Type 2 diabetics sought for prevention study

A research study led by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the University of East Anglia is looking for people in Norfolk with Type 2 diabetes who could help prevent others from developing the disease.

In a first for the UK, the two-year UEA-IFG research programme is looking to recruit 40 local people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes for at least two years. These volunteers will be known as T2Trainers.

The role of the T2Trainers is unique to the UEA-IFG study; the concept has not been used in any study in the UK previously. Members of the public with Type 2 diabetes can offer support to those at risk of developing the same condition in parallel to the work of healthcare professionals who will be working with people to adjust their diet and exercise levels in a bid to stop them developing the disease.

The main criteria to become a T2Trainer are:
• Must have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes for at least two years
• Must be aged between 18-70 years old
• Must Live in North, Central or South Norfolk

The T2Trainers will be trained as mentors and they will have the important role of supporting, encouraging and motivating study participants over the phone throughout the programme to maintain diet and exercise targets. Each T2 trainer will be linked to either 1 or 2 intervention groups (about 10 people in each group).

Individuals that are appointed will be provided with a full training programme which will cover diabetes and pre-diabetes, confidentiality, diet, exercise, support and mentoring. After completing the training seminars a Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to each T2Trainer which is recognised by the University of East Anglia (UEA).

On 3rd December, an Open Event is being held at Dunston Hall Hotel, near Norwich, to recruit T2Trainer who want to act as mentors to the study participants. Presentations will be held at 4pm and 6.30pm by the T2Trainer Coordinator. If you are aged between 18-70 years of age, have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and would like to know more about becoming a T2Trainer you can attend the event at Dunston Hall Hotel and/or email nikki.murray@nnuh.nhs.uk or call 01603 597275.

Diabetes is one of the biggest public health challenges facing the country and in Norfolk there are about 30,000 people with diabetes and about 2500 are newly diagnosed each year.

Type 2 diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in adults over the age of 40, although, increasingly it is appearing in young people and young adults.

The study team will screen 6,000 volunteers to check the level of glucose in their blood. Those with higher than normal glucose levels could mean they are in a “pre-diabetes” phase and are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes will be randomised to either an intervention or control group and given help to improve diet and exercise levels in order to see if changes to their lifestyle can help reduce the risk of them developing type 2 diabetes.

Study chief investigator Professor Mike Sampson said: “Diabetes is one of the big public health challenges of our time; and if we can demonstrate that with the help from members of the public as trainers, we can make the study a success, the savings in human and financial cost for the health sector will be substantial.’’

You can learn more about the study by visiting the website www.uea-ifg.nhs.uk or contact the Type 2 Trainer coordinator on 01603 597275.