12
NEWS
By a slim margin
Recent updates from Diabetes UK, from accessing
Fiasp to collaborating with Slimming World.
From April 2024, there will be shortages of the
Fiasp FlexTouch insulin pen. Fiasp is a rapidacting
insulin manufactured by Novo Nordisk.
While there is no current shortage of the insulin,
however a disruption in the manufacturing process means
that the 100units/ml disposable, pre-filled FlexTouch
insulin pen will be out of stock from April 2024 until
January 2025. Diabetes UK is advising users are advised
that the 100units/ml Fiasp in cartridges (Penfill) remain
available, and that they can request a re-useable NovoPen
that takes these cartridges via a prescription from their
healthcare provider. They may also need to more closely
monitor your blood sugar levels during this period.
Eating problems?
Having diabetes can mean people are more at risk of
developing disordered eating, and Diabetes UK has
provided the results of two research projects it is funding
to help treat and prevent eating problems in people with
Type 1 and 2 diabetes.
It is thought that one in three children and young
people with Type 1 diabetes is affected by eating problems
and, working closely with families of children with Type
1 diabetes and healthcare professionals, Dr Christina
Jones at the University of Surrey has developed a new
programme designed to help children and young people
with Type 1 diabetes avoid disordered eating.
The programme teaches parents about Type 1 diabetes
and eating problems and aims to help them spot early
warning signs, and get their children the right support.
The researchers tested the programme by getting parents
to complete questionnaires measuring how they and their
children felt about Type 1 diabetes, eating, and wellbeing
and by checking the children's blood sugar levels, weight,
medication use, and healthcare visits.
The research team found that most parents liked the
programme and found it helpful and saw positive changes
in the parents and children who got the programme
compared to those who did not.
In the second study, Dr Gemma Traviss-Turner and a
team at the University of Leeds developed a programme
to help treat people with Type 2 diabetes and binge eating
disorder, which is believed at affect one in four people
living with Type 2 diabetes.
The team developed an online self-help programme
which people complete over 12 weeks, alongside support
sessions from a trained guide. The researchers then
tested the new programme with 22 people with Type 2
diabetes and found that, while before the programme,
90% of people reported binge eating, there was a
significant reduction in this which continued to improve
further after the programme. People also reported
positive changes in depression and anxiety symptoms.
The result of both studies have given researchers
the evidence they need to plan larger studies to test the
effectiveness of the programmes more thoroughly.
Slim chance?
Diabetes UK has published an open letter concerning its
partnership with Slimming World, which has generated
some strong feeling - much of it negative - from the
diabetes community.
The letter explains that "We know that diet, healthy
eating and weight loss are complex, highly sensitive
issues that can cause and carry huge amounts of stigma.
But we believe working alongside Slimming World to
enrich their offer to people with and affected by diabetes
is one way to address this. It's part of our wide-ranging
work to help change how we as a society view and talk
about issues around weight…. we know that for some the
announcement - including its timing - felt stigmatising
and we will learn from this. Our shared commitment
with Slimming World, through this partnership, is
to continue learning - from you - about how we can
tackle stigma around diabetes, and around weight and
weight management."
To see FAQs regarding the partnership with Slimming
World CLICK HERE.