part of the ENDIT study which showed that use of one of the B Vitamins in family members at high risk of diabetes did not reduce the risk of them developing the condition.
