Over the years, some research initiatives have been launched and geared towards making advancement in researching on diabetes. According to the journal Diabetes Care, there is a clear outline and procedure that illustrates the manner in which a genetic test can assist doctors to differentiate between type 1 and two diabetes in children and young adults. It is important to note that rising obesity levels has made it extremely difficult for doctors to make a distinction between type 1 and two diabetes. One of the most common distinctions between the two is the manner in which they are treated (Rose, 2017). Type 1 diabetes requires treatment through insulin injections while type 2 diabetes can be controlled through weight loss and diet.
In response to this, the Exeter team has managed to come up with a genetic risk score that can be used to identify people between the ages of 20 to 40 who are in dire need of insulin treatment. It is important to note that this will turn out to be an addition to correct classification of people with diabetes. In addition to that, it will improve the number of people who get the correct treatment once diagnosed with diabetes with a special focus on people sitting in the overlap between type 1 and two diabetes diagnosis. One must be cognizant of the fact that once the insulin treatment starts, there is usually no going back. Therefore, this initiative is likely to save people with diabetes of type 2 from getting the right treatment instead of being treated with insulin when not necessary (English & Williams, 2013).
In addition to that, this diagnostic tool will ensure that people with diabetes of type 1 are not treated with tablets inappropriately, a situation that may lead to a severe risk of the patient. In a venture that received immense support from Wellcome Trust and NIHR, Exeter researchers came up with a test capable of measuring at least 30 genetic variants in DNA (Tuch, Dunlop & Proietto, 2015). In addition to that, it combines all risks into a single score which can be used as a summary of the genetic risk associated with type 1 diabetes. If a person’s score is high, there is a higher chance that he/she has diabetes of type 1. On the other hand, a low score is an indication of diabetes of type 2. This is a significant initiative because a lot of resources are being channeled periodically towards researching on the alternative methods that could be used to diagnose or even prevent diabetes of type 1 and 2 (Rose, 2017).
According to the researchers, this venture’s success has been based on ability to extensively carry out research using availed funds and investing in modern infrastructure that facilitates the whole process. Diabetes has proven to be a giant that can be conquered and the beauty of this is that doctors don’t have to worry anymore when it comes to giving the best to their patients. In some instances, it is considered a crime is giving the wrong medication to a patient considering the consequences that are likely to be realized. Research has shown that 43 percent of patients who die from diabetes were either given the wrong medication or were not properly diagnosed (Nash, 2013).
According to the researchers, this is likely to give valuable additional information that is needed by doctors when making a diagnosis. In addition to that, they suggest that this test can be used in conjunction with a commonly used test that measures antibodies. In addition to that, doctors have openly welcomed the idea since patients will benefit from it immensely. It is important to appreciate the fact that patients will have a better attitude and understanding about their condition. This has been influenced by diabetic people curious to know why they have developed this disease and whether the risk associated with the disease is genetic. This tool has therefore been introduced at a time when there is a lot of inaccurate information going around that needs to be neutralized.
Research has shown that this can only be made possible by what patients see (Stehouwer & Schaper, 2009). The Exeter team has now embarked on developing a test that can be used by any clinical laboratory at a cheaper cost and quick fashion. One of the most interesting facts is that The University of Exeter has risen to be one of the world’s leading researchers in genome studies. The most recent developments have illustrated the manner in which scientific understanding can be translated into improved patient care. Finally, Dr. Mike Weedon from the University of Exeter Medical School has reiterated that what they have done is a good example of how results obtained from large-scale genetic studies can be translated into clinical practices and improved medical care.
- English, P., & Williams, G. (2013). Type 2 diabetes. London: Martin Dunitz.
- Nash, J. (2013). Diabetes and wellbeing. New York: Wiley.
- Rose, A. (2017). Cite a Website – Cite This For Me. Sciencedaily.com. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- Stehouwer, C., & Schaper, N. (2009). Diabetes. Oxford: Clinical Pub.
- Tuch, B., Dunlop, M., & Proietto, J. (2015). Diabetes research (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press.