NEWS
TYPE2S OFF 'SCRIPT
Researchers from the National Centre
for Drug Adherence Testing (NCAT)
at Leicester's Hospitals, together with
colleagues at the University of Leicester,
took urine samples from 228 patients
taken at their annual diabetes review.
The urine samples were screened for 60
different medicines used to treat type 2
diabetes, heart conditions and high blood
pressure (hypertension). They found
that 28% of this group had either taken
none, or only some, of their prescribed
medicines.
Dr Prashanth Patel, a consultant
and co-director of NCAT at Leicester's
Hospitals, and study co-author, says,
"These findings had a knock-on effect,
as those who had not been taking
their prescription drugs regularly had
significantly higher blood sugar levels
compared with those who had been.
We also found they were more prone to
higher levels of microalbumin, a marker
that the kidneys may not be healthy, as
well as higher blood pressure and more
fat levels in the blood, otherwise known
as the lipid profile."
Professor Kamlesh Khunti, who is
Professor of Primary Care Diabetes
and Vascular Medicine at the University
of Leicester and a Co-Director at the
Leicester Diabetes Centre, adds, "It
is difficult to diagnose non-adherence
reliably through conversation alone.
Many patients may not want to admit
that they forget to take their medication,
or for whatever reason choose not to,
but it is important doctors have the full
picture. Our study shows that a routine
urine sample can be used to detect the
person's approach to their medication.
This test could help initiate a discussion
about the reasons for non-adherence and
ways to overcome them."
The study was published in Diabetes
Care.
GO FOR A
BURTON
The Burton Diabetes UK Group are once
again holding their Annual Public Event
and the topic this year is: Diabetes - I'm
in Charge! Speakers include Dr Ruth
Chambers, OBE, who is an honorary
professor at Keele University, and visiting
professor at Staffordshire University as
well as being Staffordshire's clinical lead
for technology-enabled care services
programme. She is joined by British
Paralympic swimmer Jonathan Fox,
MBE, who won gold at the London 2012
Paralympics but was diagnosed with Type
1 diabetes in 2018. In addition, there will
be an Expert Patient Panel and some
chair-based exercise, too, along with a
small exhibition. The free event takes place
18 June, 5.30-9pm at the Burton Albion
Pirelli Stadium, Burton on Trent.
DiabetesUK/Burton
INPUT is a charity with a mission to improve access to
diabetes tech such as insulin pumps, flash and continuous
glucose monitoring, as well as to structured education.
www.inputdiabetes.org.uk