UCLH has recruited its first patient in a national study looking at whether continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can improve pregnancy outcomes for women with early-onset type 2 diabetes.
The PROTECT trial, running at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing at UCLH, is testing whether CGM devices – which let patients check their blood sugar levels at any time – offer clinical and cost benefits over standard care. The goal is to help women better manage their blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
In type 2 diabetes, blood glucose levels are chronically high. When women with type 2 diabetes become pregnant, it can affect both the mother and the child adversely.
Risks for mothers include a higher risk of developing blood pressure issues and a higher likelihood of needing a surgical delivery. Babies are more at risk of birth defects, stillbirth and birth injuries.
Early onset type 2 diabetes – considered as such when it occurs in adults under 39 years old – is an alarming public health problem. Traditionally type 2 diabetes was seen in an older population but increasingly it is being diagnosed in younger adults and sometimes children. It affects women more than men.
Dr Sarita Naik, Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at UCLH, who is leading the trial, said: “The one modifiable factor in these women's health is their blood sugar levels. If we manage their blood sugar levels with medications, lifestyle modifications, diet, and insulin therapy, we can significantly reduce the risks of the abovementioned complications. The use of continuous glucose monitors is increasing in people with diabetes. But we still lack evidence to show that these glucose monitors can reduce the risk of adverse outcomes in pregnancy.”
UCLH Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology has been part of the outreach activities to the underprivileged sections of society via BRC-sponsored events.
Dr Naik said: “As a department we can see that early onset type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects people from different ethnic minorities, and we were keen to do research that supports these patient groups.”
The Co-Principal Investigator of the trial is Clinical Research Fellow Aiyappa Biddanda. The lead nurse is Caroline Byrne, Diabetes Specialist Nurse at UCLH.